Spiritual Authority: The Word and the Testimony
By A. W. Tozer
But there were false prophets also among the people,
even as there shall be false teachers among you, who
privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying
the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves
swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1
Whatever it may be in our Christian experience that
originates outside the Scriptures should, for that very
reason, be suspect until it can be shown to be in accord
with them.
If it should be found to be contrary to the Word of
revealed truth, no true Christian will accept it as being
from God. However high the emotional content, no
experience can be proved to be genuine unless we can
find chapter and verse authority for it in the Scriptures.
"To the word and to the testimony" must always be the
last and final proof.
Whatever is new or singular should also be viewed
with caution until it can furnish scriptural proof of its
validity. Throughout the twentieth century, quite a
number of unscriptural notions have gained acceptance
among Christians by claiming that they were among
truths that were to be revealed in the last days.
The truth is that the Bible does not teach that there
will be new light and advanced spiritual experiences in
the latter days; it teaches the exact opposite! Nothing in
Daniel or the New Testament epistles can be tortured
into advocating the idea that we of the end of the
Christian era shall enjoy light that was not known at its
beginning.
Beware of any man who claims to be wiser than the
apostles or holier than the martyrs of the Early Church.
The best way to deal with him is to rise -- and leave his
presence!
Yours In Christ,
Paul N. F.