I notice a lot of believers looking to “extras’ to inform their Christian walk. What I mean by extras is this: teachings of their particular flavor of Christianity, teaching of (mostly) great teachers to explain the Gospel, philosophies or doctrines (any of which have their root in Scripture) that inform the Christian walk or lifestyle, current cultural philosophies on Christianity, and more. I think, though, a question worth asking is “Why aren’t the Scriptures and Holy Spirit enough?”
When combatting temptation, Jesus rebuffed Satan by saying “it is written” (Matthew 4:1-11, elsewhere). The New Testament authors consistently drew upon existing Scripture (the Old Testament) when teaching and correcting the Church. The Bereans found Paul’s message about Christ consistent, not when hearing his or others’ teaching, but by testing it against Scripture (Acts 17).
About the Holy Spirit, Jesus says:“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17)
And
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:25-26)
And
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” (John 15:26-27
And
“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (John 16:4-15)
If this is what Jesus says of the Holy Spirit, why is it not enough? Why do we marry ourselves to divisive doctrines that are not truly scriptural, and not trust the words of Scripture and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit? Our doctrines and traditions divide us, they make us arrogant, and drive many to despair. The Word of God builds up. The Holy Spirit purifies, counsels and gifts us, and guides us to testify to the truth of Christ. Why can’t these be enough?
2 Timothy 3:10-17
You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Comments