What does the Bible say?
Each week we will publish a new question and answer. Please send your bible questions to:
Portland Church of Christ,
P O Box 1275, Portland, Texas 78374
or email portlandcofc@juno.com
or via our website, www.portlandtxcofc.com.
Send us your questions today. If you desire to further study these questions with us please contact us for a free in-home bible study at your convenience.
(These questions and answers also appear in the weekly editions of the Portland News.)
Question: Is it a good thing we have so many churches?
Answer: Some religious people say it is good, it gives us more choices. Since there are so many churches one can find the group that meets their needs But we ask; “What does the Bible say?” Is all this division in religion a good thing? Is it right? Is it acceptable to God? Jesus prayed for all believers to be one, so that the world would believe that God had sent Him (John 17:20-21). Believers are told in the scriptures to be one (Ephesians 4:3; Philippians 2:2). The Bible commends unity and it condemns division (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:1-5). Read these passages for yourself and see God’s will in this matter (Acts 17:11). We have all grown up with religious division all around us; maybe we just assumed it is right, or just the way things are. Yet, read what Jesus said about it (Matthew 12:25). Religious division brings unbelief (John 17:20-21). Please study these matters for yourself. We offer free home bible studies or feel free to come study with us.
Question: Does it really matter what one believes as long as one is sincere?
Answer: Many people in the religious world believe this to be true today. Most of us have heard this concept for much of our lives. I believed this myself at one time in my life. In fact, probably most Americans believe this or something very similar to it. Again, all that matters is what the Bible says, not what I think are you think (2 Timothy 2:16-17). We will be judged by God’s word, not by what we think (John 12:48). If it does not matter what you believe then why did Jesus say to beware of false teachers (Matthew 7:15)? If it does not matter what you believe, even if you are sincere, then why did Jesus say beware? If it does not matter what one believes then why does the Bible say to mark people who teach things contrary to the scriptures (Romans 16:17-18)? If it does not matter, then why do we have this commandment from God?
Question: If we simply follow our conscience in religion won’t we be right with God?
Answer: Many sincere people believe this is the case. Yet we must ask: What does the Bible say (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21)? Does the Bible teach that one may simply follow his conscience? Does the Bible teach
that the conscience is a safe guide in religious matters? What is truth? The Bible and the Bible alone must be
our guide in religion (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 4:11). The Bible must decide all religious and moral matters, not the ideas of men (Proverbs 14:12). If we do not truly love God’s truth, we can be deluded in religious matters, thinking we saved, and be lost forever (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). Thus, we must always ask, what does the Bible say? (2 Timothy 2:15) We can read in the Bible of a man who murdered people for religious causes and thought he was right and serving God, however he was dreadfully wrong (Acts 26:9-10; John 16:2). He did this with a good conscience (Acts 23:1). We must follow the Bible to be right with our Lord (2 Timothy 3:15).
Question: How did God inspire the Bible?
Answer: God gave us the Bible; it originated with God-not man. How did He give is the Bible? It did not drop out of Heaven. We noted the Bible claims to be inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This explains the origin of the Bible: it came from God, He inspired it. How did God inspire the Bible? Not all questions may be answered about inspiration; yet, this is what we can know: God selected designated individuals to speak and record His Word. The Holy Spirit guided their words so that the result of their writing was God's own Word not man's ideas (2 Peter 1:20-21, 1 Corinthians 2:13). Thus, the Bible is actually the Word of God. What was revealed to these individuals and what they wrote was from God-not from man. What they wrote were the commandments of The Lord (1 Corinthians 14:37). Send me your questions in the Bible today. Contact us for a free home Bible study.
Question: What does it mean to us that the Bible is inspired?
Answer:The Bible is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It is truly the Word of God, the commandments of the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:37). Holy men of God wrote and spoke the very words of God (2 Peter 1:20-21). Thus, as
the Word of God the Bible is absolutely authoritative. But, what does that mean to us? This means the Bible has the final say in all matters of religious teaching and in our everyday morals. It is not just a nice old interesting book. It has the final say in all moral questions. When the Bible says a certain behavior is wrong then there is no further question about it - it is wrong. Since God is the Creator if the universe, He has all authority in matters of morality- what he says in the Bible is final. His Son, Jesus gave man the greatest moral code ever given. Matthew chapters 5-7 is one sermon of Jesus. This sermon has been said to be the greatest moral code ever given to man. Free Bible studies are available.
Question: Does the Bible have any authority?
Answer: The Bible is actually from God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It is an amazing book, yet does it have any authority? Since God is the creator of man and the world, He therefore has ultimate authority (Genesis 1:1ff).
Since the Bible originated with God, it has the authority of God. It is not just an interesting document; it has the authority of our Creator. It is God’s Word to man and has absolute authority over man. The Bible contains God’s authority in all religious and moral matters; it has authority over our lives. Since the Bible is from God, it contains His commandments (1 Corinthians 14:37). It is not the opinions of men (though God used man in its production) it is God’s revelation of His will to man (Galatians 1:11-12). So, in all matters of religion and morals the Bible has absolute authority. Though man often does not respect and rejects this authority, it is still inherent in the Bible. Please contact us with your questions or for a free home bible study.
