Radio Transcript

Denominational Doctrines (03)

Truth and Authority in Religion

Many people believe that truth is relative. They deny that an absolute truth exists. They may say something like, "It doesn’t matter what one believes as long as he is sincere." Or perhaps, "We’re all going to heaven; we’re just going by different roads." This thought raises a very basic question in matters of religion: "What shall be our standard of authority?" Religious leaders often plead for unity, but is it reasonable to strive for unity at all cost? Is it reasonable to, merely for the sake of unity, recognize and honor those things which we know are contrary to the truth we read in God’s word? Friends, unity among the religious world can never exist until we accept a common standard of authority.

Consider the following characteristics of truth. Truth can be known. Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Truth can be "bought" (that is, received) and truth can be "sold" (meaning the truth can be refused). "Buy the truth, and do not sell it; Also wisdom and instruction and understanding" (Proverbs 23:23). Truth is able to set a person free from the bondage of his sin. Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are my disciples indeed. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32). Truth sanctifies. Jesus said, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John 17:17). Truth is able to purify our souls of the pollution of sin. "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart" (I Peter 1:22). In order for anyone to benefit from the truth, truth must be put into practice. John wrote, "I rejoiced greatly that I found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father" (II John 4). When John used the phrase "walking in truth," he was referring to their manner of life. In order to be saved from his sins, a person must love the truth. Paul wrote, "And with all unrighteous deception among those who perish; because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie: That they all might be condemned did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (II Thessalonians 2:10-12). We know from the scriptures that error, the opposite of truth, must be rebuked. Notice these words from Galatians 2:11-14: "But when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?"

When Jesus was brought before Pilate, Pilate asked Jesus if he were a king. Jesus replied, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears My voice" (John 18:37). Now notice the next verse. "Pilate said to Him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, I find no fault in Him at all." Pilate asked a significant question, "What is truth?" It’s a question that every man ought to consider today. Friends, Jesus is the source of all truth. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). God’s word is truth. It is God’s inerrant and authoritative will for all mankind. Jesus, when praying to the Father, said "Sanctify them by Your truth: Your word is truth" (John 17:17).

In contrast to the truth of God’s word, consider what many use as their standard of truth when it comes to religious matters. Some use human creeds as their standard. But notice Paul’s words from II Timothy 3:16-17, "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 might be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." When we have God’s word, we are in need nothing else.

Some use their parents as their standard of truth in matters of religion. They may say, "Why, if this denomination was good enough for my parents, it is good enough for me." Or perhaps, "My daddy was a God fearing man, I know he wouldn’t steer me wrong." But notice what Jesus said in Matthew 10:34-38, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me." Also consider these words from Romans 14:12, where Paul wrote, "So then each of us shall give account of himself to God." Come judgment day, every individual will be judged by what he has believed, what he has done, as he has lived, not by how his parents have believed or lived.

Some people use the majority as their standard of truth in religious matters. "Why, if the majority of people believe as I believe, I know I can’t be wrong." But notice Exodus 23:2, where those of Moses’ day were warned, "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil." Consider Jesus’ words from his Sermon on the Mount, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). Can we honestly say that it is wise to use the majority as our standard of authority in religious matters? Not hardly!

Some people use their preacher, their pastor, or a priest as a standard of truth. "Why, my preacher knows more about the Bible than anyone else I know. I know I can trust him." At one point, Jesus’ disciples came to him and asked him if he realized his words had offended the Pharisees. Notice how Jesus responded. "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch" (Matthew 15:13-14). John also warned against overly relying on others. "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). We ought to have the attitude of the Bereans. It was said of them that "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" (Acts 17:11). The eternal destiny of your soul is simply too important to use your preacher or pastor as your standard of truth.

Sometimes people may fall into the trap of using their own preferences or desires as their standard of truth. "Why, it doesn’t really matter to God how I choose to worship. I’m sure God won’t mind, as long as he knows I am sincere." This idea is not new. Notice the last words from the book of Judges. "In those days there was no king in Israel: every one did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). Also notice the words of the prophet Jeremiah, "O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). Does it really make sense for a person to use his own desires as his standard of truth? Not at all!

What is our only inerrant standard of truth in religious matters? Our only sure guide to heaven? The only standard by which we may be sure of our salvation? The only standard by which we may come to realize unity in the religious world? It’s God’s inspired word, of course. Notice Paul’s words to the church at Thessalonica. "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe" (I Thessalonians 2:13). Also notice Paul’s words from II Thessalonians 2:13, "But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth."

Because God’s inspired word is our standard of truth, it must not be altered, added to, subtracted from, or changed in any way. John wrote, "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the pages that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, form the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Revelation 22:18-19).

Because God’s inspired word is the only standard of truth, we will all one day be judged by the word of God. "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).

Friends, truth is always consistent; error never is. We see the need to understand truth in other areas of our lives. Would anyone dare say it does not matter how a doctor performs a particular surgery as long as he is sincere in his efforts to make the patient well? Would anyone dare say it does not matter how a pharmacist fills a prescription as long a she is sincere in his efforts to make someone feel better? Why can’t we see the need to understand the truth in religious matters? Whatever doctrine a man may believe or whatever denomination he is a member of must be measured by the word of God, God’s revealed standard of truth. Until we accept God’s word as the only standard of truth, we cannot all be united, saved, or pleasing to God in any way.