Spiritual Authority: The Word and the Testimony
     By A. W. Tozer
 
     But there were false prophets also among the people,
     even as there shall be false teachers among you, who
     privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying
     the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves
     swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1
        Whatever it may be in our Christian experience that
    originates outside the Scriptures should, for that very
    reason, be suspect until it can be shown to be in accord
    with them.
        If it should be found to be contrary to the Word of
    revealed truth, no true Christian will accept it as being
    from God.  However high the emotional content, no
    experience can be proved to be genuine unless we can
    find chapter and verse authority for it in the Scriptures.
    "To the word and to the testimony" must always be the
    last and final proof.
        Whatever is new or singular should also be viewed
    with caution until it can furnish scriptural proof of its
    validity. Throughout the twentieth century, quite a
    number of unscriptural notions have gained acceptance
    among Christians by claiming that they were among
    truths that were to be revealed in the last days.
        The truth is that the Bible does not teach that there
    will be new light and advanced spiritual experiences in
    the latter days; it teaches the exact opposite! Nothing in
    Daniel or the New Testament epistles can be tortured
    into  advocating  the  idea  that  we  of  the  end of  the
    Christian era shall enjoy light that was not known at its
    beginning.
       Beware of any man who claims to be wiser than the
    apostles or holier than the martyrs of the Early Church.
    The best way to deal with him is to rise -- and leave his
    presence!

   Yours In Christ,
    Paul N. F.