WHAT IS YOUR SOURCE FOR TRUTH?  by steve finnell

If God's truth matters what should be your source? The Bible or extra-Biblical sources? Should you trust the Bible or pastors, preachers, priests, Bible commentaries, books written about the Bible, extra-Biblical accounts written by early church fathers, or your family and friends?

Scripture was inspired by God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) There is no Scripture outside of the Bible. If the accounts of men are Scripture they should be included in the Bible.

Extra-Biblical Quote: The Virgin Mary was a perpetual virgin.

Bible Quotes: Mark 6:1-3.... Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Jose and Judas and Simon? Are these not His sisters here with us? (NASB) Also see: Matthew 1:23-25, Luke 8:19, Mark 3:31, Matthew 12:46, Matthew 13:55,56, John 2:12, And John 7:1.

Trust the Bible or men, only two choices.

Extra-Biblical Quotes. Water baptism is not essential for salvation. Water baptism is just a testimony of faith. Water baptism occurs after sins are forgiven. You are part of the body of Christ before being immersed in water. You are walking in a new life before water baptism. Your transgression are forgiven before baptism. Saul's sins were washed away on the road to Damascus. You are baptized in water because your sins have already been forgiven. You need to be baptized to have the sin you inherited from Adam forgiven. (Why are these quotes not found in the Bible?)

Bible Quotes: Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved...(NASB)

Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(NASB)

Galatians 3:27 For all of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.(NASB)

Colossians 2:12-13 having been buried with Him in baptism...13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all are transgressions,(NASB)

Romans 6:3-7....4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.....(NASB)

Acts 9:1-9 Now Saul.....8...they brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. (NASB) Acts 22:16 10-16...'Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.'......16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.'(NASB)

Ephesians 5:25-27 ...as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.(NASB)

1 Peter 3:20-21...safely through the water. 21 Corresponding to that baptism now saves us...(NASB)

John 3:5 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot inter the kingdom of God. (NASB)

Acts 2:40-41 ..."Be saved from this perverse generation!" 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. (NASB)

God's truth is found in Scripture. Extra-Biblical writings are not Scripture.