“Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, Would ye also go away? Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."
John 6:68
Peter asked, “to whom shall we go?” He said this out of conviction and certainty that there was no other one to go to receive the words of eternal life. From that time onward men have tried to go elsewhere to receive the words of eternal life and none have been successful. Please examine a few examples with me.
Moses
Moses was a great a mighty man of God. By the power of God, Moses led the people of Israel out of the land of bondage. The Law of the Old Covenant was delivered unto him at Sinai. Yet Moses died. Before he died, let us recall that Moses prophesied of a new prophet. “Jehovah thy God will raise up unto thee a prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; (Deut. 18:15).” The very law which Moses was given was for a certain time and a certain group of people. Galatians 3:19 reads, “What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.” Men cannot go to Moses for the final word of eternal life.
John the Immerser
John the Immerser was a wonderful and godly man who fulfilled his purpose. His purpose was however, preparatory. It is written, “They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet (John 1:22-23).” John was dead when Jesus promised to build the New Testament church (cf. Matt 14:10, 16:18). Some who had received John’s baptism received it after the establishment of the New Covenant and were thus baptized into Christ (cf. Acts 19:1-5). Men cannot go to John the Immerser for the final word of eternal life.
Your Preacher
A true preacher may teach, strengthen, and admonish you, but he is but a man. That preacher will one day die if the Lord tarries, just like Moses, and John the Immerser. The preacher, no matter how sound he is, has no authority on his own. Over time, people have attached themselves to preachers. Divisions are the result of those who have followed men. Paul wrote, "Now this I mean, that each one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul” (1 Corinthians 1:12-13). There is no preacher, past, present or future that has the final word of eternal life on his own.
Christ
To whom shall we go? Chist is the only answer. Why? God has spoken through his Son (Heb. 1:1-2). Jesus has all authority. It is written, “And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth (Matt 28:18). Christ exclusively has the words of eternal life (John 6:68, 14:6). Christ is the Messiah, Christ is the Standard, Christ is the only way to Salvation.
Grace and Peace.
R.D. Beavers
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