Do you believe in heaven? The Bible clearly teaches that heaven exists, and that it is totally free from corruption (1 Peter 1:3,4). Do you believe that a person can be saved, that is, receive the remission of sins while still living on the earth? The Bible teaches that the remission of sins is, indeed, available through the blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7).

If we really desire to be saved and go to heaven, where can we turn to receive proper instruction? Put another way, what standard should you and I accept as a guide to follow in our religious activities? Anyone that has even casually observed the religious world of our day recognizes that religious division and confusion abound. Why is that? At least in part, such a scenario can be explained by the fact that people follow different standards of authority in their religious practices. Such is not only the case in our country, but in other nations as well.

During the last week of His earthly life, Jesus was teaching in the city of Jerusalem. At that time, He also performed miracles and "cleaned up" the Jewish temple by running out some of the Jews that were corrupting it. During that week, on one occasion some of the Jewish leaders asked Jesus, "By what authority doest thou these things? And who gave thee this authority?" (Matthew 21:23). Jesus’ response included these two questions: "The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven, or of men?" (Matthew 21:25). None could deny that John the Baptizer had baptized a lot of people. Our Lord’s inquiry focused their attention on one issue: Where did John get his authority to baptize people? In fact, Jesus’ second question made it plain that there were only two possibilities: either John’s baptism came from heaven (meaning that it came from God), or else it came from men. There is a great lesson here for all people of every generation to learn. What is the lesson? In matters of religion, all that we believe, teach, and practice comes either from God, or from men. There is God’s way, and there is man’s way. There is God’s teaching, and there is man’s teaching. There is God’s wisdom, and there is man’s wisdom. What shall it be for you and me?

When it comes to making religious decisions, how do people of our day make their choices? What is it that they use to determine what course of action is right? How do they decide which things are acceptable, which matters are required, and just what is forbidden? Many, perhaps in some cases not even realizing it, appeal to human standards of authority.

There are instances when it is obvious that people do in religious matters just what they personally want to do. Do you remember what the children of Israel did when Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from the Lord? They put their gold together and made a golden calf, which they proceeded to worship (Exodus 32). Before they engaged in this idolatry, God had already plainly told them that they were not to worship other gods, nor were they to make any idols (Exodus 20:3,4). Now here is a point of great importance. The children of Israel fully understood that God had forbidden them to practice idolatry. Yet, they did it anyway. Why? The bottom line is, they did it because they wanted to! Their action, however, did not please God. In the realm of religion, simply because we like something or want to do it, that does not make it right in the sight of the Lord.

Other religious people of our time depend on or follow their feelings. A number of years ago the catchy words of a popular song were, "It can’t be wrong when it feels so right." Is that true in our religious practices? Are our feelings a safe guide to follow? The apostle Paul, before he became a Christian, persecuted the disciples of Jesus (Acts 8:1-3; 9:1,2). Why would he do such a thing? Many years after his conversion to God’s Son, Paul gave this explanation about his pre-Christian activities: "I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth" (Acts 26:9). Why did Paul make havoc of God’s church? Because he was convinced that that was the right thing to do! He had strong convictions, and he zealously acted on those strong feelings. But, was the Lord pleased to see Paul trying to destroy Christianity? Of course not. This example plainly shows that a religious person can take action that is based on his/her feelings, yet that action can be displeasing to the Lord. The lesson? Our feelings are not a safe guide to follow in matters of religion.

Some religious people are devoted to the creeds of men. Sometimes religious groups call their creeds "manuals" or "catechisms." Just what is a "creed?" The word "creed" comes from the Latin word "credo," which is from "credere," meaning to believe, trust, or entrust [Webster’s 9^th New Collegiate Dictionary]. A human creed basically sets forth or puts into writing the religious beliefs of those people that write it. Do human creeds serve as a safe standard to follow in our service to the Lord God? A number of times in the Bible we read that God does not want men to add to or take away from the message of His word. He told this to Israel (Deuteronomy 4:2), and a form of that charge is found in the very last chapter of the Bible (Revelation 22:18,19). What is the truth about creeds? First, if a human creed says more than the Bible says, then it says too much. Second, if a creed says less than the Bible says, then it does not say enough. Third, if a creed says exactly the same thing that the Bible says, then there is no need for the creed in the first place – just stick with the Bible. Fourth, human creeds often contradict one another. Fifth, human creeds often contradict the message of the Bible. Sixth, human creeds are not authorized by the Lord. There is absolutely nothing in the Bible that gives any human or group of humans the right to come together to write a creed, which is nothing more than man-made doctrine. Jesus’ apostles said, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). Human creeds are a popular, but false, standard of authority in religion. We need to cast aside the writings of men and go back to the Bible. Why is that? Please read on.

In reference to His Son Jesus, God the Father proclaimed, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him" (Matthew 17:5). According to this statement, whom does the Father want us to hear? Jesus. Later, Jesus said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18). According to this verse, who has all religious power or authority? Jesus does. Jesus went on in that same conversation to tell His apostles to go and teach all nations, teaching them to observe all that He commanded (Matthew 28:20). What is it that the people of all generations need to hear? The teaching of God’s Son. What is it that all men need to follow in religious matters? Same answer, the teaching of the Christ. The Bible declares, "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son" (2 John 9). What is the clear message of this verse? If we want the Father and Son on our side, then we must abide in, that is, keep or follow the teaching of the Christ. The Lord Jesus’ teaching includes not only what He personally taught while living on the earth, but also what He later taught through His inspired messengers. That message is recorded for us in the New Testament. Jesus’ doctrine is the teaching of the New Testament. That, good people, is the only proper authority for any human to follow in religion!

Jesus once said, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). What was His point? Simply this. If we are going to claim that Jesus is the Lord of our life, then we are obligated to do what He says. It is through the gospel that God calls or invites people to Jesus for salvation (2 Thessalonians 2:14). One day that same word will judge us (John 12:48). The gospel of God’s Son, that and that alone, is God’s standard of authority for all that we believe, teach, and practice in religious matters.

-- Roger D. Campbell