Bible Correspondence Course
By Mike Gurganus
MAN’S WAY OR GOD’S WAY
Lesson One: Authority
INTRODUCTION
Is it necessary to do things God’s way? (Yes/No)
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Proverbs 14:12 (All scripture references are from the NKJV)
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." Matthew 7:21
God through His word says yes.
Is a person under obligation to examine the evidence presented to him to determine if it is in accordance with God’s Word? (Yes/No)
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." II Timothy 2:15
"Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men." Acts 17:10-12
Again God’s Word answers in the affirmative. The purpose of this lesson is to determine whether the beliefs we hold are of man or of God.
DISCUSSION
(Circle the answer that you believe to be correct.)
Question A – Do you believe that God’s Word is to be the sole authority for man today? (Yes / No)
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." II Timothy 3:16,17
"As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" II Peter 1:3
Does the answer you circled harmonize with God’s Word? (Yes/No)
Question B – Do you believe that the Old Testament (law of Moses) is to be used for religious authority by man today? (Yes / No)
1). To whom was the law of Moses given?
"And Moses called all Israel, and said to them: Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your hearing today, that you may learn them and be careful to observe them. The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The LORD did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive." Deuteronomy 5:1-3
2). What was the purpose of the law of Moses?
"What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith." Galatians 3:19,24
3). When would the law of Moses end?
"Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ." Colossians 2:14-17
After studying these scriptures, do the answers you circled harmonize with God’s Word? (Yes / No)
One might ask, "If the Old Testament is not law for man today, then what value is it for us today?"
"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4
"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." I Corinthians 10:11
Question C – Do you believe that the New Testament is the sole authority for man today? (Yes / No)
1). To who is the New Testament given?
"And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15
" For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." Romans 1:16
2). By what will man be judged today?
"He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." John 12:48
"And to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed." II Thessalonians 1:7-10
After studying these scriptures, does the answer you circled harmonize with God’s Word?
CONCLUSION
The Old Testament is inspired of God and is profitable for us to study to know God and His nature, and observe how He has dealt with man, but the laws of the Old Testament are not for us today. We are under the law of Christ, His Gospel. His will for all of mankind today is found in the New Testament. To find what you must do to please God today, look to the words of Jesus Christ as He said,
"He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." John 12:48