By David J. Riggs
In this present age, God speaks to us through His Son, Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:1-2). Christ spoke the
words and commandments given to Him from the Father (John 12:49-50). We are to hear Jesus,
not Moses or Elijah (Mark 9:2-8). Christ is the mediator of the New Testament (Heb. 9:15-17).
Christ is that great prophet who was to come (Deut. 18:15,19; Acts 3:22-23). The name of Jesus
is the only name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). We cannot reject His word and be
guiltless (John 12:48). God, therefore, makes known His will to us today through His Son.
Jesus makes known God's will through His apostles and prophets. Christ gave the same words
and commandments that He received from the Father to His twelve apostles (John 17:6-8, 17-20).
He promised them the Holy Spirit who would remind them of all He had said, and would guide
them into all truth. He said, "These things I have spoken to you while yet dwelling with you. But
the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things,
and bring to your mind whatever I have said to you." (John 14:25-26; see also 14:16-17).
Furthermore, Jesus said, "But when the advocate has come, whom I will send you from the
Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness concerning me. And
you also bear witness, because from the beginning you are with me." (John 15:26-27; see also
16:13-14). From the foregoing passages, we learn two important facts: (1) The promise of the
Holy Spirit was to the apostles only. They were the ones to whom Jesus was speaking; they were
the ones who had been with Him from the beginning. (2) The Holy Spirit would be in them and
would enable them to teach all the truth concerning the will of God.
The apostles were to wait in Jerusalem to receive the Holy Spirit as was promised. "And I send
forth upon you the promise of my Father. But wait here in the city, until you are clothed with
power from on high." (Luke 24:49). "And while eating with them, he charged them not to depart
from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, 'of which you have heard,' said he, 'by
my mouth; for John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not
many days hence.' " (Acts 1:4-5). "...You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon
you..." (Acts 1:8). All of this was in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies which said,
"...The law shall come forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." (Isa. 2:3;
Micah 4:2).
The apostles received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2:1-4 and
"began to speak in foreign tongues, even as the Holy Spirit prompted them to speak." (Verse 4).
Thus, they began to proclaim by inspiration the will or law of God as Jesus had declared in the
words, "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound also in heaven; and whatever you loose on
earth shall be loosed also in heaven." (Matt. 18:18). What Jesus said to Peter concerning binding
and loosing (Matt. 16:19), He also said to all the apostles (Matt. 18:18). The meaning is not that
the binding and loosing would come from their own devising--God alone is the lawgiver (James
4:12) and His word is forever firmly fixed in the heavens (Psalm 119:89)--but with the Holy Spirit
guiding them they would proclaim the things God wanted bound and loosed. For example, they
declared what God bound for forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), and what God loosed--"...Delivered
me from the law of sin and death" (Rom. 8:2). This principle is expressed in Matt. 10:20 which
says, "...For it is not you who are speaking, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks through
you."
Up to the point as recorded in Acts 2, only the twelve had obtained the ability to speak by the
inspiration of God. Verse 14 of Acts 2 shows that Peter, standing with the eleven, declared that
the gift which they had received was in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Verse 43 says,
"And fear came upon every soul; many wonders also and signs were done by means of the
apostles in Jerusalem, and great fear came upon all." Consequently, the apostles up to this point
were the only ones who had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. God worked with them by
giving them the power to work miracles. Mark 16:20 says, "But they went forth and preached
everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the preaching by the signs that
followed." (See also Heb. 2:3-4).
As we read a little farther in the book of Acts, we see how New Testament prophets were made.
The first account of someone besides an apostle working a miracle is that of Stephen. "Now
Stephen, full of grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people." (Acts
6:8). Stephen, as well as Philip, was of the seven on whom the apostles had laid their hands.
"These they set before the apostles, and after they had prayed they laid their hands upon them."
(Acts 6:6). As we read still farther, we see that Philip is the next person who was able to work
miracles. "And Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached the Christ to them. And the
crowds with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, listening to him and seeing the
miracles that he worked." (Acts 8:5-6).
Although Philip was a New Testament prophet and could work miracles, he was unable to give
the Holy Spirit to others. Only the apostles were empowered with that ability. Acts 8:14-19 says,
"Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent
to them Peter and John. On their arrival they prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy
Spirit; for as yet he had not come upon any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name
of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. But when
Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered
them money, saying, 'Give me also this power, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may
receive the Holy Spirit.' "
Please notice that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands. This is
the only way New Testament prophets were made and the prophets themselves were unable to
give the Spirit to others. Philip could not give the Holy Spirit to the people of Samaria. Some
apostles, Peter and John, had to be sent from Jerusalem before that could be done. When an
apostle laid his hands on someone, he received miraculous powers. Acts 19:6 says, "And when
Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began to speak in tongues
and to prophesy." Cornelius and his household received the "like gift" as the apostles for the
specific purpose of God's acceptance of the Gentiles into the New Covenant (Acts 11:14-18).
