The Bible is Enough

“I did not die. I did not go to heaven. When I made the claims, I had never read the Bible. People have profited from lies, and continue to. They should read the Bible, which is enough…” 

Those are the words of Alex Malarkey. A few years ago, Alex and his father wrote a book entitled, “The boy who came back from heaven.” The book has sold more than 1 million copies. But it was all a lie! Alex was right when he said, ‘The Bible is enough.’ But do you believe that to be true?

Have you ever allowed yourself to believe the false claims people make? If so, you need to know ‘The Bible is enough.’ In 1 John, the apostle emphasized to the saints that the words they had received from the apostles was enough. They were to oppose claims others were making about having special knowledge of Jesus. John the apostle used the word “know” repeatedly throughout the book. They needed to know they had the truth. If John and other apostles were alive today, what do you think they would say regarding these stories about people making claims of special knowledge and experiences? They would say…

1. Trust our words because we saw Jesus alive. The apostles were inspired eyewitnesses of His life, death, and resurrection, 1 John 1:1-4. John emphasized how they carefully ‘looked’ at or analyzed Jesus after He rose from grave, John 20:24-29. They proclaimed His resurrection and confirmed their words with miracles, Mark 16:19-20. They recorded what they saw so we could believe, 1 John 1:3-4; John 20:30-31. It was the Spirit who guided them in all truth, John 14:26, 16:12-13. This is why we can trust their words. But the question is, will we? If John were here, he would say to us, “Ignore what you’re hearing from these people who make the claim they saw Jesus. We were with Jesus. He sent us out so you could believe without seeing, John 20:28-29. For those who may be indifferent to the words of the apostles, consider a couple of things. Jesus demands that we believe the apostles words, John 17:20. If we don’t, we can’t have fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 1 John 1:3-4. To reject their words is to reject God! If the apostles were here, they would say, “Who will you believe?” The inspired, miracle performing apostles, or people who make invalidated claims that can never be proven true?” The Bible is enough.
2. What you received from us is sufficient. John reminded the saints that the apostles had delivered God’s truth to them. John warned the saints of teachers who would try to deceive them by making claims that they had some special knowledge that they were lacking, 1 John 2:18-20. He described them as “antichrists” which simply means “against the anointed One.” They denied Jesus as the anointed one of God, 1 John 2:22-23. This was contrary to the apostles message, Acts 2:36.  Yet what the saints had received was the truth, 1 John 2:21. What they had was sufficient. What we have received is sufficient when it comes to all things pertaining to life and godliness, 2 Peter 1:3-4.
3. Those who don’t teach our words are in error. John told the disciples to test the teaching of men, 1 John 4:1-6. The words John used in verse 6 show us that the Holy Spirit’s plan was for all men to listen to the words of the apostles. Those who do know God will have a relationship with Him and the apostles. Those who don’t will not know God. This is why John was adamant that a distinction be made regarding truth and error. But do we believe the words of John? Do we properly respect the apostles words? We should. If people did that, one wouldn’t have to worry about being deceived. There are deceivers in the world. Therefore, we must know God’s word. The Bible is enough, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3.

Heaven is for real! The Bible says a lot about it. To make heaven our home one day, we must trust that God’s word is sufficient for us.