Scripture vs. Tradition: Examining Church Authority and Biblical Truth

It is a joy to open the Word of God with you today to discover that the Bible, and the Bible alone, is our infallible authority in all matters of faith and doctrine. 📖 While earthly powers may claim the right to interpret the Scriptures, God has given His Word to all people as a lamp to their feet and a light to their path Psalm 119:105.

The Foundation of Authority: Scripture or Man?

The core principle of the Reformation and of true Christianity is that the Bible sits above any human office. The claim that an earthly leader has authority over the Word of God is a "mystery of iniquity" that seeks to exalt itself above all that is called God 2 Thessalonians 2:4, 7.

• The Only Head of the Church: Scripture is clear that Jesus Christ is the sole head of the church, not any man Colossians 1:18.

• The Rule of Faith: We are commanded to worship the Lord God and serve Him only Luke 4:8. When human traditions contradict the Word of God, we must follow the biblical example of the apostles who declared, "We ought to obey God rather than men" Acts 5:29.

• The Role of the Holy Spirit: We do not need a human interpreter to unlock the truth. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth John 16:13.

The Prophetic Timeline of Supremacy

The Bible actually foretold a period of 1,260 years during which a specific power would "speak great words against the most High" and "think to change times and laws" Daniel 7:25.

• The 1,260-Year Period: This prophetic period (also described as 42 months or 1,260 days) represents the time of papal supremacy Revelation 12:6+1. Using the biblical principle of a day for a year Ezekiel 4:6+1, we see this power reigned from A.D. 538 until 1798.

• The Turning Point: In 1798, exactly as prophesied, the "deadly wound" was given when the papacy was led into captivity Revelation 13:3, 10. This marked the "time of the end" when knowledge of these prophecies would be increased Daniel 12:4, 9.

The "Wine" of False Doctrine

Scripture describes a system that offers a "golden cup full of abominations," which represents false doctrines that intoxicate the inhabitants of the earth Revelation 17:2-4. 🍷 These teachings take the focus away from Christ's work and place it on human effort or tradition:

• Tradition vs. Scripture: Elevating human tradition to the level of God's Word makes our worship vain Matthew 15:9.

• The Mediatorship of Christ: There is only one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus 1 Timothy 2:5. Any system that sets up earthly priests or saints as mediators obscures the "heavenly priesthood" of our Savior.

• The Law of God: Prophecy warned that this power would "think to change times and laws" Daniel 7:25. This is seen in the attempt to alter the fourth commandment, which commands the hallowing of the seventh-day Sabbath Exodus 20:8-11.

The Call to True Worship

God is currently calling His people to return to the worship of the Creator. The "everlasting gospel" is being preached to every nation, urging us to "Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come" Revelation 14:6-7. 🕊️

True followers of God are identified not by their allegiance to an earthly see, but by their commitment to the Bible. They are described as those who "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" Revelation 12:17. May you find peace and certainty by planting your feet firmly on the "written word," for "the word of our God shall stand for ever" Isaiah 40:8.