Back to the Bible

The apostle Peter affirms that God has provided us with all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). If one wants to know how to live, it is revealed in the written word. Our goal in life is to become like Christ as much as is possible, with the aid of the grace and mercy of God. The only way we can know how He lived is by the written record of His life. Like a compass, the Bible is our guide through life. By it we can correct and even change the direction of our lives. It gives warnings we should heed. It gives examples of those who followed and those who did not follow the right way, and the results. Through out history God has blessed the faithful, and punished the disobedient. It is our appeal to all serious people to return to the Bible recognizing its power, inspiration, and authority. It is our appeal to return to the Bible for instructions about worship, salvation, and daily living. Acceptance of the written word should be above what men teach (1 Corinthians 4:6). The church of Christ began on Pentecost according to the divine plan. Very soon there were departures which resulted in a complete apostasy. There was departure in name, organization, worship, doctrine, and the plan of salvation. In fact, there were so many changes, it became a different church. Some two hundred years ago, there was the aim to restore the church of Christ. They planned to do that by a return to the Bible. They wanted to speak where the Bible speaks, and remain silent where the Bible is silent. This is taught in 1 Peter 4:11. Because of the nature of the Bible, we are not to add to it, take from it, or substitute for it. "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you" (Deuteronomy 4:2)."Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar" (Proverbs 30:5-6)."For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall, take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" (Revelation 22:18-19)."But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8).