You Cannot Separate Jesus from the Bible
There’s a dangerous trend happening in many churches today, particularly in progressive or liberal congregations, where they claim “We worship Jesus, not the Bible.” While this may sound spiritual or noble, it is actually a deceptive way to remove biblical authority so that any teaching can be justified—even those that contradict Jesus Himself.
A Historical Pattern of Suppressing the Bible
This method is not new. Throughout history, leaders have sought to separate people from Scripture in order to control what they believe:
1. The Roman Catholic Church & Latin-Only Bibles
For centuries, the Catholic Church restricted the Bible to Latin, a language the common people couldn’t understand. This meant they had to rely on priests and the Pope to interpret it for them. The people were kept in ignorance, unable to test teachings against God’s Word (Acts 17:11).
2. The Reformation: Fighting for Biblical Access
• Reformers like William Tyndale and Martin Luther risked their lives to translate the Bible into common languages so that people could read it for themselves. Tyndale was executed because he dared to put the Bible in the hands of ordinary people!
• Why? Because once people could read the Bible, they saw how much the church had distorted Jesus’ message. The authority of the Word of God exposes false teachings!
3. Today’s Progressive Churches: The Same Tactic
• Many modern churches claim to love Jesus but downplay or dismiss Scripture’s authority.
• If you remove the Bible as the foundation, you can justify anything—which is exactly what we see in churches that twist Jesus into an image that supports their desires rather than calling them to repentance.
1. The Roman Catholic Church & Latin-Only Bibles
For centuries, the Catholic Church restricted the Bible to Latin, a language the common people couldn’t understand. This meant they had to rely on priests and the Pope to interpret it for them. The people were kept in ignorance, unable to test teachings against God’s Word (Acts 17:11).
2. The Reformation: Fighting for Biblical Access
• Reformers like William Tyndale and Martin Luther risked their lives to translate the Bible into common languages so that people could read it for themselves. Tyndale was executed because he dared to put the Bible in the hands of ordinary people!
• Why? Because once people could read the Bible, they saw how much the church had distorted Jesus’ message. The authority of the Word of God exposes false teachings!
3. Today’s Progressive Churches: The Same Tactic
• Many modern churches claim to love Jesus but downplay or dismiss Scripture’s authority.
• If you remove the Bible as the foundation, you can justify anything—which is exactly what we see in churches that twist Jesus into an image that supports their desires rather than calling them to repentance.
Jesus and the Bible Are Inseparable
Scripture is not optional for those who follow Jesus. He Himself pointed people back to God’s Word repeatedly.
1. Jesus Affirmed the Authority of Scripture
• Matthew 4:4 (NLT) – “But Jesus told him, ‘No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
• Jesus relied on Scripture to resist temptation—He didn’t separate Himself from God’s Word.
2. All Scripture is God’s Word
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT) – “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
• If you reject part of Scripture, you reject God’s authority over your life.
3. Jesus is the Word of God
• John 1:1, 14 (NLT) – “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God… So the Word became human and made his home among us.”
• Jesus is the living Word. To separate Jesus from Scripture is to create a false version of Him.
4. Jesus Upheld God’s Law, Not Culture’s Morality
• Matthew 5:17 (NLT) – “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”
• Many churches today reject biblical commands about morality under the claim that Jesus only taught love—but true love never approves of sin (John 8:11).
1. Jesus Affirmed the Authority of Scripture
• Matthew 4:4 (NLT) – “But Jesus told him, ‘No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
• Jesus relied on Scripture to resist temptation—He didn’t separate Himself from God’s Word.
2. All Scripture is God’s Word
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT) – “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
• If you reject part of Scripture, you reject God’s authority over your life.
3. Jesus is the Word of God
• John 1:1, 14 (NLT) – “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God… So the Word became human and made his home among us.”
• Jesus is the living Word. To separate Jesus from Scripture is to create a false version of Him.
4. Jesus Upheld God’s Law, Not Culture’s Morality
• Matthew 5:17 (NLT) – “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”
• Many churches today reject biblical commands about morality under the claim that Jesus only taught love—but true love never approves of sin (John 8:11).
The Danger of Removing the Bible from faith in Jesus
When a church removes Scripture’s authority, it can no longer claim to be following Jesus. It is following the world instead.
• Without the Bible, churches redefine sin to match culture.
• Without the Bible, there is no foundation for truth (Psalm 119:105).
• Without the Bible, people worship a version of Jesus that doesn’t exist (2 Corinthians 11:4).
Worship Jesus by Holding to His Word
If you truly love Jesus, you will love His Word.
• John 14:15 (NLT) – “If you love me, obey my commandments.”
• John 8:31-32 (NLT) – “Jesus said to the people who believed in him, ‘You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
Churches that separate Jesus from the Bible are doing exactly what the Catholic Church did in history—keeping people from the real Jesus and replacing Him with their own version.
The Bible is not the enemy of Jesus. It is the very revelation of who He is! If a church tells you to worship Jesus apart from His Word, run! You cannot follow Christ without following what He said—and what He said is written in the Bible.
• Without the Bible, churches redefine sin to match culture.
• Without the Bible, there is no foundation for truth (Psalm 119:105).
• Without the Bible, people worship a version of Jesus that doesn’t exist (2 Corinthians 11:4).
Worship Jesus by Holding to His Word
If you truly love Jesus, you will love His Word.
• John 14:15 (NLT) – “If you love me, obey my commandments.”
• John 8:31-32 (NLT) – “Jesus said to the people who believed in him, ‘You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
Churches that separate Jesus from the Bible are doing exactly what the Catholic Church did in history—keeping people from the real Jesus and replacing Him with their own version.
The Bible is not the enemy of Jesus. It is the very revelation of who He is! If a church tells you to worship Jesus apart from His Word, run! You cannot follow Christ without following what He said—and what He said is written in the Bible.
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