Is The Bible Enough? (A Case for The Supremacy of Scripture) | Pastor Daniel Batarseh (Gospel of Mark Bible Study Series)

We'll meet me again in Mark chapter. 7 together to look at

one particular verse As we begin.

Is very important session in the word of God.

Mark chapter 7, And look here with me in verse 5.

Mark 7 · chapter mention

Before we read one, we pray again.

Oh, Lord. You are the truth.

Your word is truth. Help us understand.

It set us free by the truth sanctify Us by the truth.

Lord, we trust that what is prepared for us today, will

advance us further into greater confidence.

To contend for the faith. That was once delivered, we

pray, Lord, that this would be maybe even a turning point for

some. We just ask that what would be

delivered would be done in the power of the spirit, the wisdom

of the spirit, and faithfulness, to your will and your mind

pertaining and regarding this subject.

But we trust in you. We love you.

That's why we're here. Would you sense our love for

you? And Lord, more importantly, we

realize your great love for us. In Jesus name we pray.

Amen. Mark 75.

And the Pharisees. And the scribes ask them.

Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of

the elders but eat with defiled hands.

There's no question that this interrogation was something that

the religious leaders of Jesus day brought to him.

But I want to borrow the concept of this idea here and present

followers of Jesus Christ Here. And Now with a a similar

question. Why do we as followers of Jesus

Christ? Not uphold or practice prominent

traditions in Christendom of our day.

I'm sure you are fully aware that there are many branches

within Christendom that champion and put great emphasis on

certain beliefs and practices that are established in the name

of sacred tradition. And it's very likely that some

of you have been challenged by friends or family, who have

wondered about your lack of adherence, to these specific

customs and rituals or beliefs. That have no strong or

consistent basis in the Bible. and it's also very likely that

your initial response to such inquiries have been something

along the lines of well, because the Bible says And the reason

why you would give such a response is because you appeal

to scripture and the reason why you appeal to the authority of

the scripture is because you wholeheartedly believe that the

scripture alone is the Supreme and final rule regarding all

faith and practice. Now, that loyalty and that

Fidelity to the scriptures was the very heartbeat of the

Reformation. One of the known slogans of that

time, is something that you are familiar with a Latin phrase

called Sola, scriptura Sola scriptura, which was heralded

and declared charged by Martin Luther during the 1500s.

And some have a misunderstanding of what Sola scriptura means and

believe it to understand that there are some within

Christendom namely us who believe that the Bible is the

only Authority. And that is not what we

necessarily agree to that. The Bible is just this

Standalone kind of rule and measure meant of certain things

and there's no other sense of authority over us.

That's not how we understand. The term know the Bible itself.

Testifies and speaks of various kinds of authority, there is

Parental Authority, there is civil Authority.

There is even Church Authority among other types of authority

and none of those things. Conflict with our faithfulness

and are surrendered to the scriptures or at least they

shouldn't. When we speak about Sola

scriptura, which simply means scripture alone with that

communicates, is that the Bible pay?

Very close attention to this? That the Bible is the only

infallible. What is infallible mean?

It means incapable of making mistakes.

The Bible is the only infallible and all-sufficient Rule and

standard for Spiritual truth. That is what Sola scriptura

essentially means. Parents can make mistakes

government can promote error. You can even have clergy and

leaders within the realm of the church who could be misguided

with the presumptions and their judgments, but the Bible alone

is unique in that. It has an inability to be

untrue. And by virtue of unable being

wrong, it demands all other authorities to submit to its

inherent claims. you might be wondering why Sola scriptura was

Champion during the 1500s the 16th century in the main reason

is because it was a statement of protest against the Roman

Catholic Church And why was the Roman Catholic Church being

protested against because what they believed then?

And what they still believe today is nothing close to this

view of scripture. The Roman Catholics as well as

Ethan Orthodox and other traditional churches.

They see the scripture as an authority but not the authority

and there's a big difference. It's important to note that

these branches of traditional and Orthodox Churches, if I can

use that word have their differences and we're not going

to speak on those differences today.

