Some people try to tell us that the old way of doing things religiously will not work. They say we must be more willing to accept the ways of others if we expect to convert them.
We are told that the examples found in the Bible should not be followed, and we must change to meet a changing world. To some people, this may sound reasonable, but is it really?
We must remember that our authority to change must come from Christ, for he has all authority (Mat 28:18 KJV).
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ‘All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.’”
Jesus said that the teaching of men without the divine authority was vain (Mat 15:9 KJV).
“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
Paul told of a time when men would not endure sound doctrine and just how a preacher is to go about doing his preaching.
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (II Tim. 4:1-5).
If we change the Bible to fit the way all believe, we will not have the truth of God’s word. Man’s problem of what to do to be saved still exists today, and the gospel is still the only answer.
If we try to accommodate all the plans of man to be saved, we would have a most confusing teaching. God the supreme designer has given man all that is needed.
While some are making the claim that everyone just needs to believe in Jesus and not worry over ways of worship or the way of salvation, God’s word has not changed.
God offers pardon to all that are willing to obey him. His grace is for all, but to realize this grace, one has to follow the divine commands given by God.
We have been told that the old style of using scriptures in sermons is old-fashioned and should not be used. So in some places, people are starved for true spiritual food.
Peter wrote, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Pet 4:11 KJV).
So, should we change the Bible for today? No! We do not have the authority to change what has been established and authorized by God.
What we need to do is, read, study and obey the word of God, and salvation can be ours.
The words of Jude come to mind “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3 KJV).
We also must earnestly contend for the faith.