WE ARE AMBASSADORS
‘How do we know what to believe and how to behave?’ There are four possible answers.
1) The Church traditions and authority of church leaders.
2) An individual Christian’s experience.
3) Reason based on current world views
4) The Bible
This may be depicted as a square, with one of the four authorities at each corner.
Today there is a move to try and hold these four views of authority together, each having equal validity. This is not possible for whenever there is a tension in doctrine, one of the authorities must rule supreme, and in choosing which authority to follow, ‘reason’ is made supreme. For example the ‘Virgin Birth’ is not a phenomenon that anyone today has experienced, and we cannot understand it in terms of modern science either. This tension can only be resolved if we are clear that God’s Word, the Bible has been given to us as the supreme authority. This is why we accept the Virgin Birth as having actually happened - because the God of truth has told us it did. Martin Luther was clear about this conflict of authority when he opposed the traditions of the church in the early sixteenth century. The Dominican monk Tetzel, with the support of Pope Leo X, was selling indulgences (pardons from purgatory) so that St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome could be built! This practice angered Luther and his friends because it was contrary to Scripture.
At the investigation of Luther’s teaching before a Papal Legate at Augsberg he was told that the ‘Pope has authority and power over all things.’
‘Save Scripture,’ said Luther eagerly.
‘Scripture!’ said Cardinal De Vio derisively, ‘the Pope is above Scripture.’
This conflict of authority was the reason for the subsequent reformation and ‘Sola Scriptura’ became its catch-phrase. Scripture alone must be the ultimate authority of the church by which everything should be tested. It is this principle that underlies the Articles and Canon’s of the Anglican Church. Consequently a better diagram to depict how Christians should regard authority is as follows.
BIBLE
Reason. Tradition
Experience
Reason, experience and tradition are all valid authorities, but they must each be tested against the supreme authority of Scripture. It was Calvin who loved to remind his hearers of this very point, by frequently quoting Roman’s 3 v. 2, which teaches that the Scriptures are the ‘very words of God’. Bishop Ryle reminded us that ‘The Battle for the Reformation has to be fought in every generation’, and it is certainly the greatest problem the churches have today.
John Wesley regarded the Bible as the supreme gift of God’s grace.
“I want to know one thing, the way to heaven. God himself has . . . written down in a book. O give me that book! At any price give me the book of God! I have it. Here is knowledge enough for me. . . I sit down alone: only God is here. In his presence I . . . read his book . . . to find the way to heaven . . . I lift up my heart to the Father of Lights, “Lord, . . . let me know thy will.”
There are two principle issues surrounding the way that the ‘Word of God’ gets treated and mistreated.
1. Disuse of Scripture. Simply ignore God’s word. Consider the attitude of the fool who says there is no God (Ps 14 v. 1).
Hosea speaks of those who have “ignored the law of God”.)
2. Misuse of Scripture. Wrests the authority out of God’s hands by distortion and evading its original meaning. This is very common e.g. funeral sermons suggesting that everyone is going to heaven.
Jesus accused his enemies of “nullifying the Word of God” Matt 15 v. 6
Paul was acutely aware of this problem 2 Cor 4 v. 2.
In ‘Little Women’, a rich society lady wishes to justify her inaction to help the destitute by employing a form of words based on Matt 26 v. 11 saying “The poor will always be with us.”
This problem begins in Genesis.
Gen 1v. 3 - implies that God’s Word precedes creation. The world obeys God’s word at first.
Gen 2 v. 16,17 - God commands man.
Gen 3 v.1 - misquotes God’s Word.
Gen 3 v. 2 - Eve adds to God’s word. Other parts of Scripture warn us against this e.g. “See that you do all I command you –do not add to it or take away from it” (Deut 12 v. 32)
Gen 3 v. 5 – blatant contradiction!
Thus Genesis 3 inaugurates a pattern of disrespect for God and his Word.
The Proper Use of Scripture
Jesus always treats God’s Word faithfully. In the record of the Temptation of Jesus in the wilderness by Satan there is an echo of Genesis 3 in reverse.
Luke 4 v. 1 - Jesus is led by the Holy Spirit into the Desert (the opposite of the Garden of Eden)
Luke 4 v. 3 – exploits a natural human appetite (let this stone become bread). This is crafty as there is a significant element of truth combined with the sneer of cynical doubt in, “If you are the Son of God . . .”. Jesus replies by quoting the Word of God, “Man shall not live by bread alone”. In the version in Matthew 4 Jesus adds “but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
Luke 4 v. 6-7 – is a gross exaggeration. Satan may be the prince of this world but not its king and the world is not his to give! Jesus replies by quoting the Word of God, “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only (Deut 6 v. 13).
Luke 4 v. 10 – Satan tries Jesus at his own game! “It is written . . .” and quotes Ps 91 v. 11-12 but then misapplies it. This Psalm refers to the protection God gives to his people in the problems of everyday life. Jesus points out Satan’s misuse of God’s Word by quoting Deut 6 v. 16, “Do not put the Lord to the test”. Is Jesus referring to His Father or himself? The devil is aptly known as the ‘father of lies’ (John 8 v 44).
What are the marks of a true Christian? Study 1 John for this. These signs distinguish those with a “saving relationship” with the Lord Jesus from those who have “got religion”.
Love for the Lord Jesus. He is number 1.
Involvement with his people.
Feeding on God’s Word.
Evangelism.