But one thing that makes the Protestant Christian faith

unique is this distinct conviction.

Which is everything that God requires of us as found and

finalized in the written word of God.

Notice that I'm not saying that everything that the prophet said

or everything that the apostles taught or necessarily are

necessarily found in the Bible but we do believe, is that in

God's? Providential wisdom, he has

preserved. What is sufficient and what

you're holding in your hand today?

Scripture does not share its preeminent place, With the

papacy with Bishops with ancient oral teachings, with church

fathers subjective Revelations or anything else for that

matter. It stands alone as the source by

which we must judge everything. And I'm fully aware that as I'm

saying this, there are many objections to this principle.

And I'm not going to pretend that in one session.

We're going to address every single argument, but my hope and

presenting this to you today, is that, for those who do hold to

this view, you would be more encouraged and strengthened in

your faith and for those who might be conflicted that you

would at least reconsider The View that you might hold that

scripture is not the only infallible source for Faith and

practice and one of the most common objections to what I am

presenting to you, today's, for those who reject Sola scriptura,

they kind of drum. This one argument over and over

and it's that scripture itself doesn't that teach Sola

scriptura. And so it's a self refuting

argument. It doesn't stand because it's

circular, there's nothing within scripture that says you need to

hold to the infallibility of the Scripture alone, and that

there's no other source of infallibility that can help you

in your faith or worship toward God.

And so, it just has no legs. And what I want to say is that

just because there isn't a particular or explicit statement

that is phrased to one's preference or like League liking

does not dismiss the conviction itself because what you will

find in the Bible, undeniably is that it does declare its own

infallibility and its own sufficiency.

And that is enough for us, to be honest with ourselves to make a

logical conclusion, right? You might not find one specific.

Verse that says the written word of God Alone is the dominant

source for what you need in. Your walk with God, you might

not find something like that but you don't find something like

that for the Trinity either. What you do is you gather the

evidence from cover to cover and then you are able to make it

consistent and harmonious conclusion, based on the data

that has been presented to us divinely.

And so we see here that there is infallibility and sufficiency

and I'm going to show that to you in a moment.

And here's what I want you to do is that once you are able to

hear and see the unique identity and the adequate function of the

word of God, you have to again And ask yourself is there a need

for a infallible source to work with the unrivaled?

Nature and ability of God's word.

Is there a need? Psalm 19:7.

Psalms 19:7

The law of the Lord is perfect. Reviving The Soul.

The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise, the simple,

the law of the Lord is perfect not just in its historical data

or whatever scientific inferences they're in, but its

ability to revive the soul to take that dormant Spirit of

yours. And to Get into perfect

alignment and right standing with your Creator and your

savior. Now, if it's perfect in that

purpose, is there anything else that is needed to be added to

accomplish that specific goal? If I claim anything is perfect,

but I am also claiming is that there is no need for

supplementation or subtraction in order for it to be effective

in its specific, right? The law of the Lord is perfect,

Proverbs 35 and 6 Every word of God proves true.

He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Do not add to his words. Lest he rebuked you and you be

found a liar. Can the warning be any clearer.

The Holy Spirit, informs us that there is a serious danger for

those who would claim that any ordinance?

Any ritual? Any belief?

Any Doctrine? Any practice is off.

Authorized by God though. It is not warranted by the word

of God. Do not add to his words.

Now, those who would again resist or argue against Sola,

scriptura would say. Well, the written word of God Is

Not the Only manifestation of the word of God.

Because to them. There is also another stream and

that stream, mainly is sacred tradition, which is to believe

the oral law. The oral teachings of the

Apostles that were passed down in succession though.

They were not recorded like what we have in our Bibles.

And to add to that, and we'll touch on what what I just said

later on. But to add to that, you have

specifically the Roman Catholic Church.

