Inspiration of the Scriptures: Authority

Narrator: Chris Genthree
 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 10
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Again, refuge is taken by the opponents of the truth in the words, "the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (2 Tim. 2:22And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)). These words are found in Paul's last epistle to Timothy, when all Asia had turned away from him, and a prominent fellow-servant had forsaken him, and loved this present world. The church had long gone on as God's corporate witness on earth, and had deeply failed, and nothing would have been easier than for the aged apostle in prospect of martyrdom, to have commended Timothy to church authority; but instead of that, he calls upon Timothy to look out for individuals in the church on earth whom he judged true to the Lord, and commit the truth which he had received from the apostle to such as he could call "faithful men," so that they might be able to teach others also. Timothy could not fail so to understand it. There is no thought of church authority in the passage. Nor is there such an idea here or elsewhere in scripture as that "the church teaches." Instead of the church teaching, the church is taught by the "gifts" received from Christ in ascension; and in the prospect of ruin and difficulty in the church looked at as God's corporate witness on earth, we are directed to the scriptures and their sufficiency as our resource in a time of evil in the last days. (2 Tim. 3:15-1715And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:15‑17); see also Eph. 4:8-168Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:8‑16).)
From first to last in the sacred writings their divine authority is set before us. Even when Paul preached, who had received his commission directly from the Lord Himself, as he says, "not of men neither by man," the Bereans were specially commended by the Holy Spirit, because they searched the scriptures daily, "whether those things were so." (Acts 17:11, 1211These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. (Acts 17:11‑12).) How important it is at this time to see that instead of the church giving authority or adding any value to the written word, it is that word which is the only authority in the church, and is sufficient to guide, instruct, and correct every believer and furnish him unto every good work.
The truth is, that "the faith once delivered," instead if being deposited to the care and authority of a corporate association-the church-we are plainly told was once given "to the saints," so that every believer (for all such are "saints" by calling) has received this wondrous endowment from the Lord, and is under obligation to Him to "contend earnestly" for it, and maintain it at all cost for His honor. (Jude 33Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 3).) When the word of eternal truth is not heeded in its divine character, as the daily resource and guide, men and books will be almost sure to be resorted to, and will usurp the place of "God, and the word of His grace," in the heart and mind, with great loss and damage of soul. "To obey is better than sacrifice;" and to heed and keep the "words" of the Son of God is the proof of our loving Him; and an apostle was wont to exhort believers to "be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior." (John 14:2323Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23); 2 Peter 3:22That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: (2 Peter 3:2).)
(Continued and To be continued.)