The Word of God or the Word of Men

With so confusion in the religious world today, how does one know what to believe? First, what does the bible says, and is it necessary to follow the teaching in it.

Jesus said in John 12:48, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”

Based on this passage of scripture there appears to be more to it then just faith alone. Let look at some of the things Christ has said that we must do:
In Mark 16:15 Jesus said, ” . . . . .Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

Here Jesus gives his apostles (what some call the great commission) instructions for carrying on his work. Therefore, the gospel is to be preached to the whole world if a person wanted to be saved, they had to not only believe the gospel, but they must be baptized as well. However, if a person wanted to remain lost all that had to do is not believe. Nevertheless, if one does not believe, would one be baptize?

In Luke 13:3 Jesus said this, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” So based on this passage of scripture Jesus lets us know that not only is faith necessary but repentance is required also.

In Matthew 10:32-33 Jesus said, “32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”

So far, the teaching of Jesus is not what we commonly hear from men today that all one must do in order to be saved is believe, faith alone, or just accept Jesus in your as your person saviour.

If the teaching of faith only or the teaching of just accepting Jesus in your heart as your personal saviour is what Christ instructed the first century church to do in order to be saved, then we should be to find an example of it.

When the church that Jesus promised to build (Matthew 16:18) was established on the day of Pentecost, the people that met there on the day were convicted of sin.

In Acts 2:36-38 Peter said, “36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

In verse 38 the bible says that baptism is for the remission of sins. Therefore, if one is not baptized then one must conclude that they are still in their sins. Furthermore, according to Isaiah 59:1-2 the bible teaches that sin separates one from God. Therefore, if one is not baptized they are still separated from God.

What a contrast between what the people of the first century were told to do for salvation, from that which men today are being instructed to do.
What they were told to do to be saved corresponds to what Jesus said one must do to be saved.

Again, Jesus said, in John 12:48, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”

Additionally, in II John 9 John said, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”

If one is teaching that one does no need to be baptize to be saved are they abiding in the teaching of Christ? No! They are rejecting the teaching of Christ.
Paul said in II Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Paul said the word came from God again in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, “We constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God’s message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God”

The Bible writers were not like news reporters giving their personal interpretation of events they eye-witnessed, but were divinely guided as 2 Peter 1:20-21 says,
“Above all, you must understand that no prophesy of scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Based on that would it not be appropriate to say, Thus saith the Lord? In II Timothy 2:10 Paul writes, “Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” Notice where he said salvation is located. Salvation is located “in Christ.” Now what does the bible say that put one into Christ where salvation is found? Now some men may say faith only does. But is that what the bible says? Again, I believe it is appropriate to say, “Thus saith the Lord.” In Gal. 3: 26 Paul writes, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

From this passages of scripture we learn not only that one gets into Christ by being baptized into Christ, however, we also so learn about the kind of faith that God requires. It is an obedient faith. Notice the bible said, “by faith in Christ Jesus.” Now lets compare that with the faith chapter Hebrews chapter eleven. In Hebrews chapter 11:30 “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.” Now when did the walls of Jericho fall? Answer: “After they were compassed about seven days.”

You can either except the word of men or you can except the word of God. Nevertheless please consider the following warning:
 
“6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (Galations 1:6-9)

We must not view the Bible as the word of Paul, Peter, or Jeremiah, but rather, as the message God revealed through these men just as it is written in Jeremiah 1:9,
Then the Lord stretched out his hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me, “behold, I have put my words in your mouth.”