That would also say that not just sacred tradition, but we

also have a need, the church, their Church being the ultimate,

interpreter and determiner of Truth since she has been given

Authority by Christ to do. So what that means is this and

it means many things. But here's the main concern for

that, That the leaders in the Roman Catholic Church can

invoke. What they believe as their

god-given Authority and make it binding on the conscience.

This is something that you must believe in.

This is something that applies to you as a Christian.

And the magisterium has that apparently has that prerogative,

given by God, that's the case that they make. and the main way

that those teachings, and those doctrines are determined is

through ecumenical Church councils throughout history.

There have been many of them and what that really means is that

you have a gathering of Bishops worldwide who come to discuss

these matters and then they either affirm or refute

doctrines or heresies and then applies to the universal church.

And one that I want to bring to your attention to your attention

in particular is one of the most significant councils That make

it obvious that where we stand. As Protestant, Christians is

vastly different to where the Roman Catholic Church stands.

Now, I'm fully aware that some of you might have Roman Catholic

friends more Roman Catholic family members.

I'm not here to pick on your Roman Catholic family member or

your friend. My duty here is to speak about

what the church teaches to present that data to you and

then you make your conclusion. and so, the council that I am,

speaking of here is the Council of Trent The Council of Trent

was a series of meetings that began in 1545.

And these series of meetings were organized for the sole

purpose of refuting, the message and the movement of the

Reformation. And what I want to quote you in

a moment here, some of the decrees that were determined

within that counsel over the years and there are two things

that you need to be prepared. For the first thing that you

must understand is that these dogmas, these cannons that have

been defined during the Council of Trent have never been

revoked. Since.

In other words, they are still an application today.

In other words, they still apply to you because you're going to

realize that they do apply to you.

Secondly, what you're going to hear is that quote, these things

is the repeated word, anathema, anathema.

Some of, you know, that word. Some you may not know that word

and are Roman Catholic friends would say that the definition of

that word varies there they would say that early on the word

anathema could have included the meaning of being accursed being

cursed, right? We see that usage there even in

Galatians chapter 1, but they would also argue that later on

Galatians 1 · chapter mention

it took a more Dominant definition, which simply means

to be excommunicated from The Community of Faith.

Here's the point that I'm trying to make regardless of what

definition you hold to and not them is not good.

Okay, it's not a pleasant thing. It's not good.

And it is regardless of the severity of the definition that

apologist might hold to. It is undeniably an expression

of condemnation, an expression of condemnation for those who

would not hold to the belief that they say are crucial and

essential to. What they would say, is the

Christian faith. And so I want to Simply quote to

you now and I need you to lean in and pay attention to the

wording. And I'll my head's going to be

down so that it's going to require you to lean a little bit

more and use a little bit extra strength to pay attention.

I'm going to read to you now. Few statements from the sixth

session of the Council of Trent. Remember, this is on par with

the authority of the word of God to them.

This is not subordinate, this is not opinion because of their

view of the authority of the magisterium this is binding to

the conscience. The 6th Council.

Of the Council of Trent, the sixth session rather under the

title justification, cannons. Quote Cannon, 12.

If any one shall say that justifying faith is nothing else

than confidence in the Divine, Mercy, pardoning sins for

Christ's sake. Or that it is that confidence

Alone by which we are Justified. Let him be anathema.

Cannon, 14. If anyone saith that man is

truly absolved from his sins and Justified because that he

assuredly believed himself, absolved and Justified, or that,

no one is truly Justified, but he who believes himself

Justified and that by this faith alone Absolution and

justification are affected. Let him be anathema.

Let me translate to that. If you believe in justification

by faith, you are anathematized Canon 23.

If anyone's saith that Justice received is not preserved and

also increased before God through good works.

Now pay attention to this but that the said works are merely

the fruits and signs of justification obtained but not a

cause of the increase their of let him be anathema.

In other words, if you believe that good works are the fruit of

your salvation, you're wrong. You need good works to be

justified, works are not the fruit of your salvation.

They are a means, by which you can experience the grace of God.

