(Article for publication week of 9-9-2009 AD)
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts:” (II Peter 1:19). Although Peter had been with the Lord on the Mount of transfiguration, and heard a voice from heaven, he says we have in the scriptures a more sure word of prophecy. If you heard a voice from heaven telling you something contrary to the word, would you believe it? Most people would, but they should not.
The scriptures are necessary for us because all special revelation has ceased. Paul says in Galatians 1 that even if an angel from heaven preaches another gospel, we should not believe it. That which is perfect is come (that is the entire canon of scripture), and we are not to look for further revelation (see I Corinthians 13:10 and Revelation 22:18-19).
Furthermore, the scriptures are necessary because general revelation is insufficient to give saving knowledge. All men know there is a God because of His creation (Psalm 19:1-3; Roman 1:20), and because of the conscience that He has placed in every man (Romans 2:14-15). This general revelation is sufficient to leave all men inexcusable, but it is not sufficient to give the knowledge of salvation. No one will be able to stand before God on the Day of Judgment (and there will be such a day, mark you well), and claim they did not have enough knowledge of God. The most benighted heathen in Africa who has not heard the gospel knows there is a God because the heavens declare Him, and he will be inexcusable on the Day of Judgment for not worshipping the God Who created him and all things. Though all men do not have the written law of God, they have His law written in their hearts and they will be inexcusable for not obeying that law perfectly as God requires of all men. All men have enough knowledge to be damned, but saving knowledge is only through the Word of God.
Life eternal is to know the Lord Jesus Christ, and you cannot know Him apart from His gospel revealed in His word. Romans 1:16-17 tells us that the gospel is THE power of God unto salvation and that justification is revealed exclusively in the gospel. Acts 4:12 tells us that there is no other Name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved, and no one can believe through a name of which they have not heard. Romans 10:17 plainly says “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
So you see the absolute necessity of scripture. God has been very good to us in giving us His word. I urge you my friends and neighbors, if you value your never dying souls, read the word of God. The scriptures testify of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only way of salvation. You have enough knowledge of God to be without excuse on the Day of Judgment, but will you gain the knowledge necessary to be saved? May the Lord be merciful to some of you and cause His Word to be the power of God unto salvation to you.
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts:” (II Peter 1:19). Although Peter had been with the Lord on the Mount of transfiguration, and heard a voice from heaven, he says we have in the scriptures a more sure word of prophecy. If you heard a voice from heaven telling you something contrary to the word, would you believe it? Most people would, but they should not.
The scriptures are necessary for us because all special revelation has ceased. Paul says in Galatians 1 that even if an angel from heaven preaches another gospel, we should not believe it. That which is perfect is come (that is the entire canon of scripture), and we are not to look for further revelation (see I Corinthians 13:10 and Revelation 22:18-19).
Furthermore, the scriptures are necessary because general revelation is insufficient to give saving knowledge. All men know there is a God because of His creation (Psalm 19:1-3; Roman 1:20), and because of the conscience that He has placed in every man (Romans 2:14-15). This general revelation is sufficient to leave all men inexcusable, but it is not sufficient to give the knowledge of salvation. No one will be able to stand before God on the Day of Judgment (and there will be such a day, mark you well), and claim they did not have enough knowledge of God. The most benighted heathen in Africa who has not heard the gospel knows there is a God because the heavens declare Him, and he will be inexcusable on the Day of Judgment for not worshipping the God Who created him and all things. Though all men do not have the written law of God, they have His law written in their hearts and they will be inexcusable for not obeying that law perfectly as God requires of all men. All men have enough knowledge to be damned, but saving knowledge is only through the Word of God.
Life eternal is to know the Lord Jesus Christ, and you cannot know Him apart from His gospel revealed in His word. Romans 1:16-17 tells us that the gospel is THE power of God unto salvation and that justification is revealed exclusively in the gospel. Acts 4:12 tells us that there is no other Name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved, and no one can believe through a name of which they have not heard. Romans 10:17 plainly says “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
So you see the absolute necessity of scripture. God has been very good to us in giving us His word. I urge you my friends and neighbors, if you value your never dying souls, read the word of God. The scriptures testify of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only way of salvation. You have enough knowledge of God to be without excuse on the Day of Judgment, but will you gain the knowledge necessary to be saved? May the Lord be merciful to some of you and cause His Word to be the power of God unto salvation to you.
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