Those who put their hope in the bible as the sole revelation of God to man and believe that it "thoroughly furnishes us unto every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16-17), have a firm anchor for the soul (Heb. 6:19). Consider the following two popular alternatives.
There are multiple truths. This is the most predominant view in denominationalism, stating that it does not matter what you believe, just as long as you sincerely "accept Christ." Accordingly, if several people agree on something, they may form a denomination and serve God through it. Those who strive to find the one truth are ridiculed as being closed minded and bigoted. Yet it was Jesus who said: "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (Jn. 8:32). This statement makes no sense if God allows any group to declare whatever it wants to be the truth.
The truth is still being revealed. We see the fruits of this alternative to God's written word in the legions of false teachers who all contradict each other. If, in fact, the bible is not sufficient because new truth is being revealed, how can we tell which teacher is of God and which is practicing the deception of the devil (2 Thes. 2:9-12)? Without the bible, there is no anchor!
It is interesting that most of the groups that teach these two doctrines also state that they believe the bible. How, then, do they explain verses such as: Jn. 20:30-31; 1 Cor. 14:37, Eph. 3:3-4, 2 Tim. 3:16-17, Heb. 2:1-4, 1 Pet. 4:11, 2 Pet. 1:3, 2 Jn. 9, Jude 3, and Rev. 22:18-19? (Most of these are considered further in our "You Find the Answers" section.)
These bible study questions provide assistance to you in studying and teaching God's word. The answers are quite clear, and they prove that we can have the same understanding as the apostles had by reading what they wrote (Ephesians 3:4). We challenge you to open your bible and establish the truth.
On the Sufficiency of the Bible
Jn. 20:30-31. Was the bible written so that we can believe and that believing we might have life through Jesus' name?
1 Cor. 14:37. Are the writings of Paul the commandments of the Lord? Can we say this about anything written today?
Eph. 3:3-4. How can we have the same understanding as Paul?
2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Jn. 9. If any work cannot be found in the bible, should we believe that it is a good work?
Heb. 2:1-4. Will we escape condemnation if we neglect the "things that were heard" by Christians in the first century?
2 Pet. 1:3; Jude 3. Did first-century Christians have all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness once for all delivered?
Rev. 22:18-19. What will happen to those who attempt to add to or take away from the bible? Has anything been legitimately added to it since its completion in the first century?
The complete truth was revealed in the first century and it saved people by the blood of Christ, and they became Christians. We challenge anyone to produce one statement of truth about God and our salvation which cannot be found in the bible! If God wanted us to accept a continuing revelation, the bible would clearly indicate it. Instead, we are told to "try the spirits whether they are of God" (1 Jn 4:1). To do this, we can either trust the biblical standard or trust our feelings (see Proverbs 14:12 and Jeremiah 10:23).
There is one major distinguishing characteristic between virtually all of the religions of the world, and true New Testament-based religion. To understand this characteristic, consider one good example which is found in Numbers 22-24. It tells about Balak, the king of the Moabites who, having seen what Israel had done to the Amorites, was justifiably "sore afraid." This man was an idolater; yet, rather than appeal to his idols, he sought a prophet (named Balaam) of Jehovah for help. The story of how he approached this is given in Numbers 22:5-6:
"He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which [is] by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they [are] too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, [that] we may smite them, and [that] I may drive them out of the land ..."
Balak believed that Jehovah had power, but he did not consider converting to and serving the God of the Israelites. This would have completely defied his whole concept of religion, which was one of using religious practice to manipulate the spiritual powers.
So it is in the vast majority of religions today. It is very easy to see the difference between true and false religion. False religion is a transparent attempt to manipulate "the force" (using the Star Wars terminology) or whatever the concept of God might be.
We might notice that while pagan religions have this characteristic, it is not limited to them. Judaism, the true religion in the time of Christ, had degenerated into attempts at pure manipulation of God. When Jesus refused to be manipulated, they crucified Him.
In stark contrast to manipulation of God, the New Testament teaches a total conformity to His will. Read Romans 12:1. God does not expect us to act contrary to our own best interests in this regard. But, He does expect us to have faith that His love for us means that doing His will is the very best thing for us (Mark 10:29-31). To the extent that a religious belief is intended to manipulate God instead of learning and conforming to His will, that religion is false.
We can learn some truth from all religions . . .
But Jesus' teaching on this subject is quite clear (Jn. 14:6):
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Many who do not recognize that the bible "thoroughly furnishes us unto every good work" look to all religions for determining the course of their lives. However, it is obvious that they cannot accept all teachings of all religions, for no two religions agree on all things. Thus, everyone who believes this way must pick and choose what they will incorporate into their belief systems, and what they will choose to ignore. This purely subjective approach to faith leads to nothing short of anarchy (Isa. 5:21).
Can God be pleased with such a position? If it excludes Jesus, then it is an insult to God. For if we can be saved outside of Jesus, then his death on the cross was a meaningless act. But if it includes Jesus, it must include the totality of His teaching, including Jn. 14:6. This totally excludes all other ways, all counterfeit "truths," and any other formulas for life. There is but one reality, one truth; and one source of spiritual truth on the earth today -- the bible (Mt. 5:17-18; 24:35). Each one of us has total access to it. If we ignore it, our lives will suffer accordingly (Gal. 6:7).