Bible authority is a subject today about which there appears to be very little knowledge in general and not much interest. The devil has succeeded it appears in convincing the masses that to be aware and sensitive to the teaching of the Bible and possessing a book, chapter, and verse for all religiously believed and practiced is legalism and to be negatively viewed.

     Jesus’ Lordship, however, demands and entails certain matters that require man’s acquiescence and obedience, all the teaching regarding salvation by grace and faith only to the contrary, notwithstanding:

     I recall a few years ago how the Baptist Church in the South was facing serious division. I met and talked with one of the leading Baptist preachers on the board of some of the "unity meetings" and he explained to me that there was a large element in the Baptist Church who concluded, "How can we respect Jesus’ Lordship and not obey him and does not such show that obedience is required for salvation?" "We acknowledge Jesus as Savior but do not we need to also recognize him as Lord?" they asked. Such almost totally split down the middle one of the largest denominations in America. Believing as these thinking people were, put in jeopardy standard Baptist doctrines such as salvation by faith only, the imputation of Jesus’ personal righteousness, and once saved always saved (life lived is irrelevant to salvation). It is time that people returned to considering what the scriptures teach regarding such pertinent subjects as biblical love and obedience. Consider Jesus:

     In view of the biblical concept of "obeying the gospel" and correct doctrine is vital, it behooves us to "handle aright the word of truth" (Rom. 10: 16; 6: 17, 18; 2 Tim. 2: 15). Having Bible authority for all believed and practiced is, therefore, necessary (cp. I Thes. 5: 21, Rom. 12: 2, I Pet. 4: 11). However, the Bible must be intelligently approached and considered. There must be method or system to a rewarding consideration of the teaching of the Bible. One proposed method of arriving at what the Bible teaches is "command," "example," and "inference." (See addendum 1.)

     In this age of lawlessness and resentment for and toward authority, even Bible authority, not a few are severely averse to any thought as to Bible authority. One wrote the following: