[This article was written by Tim Haile.]
It is not uncommon to hear people cite a particular Bible passage or principle and emphasize the fact that it is in the “red letter” part of the Bible. They mean to emphasize that these words were spoken directly by Jesus; not by some other Bible writer. Some publishing companies do use a red font to express the words that were directly spoken by Jesus. And while there is nothing wrong with showing respect for the words of Jesus, we must not be deceived into thinking that the “black letters” present teaching that is inferior to what is printed in “red letters.” The teaching of Christ is not limited to what He directly spoke while He was in the flesh. Jesus actually selected and inspired certain men to complete the work of revelation after He had returned to Heaven.
Some people believe that the four gospels contain the only Bible teaching that is binding with regard to faith and practice. This is a dangerous concept. Jesus actually pre-authorized the writings of His apostles and other inspired men. The GOSPEL of John contains multiple references to such approved materials. Jesus told the apostles that He would “go away” (into Heaven) and He would send the Holy Spirit to (1) teach them all things, (2) bring all things to their remembrance, (3) guide them into all truth, and (4) show them things to come (John 14:26; 16:13). The work of revelation was not personally and directly completed by Jesus while He was upon the earth. This work would continue through the apostles by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The message “began to be spoken by the Lord, but was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him” (Hebrews 2:3). This divine guidance was so powerful and direct that to reject an apostle was equal to rejecting GOD (1 Thessalonians 4:8). Similarly, Jesus told His apostles (in the limited commission) “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives Him Who sent me” (Matthew 10:40). The teaching of the apostles is here connected directly to God.
The same “Luke” that wrote the gospel that bears his name (“Luke”), also wrote the book of “The Acts of the Apostles.” And in the book of Acts (20:35) Luke recorded these words of the apostle Paul: “I have shown you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’.” Question: Where in the gospels did Jesus make this statement? Paul asserted that Jesus “said” it. Upon what basis do we accept these words as originating with Jesus? Not upon the basis that they are recorded in one of the gospels (for they aren’t), but because they are recorded in the book of Acts! The book of Acts is just as inspired and authoritative as the gospels.
Being under attack by false teachers, Paul was forced to defend his apostleship before the Corinthians. He said, “If any man considers himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37). Paul here claimed that his writings originated with “the Lord.” He affirmed the same thing to the Ephesians (Eph. 3:3-5). He told the Galatians, “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:11,12). As an apostle, Paul spoke and wrote by divine inspiration (Eph. 3:3-5). His writings are as authoritative as the gospels written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The contents of the entire New Testament constitute the gospel, and all books and letters should be equally respected and accepted.
