Rev. David Holwick ZH
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
September 24, 1989
Mark 7:1-13
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I. Importance of authority in matters of truth.
A. My personal search for truth.
1) Ignorant of religion.
a) Read Bible with open mind.
b) Came to believe in Jesus.
2) But what else should be believed?
a) There are a mountain of opinions out there.
B. Everyone has an opinion.
1) However, some opinions are more educated than others.
2) What is the best opinion, or rather, better authority?
II. Pharisees and scribes of Jesus' day.
A. Very religious, took God seriously.
B. Bible, plus oral tradition (Halakah). (Fiddler on Roof)
[Traditions - army post and guard for painted bandstand, 14 yrs]
1) Love neighbor - and hate enemy.
2) OT - priests wash hands. Pharisees - all do it.
a) (Not hygienic, but religious washing.)
C. Oral traditions (written) on the same level as Scripture.
III. Jesus and Scripture.
A. What authority did Jesus go to to settle arguments?
1) The Bible.
B. The Bible (Old Testament) is God's Word.
1) It is inspired. Mark 12:36
a) What the Bible says, God says. Matt 19:4-5
1> The history is trustworthy. (Greater than Jonah)
2> The ethics are correct. Mark 12:29-31
b) Jesus did not accommodate himself to the beliefs of his
hearers.
2) Scripture is to be called upon in matters of dispute.
a) Examples:
1> Temptation.
2> Resurrection - you are in error, not knowing the
Scriptures or the power of God. Mark 12:24
b) The Scriptures point to Jesus himself. John 5:39-40
C. God's Word is the ultimate authority, above man's traditions.
1) Human tradition focuses on externals, not the heart. Mk 7:6
2) Tradition has a way of replacing Scripture. Mk 7:8,9
IV. Modern application.
A. Roman Catholics.
1) Differences as seen in the past by Baptists:
a) Description of Catholics in 1916 N.J. Baptist Convention:
"In New Jersey there is approximately 15 percent of the whole
population that may be called Protestant and evangelical.
Three fourths of the other 85 percent are claimed by an
ecclesiastical organization (church) that is unAmerican,
arrogant, sinister, and subtle.
So is it any wonder that there is a strong tendency toward the
destruction of individual responsibility to God?"
#999
b) No need for such intolerance today.
c) More reflects different cultures than truth.
2) Bible is important.
a) Bible is inspired, infallible.
b) But Bible alone is not enough.
3) Human traditions (where the key differences really are).
a) Oral teaching by Jesus not found in Bible was passed
down through apostles.
1> Yet this "extra teaching" is never made explicit.
b) Implications of putting Scriptural authority in humans:
1> Rationale for authority vested in leadership (pope).
2> Traditions (=teachings of church) are on same level
as Scripture.
3> Bible must be interpreted by trained people (priests).
4> More inspiration possible (ex cathedra).
A> Papal infallibility.
4) Oral tradition often contradicts Scripture.
a) Forbidding to marry. Cf. 1 Timothy 4:3
b) Worship of saints.
c) Salvation by works. Ephesians 2:8-10
B. Cults.
1) Bible, plus other writings or traditions.
a) Mormons. (up on hill)
b) Christian Scientists and Mary Baker Eddy.
2) False doctrine in most of them.
a) Salvation by works is key.
V. Baptists believe in Bible alone on questions of faith.
(Hold up your Bible. Not pew Bibles!)
A. Bible is inspired.
1) It is only statement of truth we need.
2) "Statements of Faith" can be useful, but can replace Bible.
B. Why do we depend on it?
1) Jesus did.
C. Human traditions are secondary.
1) We have human traditions, just like any other church.
a) How we do Communion.
b) Order of service.
c) Schedule of yearly events.
1> Bad traditions: baptize at 12, whether ready or not.
2) But Bible is supreme.
a) If our traditions are against the Bible, dump them.
b) Stay as close as possible to beliefs of early church.
3) Beyond traditions - revelation versus reason.
a) Radical Catholics like Hans Kung.
1> Pope not infallible.
A> Protestant?
2> No, reason is supreme, not Bible.
b) Baptists.
1> Many have "picked and choosed" verses they like.
2> Bible is not an example or favorite promise book.
A> It is God's plan for our lives.
3> Why do so few bring Bibles to church, and follow along?
VI. Truth versus intolerance.
A. There are key differences between us and other groups.
1) The Truth must not be compromised.
2) The opponents of Jesus had some truth, but were totally lost.
3) How important is biblical truth to us?
B. Apostle Paul and "other gospel," which is no gospel at all. Gal 1
VII. Difficulties with Scripture.
A. Controversial passages.
1) Tuesday night and member's question on place of women in the church.
2) "Why don't we just do what the Bible says?"
B. Scripture must be looked at intelligently.
1) In context.
2) Understanding of culture.
3) Understanding of literary styles.
C. Scripture can be understood.
1) There can be a consensus on basics.
D. Belief in the Bible comes from faith in Christ, not the other
way around.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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