The Bible the True Standard of Faith.
By Francis Nelson
Much is said and written by different denominations of professed Christians upon the subject of taking the Bible as the only standard of faith and practice. At the same time, it is very evident that many have other standards by which to weigh Bible testimony, and if it conflicts with their standard, or creed, it is treated as non-essential or not to be understood. Then others have much to say against reading detached portions of the Bible, as they are pleased to term the explaining of one portion of the Bible by another. We would suppose, to hear them talk, that the Bible was only one lesson, and that it is wicked to read it with reference to subjects, or different points of doctrine. We would infer that it should be read in a kind of haphazard manner; and that it would be as well, in order to inspire faith in a repenting soul, to read to such, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, with all the nations that forget God,” Cor. 9:17, as to read the comforting words of John, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. To illustrate the deceitful ways in which men handle the words of truth, not heeding what Paul says in 2 Cor. 4:2, I will cite some cases that I have witnessed. When I first became interested in the truths taught by Seventh-day Adventists, I was a member of the Methodist church, and the preacher on the circuit made such a stir that I felt quite gloomy on account of being so out of harmony with him. He was in such a frenzy that it was useless to try to talk with him. About this time, our presiding elder stopped at my house, and I thought to have some consolation in talking with him, as I had a high opinion of his wisdom and honesty. So I asked him if he was acquainted with the doctrines taught by Seventh-day Adventists. He answered, Not much, but they seem to have all kinds of infidelity steeped down together. Supposing that this singular answer was given more for the want of information than honesty, I further asked him if he believed that the prophecies were a part of the divine revelation to man. He answered, that the prophecies got into the Bible rather incidentally, and could not be understood. I was so well satisfied with regard to his honesty that I asked him no more questions. I had often heard Methodist ministers quote the prophets to prove that Christ was the Messiah that was to come, but here was a presiding elder that thought they got into the Bible by chance, or without design! Another professed gospel minister invidiously called all that did not believe in the double entity of man gizzardites. To evade Bible testimony, as we present it, he told his congregation a pleasing story of a man who could not readily find a passage in his Bible that he wanted, and was assisted by another, who offered to mark the place so that it could be found again, when the man who owned the Bible told him with great earnestness to please not mark his Bible; for he took the whole Bible for his guide. Thus the preacher manufactured a kind of bombast which answered with a majority of his congregation better than the Scriptures. Another preacher went into a labored effort to put down our views of the personal individuality of the Son of God. He mentioned Col. 1:15, with a few other kindred passages of Scripture, which he called detached, popgun charges against the great doctrine of the trinity, but said the doctrine stood, and would stand, against all that its enemies could hurl against it; and if they wanted any proof of its being a Bible doctrine, he would give it. He commenced to quote from the first chapter of John’s gospel, when he seemed to think of what he had said about popgun charges, and closed his Bible and presented it whole to his congregation, as overwhelming proof of his dogma. Another minister advertised in the county paper to preach on the fourth commandment. He spoke well of the moral nature of the law and the sanctity of the Sabbath, but his theory of the change from the seventh to the first day of the week was that of Justin Edwards, backed up by the preacher himself, who assured the congregation that he knew it was so, as he had made it his study for thirty years. Thus he placed his own wisdom in the scales to weigh down the Bible. I visited a friend who labors in word and doctrine, but is quite liberal in the last. Knowing that theological discussions were not pleasing to him, I tried to get at his standard by examining his library, prominent in which is the Bible. Then I took from the bookcase a large volume written for the avowed purpose of putting down Rationalism which Webster defines to be “a system of opinions deduced from reason, as distinct from inspiration, or opposed to it.” But I soon found that the author dealt his heaviest blows against materialism, which I consider one of the most prominent truths of the Bible, to deny which is to deny God an existence, and to call all that he has created a myth. I thank the Lord that the Bible inspires faith and hope in a tangible God. I examined another volume by reading the author’s preface, which was quite profuse on the science of geology, in which science it was claimed that there are immutable truths that must shape our understanding of the Bible history of creation. Thus, if we grant the claims of these two authors, the Bible would hold quite a subordinate place in our faith. Then I have talked with honest, well-meaning people, who claim to believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures, yet will as readily quote the writings of Swedenborg or Andrew Jackson Davis on matters of faith, as the Bible. In view of such conflicting ideas, it is not strange that many say they know not where to find the truth. Christ said to the Jews, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39. The Scriptures Christ here speaks of are the writings of the prophets, and they testify of the nearness of his second coming as truly as of his first advent. Peter when arraigned before a council of the high priests thus quotes the prophets to them with reference to Christ: “This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:11, 12. Christ was with the angel that spoke to Moses, and gave the lively oracles to the fathers to give unto us; Acts 7:37, 38; and to deny the inspiration of those oracles is to deny Christ. Paul, in 2 Timothy, chapter three, gives a dark picture of what will come in the last days. In verse 13 he says, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” And that we may not be seduced, but trust implicitly in the Bible, he says in verses 16, 17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Paul does not say part of the Scriptures are given by inspiration, but all, and they are all profitable for doctrine, &c., that the man of God may be made perfect. It is not necessary then to go to authors outside of the Bible for a rule of faith. It is true that there are many helps to aid us in understanding the Bible, yet I thank God that he has placed tests in his word, whereby we may know them that gather with Christ, and them that scatter abroad. If, therefore, any possessed of familiar spirits peep and mutter of the progression of the wicked in happiness in the spirit world, or if the antinomian pleads for faith, setting aside the law and works of obedience, bring them to the following test: “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter; should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa. 8:19, 20.