Canon 30. if anyone saith that after the, grace of

justification has been received, To every penitent sinner.

The guilt is remitted and the debt of Eternal punishment is

blotted out in such wise that there Remains Not any debt or

temporal punishment to be discharged either in this world

or in the next and purgatory. Before the entrance to the

kingdom of heaven can be open to him.

Let him be anathema. Did you understand that?

If you believe that all your guilt, all your sins have been

washed away and that you are not need in your not need for extra

cleansing in this life or even in the next life is something

that you're familiar with which is Purgatory, then anathema.

And I was reviewing these things last night and thinking about

them. And here's the question that

came to my mind. Maybe it went through yours.

Which interpretation of God's will do.

I yolk myself to if I hold to the view that scripture is a

Authority but the magisterium is another which one do I obey?

Which one do I submit to, which one do I say?

Yes? And amen.

Well, if you're Roman Catholic, you would have to say the

magisterium You would have to say the magisterium because the

magisterium has apparently been given the authority from Christ

to interpret scripture. You can't do that with your

Bible alone necessarily and so you need to trust in the

institution that God has placed an inspired by his spirit.

So that means what I just read to you is amen.

So, what am I supposed to do? Am I supposed to trust the words

of the Apostle, Paul who said, in Ephesians 2:8 and 9, for by

Ephesians 2:8

Grace, we have been saved through faith, and this is not

of your own doing. It is the gift of God, not a

result of works, so that no one may boast.

Or am I supposed to put my trust in Canon, 14 of the 6th session

of the Council of Trent? Am I supposed to put my absolute

heart? In the hand of the truth of

Hebrews. 10:14 that tells me that by one sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:14

I've been perfected for all time.

For those who are being Sanctified or my supposed to

live under the umbrella of Canon 30, that tells me.

That I might need some extra purging before the Gates of

Heaven are open to me. See, this is what it boils down

to. This is why I'm bringing this to

your attention. The reason why I believe what I

believe is because I choose to put my trust in the clear

infallible, word of God, not in the word of fallible, men.

And I invite you to do the same. I love the words of the Apostle.

Paul who said this in First Corinthians 4:6, you can turn

1 Corinthians 4:6

there because it's a great passage and 1st Corinthians 4:6.

Paul says, I've applied all these things to myself.

And Apollo's for your benefit brothers that you may learn by

us, not to go beyond what is written. that none of you may be

puffed up in favor of one against another What is Paul

saying, you're he's calling the Corinthians to use the scripture

and, yes, Paul believed that his own writings were scripture.

He called to the Corinthians to use their standard of judgment

concerning the leaders based on what has been written, not by

their own imaginations, not by their own feelings, not by their

own arguments, not by anything else.

Don't go beyond what has been already established and written.

What about what he says to the same Corinthian Church who

thought that they had the authority to determine what

happened in the worship service and how Christians should

exercise their gifts. And how do they should relate to

one another? Well, the same Paul says, in

First Corinthians 14, just scroll their few chapters later

and notice what he says to the same group of people and First

Corinthians 14. Verse 36.

Or was it from you that the word of God came?

Or are you the only ones it has reached?

If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, he should

acknowledge that. The things I am writing to you

are a command of the Lord. Wow.

Paul actually believe that what he wrote was commands from God?

Yes, she was fully aware of that as you're going to discover in a

moment and he's asking the same church to acknowledge that

regardless of gifting, regardless of any private

experience as the prophets in the church might have

experienced, right? Right, no matter what kind of

thus says the Lord? No matter what?

Kind of spontaneous leading of the spirit?

There was Paul says, if you're really a profit you would

acknowledge my word, which is God's word and you would submit

to it, you would submit to it. You would realize that this has

supreme authority that this has ultimate say it has the final

say of what you believe and how you practice your faith.

Why is that? Because the Apostle Paul was

among the other apostles who have been handpicked by Jesus,

Christ, himself to lay the foundation of the church,

according to Ephesians 2:20 That's that's very important to

Ephesians 2:20

understand the Apostle's have been handpicked.

