The Standard of Measurement

In its earliest years, the Family taught that the Bible was the yardstick by which to measure all truth and error. Everything was to be tested with Scripture. However, Family thinking gradually adjusted in order to include God’s revelations through His modern prophets as an additional standard of truth. Current Family thinking assigns truth to all the writings of its leadership, with the assumption that those writings are supported by the Bible. This means that Family members spend very little time studying the Bible because they believe they have been given truth in the form of Family writings.

So, what is the standard by which we are to measure all things? Do we need to measure everything against the Bible alone, or is there leeway to use more updated writings?

This is a crucial question because on it rests the fate of a number of Family doctrines.

For example, is each believer free to search the Scriptures for him or herself in order to determine if a certain teaching is true or false? Or does the Bible command us to rest our faith on our spiritual leaders, accepting what they tell us ‘by faith’? Are we accountable before God to determine truth for ourself? Do Family members have the freedom to believe Bible teachings, even when those teachings are contrary to Family doctrines? Do they have freedom to reject unscriptural doctrines? When there are mutually exclusive Bible and Family teachings, are we to believe our elders in the Lord, believe God’s modern-day prophets, or may we reject their counsel in order to follow what we read in the Bible?

Our response to these questions may dramatically impact our theology.

The Bible

It is the position of the authors of this web site that the Bible alone has ultimate authority, that the Bible may not be compared with the writings of any man, that writings of godly men and women do not determine doctrine and do not define truth. The Bible defines truth and error, right and wrong, righteousness and sin. Any and all writings outside of the Bible must necessarily be subservient to the Word of God in the Scripture. ‘All writings’ includes the writings of learned Bible scholars and godly missionaries, the words of men accustomed to receiving miraculous answers to prayer, the teachings of those with the gift of prophecy, and the testimony of those who talked with angels.

There are two specific sets of writings that must be mentioned here as being subservient to the Bible.

Firstly, any and all Family publications, whether they be practical guidelines, Charter rules, older inspirational MLs, or recent prophetic GNs declared to be ‘from Jesus’ or ‘Jesus speaking.’ Every single word that has ever been published by the Family is far inferior to the Bible, and every word must be measured by the Bible. Anytime a Family member receives a new GN, he or she is under obligation from God to compare the Family material with the unchangeable standard found in the Bible. And yes, this necessarily includes prophecies ‘from Jesus’.

The second set of writings that must be included is the collection of pages on this web site. The authors post only what they themselves are utterly convinced is true, but nobody is under any spiritual obligation to believe it. At the final judgement, God will not ask anyone why they did not believe the writings on Make Straight Paths. Neither, of course, will He ask why they didn’t believe the MLs. However, He will look at what they have done with the Bible. Anytime anyone reads something anywhere on this site with which they do not agree, they should − they must − pull out their Bible and study the truth for themself. Note that it is the Bible that the should study, not the MLs. They should not even use the MLs to study the Bible. Moreover, if they read something here with which they do agree, they should still pull out their Bible and study the truth for themself. It is the Bible that is the ultimate and only standard.

What is the ‘Word’?

Matt 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. KJV

When Jesus referred to the Scriptures, obviously He was not talking about the GNs and MLs. He was not talking about people’s interpretation of the Bible or prophecies that explain the Bible or new revelations. Actually in Matthew 22:29, He wasn’t even talking about the New Testament! The Sadducees He was talking to were not thinking correctly because of their lack of knowledge of the Scriptures and God’s power. Likewise, if we don’t know the Bible or God’s power we are likely to go the wrong way. Note that the power of God is inseparable from the Scriptures. The only way to know God’s power is through His Word. And if we don’t know God’s Word we will inevitably fall into error.

