It is Settled!

A series of lessons from the Bible

by Howell Lasseter

Jesus Only

The title of this weekly article mirrors the conclusion that must be drawn from last week's closing Scripture: "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:30,31). 

Hear Jesus' words, which might be printed in red ink in your Bible, or not, depending on the choice of the publishing company: "And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak" (John 12:47-50; emphasis mine, hl). 

Though many years may have passed since our childhood, memories are strong. We remember the good feeling we, as children, enjoyed when we obeyed our earthly father, and he was pleased with us. Was Jesus' Father pleased with Him? Matthew 3:17: "And, lo, a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased..." Mark 1:11 also records this, and John, in John 1:32, says he saw this. On the mount of transfiguration, when Moses and Elijah spoke with Jesus, Peter, James, and John witnessed the event. Peter wanted to make three tabernacles - one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Hear the voice that came from a cloud that covered them: "This is my beloved Son: hear him" (Matthew 17:1-9; Peter mentions this event in his epistle of 2 Peter 1:17,18).

Sincere Bible students know Jesus spoke the words of the Father, the God of Heaven. How much liberty do we mere humans have to change, delete, or attempt to explain away God's Word? John wrote in Revelation 22:18,19 that one is not to add, nor take away, from it. Hear Matthew 15:9: "But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Can all Christians read, understand, obey, and teach alike? By taking God's Word alone, we can!