Bible Readings — Bible Questions Answered

Human Usurpers

What do those do, therefore, who make men accountable to them in religious affairs? BR-ASI9 332.10

They put themselves in the place of God. (See 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4.) BR-ASI9 332.11

Why, in religious matters, did Christ say men should not be called masters? BR-ASI9 332.12

“Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.” Matthew 23:10. BR-ASI9 332.13

Note.—Everyone, therefore, who acts as master in Christ’s church, or lords it over God’s heritage (1 Peter 5:3), puts himself in the place of Christ. BR-ASI9 332.14

To whom, then, as servants, are we responsible in matters of faith and worship? BR-ASI9 333.1

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth.” Romans 14:4. BR-ASI9 333.2

Whose servants are we not to be? BR-ASI9 333.3

“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23. BR-ASI9 333.4

Note.—“Satan’s methods ever tend to one end—to make men the slaves of men,” and thus separate them from God, destroy faith in God, and so expose men to temptation and sin. Christ’s work is to set men free, to renew faith, and to lead to willing and loyal obedience to God. Says Luther: BR-ASI9 333.5

“Concerning God’s Word and eternal matters God does not permit such a submission of one man to another . . . because faith, submission, and humility is the real worship which . . . should not be rendered to any creature, . . . since to trust any creature in things pertaining to eternal life means the same as giving honor to a created being, an honor which belongs to God alone.”—Translated from Martin Luther, Letter to the Emperor Charles V, April 28, 1521, in his Sammtliche Schriften (Walch ed.), vol. 15, col. 1897. BR-ASI9 333.6