DOCTRINE OF THE BIBLE

2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Peter 1:21, Isaiah 55:10-11, Psalm 119

“The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.” Baptist Faith and Message, 2000.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

1 Peter 1:21 NKJV

who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Isaiah 55:10–11 NKJV

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Main Idea: The Bible is the inspired, infallible, inerrant word of God.

1. The Bible speaks to its own authority.

Faith cannot be eliminated from the equation of life.

Every form of belief system has an element of faith and circular reasoning.

2. The Bible is inspired, infallible and inerrant.

These vocabulary words help us communicate the depth of our beliefs about the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

All

Inspiration – ‘God breathed’

Infallibility – ‘trustworthy’

Inerrancy – ‘no error’ ‘exactly how God gave it’

Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

It’s not a dead book

Separates itself from all others

Relevant to everyday life

2 Peter 1:21 NKJV

for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Helps us understand inspiration

Isaiah 55:10–11 NKJV

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Relevancy and purpose

3. The Bible we have today is trustworthy.

The canon of scripture

OT mostly if not totally in place by Jesus birth

NT settled at latest by 4th century

Characteristics of canon: 1. Apostolic Origin. 2. Divine, consistent content. 3. Recognized by churches.

Manuscripts and scribes

Criticisms

Translations