The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; behold, they know what I said.” And when He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby gave Jesus a slap, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?” So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
John 18:19-24
Introduction
When it comes to discerning what is true, we are always able to turn to scripture. But have you ever wondered how we know what is scripture and what is mere writings? Why do we recognize certain texts and not others? Which letters are deemed inspired by the Spirit, and which letters are simply a good word by a good man, but fallible? What does it mean that scripture is inerrant?
To work backwards from that list, an inerrant text is not simply without error. It is incapable of error. This fact stems from what it is and not merely what it says. Scripture is incapable of error because it originates from the Spirit of God. Hebrews 10:15-18 recognizes this fact as the writer quotes Jeremiah 31, telling us, “the Spirit also testifies about this.” Because the prophet Jeremiah wrote by the power of the Spirit of God, his writings are as good as coming from God.
The same can be said about the New Testament letters. Peter, for instance, recognizes Paul’s epistles as scripture when he warns of those who mishandle them (2 Peter 3:16). The rest of the New Testament scriptures have been discerned in a similar manner: under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church has recognized their authenticity and relied on them as scripture.
Those who have heard Him speak
A large reason for that recognition comes down to the authenticity of these letters as teaching that comes to us from Jesus through the apostles. As the Lord stands before the court of the high priest, they question Him regarding His disciples and His teaching. His answer to them is telling: “Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; behold they know what I said.”
Here, before the Sanhedrin, Jesus affirms that His apostles – the ones He sends – know His teaching. And then after His resurrection, He commands them to make disciples and teach them all He has commanded (Matthew 28:20). They would only be able to do this if they know what He has commanded! And so the criteria the Church has undergone through the years in recognizing scripture is affirming their apostolic origin (either written directly by an apostle or under the guidance of one), and observing the commands and doctrine embedded within that writing.
Respect as it is due
That is why letters like 1 Clement are not recognized as scripture by any, though it can hardly be said to contain error. There is a hierarchy present where we can discern inerrency from mere accuracy under the guidance of the Spirit and with this set of criteria. When that distinction blurs, people have a tendency to raise the authority of well-respected leaders to the level of scripture.
Such was occurring in the company of the Sanhedrin as the studious Rabbis and lawyers composed what they considered to be the “Oral Torah” or the oral law by which they bound the conscience of their fellow Jews. They invented new rules and demanded the people respect and follow them as if they had been given by God.
And so when Jesus answers the court’s questioning by pointing to His disciples, they take deep offense. An officer slaps Him for speaking in such a manner to the high priest, as though the high priest’s position granted him special authority or respect apart from his key duty on Yom Kippur. In reality, respect is due only to the lawkeeper, who is Jesus Christ. He is the One who deserves all reverence and admiration. Not those who seek to usurp His authority, and not even those who faithfully serve Him.
When you read scripture, be assured you are reading words meant for you, Christian, by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit of God. He has given us this word for our good and our benefit that we might be made perfect in Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
May the Lord bless you and conform you into the image of His Son.
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