Books

Focus On The Fundamentals Of The Faith

By W. Douglass Harris

“It Is Written”, Again

This topic heading is Christ’s answer to Satan’s second temptation as reported by Matthew. The words were true, but there was a deliberate omission in Satan’s answer — he did not include all that God had said. Thus, Christ quoted what else had been written in Deuteronomy 6:16. The Devil always takes the text that seems to suit his purpose and isolates it from other plain texts and draws the wrong conclusions, which is a common practice of many professing Biblical practitioners.

A Biblical example of correct interpretation: In the Lord’s answer we have an example of the correct interpretation of the Scriptures — the totality of the Scriptures must be considered or wrong conclusions may be drawn. Christ here teaches us how to use God’s holy word; we must compare Scripture with Scripture and not isolate one passage from what is taught in another passage. “The apparent teaching of any isolated text of Scripture always needs to be interpreted and limited by the whole of Scripture” (G. S. Barrett, Biblical Illustrator). The inspired Psalmist said the same thing when he said, “The sum of Thy word is truth” (Psalm 119:160 ASV).

How serious is the practice that was used by Satan? It is the grievous sin of presumption — assuming something or drawing conclusions when all that is said in the Scriptures has not been considered. It is so serious that David prayed to be shielded from it (Psalm 19:13).

Violations of the Biblical principle: Faith-only advocates will cite passage after passage in which faith is mentioned as a condition of salvation from past sins, and everyone of these passages must be accepted, but “it is written again!” in other passages that faith is not the only essential. Acts 2:38; 17:30 state that repentance is an essential. Romans 10:9,10 teach that confession is necessary. Jesus said, “He that believeth (No. 1) and is baptized (No 2) shall be saved (No. 3) (Mark 16:16). We dare not change this divine order. Peter by inspiration said, “Baptism doth also now save us” (1 Peter 3:21).

Advocates of the impossibility of apostasy cite 1 John 3:9 as proof of their doctrine. It says, “One born of God does not commit sin...he cannot sin.” But it is written again by the same inspired author, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves...and make God a liar” (1 John 1:8-10). If one cannot fall from grace and be lost, why the warning against falling (1 Corinthians 10:12)? Why does the Bible tell us how to keep from falling (2 Peter 1:10)? Why does the Bible tell us what to do when we fall (1 John 1:9; 2:1,2)?

In 1 John 3:9 all the verbs in the original are in the present tense, expressing continuous action. Hence, Charles B. Williams, a Baptist scholar, in his translation of the New Testament renders it: “One born of God cannot practice sinning.”

Future-kingdom advocates use Revelation 20:4-6 as proof that Christ will return the second time and reign for a literal thousand years on the earthly throne of David in Jerusalem, Palestine. But it is written again, “My kingdom is not of this world, if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews” (John 18:36). By inspiration Paul said He is reigning now (1 Corinthians 15:24).

Conclusion: “Proof texting” is legitimate when correct application is made, but almost anything can be proven by the Bible by perversion or incorrect application. Paul warned against those who would pervert the truth (Galatians 1:6-8).