BIBLICAL AUTHORITY

The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice. Only the Word of God is unchanging as a source of authority for belief and conduct. Neither the human conscience nor the organized church is a valid base of authority. The Bible is the only absolute authority for what one believes and does in reference to morals and religion. Here are some of the reasons why Biblical authority is so tenaciously held to by Baptists.
 

1. THE WORD OF GOD IS INFALLIBLE

The American Heritage Dictionary defines "infallible" as; Incapable of erring: an infallible guide; an infallible source of information. Incapable of failing; certain: an infallible antidote; an infallible rule.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works

II Peter 1:2 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.

Psalm 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
 
 

II. THE WORD OF GOD IS INVARIABLE

Psalm 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

II Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 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.
 
 

III. THE WORD OF GOD IS INEXORABLE

John 10:35 ... the scripture cannot be broken;

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away , but my words shall not pass away .

Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away : but my words shall not pass away .
 
 

IV. THE WORD OF GOD IS INVINCIBLE

Jeremiah 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

Isaiah 55:11 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.

The poem, The Anvil and the Hammer magnificently describes the INVINCIBLE WORD

Last eve I paused beside the blacksmith's door,
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime.
Then looking in, I saw old hammers, (upon the floor)
Worn with beating years of time.

"How many anvils have you had', I asked.
"To wear and batter all these hammers so."
"Just one," he said, and then with twinkling eye,
"The anvil wears the hammers out, you know."

And so , thought I, the anvil of God's Word.
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon.
Yet, through the noise of falling blows is heard,
The hammers are gone, and the anvil is unharmed.

CONCLUSION

We have available to us the infallible, invariable, inexorable, invincible, inevitable, incomparable, and invaluable Word of God.
What are we to do with it?
  1. Hear it -- John 5:24; Romans 10:17; Revelation 2:7
  2. Receive it -- James 1:18
  3. Believe it -- John 20:31
  4. Study it -- II Timothy 2:15; Psalm 1:2
  5. Teach it -- Matthew 28:19, 20
  6. Preach it -- II Timothy 4:2
  7. Practice it -- James 1:22

THIS GOD GIVEN PRECIOUS BOOK WILL KEEP YOU FROM YOUR SINS, OR YOUR SINS WILL KEEP YOU FROM THIS BOOK!

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KWR-Ministries

Rev. Keith W. Rose
RR 1 Box 5
Dixmont, ME 04932-9701
USA

E-Mail:     keithrose@uninets.net

Click here to Email Keith W. Rose at KWR-Ministries
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