To regain its lost spiritual power, Christ's church must once again become the Scripture-driven church.

1 Corinthians 2:13 tells us that God's Word is the church's sole authority. Our authority is found "not in words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual" - literally, "things from the Spirit with things from the Spirit" - in other words, comparing Scripture with Scripture.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that God's Word is the church's fourfold authority. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable" for four things - "for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." The reason, the Apostle Paul tells us, is so "that the man of God" - and thus the church of Christ - "may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

All Scripture is profitable for doctrine. Sound doctrine is the only right path for Christ's church. Titus 1:9 tells us that church leaders must "be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict." Sound doctrine must govern the individual Christian's thinking. Sound doctrine must determine the church's purpose. Sound doctrine must drive every one of our actions.

All Scripture is profitable for reproof. When the church goes its own way instead of staying on the only God-ordained path, it is Scripture that reprimands us.

All Scripture is profitable for correction. Once reproved, the church must seek correction from the Scriptures. It is the Word of God that brings us back to the right path when the church has gone in the wrong direction.

All Scripture is profitable for instruction in righteousness. It is the Word of God that keeps Christ's church on the path He has ordained.

Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word of God is the church's infallible critic: "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner [in the original language, a critic] of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

As the result of the neglect of sound doctrine, Jesus' indictment of church leaders during His days on earth often applies to the Evangelical church in our time: "These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:8-9).

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We pray that God will use TeachingtheWord Ministries to that end, in fulfillment of Jesus' prayer to the Father, "Sanctify them by Your Word. Your Word is truth" (John 17:17).

We appreciate your interest, your prayers for this work, and your financial support as the Lord may lead.