Today, I was engaged in a pleasant conversation with a newly converted Seventh Day Adventist. His opening dismissive words to me were, “You know, people who do not believe in Jesus are wrong. This is what the Bible says.”
My response was, “Does it?” I went on to explain to him how do you account for the millions of persons living today who know nothing about the teachings of Christ such as in the religions of Islam, Hinduism, Buddism and the many others? Are they wrong? How can they be wrong about something they have no knowledge of? What about the billions who lived and died before there was a Jesus Christ? What about the billions Christ promised that he would resurrect (since Adam and to include Adam) who will have no knowledge of him? Are they wrong? (John 5:28-29 and Acts 24:15)
Too often the line drawn on the battlefields of discussion about religion is one or the other being wrong, and this is what stumbles so many.
Jesus was plotted against, lied upon, falsely accused and brought before high courts, called demon-possessed, betrayed, beaten, spat upon, pierced in his side and put to death. Yet, before he died did he say that those involved were wrong? No! He said their acts were based upon them not knowing. (Luke 23:43)
Then my Seventh Day Adventist friend said to me, “Well, after I tell people about Jesus, then they will know and are accountable and will be wrong if they do not accept him.” What about the billions of dead persons who lived and died before there was a Jesus Christ, will you talk to them, too? My response to him was:
Suppose the information you pass on to others about Christ is in error? Then they still do not know!
He was certain that what he was telling others about Christ was not in error as he said that “The Bible says” this. When I pressed him to show me where it said this, he could not and quickly changed the subject.
The story he next told me transitions nicely into the title of this article. His story was about himself and an experience he had that he felt was a revealing from God. He was told by the Seventh Adventist Church that he had to resolve a very serious problem (so they claimed) before he could get baptized as one of them. He told me that he took a long trip up into the mountains alone with his Bible and prayed to God. “All of a sudden,” he says, “I opened my Bible to Malachi and received my answer from God.”
In his mind, he believed that God answered his prayer through the Bible. I explained to him that that is not how it works. (Besides the verse he was referring to was not a solution. I know that a Seventh Day Adventist church official told him to read out of Malachi.)
Only One Channel To and From God
I then began to explain to him what my Master taught me.
Jesus said of Himself in John 14:6:
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
I related to him that when he prays to the Father in heaven, in whose name does he do it? He answered: Jesus.
“Why then would you expect God to answer you through a different channel (way) other than the one that you used to ask him in prayer? If you asked God through His Son is it not reasonable that He would answer you through His Son? When you prayed to God you did not say “In the name of the Bible, did you?'”
His answer was, “Because the Bible is The Word of God.”
I said, “Who told you that the Bible is the Word of God?” (Who told Adam he was naked? It was not God! Adam told himself he was naked and it is man (Adam) telling themselves that The Bible is the Word of God.)
He said, “2 Tim 3:16-17.”
“Does it” was my response. “Let’s read that passage.”
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
He read it and then said, “You see, it says the Bible is The Word of God.”
My response was, “Where does it say that ‘The Bible is The Word of God?”
“It says all Scripture is the word of God.” he said.
“You are absolutely correct, it does say all Scripture is God-breathed or the Word of God but it does not say the Bible is. Who told you that the Bible is Scripture?”
He went on to say that the, “Only way we can learn about Jesus is through the Bible?” I explained to him who told you that? Why can’t Christ teach you himself? Why can’t you do as Christ said and ask for such things as wisdom and knowledge and understanding from the Father in his name and he will give you those things through His Son. Who told you that it must be through the Bible? Do you think that a book can contain all of the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of God?
It looked like for a moment that his eyes were crossed as he began to think about what I said. While he was in this state of pondering I said to him:
It was men who compiled and named this book you know called the Bible. It was men who called it holy. It was men who said it is Scripture. It was men who said it is The Word of God. What is to prevent anyone from coming forward claiming that any writing they chose are all of those things? Did God tell these men to give the book a name too?
I then asked him, how many Gods are there. He said one (but one as a part of a Trinity. I let this slide because I did not want to change the discussion). I then said to him, “If you believe that there is only one God, why would you believe that there are two Words of God: A book called by men, The Bible and Christ himself?
I could see his brain go into shut down mode. I can tell that he was not hearing anymore that I had to say. He had to go all of a sudden. And recall, he was certain that what he was telling others about Christ was not in error.
Another Way?
When we say we believe in God and His Christ and believe that God uses other ways to communicate with us – such as people, religious organizations, or a book called the Bible – then we are in error and we are really saying that Christ is not the way.
If we make requests to God in prayer through His Son, then we should expect answers to those prayers through that same channel! Why deviate off course to think God uses other means to speak with us. If we do, then we are no different from the woman Eve who listened to another source.
