Doctrine Six Continued
The Bible is the Foundation of the Church
Part Four
THE WORDS OF THE APOSTLES CARRY AUTHORITY
Part Four
THE WORDS OF THE APOSTLES CARRY AUTHORITY
THE APOSTLES WERE TAUGHT DIRECTLY BY CHRIST
"I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world . . . and they have kept Your word. . . . For I have given to them the words which You have given me; and they have received them. . . . I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. . . . Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world. . . . I have given them your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. . . . I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word. . . ."
(John 17:6, 8, 9, 11, 14-18, 20)
" . . . I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ."
(Galatians 1:11-12)
"If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant."
(I Corinthians 14:37-38)
WE ARE TO REMEMBER THE APOSTLES' MESSAGE
" . . . 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. . . ."
(II Peter 3:2)
" . . . let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father."
(I John 2:24)
Comment on I John 2:24, quoted above:
The apostle Peter warned Christians to beware of those who would twist the writings of the apostle Paul (II Peter 3:16). The apostle John outlived all other first century apostles, including Paul. The book of I John was written in the 90s A.D. In it John, near the end of his life, instructed the Church to abide in the same teaching which Christ and the original apostles had taught from the beginning. This means that -- contrary to the opinion of many liberal theologians -- Paul never changed the teachings of the original apostles, and of Jesus. The Apostles Upheld the Law of God
" . . . I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. . . . But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. . . ."
(Jude 3, 17)
"We" (the original apostles) "are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."
(I John 4:6)
" . . . having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. . . ."
(Ephesians 2:20-21)
The New Testament apostles are an integral part of the foundation of the Church, along with the Old Testament prophets and Jesus Christ Himself. The Church is built on them. Their words, preserved in the Bible, are for us today. The Bible is the Foundation of the Church
" . . . 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. . . ."
(II Peter 3:2)
" . . . let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father."
(I John 2:24)
Comment on I John 2:24, quoted above:
The apostle Peter warned Christians to beware of those who would twist the writings of the apostle Paul (II Peter 3:16). The apostle John outlived all other first century apostles, including Paul. The book of I John was written in the 90s A.D. In it John, near the end of his life, instructed the Church to abide in the same teaching which Christ and the original apostles had taught from the beginning. This means that -- contrary to the opinion of many liberal theologians -- Paul never changed the teachings of the original apostles, and of Jesus. The Apostles Upheld the Law of God
" . . . I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. . . . But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. . . ."
(Jude 3, 17)
"We" (the original apostles) "are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."
(I John 4:6)
" . . . having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. . . ."
(Ephesians 2:20-21)
The New Testament apostles are an integral part of the foundation of the Church, along with the Old Testament prophets and Jesus Christ Himself. The Church is built on them. Their words, preserved in the Bible, are for us today. The Bible is the Foundation of the Church
CHRIST GAVE THE APOSTLES AUTHORITY
"And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs."
(Mark 16:20)
"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. . . . how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?"
(Hebrews 2:1-4)
Comment on Hebrews 2:1-4, quoted above:
The words of Jesus Christ ("which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord") are recorded in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The words of the apostles ("and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him") are written in the book of Acts and in the letters of the New Testament. We are to "give the more earnest heed" to these things. The New Testament was written in order to preserve the Church's original teachings (Malachi 3:16; Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-3; II Peter 1:13-15; Revelation 1:11, 19).
"Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you. . . . Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive. . . . "
(Hebrews 13: 7, 17)
First century Church members were instructed to obey the original apostles, who faithfully taught them God's truth and administered God's government over them (Hebrews 13:7, 17). After the death of the original apostles, the Church was to continue to abide in their teachings (I John 2:24).
"And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs."
(Mark 16:20)
"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. . . . how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?"
(Hebrews 2:1-4)
Comment on Hebrews 2:1-4, quoted above:
The words of Jesus Christ ("which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord") are recorded in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The words of the apostles ("and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him") are written in the book of Acts and in the letters of the New Testament. We are to "give the more earnest heed" to these things. The New Testament was written in order to preserve the Church's original teachings (Malachi 3:16; Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-3; II Peter 1:13-15; Revelation 1:11, 19).
"Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you. . . . Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive. . . . "
(Hebrews 13: 7, 17)
First century Church members were instructed to obey the original apostles, who faithfully taught them God's truth and administered God's government over them (Hebrews 13:7, 17). After the death of the original apostles, the Church was to continue to abide in their teachings (I John 2:24).
PAUL'S WARNED HIS "SUCCESSORS"
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire. . . . Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are."
(I Corinthians 3:10-17)
The "abomination of desolation" which true Christians are to be wary of, on guard against and on the lookout for (Matthew 24:15; Daniel 11:31) is the "polluted temple" of false Christianity, whose "wood, hay and straw" would bury the foundation of the Church, obscure the truth and replace God's authority with Satan-inspired religious confusion (II Thessalonians 2:10-12; Daniel 7:21-27; Ezekiel 28:1-10; Revelation 13:5-9, 11; II Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15; Romans 1:18, 25). A World in Confusion
Since the death of the original apostles Satan has vehemently attempted to block the light of God's Word from entering human consciousness, like an eclipse of the sun (II Corinthians 4:4-6; Acts 26:18). God raised up Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong to "pole vault," as it were, over 2,000 years of religious history in order to reclaim the true foundation of the Church, clear off the rubble which had accumulated over it and proclaim the truth of the Holy Bible all around the world. Mr. Armstrong did so from 1934 to 1986 (Matthew 24:14). For decades the masthead of The Plain Truth magazine prominently displayed Jesus' statement, "Thy Word is Truth" (John 17:17). The founding principle of Ambassador College was "The Word of God is the Foundation of Knowledge." Herbert W. Armstrong Radio Broadcasts and Articles
"For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church."
(I Corinthians 4:15-17)
What Paul Told Timothy:
"And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. . . .
"But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith. . . . But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. . . .
"I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
(II Timothy 2:2; 3:10-4:5)
What Paul Told Titus:
"For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you -- if a man is blameless . . . holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict."
(Titus 1:5-6, 9)
The apostles knew that Christ had placed them in charge of the Church, under His authority (I Peter 5:1-4). They also came to realize that they were going to die, and that Satan would stir up a great deal of trouble after their departure (I Peter 5:8-9; Revelation 12:9-17). They wrote and canonized the New Testament Scriptures specifically with this in mind, trusting God to preserve their writings throughout the Church age until the Second Coming of Christ. In that way true Christians would continue to have access to God's original truth in spite of the abominations which would come (II Peter 1:12-15; 2:1-2; 3:1-2; I John 2:18-27; 4:1-6; II John and Revelation 12; Jude 3-4, 17; Acts 20:29-30). A World in Confusion
Jesus said, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John 17:17).
