BIBLE AUTHORITY (3 of 8)
Roger Campbell

"From heaven or of men," that was the question that Jesus asked the Jewish leaders about the baptism of John the Baptist. His question shows that there are really only two types of authority in religious matters, divine and human. In our time many reject the standard that the Lord has given us, and choose to follow their own. Let us note some false or manmade standards that some try to follow.

I. WHAT THEY WANT TO DO:

Some persons totally disregard what the Bible says and simply do what they want to do, thinking that they have a better way than God does. At Mt. Sinai the children of Israel built a golden calf, because that was what THEY wanted, but God punished them for it (Ex 32). In the period of the judges every man did that which was right in his own eyes, in other words, as each person desired, but their conduct resulted in rebellion against God (Judges 21:25). To want to do something does not make it right or wrong.

II. WHAT OLDER PEOPLE SAY:

We must respect older persons, but their word or ideas are not a safe religious standard. Many older persons deny that God exists, but "without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Heb 11:6). Older men were involved in trying to commit homosexuality in the city of Sodom when Lot lived there (Gen 19:4,5). Though these older men were in favor of homosexuality, it is an abomination to God (Romans 1:26,27,32). Do not be deceived, following the standard given by older persons will result in a rejection of God.

III. WHAT MANY PEOPLE SAY OR DO:

We recently discussed this standard in an earlier article (15 January 1995). Let us ask the question again: If many people do or teach something, does that prove that it is right? What does Jesus say? "Enter ye in at the strait gate, for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Mt 7:13-14). Following the way of the majority is not the path to salvation!

IV. WHAT PEOPLE FEEL IS RIGHT:

Feelings are not a safe guide in religious matters. Why? Because feelings can deceive a person. For instance? Paul. He said, "I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth" (Acts 26:9). Paul FELT that he should kill Christians, but he was wrong. "There is a way which seemeth to be right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Pr 14:12). Following Jesus involves our emotions and feelings, but feelings can never prove that something is right or wrong. If each person followed his or her own feelings as a religious guide, then in a city of 3 million people, like Kiev, there would be 3 million different standards. What a mess that would be!

V. HUMAN STANDARDS, OR WHAT WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE:

"We and our ancestors have always done it that way, so it must be right." That is a dangerous position! Traditions change with time and vary from place to place. If we follow human traditions, then our worship to God is vain and we are really rejecting His commands (Mk 7:7,9). Let us not ask, "What have we always done?" Instead, let us ask, "What does the Bible teach us to do?"

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