Note: It is obvious that the woman thought the Serpent was from God. Think: What reason would she not think this? God created this creature and placed him in the garden along with the man and the woman. (Genesis 3:1) Likewise, many of the teachings we see today believed in by millions are believed by them to have come God. That the Bible is the word of God is one such teaching.
Consider Jesus’ words at John 10:1-5:
Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.
Jesus’ words affirm that we cannot approach God through some other way. If one attempts to do so, they are likened to a thief and a robber. Those who are truly Christs disciples, listen to his voice as the Father commanded we do and they listen to and respond to no other. (Luke 9:35)
How is one a thief and a robber if they attempt to approach God and receive from him (listens) by some other way? They rob Christ of his true role in God’s scheme of things. The Son of God is the ONLY Word of God. Nothing should be set next to him – such as a book called the Bible – as such. Christ is holy; and no book should share that title. In fact, it is blasphemous.
What is interesting in Jesus’ words is that his true followers know is voice (teachings). His true followers would NEVER follow a strangers voice (teaching), such as God speaking to them through the Bible. Rather, those who listen to Christ would recognize teachings that are not from him and would run away (reject) those teachings.
“But How Else Can I Learn About Christ If It We Not For The Bible?”
This is a question I get alot. It is easily answered if one chooses to accept the answer. To answer this question, I ask another questions as follows:
- How did King Solomon become so wise? Was it because of a book?
- Who told the word that God would use a book called the Bible as a means to learn about His Son?
- Who compiled the book called the Bible?
- Who gave it that name?
- Who authorized it?
- Who made it holy?
- Who sold the idea that it is Scripture?
- Who told the world that it is The Word of God?
Once one really answers the questions above and come to grips with the truth, they will always find themselves on a hamster-treadmill that goes round and round but goes no where.
Firstly, King Solomon – the wisest of all men – did not have a book called the Bible (Genesis to Revelation). It did not exist in his day. Neither did Solomon know the name of Jesus. Jesus would not arrive on the scene until some 1000 years later. So how did Solomon become so wise? By constant prayer to God. It was God who …
continued giving Solomon wisdom and understanding in very great measure and a broadness of heart, like the sand that is upon the seashore. And Solomon’s wisdom was vaster than the wisdom of all the Orientals and than all the wisdom of Egypt. (Pslams 89)
How many of us today really use prayer to ask God for wisdom, understanding and a broad heart? Or, do we rely the pages of a book that men fashioned by men and named by men: The Bible?
Who told the word that God would use a book called the Bible as a means to learn about His Son? Well, it was not God. It was men! Specifically, it was men of European descent who did this. God was clear in his command at Luke 9:35 who He would use. The problem is that many refuse to listen and obey God’s command. They have been so throughly indoctrinated by the religious system called by men – Christianity – that they are actually afraid to do so. They believe that if they DON’T use and rely on the Bible that they are not obeying God! The reality is that they are DISOBEYING God and Obeying the men who lied to them and got them to believe in the book they compiled.
And a voice came out of the cloud, saying: “This is my Son, the one that has been chosen. Listen to him.
Who compiled the book called the Bible? Again, it was men of European descent who did. They waited until after Christ ascended. Jesus never left anyone instructions to put together a book to called by any name and use it to tech him. After Christ ascended, his teachings were passed on by word of mouth by those taught by him. There was no passing out of books to the people in the congregations way back then! Imagine if that method of teaching continued up to this day! There would be no confusion about Christs teachings. When men decided to compile a book and with every Tom, Dick and Harry creating THEIR OWN translations of it, the word of mouth passing on of Christs teachings were lost. People were cleverly and subtly bound to a book. It came in under the radar after Christ ascended. How clever and insidious this was! Now, it is a great task to speak the truth about God and Christ because the throughly misled and indoctrinated world cannot handle it. It rejects it just as Christ was rejected when he first came SPEAKING the truth.
Who gave it that name? Again, it was not God. Does it really make sense for God – who sent His Son – to tell one element of mankind (the Europeans) to put together a book (in Old English) and give it a name: The Bible? Surely we cannot be that gullible. But many are and really choose not to think about it.
Who authorized it? Did God authorize man to compile a book containing 66 smaller books (rejecting the other 18 scrolls)? Mind you, these scrolls were all that the European man discovered to date! Or did man himself authorize the book. Well, you have heard of the Authorized King James Version (1611). Well, the title itself tells you who authorized it. King James was not a religious man, he was a head of State.
You could say James had no more authority in biblical matters than any head of state, basically none. What authority would a “George Bush Bible” have?
