Chapter 7 - The Four Characteristics of Scripture: (3) Necessity

September 30th 2018 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC Chapter 7 – The Four Characteristics of Scripture: (3) Necessity Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem Outline • • I. For what purposes is the Bible necessary? How much can people know about God without the Bible? EXPLANATION AND SCRIPTURAL BASIS The necessity of Scripture means that the Bible is necessary for knowing the gospel, for maintaining spiritual life, and for knowing God’s will, but it is not necessary for knowing that God exists or for knowing something about God’s character and moral laws. A. The Bible is necessary for knowledge of the gospel. Romans 10:12-17 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. One must call upon the name of the Lord to be saved. People can only call upon the name of Christ if they believe in Him. People cannot believe in Christ unless they have heard of Him. They cannot hear of Christ unless there is someone to tell them about Christ (a “preacher”). Eternal salvation comes only through belief in Jesus Christ John 3:18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” 1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 1 of 6 September 30th 2018 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC a) How could believers under the Old Covenant be saved? (1) Through trusting in Christ, to whom they looked forward. Hebrews 11:13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. Hebrews 11:26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” (2) But could other people be saved who did not have the words of the Bible? This does not seem likely, because pattern in the Bible seems to be that the only foundation firm enough to rest one’s faith on is the word of God (whether spoken or written) concerning salvation, which was given in brief form from the beginning. Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” Genesis 4:3-4 So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground. Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” 6. Various views of how people can be saved: a) Universalism: all people will be saved (because God loves everybody and won't judge anybody). b) Religious pluralism: all sincere religious people will be saved (all religions are different paths to the one true God). c) Inclusivism: people can only be saved through Christ, but all people will ultimately find out that they were saved by Christ's work (they were "included") even though they had never heard of Him. d) Annihilationism: unbelievers will not be punished after they die (or not for very long): they will be annihilated and just cease to exist. e) Post-mortem evangelism: after unbelievers die, they will be given another opportunity (or a first opportunity) to trust in Christ. f) Exclusivism: only those who have heard of Christ and trusted in him will be saved. Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 2 of 6 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC B. September 30th 2018 The Bible is necessary for maintaining spiritual life. Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Deuteronomy 32:47 For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.” 1 Peter 2:2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, C. The Bible is necessary for certain knowledge of God’s will. 1. Because of sin, all of man’s reasoning about God’s will is unreliable and gives mixed results Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? Romans 3:10-11 as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; 2. The Bible is necessary so that we can have clear and definite statements about God’s will. Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law. Psalms 119:1 How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the Lord. 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 3. The Bible is ultimately necessary for certain knowledge about anything. Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 3 of 6 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC D. September 30th 2018 The Bible is not necessary for knowing that God exists. 1. People can obtain a knowledge that God exists and a knowledge of some of His attributes simply from observation of themselves and the world around them. Psalms 19:1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Acts 14:16-17 In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Romans 1:18-21 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. E. The Bible is not necessary for knowing something about God’s character and moral laws. Romans 1:32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. Romans 2:14-15 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 1. 2. 3. General revelation comes through observing nature, through seeing God’s directing influence in history, and through an inner sense of God’s existence and his laws that He has placed inside every person. a) General revelation is a great blessing for society because it prevents unchecked sin from destroying everyone: people have a sense that God exists and has some moral standards, and that they will somehow be held accountable. But they don’t have an answer to how to deal with their sin. Special revelation refers to God’s words addressed to specific people, such as the words of the Bible, the words of the OT prophets and NT apostles, and the words of God spoken in personal address, such as at Mt. Sinai or at the baptism of Jesus. Scripture nowhere indicates that people can know the gospel, or know the way of salvation, through general revelation. This gives great motivation for evangelism and missions. Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 4 of 6 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC II. SPECIAL TERMS • • • • III. September 30th 2018 Necessity of Scripture – The idea that the Bible is necessary for knowing the gospel, for maintaining spiritual life, and for knowing God's will, but is not necessary knowing that God exists or for knowing something about God's character and moral laws. Certain Knowledge – Knowledge that is established beyond doubt or question. Because God knows all the facts of the universe and never lies, the only absolutely certain knowledge we can have is found in God's words in Scripture. General Revelation – The knowledge of God's existence, character, and moral law that comes through creation to all humanity. Special Revelation – God's words addressed to specific people, including the words of the Bible. This is to be distinguished from general revelation, which is given to all people generally. SCRIPTURE MEMORY PASSAGE Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” NOTE: This outline is based on the outline published outline of Wayne Grudem when teaching this chapter to his enrichment class at Scottsdale Bible Church. Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 5 of 6 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC IV. September 30th 2018 HYMN "Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. www.Lockman.org" Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 6 of 6