That raises the question, “How can we be sure that the apostles were accurate in passing to us the teachings of Jesus?” The Lord Himself gives the answer:
These things I have spoken to you [apostles] while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:25-26)
I still have many things to say to you [apostles], but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take what is mine and declare it to you. (John 16:12-14)
Regarding his message, and orderly conduct by Christians, the apostle Paul wrote,
We have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit…. If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 2:12-13; 14:37)
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)
We have those letters and writings today, preserved for us in the Bible. You and I have “the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles” (2 Peter 3:2). We too can receive the new birth of water and Spirit, as Jesus directed Nicodemus. We too can continue as true disciples by abiding in Jesus’ truth that sets us free (John 8:31-32). His words—whether spoken in person or through His inspired messengers—continue to be “spirit and life” (John 6:63).
Thus, the Gospel record is much more than history. For believers, it is the King’s story, “His Story” into which He invites us. By sharing in His death, we die to sin’s control over our lives. By sharing in His resurrection, we rise to newness of life (Romans 6:3-4). By the power of His Spirit, we grow more and more like Him (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). We prepare for His return and the final restoration of all God planned from the beginning (Acts 3:20-21). Then we will enter into the full joy of our Lord’s eternal kingdom (Matthew 5:21; 2 Peter 1:11). That future entrance is known already, written down, even to the life-giving words we will hear:
Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)