There are many people who insist in using other religious books as a
basis of their faith. They also claim that these books are also based on the
Holy Scriptures, but further scrutiny will show that they contain man-made
teachings or doctrines. Are these man-books needed to attain salvation from
the wrath of God and for attainment of eternal life in the kingdom of
heaven?
04G.1
How did Apostle Paul emphasize God's rule in the observance of His words written in the
Bible?
Apostle Paul admonish the early
Christians:
"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 non
of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other." (I Cor. 4:6,
NKJV)
The same verse in other versions of
the bible:
I have applied
all this to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brethren,
that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written,
that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against
another. (RSV)
The only way to observe God's words is
exemplified by Apostle Paul when he simply said: "not to think
beyond what is written"
or "not to go beyond what is
written"
04G.2 What does "do not go beyond what is
written" mean?
In Deuteronomy 12:32, God gave this rule
to the ancient Israelites:
"Whatever I command you,
be careful to
observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.
(Deuteronomy 12:32, NKJV)
Be careful to observe it: "You shall not add to it Or take away
from it"
04G.3 Why is
God so strict in the observance of His laws?
In Matthew 5:18, the Lord Jesus Himself, emphasized the importance of
observing God's laws:
I assure you, until
heaven and earth disappear, even the smallest detail of God's law
will remain until its purpose is achieved. (Matthew 5:18
The Lord said, "even the smallest
detail of God's law will remain until its purpose is achieved".
For God Said: "Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to
pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it" (Isaiah 46:11)
04G.4
How does God consider those
who "break His commandments" that are written in the Bible?
In Matthew 5verse 19 of the above verse, the Lord
Jesus warned anyone:
Anyone who break one of the least of these
commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in
the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these
commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Mathew 5: 19. NIV)
God consider anyone "going beyond" or "breaking one of the least of His
commandment" to be least in His Kingdom in heaven. This is how strict
God is in the non-observance of His commandments.
04G.5
What will God do to those who will "add to or take away" from His words
written in the Bible?
as is written in Revelations 22: 18-19:
"For I testify to
everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If
anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are
written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of
the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book
of Life, from the Holy City, and from the things which are written in
this book" (NKJV).
God gave this warning to anyone
who add or take away to the things written in the book:
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Everyone should faithfully believe
and observe all the things written in the Bible without going beyond what is
written because these are God's words, "His wisdom towards the salvation of
man."
Non-observance of the least of His commandment will make him least in the
kingdom of heaven.
In the same manner, using other books even if it is about salvation is
"adding to or going beyond what is written", thus punishable by
plagues written in the book.
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