Question: In what way does the Bible have authority?
Answer: We have seen that the Bible is God’s inspired Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible is the Word of Almighty God. Since God is the Creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1) He has the ultimate authority. Authority means the right to legislate-the right to make laws. He has the right to make laws for man, whether man submits to His laws or not. His Word, the Bible, therefore has all authority. Yet, what does this mean? It means the Bible is
the ultimate authority in all matters of faith and morals. In all matters of religion, man is to only speak where the Bible speaks (1 Peter 4:11), because the Bible contains the commandments of God (1 Corinthians 14:37). Jesus is God’s final spokesman to man (Hebrews 1:1-4). Therefore, His New Testament has all authority (Matthew 28:18-20; 26:28, Colossians 3:17). Come and study the scriptures with us this Sunday.
Question: what is the problem with the written creeds of the various churches in our land?
Answer: We have seen that the Bible is God's inspired Word and makes us complete religiously ( 2 Timothy 3 :16-17). It is the commandments of The Lord (1 Corinthians 14: 37). Thus, we do not need the creeds written by men.
Though begun for a good purpose, to stop false religious teaching, they are actually a serious problem for the followers of Christ. You might ask: Why is this the case, all the major Denominations are built on these creeds. Because, at best, they are the teachings of mere men-they are the commandments of men. Jesus said that teaching the commandments of men makes our worship vain (Matthew 15: 9). Vain here means profitless, to no avail. The Bible says that the commandments of men turn men away from the truth (Titus 1: 14). Come study the Scriptures with us this Sunday, not the creeds of mere men.
Question: Does doctrine make any difference in religion?
Answer: Some say: No, doctrine does not matter as long as you are loving and kind. However, we ask-What does the Bible say? Fortunately, the Bible is quite clear on this matter. The Bible certainly teaches we must be loving and kind to one another, however, the Bible does not teach that doctrine does not matter. The word "doctrine" in the Bible simply means teaching or what is taught. Jesus told His disciples to be aware of certain doctrine (Matthew 16:6-12). Now if doctrine does not matter why would Jesus say to be aware of certain doctrine? By inspiration, Paul told Timothy to be sure that no one taught any other doctrine (1Timothy 4:16). Who will you believe: the Bible, or religious people? Send your questions on the Bible today. Contact us for agree home Bible study at your convenience.
Question: What is the nature of God’s Kingdom?
Answer: A fascinating study in the Bible is the kingdom of God. Unfortunately, there is much controversy surrounding this great theme. Yet again, we must ask: What does the Bible say? God’s kingdom was at hand in the first century (Matt. 3:1-2; 4:17; 10:7).Yet what was its nature? There are two ideas in the religious world today: 1) It would be a physical political kingdom, and 2) It would be a spiritual kingdom. Which concept does the Bible teach? Which concept is truth? The Bible clearly teaches God’s kingdom is not a physical political kingdom; rather it is a beautiful spiritual kingdom with Jesus ruling over His people (Matthew 7:21). Jesus taught this clearly
in John 18:36-37. He explained His kingdom was not one in which His servants physically fight-His kingdom is
spiritual in nature. Would you submit to His leadership in your life? (Luke 6:46).
Question: Does God call people?
Answer: Many sincere believe this to be the case. Yet we must asked; What does the bible say? (Acts 17:11; 1 Thess. 5:21) What is truth? The Bible has many things to say about God’s calling. God’s people partake in a heavenly calling (Hebrews. 3:1). The word “partake” here in this verse means “to share together.” This heavenly
calling is from God Who calls people into His kingdom (1 Thessalonians 2:12). The Lord calls people to live clean, pure lives (1 Thessalonians 4:7) God’s people are admonished, in the Bible, to live worthily of this calling (2 Thessalonians 1:11; Ephesians 4:1). Yet, we ask; How does God call people? The Bible teaches it is not in some mysterious manner, as some would say, “better felt than told.” The bible clearly teaches that God call all men through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14, Romans 1:16).
Question: How can we be free from our sins?
Answer: This week freedom is on our minds as we celebrate our freedom. Yet, there is a greater freedom
than political freedom; it is freedom from our sins. Jesus spoke about this, He said: " You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Isn't that a beautiful statement? These people responded in a way indicating political freedom, but Jesus explained that He meant freedom from sin (John 8:34). Jesus came to free us from our sins, not our political enemies. When we are in sin, we are slaves to sin, yet God's truth through Jesus can free us from this bondage (John 8:31-34). God's truth is God's Word (John 17:17). To be effective in our lives this truth must be obeyed (2 Thessslonians 1:7-9, Romans 6:17-18). When one obeys God's truth in becoming a Christian one is freed from sin (Romans 6:1-5).