There are hundreds of different denominations with different doctrines and practices. Can they all be right? Did the Lord teach all those doctrines and authorize all those different religious Lord above all others?

Some people quote their parents: "My mother always said.' . . " or "This is the way my parents taught me." Parents should teach, and children should respect them, but parents are not the final authorities in religious matters (Matt. 10:34-39).

There are those who attend the closest church, others select the friendly church, or the one where their special friends worship. How many are there that seek to please the Lord above all others?

Another authority is often identified by the words: "I think." Comments on various doctrines and church activities are determined by the words: "It seems to me" or "I do not see anything wrong with it." By whose authority are you determining your way of life? "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. 14:12). "We walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7).

"Our preacher said" is another expression by which one may identify his authority in religion. Any man or even an angel would stand accursed if he preached any other doctrine than that which the inspired apostles taught (Gal. 1:6-12). "If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God" (1 Pet. 4:11).

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 16, p. 499
August 20, 1987