What Standard Does This Cult Use That They Trust?
Here is another example. If we want to make a precise measurement of an object that is supposed to be say one inch long, we can travel to the National Bureau of Standards and compare our opinion about how long one inch is, to a National Standard that is one inch long with only millionths of an inch of deviation.
This standard is housed in a "clean room" environment because even a single piece of dust can add .0001" to the length of the standard. It is housed in a "temperature controlled" environment because a change of just a few degrees can add or subtract another .0001" to the length of the standard. This standard is referred to as a standard for measurement.
It may seem too obvious to mention, but is important to note that the National Bureau of Standards houses many standards. If we want to measure length, voltage, volume, weight, or the intensity of light, these standards are there. We would not try and determine the length of an object using a volt meter. Use the right standard.
What standard should we use in matters of faith?
2 Timothy 3:16 - 4:4
16. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
17. so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
4:1. I solemnly charge {you} in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2. preach the word; be ready in season {and} out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
3. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but {wanting} to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
4. and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. (NAU)
The apostle Paul told Timothy that anytime we are confused about matters of faith that we should consult the entire council of God's Word as the only faithful, true alnd dependable standard. God’s word is a sufficient guide because it reveals God’s Will. If we dare to trust God’s word we know it is the same standard God uses in heaven, [Ps 119:89] as well as on earth [Ps 105:8]. If we trust God’s word to guide us we also know it was designed for our very time 1 Pet 1:21 as well as being sure in the future Mt 24:35.
GOD'S WORD SETTLED IN HEAVEN
For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Ps 119:89
GOD'S WORD SETTLED ON EARTH
He has remembered his covenant forever, the Word which he commanded to a thousand generations. Ps 105:8
GOD'S WORD SETTLED FOR TODAY
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of men: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 1 Pet 1:21
GOD'S WORD SETTLED FOR THE FUTURE
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Words shall not pass away. Mt 24:35
CULTIC REVELATIONS THAT FAIL THIS TEST:
World Religions all have revelations they claim as authoritative. We see common names from Babylonian times that reflect a Book of the Dead. We see it in Assyria, Egypt, Tibeten, Maya, Aztec. Most of these holy books pride themselves on making obscure statements about reality that have no practical application. That is because they all view the physical world as having no meaning. The only reality is after death when we become one with everything and everyone. We don’t see the Ten Commandments as being unique as a Holy God requiring holy behavior. The Bible is unique in providing a practicle answer to guilt and shame that is safe and eternal. When we try and study all these ancient funerary books we see them all having one thing in common. We only know about them through archeology. No one passed these writings on from father to son as we see with the Bible. This is important because very few scriptures can be shown to be genuinely ancient. The Bible alone is “inspired” by God which makes each and every portion of the Book the authoritative word of God. Inspiration preserves God’s word.
Ancient First Century Copy the Shema
This ancient scrap contained someone's personal copy of the Shema. Every Jew had to memorize that passage before their barmitzpha or batmitzpha at age 12. The Shema Deut 6:4-9 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! 5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9 "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (NAU)
Study Question: what is it about the Bible that has left such a mark on every reader.
A: when we pick up the Text it forces us to choose. Do we respond in faith or unbelief?
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