The B-I-B-L-E, et al.

(from 2007)

Introduction

A very well-known song that is sung by children has these lyrics:

“The B I B L E,

Yes, that’s the book for me.

I stand alone

On the Word of God

The B I B L E!”

Now suppose this song is taught by a Mormon parent to their child. The song might look like this:

           

“I stand alone on the Word of God, and the Book of Mormon, and Doctrines and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, and Words of Wisdom, and the History of the Church;

The B I B L E!”

I Stand Alone

What exactly does it mean to “Stand alone on the Word of God”? The answer is simple. You accept the Bible as the Words of God, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and you have no need for anything else. You forsake all other doctrines.

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy concerning this, “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.  (2 Tim. 3:16-17 NKJV)

 This means that the Bible has everything you need to live a full and complete life. You don’t have to await further words from God or any so-called prophet.

To go beyond that of the scriptures is to want more that what is given. Paul wrote to the brethren in Corinth concerning this matter in 1 Cor. 4:6, “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.”  (NKJV)

Warnings from Scripture

We are warned against such individuals in 2 John 9-11, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.  (NKJV)

Jesus added in Matthew 15:9, “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"  (NKJV)

The apostle Peter also warned in 2 Pet. 2:1, “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.”  (NKJV)

Conclusion

In John 6, Jesus preached the difference between the bread of man and the bread of life. He then ran off those individuals who merely wanted to be fed by the physical bread (vs. 66). The 12 didn’t leave and this is the conversation between them in verses 67-68, “Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’”  (NKJV)

If Jesus has the ‘words of eternal life,’ then we don’t need modern-day revelation or self-help books from religious leaders. All we need to do is turn to the bible on a daily basis to receive all the help we need in our day-to-day lives. If a book isn’t from God, then we don’t need it as our main focus.