While many religious people believe the Bible to be important, and they want to believe that they are following the Bible, very few people actually cite biblical texts in defense of their positions and practices. Too many people simply assume that their religious teachings and traditions are correct. This is dangerous, for Jesus said that the use of human traditions and doctrines renders one’s worship “vain” (Matthew 15:8, 9).
There is way whereby we can know that our beliefs, doctrines and practices are pleasing to God: Jesus demonstrated this good and safe way every time He said, “It is written…” Jesus began and ended His ministry with these words. At the beginning of His ministry, in responding to Satan’s efforts to entice Him, Jesus prefaced each rebuttal with the words, “It is written…” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). At the end of His ministry, in explaining to His apostles His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, Jesus said, “Thus it is written…” (Luke 24:46). To Jesus, the willingness of one to believe what was spoken and written by the prophets constituted “belief” (Luke 24:25). The things that were written in the Scriptures were the grounds of confident faith.
Herein lies the weakness and fallacy of so many of today’s religions. “Faith” is “strong belief,” and the so-called “faith” of many “religious” people is actually no faith at all. True Bible faith is founded upon Scripture – Paul said, “So then, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). It is therefore not “faith” when people believe, teach and practice things that are not ordered and authorized by Scripture.
Jesus also admonished people to “read” the things that were written (in Scripture), and He rebuked people for failing to do so. In response to the Pharisees’ question about divorce, Jesus immediately responded, “Have you not read…?” (Matthew 19:4). He asked, “Have you never read…?,” and “Did you never read…?” (Matthew 21:16, 42). In answering the Sadducees’ question about the resurrection, Jesus asked, “Have you not read that which was spoken to you by God…?” (Matthew 22:31).
Restoration preachers of yesteryears rightly hammered into their hearers the words and sentiments of Peter in 1 Peter 4:11: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God…” But Peter was merely following the model of His Master, for Jesus laid heavy emphasis upon a “thus saith the Lord.” In like manner, when explaining the nature of Abraham’s faith Paul asked, “And what saith the Scripture?” (Romans 4:3). We need to be asking this question today! Yes, it may result in some awkward moments in some of today’s churches, but religious people must insist that scriptural authority be produced for what their churches believe, teach and practice. When church leaders and representatives fail or refuse to provide scriptural authority in these areas, such churches should not be supported or attended. Refusal to “abide in the doctrine of Christ” will result in the loss of fellowship with God (2 John 9). It is a serious and important matter.