The apostle John clearly shows that the things which he wrote were given to produce the faith
which brings life in the name of Jesus (John 20:30-31). We freely admit that the Scriptures do not
contain everything Jesus did. John said, "And there are also many other things that Jesus did,
which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the
books that would be written." (John 21:25). Although we do not have everything Jesus did, we
do have every necessary thing. We have enough to give us life in His name.
Luke said he wrote his book to Theophilus in order that he might know the certainty of the things
which he had heard (Luke 1:3-4). In other words, Theophilus would no longer need to rely on
what he had been taught by word of mouth, but could now prove them by the inspired writings.
In Acts 1:1 Luke said, "The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to
do and teach..." What did Luke mean when he said he wrote of all that Jesus did and taught? We
know he did not mean every detail of the life of Christ, because John said if that were done, the
world itself would not contain the books. He meant, therefore, that he had written all necessary
things that Jesus did and taught. The Scriptures provide:
All necessary things which Jesus did - Acts 1:1-2
Certainty of His action and teaching - Luke 1:3-4
Life in the name of Jesus - John 20:30-31
Instructions to salvation - 2 Tim. 3:15
Commands of the Lord - 1 Cor. 14:37
The proper conduct - 1 Tim. 3:14-15
Every good work - 2 Tim. 3:16-17
Protection against sin - 1 John 2:1
An assurance of eternal life - 1 John 5:13
Standard by which teachers are tested - Acts 17:11
Standard which we cannot go beyond - 1 Cor. 4:6
Blessings from God - Rev. 1:3
Joy that is complete - 1 John 1:3-4
Standard of judgment - Rev. 20:12
If one reads and studies the New Testament and obtains from it all the things mentioned above, what else would he need? Do not men cast reflection on God when they imply that God failed to provide everything necessary for salvation? God declared that man is equipped for every good work through the Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Who has the right to say that man is not equipped for every good work through the Scriptures?