Our Standard for Authority

1. Read: 2 Peter 1:16-21 “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice, which came from heaven, we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

2. About the Text:

1) Peter is writing to those who had obtained a like precious faith (2 Peter 1:1).

2) He is trying to build up their faith by adding to it the Christian virtues (5-8).

3) He does not want to be negligent in ensuring that they are sure about the things upon which their faith is based (11-13).

4) The things that he taught were not fables.

5) He was an eyewitness of these things.

6) Additionally, we have “a more sure word of prophecy.”

7) This prophecy is not of private origination.

8) This prophecy was originated from the Holy Spirit.

9) It is only by this authority that we can be “sure” of our calling and election.

3. Historically

1) In the early 19th century there was a man by the name of Thomas Campbell

2) He was very disenchanted with the great amount of religious division that resulted from the reformation.

3) He wrote a document called the “Declaration and Address.”

4) This is NOT an inspired document.

5) In this document he suggested 13 propositions for Christians to have religious unity. Proposition 2 and 3 are as follows: “That although the Church of Christ upon earth must necessarily exist in particular and distinct societies, locally separate one from another, yet there ought to be no schisms, no uncharitable divisions among them. They ought to receive each other as Christ Jesus hath also received them, to the glory of God. And for this purpose they ought all to walk by the same rule, to mind and speak the same thing; and to be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment. 3. That in order to do this, nothing ought to be inculcated upon Christians as articles of faith; nor required of them as terms of communion, but what is expressly taught and enjoined upon them in the word of God. Nor ought anything to be admitted, as of Divine obligation, in their Church constitution and managements, but what is expressly enjoined by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ and his apostles upon the New Testament Church; either in express terms or by approved precedent.”

6) Campbell sought to make the Bible our only standard for faith and spiritual practice to gain religious unity.

7) The Bible claims to be the ONLY standard from God for man’s spiritual practices while upon the earth.

4. These statements reflect what the Bible teaches about unity.

5. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Only the words of God are authoritative and powerful.

1) God’s words are always fulfilled; such cannot be said of other authorities. Isaiah 55:10, 11 “For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

2) Luke 1:37 ASV “For no word from God shall be void of power.”

3) Heb.4:12, 13 “For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

2. Only the Spirit of God can reveal the mind of God.

1) 1 Cor.2:11-13 “For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God. But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit, which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual {words}.”

2) Luke 12:11,12 “And when they bring you before the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, be not anxious how or what ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: for the Holy Spirit shall teach you in that very hour what ye ought to say.”

3) 1 Peter 1:10,11 “Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that {should come} unto you: searching what {time} or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them.”

3. The Bible claims inspiration for itself and no other outside of its inspired writers and prophets.

1) All prophets were inspired — 2 Peter 1:21 “For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.”

2) All scripture is inspired — 2 Timothy 3:16,17 “Every scripture inspired of God {is} also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.”

3) Prophecy was to be done away with — 1 Corinthians 13

4) No more additions or subtractions allowed after book of Revelation — Revelation 22:18,19 “I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.”

1. Our standard is not other men or their authorities or their traditions. (Gal.1:11,12). “For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man. For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but {it came to me} through revelation of Jesus Christ.”

2. Our standard is not “our own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5,6)

3. Our standard is not what “seems” right (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25)

4. Our standard is not our own feelings. (Jeremiah 10:23)

5. Our standard is not angels. (Gal.1:8, 9) “But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema. As we have said before, so say I now again, if any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema.” (Satan can transform himself into an angel of light: 2 Cor.11:14,15)

6. Our standard is not our own conscience. (Romans 2:15; Acts 23:1)

1. Sufficient to teach All Men how to live – Titus 2:11, 12 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”

2. Sufficient to give us All good works – 2 Timothy 3:16,17

3. Sufficient to give us All things that pertains to life and godliness – 2 Peter 1:2-3.

4. Sufficient to takes care of All needs – Matt.6:33

1. The Bible and only the Bible must be our sole standard for spiritual authority today.

1) The Bible is Inspired of God.

2) Other “standards” are woefully inadequate.

3) The Bible is all sufficient to meet every spiritual need for all mankind. Hence we need no new revelation.