Among the many people in this world who believe that the Bible represents God’s truth and authority, a critical question must be considered: Does the Bible contain the complete truth of God for all things pertaining to life and godliness, or does it only contain partial truth? The Bible’s authority must be one or the other, complete or partial.
Let’s consider first of all, the nature of something being complete, and then secondly we’ll consider how so many in the denominational world deny the completeness of the revelation of the Bible.
The nature of something complete is that it's full, final, everything. There's nothing more, it's thorough, whole, and all there. To add to it, or subtract from it, denies it’s completeness. Furthermore, there’s no reason to add or subtract to something that is complete, not unless one doesn’t like what the complete message says.
The idea of a complete message is presented at the every end of the Bible in the book of Revelation.
Rev 22:18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book;
Rev 22:19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
Why is such a stern warning given? Because the message is complete, perfect, and final. It needs no alteration and no help from us. Notice what is recording in 2 Timothy about the Scriptures.
2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
2 Tim 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
In this passage, we’re told what the Sciptures can make us. Complete, and thoroughly equipped for every good work. Why? Because the Scriptures are complete. And if this is so, then what need is there to add to the word of God?
And then let’s notice the words of Jude in v3:
Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
Notice, the faith, the revelation of God that is, was delivered once for all. Not numerous times over, in each generation and to different peoples. It was delivered once for all to those early saints, and recorded in the Bible for all time. Furthermore, it is these scriptures that the Bible tells us to give attention to, not the writings of man.
1 Tim 4:13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.
Now that we see what it means for something to be complete, and that the Bible is complete, let’s consider just how so many, on one hand, speak of the Bible as the authority of God, but by their actions and teachings, deny it’s being the complete truth and authority of God. There are mainly three ways in which this is done:
#1 Producing a book and claiming it to be inspired of God
#2 Producing book, and although not claiming it to be inspired, declaring it necessary for
understanding the Bible, and for salvation.
#3 Claiming that God speaks through un insidivudally today, and that either each one of us, or, select ones of us, reveal further the authority of God.
Here are some examples of all three forms of denying that the Bible is the complete word of God.
Joseph Smith wrote a book, and called it inspired. He claimed that God revealed this message to him and he was instructed to reveal this book to men, and that what we need is the Bible PLUS his book in order to have the complete revelation of God.
From the Introduction to the Book of Mormong by the Church of the Latter Day Saints:
“The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel.”
Concerning this record the Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”
Martin Luther wrote a book of doctrine. He never claimed that his catechism was inspired of God, but nonetheless, he taught that this writing was necessary in order to following the Bible correctly, and is something everyone needs to know in order to please God.
From the preface to his catechism:
“Therefore I entreat [and adjure] you all for God's sake, my dear sirs and brethren, who are pastors or preachers, to devote yourselves heartily to your office,…and to help us inculcate the Catechism upon the people, and especially upon the young.”
“take these tables and forms and impress them, word for word, on the people, as follows:“
“But those who are unwilling to learn it should be told that they deny Christ and are no Christians,”
“Moreover, their parents and employers should refuse them food and drink, and [they would also do well if they were to] notify them that the prince will drive such rude people from the country, etc.”
“after you have thus taught them this Short Catechism, then take up the Large Catechism, and give them also a richer and fuller knowledge.”
The Catholic Church tells us that the Pope reveals to us the authority of God.
The ecumenical First Vatican Council states it as follows:
“We teach and define that it is a dogma divinely revealed: that the Roman Pontiff, when he speaks ex cathedra, that is, when, in discharge of the office of pastor and teacher of all Christians, by virtue of his supreme Apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine regarding faith or morals to be held by the universal Church, is, by the divine assistance promised to him in Blessed Peter, possessed of that infallibility with which the divine Redeemer willed that His Church should be endowed in defining doctrine regarding faith or morals; and that, therefore, such definitions of the Roman Pontiff are of themselves, and not from the consent of the Church, irreformable.”
And then many today tell us that we each individually must have God’s truth and authority revealed to us directly by the Holy Spirit, or, at least have the Holy Spirit guide us through the Bible. In other words, knowing the authority of God is not a matter of looking to the Bible, but of looking in ourselves.
The examples of this error are far reaching today, but here’s just a few simple statements by Colette Toach in her book Dreams and Visions:
"Have you ever been at a crossroads where you desperately needed to know, "Is this the will of God? Should I go left; should I go right?" ...I have news for you. If you are a part of the Body of Christ, no matter what part of the Body you are, no matter how small of a member you are... YOU can hear from God for YOURSELF!"
"Each and every one of us need to be looking to the Lord for revelation. If every member in the Body of Christ received revelation from the Lord, they would be able to interpret the will of the Lord in their own lives."
These examples are just a few highlights from an endless river of books, writings, teachings, and claims that we need something in addition to the Bible today in order to know God’s will. The apostle Peter tells us this in 2 Pet 1.
2 Pet 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
This is the word that was revealed in the 1st century. If what was revealed in the 1st century grants us everything pertaining to life and godliness, and a true knowledge of the Lord, then what is it we are needing today from other sources that claim to continue to speak God’s revelation to us? And if we do decide to abide by an additional teaching or gospel that men claim is from God, we are then in effect, denying the Bible in the first place, as the Bible tells us it’s message is complete.
Gal 1:6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;
Gal 1:7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.
So which is it? Is the Bible the complete revealed authority and truth of God, or is it only partial? If it is only partial, then how can I believe any of it, as it tells me it is not partial. The whole thing then must be a lie. The Bible itself tell us that it is the complete word of God, not simply a beginning of the word of God, greatly in need of man’s help? But if I still insist on accepting it only partially, which source then should I consider in order to find out the rest of God’s revelation? Does God speak to us today through the Pope, Joseph Smith, Ellen White, Martin Luther, The Watchtower, Benny Hinn, or through my own dreams at night? He can’t be speaking through all of these sources, as these different sources teach contradictory doctrines.
Does the Bible contain the complete truth of God for all things pertaining to life and godliness, or does it only contain partial truth? Do we need to follow someone's additional writing? Well the Bible warns us that many will turn aside from the revealed truth of God to listen to men speaks according to their own desires.
1 Tim 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
1 Tim 4:2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,
2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires;
2 Tim 4:4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.
Let me encourage everyone to study and decide if you will accept the Bible as the true and complete will, authority, and revelation of God. If it is not, let us put it away from us and seek out the true message of God, but let us not try to claim the Bible to be true but in need of help from men to complete it’s message.
-Derek Chambers
Albuquerque, New Mexico
