I received a phone call from a young friend who is a recent convert. While visiting his family and disclosing his newly acquired faith, many questions and statements have been entertained. Last night he called asking how to handle his grandma’s statement, which is roughly as follows:
The bible is the last word from God; there is no more. When Jesus was on the cross he said, “It is finished”, which means there is no more church organization and no more scripture.
The answer is two-parts:
Part 1
Part 2
The New Testament is written in Greek and the phrase “It is finished” is translated into the Greek word tetelestai.The phrase occurs in John 19:28 and John 19:30 and it is not found anywhere else in scripture.
In order to better understand the context one must ask what things were completed?
In verse 30 he utters the phrase: “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.”
The context of the crucifixion is the fulfillment of the atonement. He died for our sins.
The word tetelestai was also written on business documents or receipts in New Testament times indicating that a bill had been paid in full. The Greek-English lexicon by Moulton and Milligan says:
“Receipts are often introduced by the phrase tetelestai…(p. 630.) The connection gives greater context to the phrase “It is finished” and supports the concept that Jesus died to pay for our sins. He completed the atonement.
A builder, upon completion of a new building would say tetelestai, it is finished; I have done everything according to the plan. It is complete.
Succinct and insightful rebuttal. I liked the tetelestai comprehension.
Wonderfully written insights … I viewed your exchange as a very positive one. The insights provided can be a source of confirmation for all Christians, not just those who challenge “additional scripture” coming after the death of the Savior. It sounded like the grandmother was a Christian. Hopefully she will be motivated to learn a little more about the history of the writings of the New Testament.
She comes from a non-denominational position and doesn’t feel there is a need for a church organization or any scripture other than the bible. My young friend was raised in that environment and eventually softened as he learned more about the gospel.
Nice. I too liked the tetelestai explanation. How fortunate that we are able to go back to original texts when there is confusion about phrases and meanings. Thanks for sharing.
It is perplexing to me that someone with a belief in the Bible could go on believing that there was no more church organization as well as no more scripture right at the moment that Jesus uttered the phrase “It is finished”. Does this person stop reading at that point? We wouldn’t even have the account of His resurrection if we accepted such a doctrine.
A couple other thoughts that I think a person with this belief ought to consider:
John 21:25 — “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen”
How about when Matthias was chosen to fill the vacancy in the Twelve? This was done after the crucifixion & resurrection. The organization of the church continued to go on, more scripture continued to be written. If the Christian world was willing to accept this then, why not NOW?
I wonder where a belief like this would come from… I suppose preacher(s) have taught this as a way of “blanket sweeping” ever even considering other additional scripture. Whether it stem from a preacher or the person’s own personal study, I contend that this concept of no more church organization or scripture is conceived out of fear. And people have to have a way to rectify their fear, even when using false, unfounded principles.
We are all influenced by the underground truth we choose to ignore. If attending an organized church with rules and regulations is not comfortable, then people will find a way to justify their actions. There is sufficient evidence to consider that organized religion is corrupt.
Each person must judge the story of the Atonement and the Restoration in their own time and in their own way, without our judging their integrity or faithfulness (3 Nephi 27:13-15). We see the scriptures through a different set of lenses. It’s ok for them to see it differently at this point. If they want to know more, they will.