Article May 12, 1923 Issue

Authority of the Scriptures

EDWIN J. GRAYSON

It is recorded in the eighteenth chapter of Acts that a Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus. Apollos was "an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures," and spoke boldly in the synagogue. His understanding and earnestness were so great that he was enabled to convince many Jews that Christ Jesus was the Messiah. The Bible indicates, however, that it was not the personal influence of Apollos which had convinced them, but rather that it was by the Scriptures he had made plain the fact to their comprehension.

The procedure thus followed by Apollos was the safest and most certain that he could have employed, and is an example which Christian Scientists may well remember. Apollos himself knew the truth about Jesus the Christ. Had he sought to impress his hearers merely with his own knowledge of the subject, he would probably have signally failed. Apollos was wise enough to explain his case from the standpoint of Scripture, and thus his hearers' understanding had for its foundation the eternal Word. Nevertheless, dissension seems later to have developed. Paul and Apollos each had his group of followers. In time, the element of personal leadership became so strong in the thought of the people that it was necessary for Paul to remind them that, although he and Apollos had planted and watered the seed of understanding it was God who gave the increase. "Who then is Paul," said he, "and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed?" Personal leadership is here rebuked, and thought is directed to the Scriptures, which give all honor to God.

Likewise, according to the King James Version of the Bible, the Master said, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life." The importance of understanding the Scriptures he recognized, to the extent of attributing to the Jews' remissness in this respect their failure to comprehend his teachings. He referred them to Moses, and said, "Had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me."

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