The Sufficiency of Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16-17

“¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

Did you know that every false sect of Christianity in the world has one thing in common?  Each sect teaches that God has revealed a special, secret revelation to its founder.  A revelation so mysterious and important that only a select few were favored enough by God to have the truth revealed to them.  Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, claimed God revealed to him and him alone a series of special visions of what true religion was.  Of course, these visions were in direct contradiction to God’s word, yet nevertheless, millions of people throughout the past 200 years have been led astray by this man’s deceit.  Likewise Charles Taze Russell, the founder of the Jehovah’s Witness sect also claimed to receive a special secret revelation from God.  Ellen G. White claimed to have a special vision from God which led to the founding of the Seventh Day Adventist sect as well.  The list could go on and on.

I have known many people throughout my life that have been looking for the next new “revelation” from God.  Constantly following the new fad teaching in the church, running from conference to conference and from this teacher to that in order to find the next emotional high or “secret” understanding of God’s word.  Unfortunately, many of these same people have been led astray by false teaching and are now very far from the faith.  I have also known many people who have been ensnared by the pursuit of “Academic” Christianity.  Many bible scholars and professors have fallen into the trap.  It is the idea that knowing and understanding the scriptures is so complicated that only a select few can truly understand them.  I have sat in the classroom many times while these types have overcomplicated the most simple and beautiful truths of God’s word.  Always be wary of men or women that either tell you they have received a special revelation from God or try to overcomplicate and confuse God’s word in order to place themselves on a higher plane of understanding than the average believer.

The truth is, God has given us His glorious word in a language that is plain for every believer to know and learn.  God has also given His Church teachers who do not complicate His word, but rather plainly teach and reveal God’s glorious truths to His people in a way that all can understand.  The best way we as a Church can protect ourselves and our children from false teaching or proud teachers is to know God’s word ourselves.  To study and to learn with the help of the Holy Spirit so that we are intimately familiar with God’s truths.  As a Pastor in God’s church it is my goal to make God’s truth plain and understandable for all.  I wish for all of God’s people to know and rest in the sufficiency of scripture as much as I do…and even surpass me!  The truths of scripture are sufficient to sustain all of God’s people.  We do not need new revelation, we need to know the “ancient ways”! (Jeremiah 6:16) We need to know, trust and not waver from what has already been plainly revealed.  How familiar are you with God’s word?  When you need help with understanding do you go to a trusted source (Pastor, Elder, Evangelist or other well-known man or woman of God)?  Or do you seek out an unconfirmed source from the church of YouTube?

I thank God that His word never changes, that there are not new, continually changing revelations in which we must study and learn.  Not only would this be confusing, but it would be against the very nature of God.  God does not change and neither does His word.  The word of the Almighty God has been revealed and in His word everything we need to grow in our understanding, wisdom, faith and obedience is available to us.  God’s word, the Holy Bible, is complete, and because of this we can be sure to place our sole trust in the truth of it!  Make it your daily goal to become more and more familiar with the word of God!  Every single verse contains treasure that is more valuable than all of the treasures of the earth.  And knowledge of the scriptures will guide and protect your very soul from folly.

Ephesians 4:14-15

^“14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; ¹⁵ but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ…” 

Yours in Christ,

Pastor John