An Infallible Course For Fallible Man
When the eternal interests of the soul are at stake, one should be satisfied only with the infallibly safe side of every question in which these interests are involved. The Scriptures are the mind and counsel of God, and as such are the only infallibly safe course. God's Word is just as infallible as God is; man's word is just as fallible as man is. It is impossible for any man to honor Jehovah by accepting and living according to the fallible and errant judgment of his fellowman. All men must look to God in order to he directed safely and infallibly. God must be allowed to be his Law-Giver and his Guide.
The true children of God are those who insist upon being governed by the only safe standard, the Word of God. These Christians rightfully and obediently seek to persuade others to grant the Word of God the same place of honor in their lives. In doing so they do the will of God. While you are yet on this side of eternity, we urge you to read and consider the following Scriptures: "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isaiah 8:20) In John 8:31,32, the Saviour says "....if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." As the apostle Paul foretold an impending apostasy, he declared, "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine." The .Apostle Peter asserts in 1 Pet. 4:11, "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God...."
Using the same rule in religion will settle differences and silence arguments. Truth can always be determined by going to the Source of truth, the Word of God. In John 17:17, Jesus says, "....thy word is truth."
There was a time in America when each bank issued money and the value of currency varied from place to place. But we agree upon a standard of exchange, and today, a dollar is a dollar anywhere in the nation. In early days railroads varied in the width of their trucks. Today, all railroads use the same standard and you can get on a train in New York and ride to California without changing cars.
The motto of the restoration period should become the motto of every person who desires to be saved. Men's minds were pointed to the only safe and infallible standard by the slogan: "Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent."
Only by the adoption of such a principle can man be sure that he is pursuing the only infallibly safe course. Not only will he be safe, but he will be encouraging unity upon God's Word — the ONLY standard upon which man can ever be united and be pleasing to God.
We urge you to determine the truth in religion by studying the pages of God's Word and testing every doctrine you hear or read by the teaching of the Bible. Accept only that which you find in God's Word and you will be following the infallibly safe course.
— 1731 5th Avenue N., Bessemer, Alabama