Who made it holy? Again, it was not God. Since it was men who name it and authorized it, it was men who sold heavily that it is from God and holy. And the world believed this lie line, hook and sinker.
Who sold the idea that it is Scripture? Scripture is anything that God says and it is written down. (2 Tim 3:16). At the time 2 Tim 3:16 was written down by the Apostle Paul some 1950 years ago, there was no such thing as “The Bible.” So how can a book that appears on the scene 1950 later, be Scripture? Because the European man says so. Again, this is arrogant and spits in the face of the Most High God and His Messiah.
Who told the world that it is The Word of God? This is the most blasphemous thing the religious system of Christianity has done. It has stood up a book that it compiled, named, authorized, called holy, the Word of God! Think about that seriously for a moment. Think about it some more! God has already told us who He sent! God has already told us who the Word of God is! God has already told us who to listen to!
But no, the European man steps in and has created a subtitute and they call it the Bible. This is a direct challenge to God’s authority. And, tell me, who is it that challenges God’s authority? It is Satan the Devil.
Jesus says at John 8:44:
YOU are from YOUR father the Devil, and YOU wish to do the desires of YOUR father. That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of the lie.
It is the desire of the religious system called by men to steer persons away from the truth. What is interesting about John 8:44 is that the Devil knows the truth! He chose not to remain in it. It is the lie that he is full of. And this is what those who are within the religious system called by men – Christianity – are being conditioned to become filled up with: The lie. So filled up with the lies, that when hearing the truth, they will reject it. This pattern is a familiar one as Christ was rejected when he spoke the truth.
No where does one read – even in the book called by men, the Bible – that “The Bible” is the Word of God. No where. As I stated before, God did not send the world a book, He sent His Son. It is man himself – in defiance to God – who sent the world a book!
Yes, there are portions within this book called the Bible (this book could have been given no name), where God and His Son are speaking. This is Scripture. Not the book in its entirety. Satan and his demons are even quoted in the Bible and their words are not Gods Words! So why would anyone believe that “The Bible” is Gods Word?
One section of the book is called The Book of Revelation. If any book is from God it is this book. Why? Because at the very beginning we are told:
A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him …
The very first verse tells us where it came from and who God gave it to. And, it is within this book, that we are told who is The Word of God. Revelation 19:12-13 says:
He has a name written that no one knows but he himself, and he is arrayed with an outer garment sprinkled with blood, and the name he is called is The Word of God.
So if you think the Bible is the Word of God, it is because you want to believe it is. Just know, God did not tell you that, men did. God has told you who The Word of God is and many of you do not accept it. You fear men and there religious organizations so much, you are willing to turn an ear against what God has told you.
You chose a book over the person of Christ.
A Major Problem
A major problem that is rampant in the world of Christianity is that it has been told that the Bible is The Word of God. Suppose the European men back then who arrogated themselve to authorize this book gave it a name such as “Ralph or James” would they refer to it as The Word of God? Nothing would have prevented them from giving this book any name they chose. Yet, millions blindly accept it as something holy because men say so.
This belief is so widespread that people claiming to believe in God and Christ refer to it before they do Christ in their discussions!
For example, they will say, “The Bible says …” or “The Bible teaches …” Even if God or His Christ is saying it, they will still say, “The Bible says …”
That was the experience I had with my Seventh Day Adventist friend today before he “Had to go.”
Christ as the ONLY Word of God has really been pushed off into the background and a book has replaced him. The name of this book flows off of the lips of persons more than the name of Christ does.
As proof of what I am talking about here, I invite you to look at the websites of the major so-called Christian religious organizations and notice that “The Bible,” “The Organization itself,” “It’s Current Leadership,” and/or the founders are mentioned and featured far more times than Christ is. Here are two examples: Here and Here.
Millions today – unknown to them – are involved in the idolatrous and blasphemous act of Bible worship and placing it in a holy position, a place where it does not belong.
Because so many have believed that “The Bible” is the Word of God, they have used it (believed it) to rationalize war, murder, and killing. Most persons who are involved within Christianity have an uncanny way of saying one thing and doing the opposite of what Christ taught. The fruit produced in people as a result of the Bible being put in a holy position, has caused much harm and destruction and harm to the human family.They would rather believe “an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” than believe Jesus’ teaching of love and forgiving others – even ones enemies. They fail to separate this book from Christs teachings. They see it as a whole.
Jesus said at Matthew 24:15-16:
So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand — then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
Yet, the teachings of Christ would not cause such harm … only if people would listen to him. Instead they listen to a book called the Bible.
The Most High God did not chose any other and not command us to listen to anyone other than His Son. (Luke 9:35)
Revelation 19:13 identifies who is the ONLY Word of God:
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
Is the book called the Bible dressed in this manner?
