Biblical Counselors Acknowlege the Authority of the Bible

📷The Scriptures have the weight of Divine Authority.

#1

Militant Attacks from Persecutors Against the Bible

From the birth of New Testament Christianity, the Scriptures have been under attack by those under the influence of evil. We will not copulate to men who would suppress, distort, minimize, or annihilate the authority of the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Bible Has Enemies

Jesus said God’s Word is Truth, John 17:17.

Jesus said the Holy Spirit is sent to guide the apostles into all truth,

John 16:13

John 16:13 NKJV

13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

Therefore, to reject the Bible is to reject the Holy Spirit. This would be to blaspheme against Him, Luke 12:10.

Luke 12:10 “And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.

A different New Testament of our Lord and Savior is utterly condemned, Galatians 1:6—9.

The Bible Is Indestructible

📷God cannot be destroyed

God’s voice cannot be destroyed.

📷 2 Timothy 3:16 The Bible is God’s inspired, Breathed out.

Therefore, God’s Word is Indestructible.

Heretics Cannot Thwart the Inspiration of The Bible

1. The Bible is Breathed by God, 2 Timothy 3:16

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

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.

a) Greek,

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament θεόπνευστος

πνεῦμα.

b) English Standard Version, “All Scripture is breathed out by God”

c) Wind, breath. + Word of God = God’s voice in written format.

d) See Hebrews 1:1—2

Hebrews 1:1–2 NKJV

1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

Since the Bible is God’s inspired word, it has the voice of God. Scriptures are the voice of God in print.

Holy Men Spoke/Wrote as The Holy Spirit Moved Them, 2 Peter 1:20—21

2 Peter 1:20–21 “20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

The Bible Has Authority in All Matters

The Bible has the power, or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. That is the very definition of authority.

The Evil Offering Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10) was an unauthorized fire for which they died.

By Denying Bible Authority, Unbelievers Attempt to Liberate Themselves from Amenability

God Says

1. Deuteronomy 4:2

Deuteronomy 4:2 “2 You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.”

2. 1 Corinthians 4:6

1 Corinthians 4:6 “6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.”

3. Revelation 22:18—19

1 Corinthians 4:6 NKJV

6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.

Only Those Who Yield to God Shall be Saved

You have a choice to make. Let me tell you about a man in ancient times named Naaman (2 Kings 5:1—14.

Biblical Counseling Applications

1. You can trust God has the answers for every problem troubling you.

2. Jesus is not the author of confusion. Therefore, you can know His ways of counseling people are the best ways of soul care.

3. Scripture provides the foundation for a successful counseling ministry.

4. We must be careful about what kind of structure we build upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Is Jesus truly the chief cornerstone of your counseling practices?

5. We care for souls with the truth in love.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJV).

#2

Biblical Counseling is Christ Centered

“The Lord God has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who isweary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the learned.”

Isaiah 50:4 NKJV

Those words are applicable to Biblical counselors today. They were written centuries ago by the prophet Isaiah and pertain to the Counselor of counselors—Jesus Christ.

Christ Centered Biblical Soul Care

1. At the crux of the matter, the biblical counselor must introduce Jesus to his client. He is Immanuel, “God with us.” His name means Savior, or God saves. Jesus has the answers that cannot be found in any other source. Matthew 1:18—25.

2. The redemptive work of Jesus on the cross requires our attention. Galatians 3:13.

3. We must speak of sanctification. Hebrews 10:14; Ephesians 5:26.

4. The subject of repentance demands our consideration. 2 Corinthians 7:10.

5. The application of encouragement, rebuke, and exhortation necessitates prudence and longsuffering with patience. 2 Timothy 4:2.

6. Scriptural authority must form the foundation of the minister’s counseling. Romans 10:8; 2 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 4:6.

7. Humanity possesses a single, essential purpose;your charge is to unveil it. Ecclesiastes 12:13. That is the very reason we are called Christians, followers of Christ.

8. Helping People God’s Way is the Best Way.

You are being equipped

When you are adequately equipped to care for souls, God will use you to minister to His beloved ones. People are going to come to you for help and you mustn’t send them to a “professional” outside the church unless the client’s problems are beyond your skill level. To whom much is given, much is required.

The Bible is Self-Sufficient to Counsel Wisely.

Inspiration and Inerrant

It is my assumption that you believe, as I do, that the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God. While many scholars reject this view, none deny that Jesus and the disciples believed the Scriptures, which we call the Old Testament, were the inspired, inerrant, and binding word of God.

You must accept the view that the entire Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and binding Word of God to pass this course.

2 Timothy 3:16—17.

2 Peter 1:20—21.

The Hebrew writer introduces his quotation of Psalm 95 with Just as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you hear my voice…” (Hebrews 3:7) and again introduces his quotation of Jeremiah 31:33 with, “Just as the Holy Spirit bears witness, “’This is the covenant I will make with them…’” (Hebrews 10:15).

Matthew’s view of Scripture is revealed in his ten formulaic sayings, and I will cite only one: All this took place to fulfill what has been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:” (Matthew 1:22).

Unity of Scripture

While the Bible was written by a variety of writers in different times and culture, God is its ultimate author. Therefore, no scripture, understood in its proper context, contradicts another in its intended meaning.

Our systematic theological studies in the Introduction to Biblical Counseling training course is taken from the inspired, inerrant Word of God.

Such makes it superior to any philosophy invented from the factories of man’s idolatrous mind.

God’s Word Is the Wisest Counsel

(2Timothy 3:16—17) 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.

1. All Scripture is profitable.

2. All Scripture is profitable to teach doctrine.

3. All Scripture is profitable to reproof (conviction).

4. All Scripture is profitable for correction.

5. All Scripture is profitable for instruction in righteousness (correct living).

6. Why?

a. The man of God may be….

b. Complete

c. For every good work.

Your job is to equip your brothers, sisters, and the fallen world. Nothing else matters. If I relieve someone’s mental problem but do not give a cure for their soul, what does it profit them?

God’s Wisdom is Supreme Because He Is The Source of All Knowlege.

Proverbs 1:1—7.

Proverbs 1:20, 23.

Read James 1:1—7 Extremely Carefully.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (NKJV)

Let’s analyze this passage together in the light of learning to become wise counselors.