Expert: Rev. Robert Woods - 2/4/2005

Question
Hi Rev. Woods,

Let me correct a statement I made earlier.  The Golden Rule of Matthew is also found in the book of Tobit, not Sirach.  As you surely know, Luther wanted to remove James, Jude, Hebrews and Revelation from the Bible, but other reformers convinced him not to.  I think I know why:

James 2:24  'You see then that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.'

Didn't this make a mockery of his doctrine of faith alone?

Jude 1:8

...despise authority...

Jude 1:11

...perished in Korah's rebellion...

Did Luther respect authority?

Hebrews 13:17

'Obey your leaders and submit to them'

Did Luther obey his leaders and his vows?

Revelation 22:18  'For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.'

Though this clearly refers only to the book of Revelation (the New Testament had yet to be authenticated), it's clear that no one should add to any word of scripture.  Did Luther have the write to alter scripture?  e.g. adding the word 'alone' to Romans 3:28.

Does the Baptist church have bishops so clearly mentioned in scripture and does it have an altar mentioned in Hebrews 13:10?

I know Full Gospel Baptists have bishops (a denomination founded because other Baptists were not preaching the full gospel!) but do other Baptist denominations?  If they don't, why not since bishops are clearly mentioned in scripture.

Finally, are Christmas, Easter and the Holy Trinity clearly mentioned in the Bible?  If not, shouldn't they be throw out?

Thank you,

Les

Answer
Blessings and thank you for your questions.

Martin Luther did not set out to start a new church.  Luther saw that the Catholic Church needed reform.  Sin had become a part of the power structure of the Church.  He was partically upset over the sale of indulgences.  Luther came up with 95 things that he believed needed to be discussed.  When the pope found out about his 95 reforms, he was thrown out of the church.  The pope refused to even discuss the reforms that were needed.  This left Luther with no other alternative than to start his own congregation of like minded Christians.  Luther did respect the authority of the Pope, but he was never given a chance to make a case.  Luther did want to remove the book of James from the Bible because he believed it left the reader with a false impression that works were part of the salvation process.  I am glad that others pursuaded him to leave these books in.  Luther was not perfect, there is only 1 perfect man that is Jesus Christ.


Bishops - most Baptists do not have bishops.  This is mainly because Baptist churches are autonomous.  That means there is no higher authority besides Christ over the local church.  Baptist denominations are actually no more than loose associations of churches.  No church or individual has authority over another.  

I personally don't have a problem with Bishops.  In fact, I have voluntarily placed myself under a Bishop/Apostle in my ministry.  Plus, I am the head elder/bishop of my congregation.  I do not go around telling people to call me bishop or elder, for me the title isn't important.

Full gospel Baptists - I am a full gospel baptist.  That means I believe in the five fold ministry (apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists, and teachers) and all of the gifts of the spirit (tongues, prophecy, healings, miracles, etc.).  Most Baptists do not believe in these things.