Doctrinal Statement On Scripture

Doctrinal Statement on Scripture

        Scripture is written through inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is the Bible with all of its 66 books. It contains the Old Testament and the New Testament. This is called the Canon, which means “the body of ecclesiastical law.” There is no more Scripture that can be added to it and none that can be taken away from it, and nothing is missing from it.

        God is the actual Author of the Scriptures, but God used the hands of men to write the texts. All of the words were written through inspiration of the Spirit of God directing them to do so. It was a supernatural occurrence where men wrote what God spoke. 2 Peter 1:20-21 describes this:

“First of all, you should know this: no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke from God.”

2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness.”  Through the Bible we have all the knowledge needed to live a correct and fulfilling life for God. 2 Peter 1:3 claims,

“For His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”

Therefore, nothing else is needed for understanding in living a Godly life. No extra-biblical revelation or wisdom is needed, nor are from God. The Christian does not seek anything, but God’s Word.

        Parts of the Bible are actual words from God in the form of His speech, which was spoken audibly. For example Genesis 1:3 says, “And God said, ‘Let there be light.” There are many instances of God speaking to humans with “thus sayeth the Lord” introducing and concluding statements. Also God’s audible spoken words from Jesus Christ speaking to people are another form. He is referred to as the “Word of God,” and in whom “the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9).  John 1:1 and verse 14 explains that “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word was God…The Word became flesh and dwelt among men.” There is also direct communication from God as described in Matthew 3:17 which states, “And there came a voice from Heaven: This is my beloved Son. I take delight in Him!” God also used speech from Human lips as in the case of Moses telling Israel the law in Leviticus and other Old Testament prophets who spoke for the Lord. And also, there are God’s words in written form or a decree like the 10 Commandments. Finally, God also revealed His word which was spoken through the Apostles of the New Testament. An example is 1 Corinthians 14:37 where Paul states, “If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord.”

        The authority of scripture rests on God. This is why we should do everything it says. God Himself is telling us how to live our lives and what we need to do. If it was not written by God then we would be able to question it and not have to follow it, but this is not the case. 2 Peter 1:20 states, “No prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation.” Since God wrote it we must obey it. Hebrews 4:12 states,

“For the Word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart.”

        Each individual book of Scripture is reliable and rests on equal authority with the others because it either claims to be the word of God, or recognizes other past books that were written before it and they acknowledge each other. For example, in 2 Peter 3:16 Peter actually talks about Paul’s letters speaking about the same things he is and puts them on the same level of authority as his writing. Scripture proves itself to be reliable and true because each book of Scripture agrees with each other. There are no inconsistencies with different commands or viewpoints in the Scriptures.

        Scripture is valuable because it contains wisdom on how to live and gives us the answers to eternal life. It is the only way God communicates with us today. Before the Bible was written God had to communicate with humans by talking to them in dreams and visions, speaking with an audible voice, or having his manfestation present. These recipients were the prophets. Each prophet’s teachings agrees with the others. Since God has revealed His purpose to mankind and has had it written down for future generations to read, we can know who God is, what He wants for us, and what He wants us to do. Ignoring the Bible would be ignoring God Himself. 1 Timothy 4:13 says, “Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.” Up until God comes back we should read, continue to read, and study the Bible.

        If a person claims to believe in the Bible and believe in Jesus Christ then the Bible is all they should be seeking to have knowledge of God. The entire Bible is the story of God’s working in history and His great sacrifice through His Son, Jesus Christ who died for the sins of those who believe. The Old Testament and the New Testament lead into one another about the great workings of God. The entire Bible points to Jesus Christ. 2 John 1:9 firmly states that, “Anyone who does not remain in the teaching about Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God.”

        In conclusion, the Bible is the true inspired Word of God. It proves itself to be true and we must follow it or else we are denying God Himself and refusing to follow Him. This would be suppressing the truth as what Romans 1:18 says, “For God’s Wrath is revealed from Heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the Truth.” 

        The Bible is the answer for eternal life!