The Bible
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· 11 viewsThis is a five part series on some of the key Doctrines of the Christian faith. Much of the arrangement of the messages in this series comes from Wayne Grudem's book, Christian Beliefs.
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What is Christian Doctrine?
What is Christian Doctrine?
Dictionary of Bible Themes 8234 doctrine
The body of teachings of the Christian faith concerning its central beliefs. Doctrine is grounded in Scripture and aims to maintain the integrity of Christianity by distinguishing it from non-Christian beliefs
Why Learn Doctrine?
Why Learn Doctrine?
It helps us distinguish truth from error.
It provides us answers to life’s most important questions.
It directly impacts the way we live.
It leads us to salvation.
Where we are going
Where we are going
Over the next weeks, we are going to be taking an exploration of the major Christian doctrines that make up the foundations of our faith.
The Doctrine of Christ
The Doctrine of the Trinity
The Doctrine of Salvation
The Doctrine of the Return of Christ
There is one Doctrine that is foundation to all these others: The Doctrine of the Bible.
In other words, since good Doctrine comes from studying the Bible, we must first start with the Doctrine of the Bible.
Four Characteristics of the Bible
Four Characteristics of the Bible
and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
The Clarity of The Bible
The Clarity of The Bible
Roadblock: “I can’t understand it.”
Examples: Medieval Catholic Church. Wycliff.
Scriptural Basis:
The Scripture is clear enough that even “the simple” can understand. Ps. 119:130
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
The general people were expected to understand and obey (Deut. 6:1-9)
Even a child is able to learn, understand and apply the Bible (Deut 6:6-7, Eph. 6:4)
Jesus expected people to understand the Scriptures (Matt. 12:5)
Matthew 12:5 (NIV)
Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests...
This does not mean we will automatically understand:
Some passages are harder to understand (2 Pet. 3:16)
It does take
Time
Your Mind
Effort
The Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:12)
What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
It increases over a lifetime.
Keys to Understanding Scripture:
Read in a translation you can understand.
Listen to preaching at Church.
Utilize commentaries for help with difficult passages.
Learn from old dead people.
Talk with fellow believers.
The Authority of The Bible
The Authority of The Bible
Roadblock: “I don’t agree with the Bible.”
Examples: Thomas Jefferson.
Scriptural Basis
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
The Bible is “God Breathed” - Inspired by God. (2 Tim. 3:16)
The Bible was written in many different ways (Heb. 1:1), not just dictation:
To disobey Scripture is to disobey God himself.
Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know The Authority of the Bible
If God claims that the words of Scripture are his own, then there is ultimately no higher authority one can appeal to for proof of this claim than Scripture itself. For what authority could be higher than God?
The Word of God is more than just true, it is Truth (John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
It is the measure of Truth. (Ruler analogy)
If something conforms to it, it is true.
If something contradicts it, it is not true.
Filter Illustration
Other evidences can be helpful.
The Holy Spirit interacts with the reader to help him see the Truth of it. (John. 10:27)
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The Necessity of The Bible
The Necessity of The Bible
Roadblock: “I don’t need it.”
The Bible is needed to...
Place ones faith in Jesus and be forgiven 2 Tim. 3:15. “Wise for salvation through faith...” (Rom 10:14, 17)
Grow as a follower of Jesus (2 Tim. 3:17)
To live a life of love and obedience to God (Deut. 29:29)
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
His Word is what nourishes us spiritually (Matt. 4:4
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
The Sufficiency of The Bible
The Sufficiency of The Bible
Roadblock: “The Bible isn’t relevant to my life.”
Mistake: “The Bible is great, but it doesn’t include what you really need to be spiritual.”
The Bible contains everything a person needs in order to … (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
Become a Christian.
Live as a Christian.
Grow as a Christian.
Be blameless before God.
This should inspire us to search the Scripture for...
What to do in a certain situation.
what to think about certain issues.
Implications:
There are not “secret spiritual laws” that we need to search for.
(The Law of Attraction)
Manifestation
Channelling energy
Hidden Secrets
Word Occult - “Hidden”
No one can add more rules that dictate what is sinful or not sinful.
Although other resources can be helpful, you don’t need them.
The best resources are ones that help you understand the Bible.
Meaning of words.
Historical context.
Explain idioms.
Lets review: C.A.N.S
C is for ________ “Clarity”
A is for ________ “Authority”
N is for ________ “Necessity”
S is for ________ “Sufficiency”
Story of William McPherson
Dynamite explosion
No hands, sight or feeling in his face.
Dependent on others
Came to the Lord
Longed to read the Bible for himself.
Family couldn’t take care of him.
Home for the disabled.
Heard of a young blind girl who could read braille with her lips.
William tried, but couldn’t because he had little feeling in his lips.
Realized he hadn’t prayed.
Tongue slipped out and touched the paper.
Over the next 65 years - 4 times with his tongue.
In an article published by the Chicago tribune, April 27th 1913, William...
Lifted up by being struck down.