Now, something needs to be made unmistakeably clear here. The ‘Scriptures’ refer to the written Word of God that we have in the Bible, Old and New Testament. We may indeed read the writings of godly men and women, and those writings may be helpful and uplifting. But the Bible is in a completely different category from all other writings. We must not, under any circumstances, refer to any extra-biblical writings as being on the same level as the Word of God in the Bible.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. NKJV

God is the Word. The Bible is God’s revelation to us, given in a medium that we can hold with our hands, translate into many languages, and hide in our hearts.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. NKJV

Jesus was the word of God in human form. He came as a human manifestation of the Word of God, being both fully human and fully God. We must never be so presumptuous as to claim that any other writings are on the same level as the word of God of which Jesus Himself was the manifestation.

2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. NASU

It is God who inspired the Bible. This word “inspired” literally means “God-breathed.” God breathed out the word; He is the author, not Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. It is God Who says, “the greatest of these is love,” not Paul. It is God says, “You shall not murder”, not Moses. It is God Himself Who tells us that He loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son that if we believe in Him we should not perish but have everlasting life. The Bible is God talking. There can be no comparison between the Bible and the GNs, Scripture and the MLs. Not one word produced by the Family has ever been or can ever be on the same level as any passage in the Bible.

Therefore, a study of the word of God must not be based upon Family publications. The foundation for each and every explanatory or inspirational word ever written must be the Bible alone. Regardless of how ‘inspired’ or ‘biblical’ any writing may be, it must be measured up against the Bible alone. The Bible always remains the standard of measurement; it is on a level to which no other writing can ever possibly attain.

For more on what exactly the ‘Word of God’ is, click here.

The Standard

2 Timothy 3:16 says that the Bible has been given for ‘teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness’. It is the Bible that is the source of doctrine. Therefore, we should not go to the Bible hoping to find support for our own theories. Rather, we are to let the Bible flood our heart with its truth. The Bible tells us the way of salvation, it corrects us, it chastens us when we have gone the wrong way. It is the Bible alone which lays the foundation of how to measure what is right and what is wrong: it has been given for ‘training in righteousness’. We are to read the Bible if we want to know what is right and wrong. We can read other people’s writings if we wish, but the Bible alone stands as the ultimate authority.

Jesus gave a graphic picture of the results of our obedience, or the lack of it, to His words.

Matt 7:24-27

24 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.

NKJV

It is in how much we listen to and obey the word of God in the Bible that determines whether our lives will stand or fall. We are to read carefully the words of Jesus, especially studying those parts that are hard to understand or uncomfortable to our hearts. We are to read what He said and let His words change us. It is the Bible that is the unmoveable rock on which our lives are built. Remove its ultimate authority and we are instantly building on the sand.

The Bible is the only book that can show us how to stay pure on God’s sight.:

Ps 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. NASU

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees’ hypocrisy as vain religious observance based upon the teachings of men. Likewise, those today who follow the teachings of any man or woman above the teachings of God in the Bible worship in vain. Again, if our praise, worship and love is built upon extra-biblical teachings, then it is no more than a worthless pretence.

Matt 15:7-9

7 You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:

8 ‘This people honors me with their lips,

But their heart is far away from me.

9 But in vain do they worship me,

teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’

NASU

The measure of the truth of a doctrine is not whether or not we trust the teachers, nor whether they talk in Jesus’ Name, nor whether they appear to be good Christian teachers. The first test must be whether the doctrines oppose or exalt Bible teaching.

In an Old Testament instance, God rebuked local spiritists through the prophet Isaiah by proclaiming that His own word was the standard by which they should be measured.

Isa 8:19-20

19 When they say to you, “Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,” should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? 20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.

NASU

The Bible contains light and life and truth. If we teach, read or accept something that differs from the Bible, we are partaking of spiritual darkness. Paul addressed this issue when one of the churches in his care began accepting the teachings of some travelling preachers, teachings which were at odds with what he knew to be truth.

Gal 1:6-12

6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

NASU

In this passage, Paul declares that his doctrine is not his own opinion, nor did it originate from any man, but its source is Jesus Christ Himself (vs.11-12). Paul was teaching absolute truth, and the Galatians were expected to reject any contradictory doctrine. Now, the issue here is not ‘Paul versus the preachers’ or even ‘Paul’s teaching versus the preachers’ teaching.’ If that were so, then anyone could demand obedience to their own teaching, provided they “received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” Rather, the issue concerns ‘God’s truth versus anything else.’

