The Belgic Confession Week 4.

Review:

Article 1.

THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD.

Article 2.

BY WHAT MEANS GOD IS MADE KNOWN UNTO US.

Article 3.

THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD.

Article 4.

CANONICAL BOOKS OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE.

Article 5.

WHENCE THE HOLY SCRIPTURES DERIVE THEIR DIGNITY AND AUTHORITY.

Article 6.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CANONICAL AND APOCRYPHAL BOOKS.

Article 7.

THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES TO BE THE ONLY RULE OF FAITH.

We believe that those Holy Scriptures fully contain the will of God, and that whatsoever man ought to believe unto salvation is sufficiently taught therein. For since the whole manner of worship which God requires of us is written in them at large, it is unlawful for any one, though an apostle, to teach otherwise than we are now taught in the Holy Scriptures: but even if we, or an angel from heaven, as the Apostle Paul says (Gal. 1:8). For since it is forbidden to add to or take away anything from the Word of God (Deut. 12:32), it does thereby evidently appear that the doctrine thereof is most perfect and complete in all respects. Neither may we consider any writings of men, however holy these men may have been, of equal value with those divine Scriptures, nor ought we to consider custom, or the great multitude, or antiquity, or succession of times and persons, or councils, decrees or statutes, as of equal value with the truth of God, since the truth is above all; for all men are of themselves liars, and lighter than vapor (Ps. 62:9). Therefore we reject with all our hearts whatever does not agree with this infallible rule, as the apostles have taught us, saying, Test the spirits, whether they are of God (1 Jn. 4:1). Likewise: If anyone  comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house (2 Jn. 1:10).

Scripture fully contains the will of God.

2 Timothy 3:15–17“15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The Bible is Sufficient.

We have already covered the authority of the Bible. Now we cover the sufficiency of the Bible.

Authority: Anything God tells us in His Word is binding. God can tell us what to do.

The authority of the Bible means it is binding. Whatever the Bible says is binding on us.

But in our day, it is not the authority of the Bible that is under attack in the church. It is the sufficiency.

First let me define the sufficiency of the Bible. If the authority of the Bible means God can tell us what to do, the sufficiency means God has told us what to do. God has has fully revealed His will in His Word. God has revealed His will fully in His Word. This means God has told us what He commands us to do clearly in His Word.

Does not mean: The sufficiency of Scripture does not mean that the Bible holds all answers to all questions. Nowhere in the Bible are the answers to all mathematics questions. Scripture does not contain a verse that told me my wife would be Katharine or what I should name my children.

Sufficiency means God has revealed His will in His Word and that revelation is enough.

Many critics arise today from within the church to deny the sufficiency of the Bible. They claim the Bible is true and that we ought to obey it, but that the Bible does not teach us all we need to know.

“The Bible doesn’t address issues of sexuality or gender.”

“The Bible doesn’t speak to political issues.”

They then attempt to pull in some other source of knowledge and they do this most often in order to justify their own sin.

Think clearly. The Bible is sufficient. But what is it sufficient in specifically?

Whatsoever man ought to believe unto salvation is sufficiently taught therein.

The doctrine of salvation is found only in the book of Scripture.

Scripture is also exhaustive about salvation. God did not reveal 90% of what we need to believe in order to be saved. God revealed 100%.

We can draw principles from creation or other sources of authority. But they are not salvific.

I as the pastor (a real authority in the church) may not add to the doctrine of salvation.

Also, it is the Word of God that primarily reveals the doctrine of salvation fully, not the church. The Church simply communicates what the Scriptures teach.

Rome taught the opposite.

Next:

The whole manner of worship that God requires is written in Scripture and it is unlawful for anyone to teach otherwise.

No man is permitted to contradict Scripture.

Galatians 1:8“8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.”

Even if an angel appears on the stage on Sunday morning and tells us something contrary to the Scriptures, we are to reject it.

The Bible is complete and sufficient.

Main Focus on the regulation of worship.

Scripture regulates personal worship and practice.

