of imperfect human memory. Even details of actual happenings are quickly forgotten and get distorted by the passage of time if left to oral transmission. While traditions of a global flood are to be found in all ancient civilizations, the details of such traditions are contradictory and often fantastic. But the Bible has preserved an actual eyewitness account in the “history of Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth.” (Gen. 10:1) If the danger of inaccuracy exists in the oral transmission of actual, physical, visible happenings, how much more so when it comes to the transmission of ideas that are purely spiritual and pertain to things invisible to man. It is in this field particularly that there are to be found many traditions in Christendom’s religions that are not only contrary to God’s written Word, but, yes, actually of pagan origin. May it be that ideas and beliefs that you have long accepted as Bible truth are not actually to be found in the Bible? What about the trinity doctrine of three gods in one, the immortality of the human soul, purgatory, a hell of torment for the wicked? Are these Bible teachings or human traditions?

You owe it to yourself and your family to be in position to answer these questions confidently and correctly. God’s Word sounds a timely warning: “Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry you off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ.” (Col. 2:8) To avoid this happening to you, check with your Bible, God’s written inspired guide for true worship. It will quickly help you to determine whether any traditional ideas or practices out of harmony with the truth are associated with your worship. And be assured that any one of Jehovah’s witnesses will be happy to help you make this search of the Bible in the interests of true worship.

What a blessing it is that Jehovah God has provided us with accurate knowledge in written form! In the light of the evidence considered above it is clear that the Bible is the only safe guide. It is complete and needs no additions. Take in its invaluable knowledge by regularly studying its pages. It means life!

“No Obscure City”

After soldiers rescued the apostle Paul from an enraged mob in Jerusalem, the military commander asked him whether he was a notorious Egyptian seditionary. Paul replied that he was not: “I am, in fact, a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city.” (Acts 21:39) To the citizens of Tarsus and even to outsiders, their city was by no means obscure or insignificant. It was not only an important commercial center but also an intellectual center with a famed university. The Greek geographer Strabo of the first century (A.D.) wrote in his Geography: “The people at Tarsus have devoted themselves so eagerly, not only to philosophy, but also to the whole round of education in general, that they have surpassed Athens, Alexandria, or any other place that can be named where there have been schools and lectures of philosophers.” An inscription has been unearthed that calls Tarsus “the great and wondrous metropolis of Cilicia.” Many of the coins of Tarsus were inscribed with the words: “Tarsus Metropolis, First, Fairest and Best.”—The Bible as History, p. 380; Light from the Ancient Past, p. 255; The Bible Was Right, chap. 24.