The possession of the Spirit is the factor that determined the authority of the apostles and
prophets. They had the authority to deliver God's law because God was speaking through them.
On that basis only were they enabled to unerringly deliver God's message to mankind.
Furthermore, the apostles and those on whom they laid their hands could speak with tongues,
prophesy, and work miracles. They worked miracles to demonstrate their authority, to show that
they were indeed inspired of God. In defense of his own authority, Paul said, "Indeed, the signs of
the apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in miracles and wonders and deeds of
power." (2 Cor. 12:12). No one can work miracles today as they did; no one is inspired of the
Holy Spirit today as they were; thus, no one has the same authority today.
There was a time when all of the word of God was given orally--by word of mouth of the inspired
apostles and prophets. Christians during that period were guided solely by the inspired teachers
who were present with them. Paul said, "And now, behold, I know that you all among whom I
went about preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no longer. Therefore I call you to
witness this day that I am innocent of the blood of all; for I have not shrunk from declaring to you
the whole counsel of God." (Acts 20:25-27). The word of God given orally by the apostles and
prophets of Christ was the guide and standard of authority in that early period. If an individual
wished to be pleasing to God, he had to receive the word of the inspired men as coming from God
Himself (1 Thess. 2:13).
There was a period when the word of God was given both orally and written. The apostles and
prophets began delivering God's will both by preaching and writing. 2 Thess. 2:15 says, "So then,
brethren, stand firm, and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of
mouth or by letter." (Catholic Edition RSV; see also 2 Pet. 3:1-2). Thus, there was time when
people were guided either by having inspired men in their presence or by epistles written by
inspired men. Both of these had equal authority because both were the product of the Holy Spirit.
Notice also that they were not to hold just any traditions, but "the traditions which you were
taught by us." 2 Thess. 3:6 teaches the same; the traditions delivered by the apostles and prophets
were to be held, not the traditions of men.
When the apostles and prophets passed from the earth, their inspired writings became the only
means by which we receive God's . When the apostles and prophets approached their deaths, they
did not leave us other authorities from which we could obtain the law of God. Instead, they left
their writings. Paul said, "If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that
the things I am writing to you are the Lord's commandments." (1 Cor. 14:37). Thus, the inspired
writings are the laws of the Lord. No passage anywhere in the Scriptures gives the slightest hint
that unwritten human traditions, teachings of the Pope, or legislations of the church, are the
commandments of the Lord. Instead, the Scriptures repeatedly reveal that man's teachings,
whether writings or otherwise, are to be rejected (Col. 2:8; Eph. 4:14; 2 Cor. 11:13-15).
It is important for us to understand how the apostles witness to us today. It is not through other
men; it is impossible for a man in our time to be a witness in the sense the apostles were. Instead,
it is through their writings--the Holy Scriptures. The apostle John in his introduction to his first
epistle declared that he was bearing witness to those things which they had heard, which they had
seen with their eyes, which they had touched with their hands, concerning the Word of life. He
bore witness to those things by writing them for us. "And these things write we unto you, that
our joy may be full." (See 1 John 1:1-4). Thus, the apostles witness to us today through their
writings and this is the only way their unerring guidance is transmitted to the present age. It is the
only way God's is delivered to us today.
The apostles' testimony given in their writings was to "...All that in every place call upon the name
of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours" (1 Cor. 1:2), and "...To the faithful in Christ Jesus"
(Eph. 1:1). Furthermore, their writings were given to bring a knowledge of the mystery of Christ
(Eph. 3:2-5), to protect against sin (1 John 2:1), and to assure believers of eternal life (1 John
5:13). Also, their writings provide the proper conduct in the church (1 Tim. 3:14-15).
Jesus prayed for unity of all those who would believe on Him through the word of the apostles.
"Yet not for these only do I pray, but for those also who through their word are to believe in me."
(John 17:20). In this prayer Jesus revealed how believers are to be made--through the apostles'
word. Since we do not have the apostles present with us, we must inquire, "How are believers
made through their word today?" It is not through other authorities, but as John said, "But these
are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you
may have life in his name." (John 20:31). Very simply, therefore, individuals were made believers
at first as result of the inspired apostles witnessing to them while in their presence. Individuals are
made believers today as result of the apostles witnessing through their inspired writings.
In God's plan all men will be judged by the same standard. Those first individuals will be judged
by the word of God which was spoken to them orally. "The word that I have spoken, the same
shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48 Rheims Trans.). Those living afterward will be judged
by the word of God spoken through inspired writings. "And the dead were judged by what was
written in the books, by what they had done." (Rev. 20:12; see also Rom. 2:16; James 2:12).