Have been hand-picked in such a way that they've been in dude,

with a specific kind of responsibility and that

responsibility is whether by word or by writing what they

said was determined as foundational to the faith of the

church when you lay a foundation.

It's something that says you're building on this.

You're not adding to this, you're not expanding on it

unless you are building upon what it says and what it

determines already. So the foundation has been laid

and Paul and the other Apostles realized that they had that

unique call a call. That could not be passed down a

call. That was not succeeded.

A call that was unique to them and to them alone.

And what about that? Perfect, I believe it's one of

the greatest Declarations of the marriage, between the

infallibility, of the word of God and the sufficiency of the

word of God. And those who oppose the view of

Sola scriptura don't like when it's quote, and I'll tell you

why in a reason. But you know what, you probably

memorize it, but let's just rehearse it again.

Second Timothy 3. Verse 15 to 17.

Speaking to Timothy and he says, oh, 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.

Notice that the, the sacred writings are able to make you

wise unto salvation. In other words, if you if you

engage with the Bible. Yes, there are some things that

are harder to understand but not impossible, to understand,

right. Because the claim is that we

cannot Stand the Bible. So that we need the help of the

church at large who have infallible ability to determine

what the Bible says. Okay.

It might be hard but what is essential the main things are

the plain things. And what we have here is that if

you engage with the Bible, you will have the direction.

You need enough to be saved. Why isn't the Salvation verse

16? All scripture is breathed out by

God. And Profitable for teaching, for

reproof for correction, and for training in righteousness.

And I love this in verse 17, that the man of God, may be

complete equipped for every good work wise unto salvation and

equipped, to be what God calls me to be as a man of God, when

God calls you to be, as a woman of God, it is sufficient.

And I know those who, again, resist this proponents, that

that view tradition and others, as the same as scripture, in

terms of its Authority. I don't like this and they have

two main arguments to why the first one is that they don't see

Paul's words here as excluding, any other type of authority by

which we can be made Sanctified. There's nothing here.

This is the argument. There's nothing here that says

okay we believe scripture is inspired by God but it doesn't

mean that God can Inspire other means other systems to also help

us grow to help us know. And I can see where they're

coming from because you look at James chapter 1, you don't have

James 1 · chapter mention

to turn there but if you want, you can James chapter 1 verse 4

James 1:4

and James, they're speaking about trials and he's calling

the Christians to be faithful in their Trials of the let those

trials have its full effect on them.

Why that they may be complete. That they may be matured.

In other words, God has ordained specific things in your life,

difficult things in order to Chisel you and to make you more

of the man that he wants you to be or the woman that he's called

you to be. I'm not arguing that the Lord

doesn't use the church that the Lord doesn't use people with

specific gifts to help us or even trials and Life to assist

us and to guide us into the will of God.

What I am saying is that, nothing else in all the Bible

says that something is breathed out by God except for the

scriptures. Infallible infallible.

Infallible and inerrant unable to make a mistake and it is void

of error. That's what we believe and

that's what is only declared concerning the very word of God

that you and I love. Secondly, some would propose

that. What Paul is speaking here of

concerning all scripture is just the Old Testament.

It's just the Old Testament and New Testament was a recognized

though. They didn't have a new testament

library. And so what Paul is really

speaking about here is the Hebrew scriptures and that opens

up too many other problems, right?

But, you know, very well and I hope you do that even at this

time, Paul recognized New Testament books, as scripture, I

can spend the next 10 minutes to show you how Paul believe that

about his own writings and various Epistles.

But Paul also believe that about his contemporary writers and

just in case you don't know these references.

I want to give them to you, so that you are mindful of this.

And the reason I'm going to tell you why this is important in a

moment here, but look here with me.

I first Timothy 5:8, you're in. Second Timothy scroll, back to

1 Timothy 5:8

First Timothy 5:8, excuse me? 5:18 and notice the words of

1 Timothy 5:8

Paul here, when he's seeking to teach about pastors in the

church, For the scripture says so.