If we follow any doctrine that differs from Bible truth, we are deserting God (vs.6). Those who teach such distortions are ‘accursed’ (vs.9). In fact, the source of the contradictory teaching is irrelevant. It could be a missionary, a prophet or even an angel from heaven (vs.8). Therefore, it is irrelevant when Family publications declare that certain messages are “from Jesus” or “Jesus speaking.” If the content in any way contradicts the Bible, it is a perversion that will lead astray.

The warning in this passage for those who teach anti-Biblical doctrines relates to James’ caution:

James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. NKJV

Angelic messages

What if someone actually did get a message from an angel in an authentic spiritual experience, yet the message contradicted the Bible in some way? We read above that Galatians 1:8 says that such a messenger is accursed. This implies that the spiritual experience did not occur with an angel of God but with a messenger from the Devil, a demon.

The Corinthians had, like the Galatians, begun listening to false teachers.

2 Cor 11:3-4

3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.

NASU

If we read about a ‘Jesus’ who does not match Jesus Christ of the Bible, we should be extremely cautious before we accept the teaching (vs.4). The implication is that the name “Jesus” is not a magic word that can transform a teacher into a messenger from God, neither can it change a false message into truth. The Devil is deceitful, crafty. He is the ‘father of lies’ (John 8:44) and does not hesitate to use any means possible to attempt to deceive us. The Devil may even use the name of Jesus. In the passage above, Paul described false and deceitful workers who preached ‘another Jesus’, a ‘different spirit’.

2 Cor 11:13-15

13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

NIV

In fact, the Devil can appear as an angel of light (vs.14), and he can masquerade as a messenger from God. Paul did not advise the Corinthians or the Galatians to use their spiritual discernment to judge the speaker. Rather, he told them to compare the teaching with his own. Anything that did not measure up was to be rejected, along with the teachers who propagated the deceit.

The application of this passage is not that Christians should compare all doctrine with that of their favourite teacher. Rather, it is that all doctrine should be compared with the truth of the Bible. When a teaching or message is different from the Bible, that teaching is wrong.

Following leaders

How much should we submit to the teaching of our elders in the Lord? Shouldn’t we accept our elders’ teaching because of their authority in the church? The writer of the book of Hebrews addressed this issue:

Heb 13:7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. NASU

The Hebrews were to “imitate the faith” of their leaders. However, the author of the epistle immediately continues with a caution: they were not to allow themselves to be “carried away” by strange teachings.

Heb 13:8-9

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

NASU

There certainly is Scriptural counsel to imitate the faith of those who teach the word of God as we “reflect on the outcome of their lives” (Heb 13:7 NET). However, the Bible does not give authority to every word that they say. Rather, it is Jesus Christ alone who may always be followed without question (vs.8). Do not, says verse nine, let yourself be carried away by some new revelation.

The letter to the Ephesians contains a similar caution.

Eph 4:14-15

14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ

NASU

Mature Christians will not be carried away by various strange doctrines, but will adhere to the truth, for it is only the truth that will enable us to “grow up” (vs.15).

Christians and the Bible

1. As Christians, we have no right to hold a different view of Scripture than that held by Jesus himself.

2. As Christians, we have no right to views of Scripture which are different from the apostles’ view of Scripture.

3. We can never discover the depths of Scripture’s insights into life without first accepting it as true and authoritative.

4. Scripture does not need to be defended, but simply declared.

(Stedman, The Authority of the Word)

Conclusion

John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. NASU

The Bible is the Truth by which all teachings must be measured. There are grave dangers associated with blindly accepting new doctrine without thoroughly and personally investigating the Bible to see whether this teaching is at all plausible. Specifically, all Family teachings must be judged by the standard of the Bible. This does not mean searching through the Bible in order to find verses that appear to justify our particular doctrine. Rather, it means letting the Bible determine the teaching, and giving it authority in our own heart to destroy, if need be, any doctrine that stands in opposition to the absolute, biblical, revealed word of God.