Alternatively download “Am I right with God?” a study on 1 John, from www.livingwordnet.com
We become Christians when we respond to God’s Word (Eph 1 v. 13). Its faithful teaching causes a stark reaction (Acts 17 v. 32) Rejection leads to death (2 Peter 3 v. 14) acceptance to life (Rev 22 v.18,19)
The Bible claims to be “the very words of God” (Rom 3 v. 2) and “inspired by God” (2 Tim 3 v. 16) etc etc.
Application
A patient asked to have a private talk with her consultant after the ward round. She knew she was dying of disseminated cancer. He returned on his own and they started talking.
“Could you hurry things along. I don’t want to continue like this.”
The consultant answered, “We cannot use euthanasia but we certainly can help you in several ways. But perhaps we should be asking why it is that God is allowing this to continue. I wonder if there is some purpose for giving you more time. Have you got everything ready?
“I think so,” she replied.
“Are you ready to meet God then?”
“I hope so. I’ve lived a good life - as best I can.”
“Do you think that will be enough when you meet God. Do you think he will allow you to join him on that basis?”
“Doesn’t everyone go to heaven then?” she enquired in a genuine way?
“Certainly not! The Bible teaches very clearly that all of us will face judgement when we die. Our problem is that none of us is good enough on our own to face that judgement. Would you mind if I show you what the Bible teaches on this?”
“Please do carry on, this is important.”
The consultant took out the Gideon Bible from the locker beside her bed and thought what passage to use that deals with judgement. He thought that 2 Thes 1 v. 5 - 10 was exactly what he would have liked to say but that perhaps it was rather stark. Instead he read to her Hebrews 9 v. 26b – 29 that also includes the gospel. He then explained to her how Jesus has paid the penalty for sin by dying on our behalf on the cross, visually demonstrating 1 Peter 2 v. 24. It seemed likely that his patient only had a few days more to live so it was important that she understood the urgency of the situation. As they had the book of Hebrews open, he read to her part of the next chapter – Heb 10 v. 29. He also told her of Peter’s statement to the Sanhedrin in Acts 4 v. 12. It was clear that she understood.
“What do I have to do to be sure that I am forgiven?”
The doctor then read to her Acts 2 v. 37-39 and explained it.
“Will you help me pray so that I can be right with God?” she asked.
At this point one of the nurses who was sitting at the nearby nurses station came and pulled the curtains around the bed! The doctor prayed but the patient added a clear ‘Yes’ at the end. The doctor felt that that was enough for one day but wanted to leave her with something comforting. He shared with her two verses on assurance, John 1 v. 12 and John 5 v. 24 and wrote them out on a piece of paper.
The next day the consultant popped in to see her. She was slightly sleepier but could talk clearly.
“Thank you so much for spending that time with me yesterday. I will always be grateful. I have told my husband what has happened.”
That afternoon she was moved to the local hospice. Two days later the consultant visited her in the hospice before going on to his church. She was sleepy but was still able to talk clearly.
“Thank you so much” she kept repeating.
Wanting to reassure her, he again took out the Gideon Bible and this time read Rom 8 v. 1. This was explained graphically by writing her name on a piece of paper and putting this into the centre of the Bible.
“When God looks at you now, he sees that you and all your sin are hidden in Christ. You are secure now that you are in him. Jesus has gone to heaven and as you are now in him you will join him there. That is God’s promise to all who have turned to Christ.”
That afternoon the ladies husband phoned and asked if he could come and discuss his wife’s problems even though he lived 30 minutes away. He went to the consultant’s home carrying an authorised version, Gideon Bible. They discussed briefly what was likely to happen to his wife but he obviously wanted to talk about Christian matters.
“Thank you so much for the time you spent talking with my wife. She told me briefly about it. She has got such peace now. Do you mind sharing with me what you said to her.”
They also discussed the gospel for an hour. He then left with a copy of the book, “Cure for Life” which he finished the next day.
The patient was able to leave the hospice and be cared for at home by her family. The doctor phoned up once and asked her carers to read to her Rom 8 v. 1 again. He also visited her once again at her home at her request. Her carers said that she had in fact asked for the whole chapter to be read. She died very peacefully four days later.
Her husband phoned up the doctor two days later to tell the news. He was very grateful for the help his wife had received but his real emphasis was on the spiritual help she had received. She had told her husband that she was ready to die and was now at peace with God. She then specifically asked her husband to go along to the Doctors church and to get involved. This he promised to do.
Question
Such medical behaviour is not commonly accepted practice and on this basis could be criticised. Is it right for a doctor to get involved in this way with his patients?
Other Questions
Why was the book of Romans written? See Rom 1 v. 1-6 and 16 v. 26. How will the nations believe in Jesus?
From Psalm 95 who need to be warned about judgement? To whom is this Psalm addressed?
Isa 53 v. 4-5 refers to the Messiah taking ‘our infirmities’ and healing our wounds. What can we therefore expect from God? 1 Peter 2 v. 24 is the apostolic explanation.
Joel 2 v. 28 – 32 says that when God’s spirit is poured out ‘signs and wonders’ will be apparent. What does this refer to? Acts 2 v. 22 makes it clear that this prophecy refers to the Lord Jesus.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2 v. 15
“That you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” 1 Cor 4 v. 6
As ambassadors (2 Cor 5 v. 20) we must learn where we stand and what to say! How will you achieve this?
BVP