So, Paul says, and First Timothy 5:18 For the scripture says you

1 Timothy 5:18

shall not muzzle an ox when it Treads out.

The grain stop. That's in Deuteronomy.

That's something that's found in Deuteronomy.

Paul pulls that out by principle to apply to how leaders should

be compensated to some degree for their service in the church.

You shalt not muzzle an ox, when it turns out the Grain and then

beautifully, he says and the laborer, deserves his wages,

where's that found? Luke.

Paul puts the Gospel of Luke on par with the book of

Deuteronomy. Paul believed that Luke's

writings had the same Authority as the writings of Moses in

Deuteronomy. And so he brings Luke and he

brings Deuteronomy and the same breath, he exercised the

authority of the word of God from both sources during his own

lifetime. During the infancy of the early

church. First Timothy 5:18, what about

1 Timothy 5:18

Peters words? And second Peter chapter 3.

2 Peter 3 · chapter mention

There he is. Discussing Some people who are

pressing the church about different doctrines and he says

here in 2nd Peter 3:15. And count.

The patience of the Lord. I salvation just as our beloved

brother, Paul. Also wrote to you concerning the

wisdom, given him as he does in all his letters, all his

letters. When he speaks in them of these

matters, there are some things in them that are hard to

understand, pause, that comforts me.

Because if Peter had trouble understanding Paul's writings,

that means when I come to a text like Romans, I'm like this is

kind of difficult. Well, Peter struggled to do some

reading regard. That are hard to understand

which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction,

as they do the other scriptures. Paul's writings is in the same

category of scriptures. So if second Timothy 3:15 to 17

2 Timothy 3:15–17

scriptures there refers solely to the Hebrew scriptures then

what do you do with text like this?

When Peter says if a Paul's letters are also scriptures this

also shows and this is the point that I want to make this also

shows that the recognition The circulation and the formulation

of the New Testament library was in operation during the lifetime

of the Apostles. And why I say that is because

those who hold to sacred tradition would say that if you

don't hold to sacred tradition, then you got to deny what you

believe to be the Bible. Why is that?

Because it's tradition that has compiled.

What you claim to be your Bible. In other words, at some point in

history, you had Christians who had the leading and the

authority to determine which books belong here and which

don't, there is no index in your Bible that says these books

belong. Who's going to determine with

all the different letters going around?

What belongs in the library and what doesn't?

And if you if you don't say tradition, then you have to also

deny your Bible. But hold on let's just make this

point clear to recognize what is authoritative in the Bible.

Does not automatically equate that you are infallible, does

it? I don't have to be infallible in

order to recognize what is divine.

And there is a Criterion by which the early Christians were

able to identify what was scripture and what could be

disregarded. But we don't have time to get

into that. What I want to say is this that

even if it is a tradition Okay, it's a tradition that's founded

in the Bible. It's not something that happened

outside of the Bible. Outside of the scripture.

We just had to references right there to show us that it was

birthed and it was happening and it was occurring during the

lifetime of the Apostles, when the very scriptures you and I

love were being formulated. That's something very important

to understand. Now, I know some of you might be

wondering something because I know this, I'm not a prophet nor

son of a prophet. Because some of you and some

others have messaged me concerning one particular verse

that is troublesome. It's kind of a thorn to this

whole belief in this conviction. It's in second Thessalonians, 2

2 Thessalonians 2:15

verse 15. Here's a Paul says and it seems

to be a proof text that confirms how the written word of God is

appear to sacred tradition. Second Thessalonians 2 verse 15.

2 Thessalonians 2:15

We read here. So then Brothers.

Stand firm and hold to. What's that word?

The Traditions that you were taught by us either by are

spoken word or by our letter, uh-huh.

You see Paul mentions Traditions that were taught by him and the

other church leaders. And some of them were

transmitted by his word which confirms that there is some kind

of oral Doctrine. That was transmitted that they

taught and was passed down from generation to generation.