God has revealed in His word what every single person is to do and believe in their private life.

What is it? Read your Bible. I do not have time to go into all of it.

Scripture regulates personal practice:

Think of the commands of Scripture. Personal practice is how we live our lives.

Examples: God commands you personally to uphold the ten commandments. You are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. You are to love your neighbor as yourself.

Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church.

Wives are to submit to their husbands in all things.

Scripture regulates personal worship.

Think of the commands in the Psalms to offer personal prayer and worship.

Jesus commanding us to pray in the manner of the Lord’s prayer.

Think of all the commands in scripture that call us to believe certain things.

Scripture regulates corporate worship and practice.

We do not have time to expound on all of this but the Bible is what dictates how we worship as a church. It commands what we do and how we do it.

Examples:

It should be orderly according to the Apostle Paul.

We are commanded to sing Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual songs.

We are commanded to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.

Illustration:

Why do we not us grape soda and cheese-its in communion? Because Scripture rules our corporate practice and it commands bread and wine.

Transition:

Since we are forbidden to take from or add to God’s Word, we have no right to change biblical doctrine or practice.

Deuteronomy 12:32“32 “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”

Revelation 22:18–19“18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

We have no right to disagree with Scripture in our personal or corporate practice and worship.

Examples:

Elders. Who can be an elder? God has given us two clear lists of qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. An elder must be a qualified man. Yet many churches and denominations have abandoned this. They do not believe the Bible is sufficient to inform us in our corporate worship.

We cannot accept the writings of any men, any tradition, practice, or creed as equal with the rule of Scripture.

Psalm 62:9“9 Surely men of low degree are a vapor, Men of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, They are altogether lighter than vapor.”

Matthew 15:6–9“6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ””

Therefore we reject with our whole hearts whatever does not agree with Scripture.

Anything that disagrees with Scripture is wrong.

1 John 4:1“1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

2 John 10 “10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;”

Why the sufficiency of Scripture is the single most important issue in the church today.

Christians rarely consult the Bible when they have questions. Instead we consult our own opinions or we seek out the opinions of others that back up our own desires.

Example:

The reason the sufficiency of the Bible is the most important issue in the church today is because the church in large has abandoned the Word of God and the sole rule of authority regarding faith and practice.

What do I mean?

Pastors regularly ignore the sufficiency of Scripture for multiple reasons. (I want to be gracious here, some are malicious and some are not.)

1. They were taught incorrectly or are blissfully inconsistent. (Non malicious)

Example: During the pandemic many pastors looked to celebrity preachers and denominational leaders who they admire for answers and accidentally fell into a horrible theology of the church. The state commanded the church to shut down and these Christian leaders told them to do it. Biblically, they were disobeying God in order to obey the state. (Luther during the black plague handled this biblically)

2. They want to avoid offending their members or denominations. (Malicious but understandable)

Example: It is a scary thing to offend those who sign your check. If I preach on something controversial and offend this whole church, I could be completely biblically correct but I would still be out of a job. If I offend the denomination, I could be defrocked and never pastor again. This is a motivation to not address certain topics from Scripture.

3. They are influenced by the culture. (sometimes without even knowing it)

Example: Elders. Who is qualified? The language of Scripture offends our modern sensibilities. So we often attempt to soften it.

Marriage roles.

Sexuality.

Politics.

How often do we, without knowing it alter or even ignore what the Bible says because we have been invaded by the culture.

As we address the sufficiency of the Bible keep your thinking caps on.

There can be many reasons to not address certain issues the Scriptures speak on. Ignorance, fear of offence, ungodly influence.

Perhaps the biggest reason most Christians are so lacking in the sufficiency of Scripture is because it takes work. Rather than rely on our opinion we have to actually dive into Scripture and study hard.

The authority and sufficiency of the Bible is one of if not the most important issues facing the church today.

God can tell us what to do in His Word. God actually does tell us what to do in His Word.

What does the Bible principally teach? What man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man. (WSC)

God has told us how to live and worship and be right with Him. So study His Word.