Part 2: Biblical Authority and Bible Study
The answer to this question is “yes” if one is asking if man is a free-moral agent who has the right to choose either good or evil regardless of God's teachings in the matter. But it is “no” if we are asking if our belief is acceptable even when in conflict with God's expressed will, the Holy Bible.
The truth of God is narrow. Matthew Chapter 7, Verses13 thru 14:
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
In concluding His great Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that on the Day of Judgment some would be rejected even though their works had been good. He made it clear that only those who hear God's teachings, and follow them, will be saved. Review Matthew, Chapter 7, and Verses 21 through 23.
Narrow? Does Christianity stand alone in narrowness? Consider the telephone dial you use to talk to friends or loved ones. Telephone numbers must be entered completely and without error. Of course, one is entitled to his own belief that he can reach his party by dialing just any number. As you well know, this won't work. The telephone system is narrow.
Chemistry and mathematics are also narrow. Chemicals will not combine correctly unless dealt with precisely. The equation will not give the right answer unless solved within the rules of mathematics. Care is as needed when dealing with Biblical truths as when dealing with chemistry and mathematics.
Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden of Eden after they had violated the only rule that God had given them. They had been told not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Cain, in Genesis, Chapter 4, had his worship of God rejected even though he had offered the best grains from his farm. God had specified an offering of animal sacrifice not of grain. Many other examples can be drawn from both the Old and the New Testaments. These show that mankind's only real choice is to accept and obey or to reject the will of God.
An excellent example is Naaman’s leprosy. Naaman was a valued soldier and his king sent him to Israel to see Elisha, a prophet of God. Elisha said to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed."
In 2 Kings, Chapter 5, Verse 11 we find that Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage.
Later, Naaman repented of his anger and did as he was told. His leprosy was immediately healed.
Yes, everyone is entitled to his own belief just as was Naaman. But when one’s beliefs differ from those of God, disaster looms. These examples demonstrate that one should follow God's instructions rather than those originated by man.
In the book of John, Chapter 12, Verse 48, Jesus said:
There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.
Here Jesus plainly tells us that to reject His Word is to reject Him.
Let us ask again the question that is so often asked: "Is everyone entitled to his own belief?" Now you know the answer.