God's word does not mention nor allow any other standard of judgment. This, likewise proves
that the Scriptures are man's only infallible authority in religion today. We will not be judged by
the teaching or legalization of any man or group of men.
The Lord Jesus Christ, who left us an example (1 Pet. 2:21), often referred to in the Scriptures as
the final source of authority. He often used such terms as, "search the Scriptures" (John 5:39),
"have you not read?" (Matt. 12:3,5; 19:4; 21:16,42; 22:31), "is it not written in your law?" (John
10:34; Luke 10:26). Furthermore, He often showed the consequences for failing to abide in
Scriptures, e.g., "You err, not knowing the Scriptures..." (Matt. 22:19 Rheims Trans.), "Thus
making void the word of God through your traditions" (Mark 7:13 Catholic Edition RSV). His
manner of refuting error was, "God said...but you say..." (Matt. 15:4-5; Mark 7:10-11). After
Jesus mentioned, "God said," He then quoted Scripture. That was His manner of drawing a clear,
sharp contrast between the written word of God and the teachings of men. Admittedly, Jesus was
referring to the Old Testament Scriptures which the people were under at that time; however,
would He not require the same respect today for His very own written law (1 Cor. 14:37) as the
final source of authority?
If a man or any group of men are teaching anything contrary to the Scriptures we must reject it.
For example, if man teaches that baptism is pouring water on a person, but the scriptures teach
that baptism is a burial of a person in water, which should we accept? Or, if the Scriptures teach
that Peter was not a pope, but men say that Peter was a pope, which should we accept? My point
here is that the inspired writings are the sole standard of authority, and not uninspired men. 1 Cor.
4:6 says, "Now, brethren, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos by way of illustration
for your sakes, that in our case you may learn not to be puffed up one against the other over a
third party, transgressing what is written." (See also Acts 17:11). Notice that the Scriptures are
the standard which we cannot transgress or go beyond. No other standards of authority are
mentioned or allowed. We cannot respect men above that which is written.
Paul said, "Far from thy infancy thou has known the Sacred Writings, which are able to instruct
thee unto Salvation by the faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and
useful for instructing in justice; that the man of God may be perfect, equipped for every good
work." (2 Tim. 3:15-17). This is another passage which forcefully teaches that the Scriptures
alone are the standard. Any works that men might do which are not in the Scriptures cannot be
good works in God's sight because the Scriptures contain "every good work." Catholics try to
dodge the force of the passage by saying that Paul was referring to Old Testament Scriptures
rather than New Testament ones. However, the apostle Peter referred to Paul's writings as
Scripture. (2 Pet. 3:15-16).
Let me pose this question, "Why would Catholics want to defeat the Bible as the only authority?"
The answer is: it is their way of trying to justify their own traditions. How else would they justify
them? Furthermore, Catholics try to discredit the Bible as the sole authority because it plainly and
forcefully condemns their doctrines. For example, to cite only a few: (1) It condemns clerical
dress (Matt. 23:4-6); (2) It teaches against the adoration of Mary (Luke 11:27-28); (3) It shows
that all Christians are priests (1 Pet. 2:5,9); (4) It condemns the observance of special days (Gal.
4:9-11); (5) It teaches that all Christians are saints (1 Cor. 1:2); (6) It teaches that baptism is
immersion instead of pouring (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12); (7) It forbids us to address religious
leaders as "father" (Matt. 23:9); (8) It opposes unmarried bishops (1 Tim. 3:1-7); (9) It addresses
only God Himself as the "Holy Father" (John 17:11); (10) It shows that the great apostasy would
forbid marriage (1 Tim. 4:1-3); (11) It reveals that the great apostasy would have one who
claimed to take the place of God (2 Thess. 2:3-12).
Here is a summation of the verses which we have examined which show clearly that the Scriptures
alone are the standard of authority in religion today: (1) Life in the name of Jesus (John
20:30-31); (2) Commands of the Lord (1 Cor. 14:37); (3) Knowledge of the mystery of Christ
(Eph. 3:2-5). (4) The proper conduct (1 Tim. 3:14-15); (5) Every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17);
(6) Protection against sin (1 John 2:1); (7) An assurance of eternal life (1 John 5:13); (8) Standard
by which teachers are tested (Acts 17:11; 1 Cor. 4:6); (9) Joy that is complete (1 John 1:1-4);
(10) Standard of judgment (Rev. 20:12).
Each of the passages listed in the paragraph above reveal what the writings, the Scriptures, provide. The holy Scriptures do not mention or allow other authorities in religion today. The Scriptures alone are the complete and final standard which furnish all of man's spiritual needs. They alone are the standard by which all teachers should be tested, and by which we will be judged in the last day. God will not judge us by a standard which is not the sufficient, complete, and final one. Let us all have profound respect for the holy Scriptures, and never speak against or discredit their authority, because the very standard we might seek to discredit, is the one by which we will be judged in the last day.