That's the argument. But here's the question, we have

to ask ourselves. Do you really believe that when

Paul used the word tradition here that he is referring to

extra-biblical Revelation? That is equal to God's word?

There are very there, are two very important words in this

verse and depending on your translation in might be one word

and it's word that that expands our understanding of the

scripture. So then you see that so then

your translation might say what they're for, okay?

What is therefore, therefore see what I did there, what is there

for there for? You gotta zoom out, you gotta

understand a pulse tires connected to a larger context

and what is that larger context? What We here in verse 15.

Are we not? Now come here verse 13, but we

ought always to give thanks to God for you Brothers beloved by

the Lord because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved

through sanctification, by the spirit and belief in the truth

to this. He called you through our gospel

so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord.

Jesus Christ. So then Brothers stand firm and

hold to the Traditions that you were taught by us.

Whatever tradition Paul was referring to was in connection

to their confidence of their standing in the gospel.

And if you want to expand the context, we know that in the

beginning of chapter 2, he speaking about the second coming

of Jesus Christ. So, these traditions and all the

word, Traditions really means in the original is handed down.

These Traditions things that were handed down.

Paul was speaking about clearly were linked to and consistent

with the substance of his Apostolic teaching and you would

find it yes through his word. But it would also be found in

his letters. That's why he says buyer word or

by our letters, right? The idea that what he spoke by

his word is some additional peripheral kind of thing.

It doesn't make sense because the very connection To the

tradition. There is what was handed down?

Concerning the gospel and choose about the return of the Lord.

Jesus Christ, not things out there that, that we can't find

in our Bibles or things. I might even conflict with our

Bibles, no simply things that were handed down, and because he

was an apostle, he could do that by word, or he can do that by

letter, which is also important. There is no indication here

whatsoever that this verse teaches that things would be

passed down by word from one generation.

You to the next. There's nothing of that.

All Paul is saying is I'm an apostle.

And as a living Apostle, at this time, when he wrote this, he

sang and it's logical. That my word is just as

authoritative as my writings are, my writings are just what

my thoughts are, obviously inspired by the spirit recorded

on Papyrus, right? So I can speak to you, what God

wants you to know? Because I'm alive, or I can

write these things to you and he has And they were equally

authoritative as long as they were alive.

But what do you do when they cease to live?

What is the church to do? If they don't have access to the

living, active voice of these apostles who been endowed with a

specific portion of the spirit and Grace to lay the foundation

of the church for the people of God.

Well, let me put it this way. One thing is for certain there

is no hint that the New Testament teaches that there is

some infallible rule that is coming your way that will help

you determine things. In other words, there's nothing

in the Bible that says, there is a post Apostolic Authority, that

is on the same level as the Bible that you can rely on very

soon. Nothing.

So what are you left with a very comforting truth?

You are comforted by the realization.

That the very testimony of the Bible calls us.

And invites us to look to its unparalleled perfectly reliable

guide. To who God is what he has done,

what he will do and what it is that he demands of us.

And this, he has placed in the possession of his people.

People often quote, 1st Timothy 3:15.

That the church is the pillar in the butcher's of Truth.

As a proof, text of the church is authoritative in the same

regard as the scripture. But they didn't finish the verse

early on. Paul says, I'm writing these

things to you. So that, you know how to conduct

yourself in the house of God. What I'm writing to you is what

is authoritative? What?

I am delivering to you is to determine how you conduct

yourself in the church. And what is a pillar do?

Does it create truth? Like what we see in the Council

of Trent? No, a pillar.

Uphold something. So the church has any relation

to the word of God. It is to guard the truth.

Protect the truth. Be faithful to the truth.

And I use this verse to end last week session.

And if you haven't heard last week session, and you want to

know more because I could take us to Jesus appeal to the

scriptures as his ultimate Authority.

Visit that sermon again to get an idea of how Christ leaves no

room or no entertainment of thought that he actually

believed there was something on par with the word of God.

