Some preachers, especially the authorities of the Roman Catholic Church, insist that the Bible cannot be the only guide to salvation because, according to them, it does not contain all the truth necessary for eternal salvation, as it is written in the book. , “My Catholic Faith” by Rev. Louis La Ravoire Morrow:
The Bible cannot be the only guide to Salvation…
3. The Bible does not contain all the truth necessary for eternal salvation (My Catholic Faith, p. 123)
According to them, the truth about Christ that was written in the Bible is not complete, and that they learn all of Christ not from the Bible, as it was written in the book, “The Spirit of Catholicism”:
… I learn from the whole Christ, not from the Bible. (The Spirit of Catholicism, p. 57)
However, we cannot simply accept this doctrine without examining it. And if we just read their statements about the Bible without examining the Bible, we will end up believing them. We must not forget that we are commanded not to immediately believe anyone’s teachings, but we must first test them if they are from God:
1Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (I John 4:1, NIV)
How can we know that his teachings came from God?
Okay. It’s easy to tell. We already know that the words of God are written in the Holy Bible, and therefore those teachings that go against the Holy Bible do not come from God, and those teachings that go in parallel with the truth written in the Bible are teachings of God. God. .
Now, let us ask the Holy Bible: Is it true that the Bible cannot be the only guide to Salvation? The apostle Paul responded:
15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (II Timothy 3:15, NIV)
According to the Apostle Paul, the Holy Scriptures or we call it the Bible, can make us wise for salvation. In other words, the Bible can lead us to salvation. But how could the Bible lead us to salvation? Of that verse, the Apostle Paul said that it is through our faith in Christ.
But they said that the Holy Bible does not contain the complete truth about Christ. So how can we believe in Christ if we don’t know who He is and what He is?
It is true that Christ did many things and many of those things were not written, because according to the Apostle John, “If each one of them were written… …not even the whole world would have room for books whatsoever. written” (John 21:25, ibid.). But are the things recorded in the Holy Bible enough for us to believe in Christ and obtain salvation? The apostle John said:
30Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life through his name. (John 20:30, ibid.)
Yes. The answer of the Apostle John is clear that those things recorded in the Holy Bible are enough for us to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing we will receive the promised salvation.
Therefore, the Apostle Paul taught the members of the true Church of Christ not to go beyond what is written.
6Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and to Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Go no further than what is written.” Then you will not be proud of one man in front of another. (I Corinthians 4:6, ibid.)
And they are reminded not to add or subtract words from what is written and those who add or subtract words from what is written will receive punishment from God.
18To everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, I warn you: If anyone adds anything to them, God will bring on him the plagues described in this book. 19And if anyone takes away the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away from him the part of him in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19, ibid.)
Therefore, it is not true that the Bible cannot be the only guide for salvation, because the Bible can make us wise for salvation. It is also not true that the Bible does not contain the complete truth about Christ, because what is written in the Bible is enough for us to believe in Christ and be saved through our faith in Him.
So if you want to be saved on judgment day, believe the truth recorded in the Bible, just as the members of the true Church of Christ did.