IS THE BIBLE SUFFICIENT FOR MAN’S SPIRITUAL NEEDS?
Robert A. Glass
As a literary document, the Bible was penned by some forty different writers, over a span of hundreds of years, and completed over 1900 years ago. (KJV in 1611) Can a collage of antique writings, still serve the spiritual needs of man?
Today’s denominational groups would say NO! The Catholic Church is laced with its catechisms; the Mormon Church has compiled their OWN bible, and the United Methodist church has its Discipline.
This discipline states that it “is the book of law of the United Methodist church. (The, v)” It further states that “The discipline as the instrument for setting forth the laws, plan, polity, and process by which United Methodists govern themselves remain constant. (The, v)” [Yet they convene every four years to amend, perfect and clarify this “constant” discipline.
Let’s examine the scriptures to see what the Bible has to say about man’s Spiritual needs. In Romans 10:17, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” So herein, we see that faith comes by hearing ONLY the word of God. Hearing the opinions of man will NOT produce faith.
In 2 Peter 1:3, the Apostle Peter wrote, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and Godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
Let’s consider this; since the Divine plan of God has given ALL THINGS that pertain to life and to Godliness, any additional “plan of man” is unnecessary. We have within the inspired Bible that which is sufficient for the needs of man.
Examine for a moment 2 Timothy 3:16,17. “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.”
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. (Not by conventions of men)
It is profitable for doctrine. (Therefore it needs NO outside amending or clarification)
For reproof. (It is able to identify and criticize faults)
For correction. (It has the plan of God for the salvation of man)
For instruction in righteousness. (It has everything necessary to produce righteousness in man)
That the man of God may be complete, entirely furnished unto all good works.
If what we have within the pages of Holy Scripture can do ALL that is sufficient for the needs of man, why do we need the books, catechisms, and disciplines of man.
What could be written in the books of men that could exceed the wisdom of God? If God had intended for man to have ANY thing...then according to 2 Peter 1:3, His divine plan would have already provided it.
Our duty is to “Study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15
The Bible is indeed sufficient for the spiritual needs of man. If we can study with you further concerning the inspiration of the Scriptures or if we can study with you concerning your soul’s salvation, contact:
Raglass98@yahoo.com
(Bibliography)
The United Methodist Church Discipline, 1996, pp-v