When he dealt with Satan, he said it is written when he dealt

with Pharisees and Sadducees says the scripture, the

Commandment of God the word of God when he instructs his own.

I think of the two on the road to Emmaus who are heavy of

heart, confused about the events that took place concerning what

they believed to be the Messiah. Jesus went to the law to the

prophets. He went to the Hebrew scriptures

and walk with them, and open up to them what the word of God

says concerning his suffering. The word, the word, the word you

have Paul the word, my writings scripture, scripture.

All scripture is breathed out by God.

Yeah, the tradition is there. We don't believe tradition as a

dirty word as Protestants by the way.

Hold whatever tradition you want.

Does it submit to the word of God?

And this is why this is important.

Again, you're saying, what's this session about you thought,

last week as a foundation? Well, here's a little another

layer to the foundation because everything hinges on this.

Oh, we can talk about me, rheology.

We can talk about icons. We can talk about Mass.

We can talk about the Saints. We can talk about all of that,

but if we don't deal with the sole Authority for the church,

then we're just swinging at nothing.

Is scripture supreme authority, if not if not I make the case.

That there's trouble ahead for any Institution for any person.

There's trouble ahead and what I seek to prove to you again.

Is that in the coming weeks after a short little break, I

would present you. Some of the troubling things

that have immersed from The View.

That scripture alone is not. Sufficient is not the sole

standard and measuring stick for all truth.

But as Believers, what are we encouraged to do?

Let me reinforce this to test all things to that, which has

already been determined. It's not comforting.

This truth is not just to pick a fight.

This truth is about where we put our rest in where were relieved

and God's goodness and Redemptive history to say you

can trust in this. So near the end of the very

Cannon itself. Jude says in verse 3 again.

Let me remind you what was said last week, beloved, although I

was very eager to write to you about our common salvation.

I found it necessary to write appealing to you and I appeal to

you. Appealing to you to contend for

the faith. That was once for all delivered.

To the Saints, once for all delivered.

Why do I believe in scripture alone?

Because the scripture has a unique nature.

The scripture. Has a unique function.

This scripture has a testimony that no other source, no other

claim. No other system can claim for

itself. And because it has that unique

claim, the claim is being infallible.

Insufficient then, isn't it logical for all other sources of

authority to submit to the only thing that is perfect.

That's all. It is nothing complicated.

Nothing. Philosophical.

Very simple and I pray just like how the gospel simple you would

see the Simplicity of this principle and you would know the

freedom there and let's pray. Lord.

As we have been brought by you to Mark chapter 7, we want to

Mark 7 · chapter mention

honor what your word says. Will we see clearly in that

chapter? That you regard the word of God,

the Commandment of God as Superior to all other things.

Well, we just ask that in this time of reflection.

There would be no mixture of personal opinion, but that we

would simply seek the voice of God.

The inscribed speech of God. we pray for those who might be

struggling in this area, That they would know that you are

gracious in our struggle. And that you Lord are willing to

guide us into truth. If truth is that which we want

Or for those who don't see the importance of this.

Help them realize that if what was said is true then the

evangelism field as much larger than what we thought Lord for

those who might still have questions.

With this ministry and other faithful Ministries and other

faithful, men, and women, who love your truth with, they be

brought to them, the answers that they are looking for.

Would you guide them guide us? And Lord though this is not a

exhaustive, understanding of this truth, may be a starting

point, maybe for some to dig, even deeper.

And to become even more encouraged by the authority of

the word of God. But for now, Lord, we pause we

pause to reflect what was given. And now, we give to our worship

and we want to let you know. Oh Lord.

That we believe your law is perfect.

We believe it has been preserved.

We believe that it is free from error.

We believe that it is enough to help us.

And that what has been made clear to us is necessary and

complete. Oh, Lord.

Bless our hearts. And this time of serious

discussion investigation, and Lord, guide us into the truth,

and Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

Let's stand and worship the true.

Ruth, the Living God, who has given us his truth.