Chapter 8 - The Four Characteristics of Scripture: (4) Sufficiency

October 14th 2018 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC Chapter 8 – The Four Characteristics of Scripture: (4) Sufficiency Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem Outline • • I. The Bible contains everything we need to know for salvation and for trusting and obeying God perfectly. Scripture must be our sole source of authority as we seek God’s will and moral expectations. EXPLANATION AND SCRIPTURAL BASIS A. Definition of the Sufficiency of Scripture The sufficiency of Scripture means that Scripture contained all the words of God He intended His people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains everything we need God to tell us for salvation, for trusting Him perfectly, and for obeying Him perfectly. 1. Salvation 2 Timothy 3:14-17 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 1 Peter 1:23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. James 1:18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. 2. Living the Christian Life 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; Psalms 119:2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart. a. Of course, we realize that we will never perfectly obey all of Scripture in this life. James 3:2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 1 of 6 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC B. October 14th 2018 We can find all that God has said on particular topics and answers to our questions. 1. 2. The sufficiency of Scripture enables us to focus our search for God’s words to us on the Bible alone. The Reformation doctrine of sola Scriptura, “the Scripture alone” What about other means of guidance today? a) I do believe that God uses subjective impressions of His will to guide us day by day, for the Bible talks about being “led by the Spirit” Romans 8:9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. Romans 8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, Galatians 5:16-18 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. b) I also believe that God can guide us through “prophecies” or reports of what God has brought to mind that are spoken to us by other people. 1 Corinthians 14:29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. c) d) But these can never = Scripture in authority, and should be tested by Scripture, by what else we know about a situation, and by counsel from wise friends. While God may guide you individually to do something based on subjective guidance that can’t be proven from Scripture, the sufficiency of Scripture means that you should not try to force that decision on all other Christians in your church. (Example: fasting on a certain day, not reading the Sunday paper, not eating certain foods, etc.: see Romans 14:1-12.) Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 2 of 6 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC October 14th 2018 3. It is possible to collect all the passages that directly relate to doctrinal issues (for example, the atonement, the person of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit) or to ethical issues (raising children, marriage/ divorce, truthfulness/ lying, the Christian and civil government, etc.). à this is good news! 4. Although the history of the church may help us understand what God says to us in the Bible, never in church history has God added to the teachings or commands of Scripture. 5. Our search for answers to theological and ethical questions is not a search to find what various believers have thought in the history of the church but is a quest to find and understand what God Himself says to us in His own words, which are found in Scripture and only in Scripture. C. The amount of Scripture given was sufficient at each stage of redemptive history. 1. God has not spoken to mankind any more words which He requires us to believe or obey other than those which we have now in the Bible. a) The doctrine of sufficiency does not imply that God cannot add any more words to those He has already spoken to His people. It rather implies that man cannot add on his own initiative any words to those that God has already spoken. b) God could tell His people that His words to them were sufficient at many different points in the history of redemption. 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. c) After the assembling of the books of the New Testament canon, no further central redemptive acts of God in history have occurred: thus, no further words of God have been given to record and interpret those acts for us. Deuteronomy 4:2 You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. Deuteronomy 12:32 “Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it. Proverbs 30:5-6 Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. Revelation 22:18-19 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. Prepared by Chris Reighley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RHCCBibleStudy/ Page 3 of 6 Sunday Night Bible Study @ RHCC D. October 14th 2018 Practical applications of the sufficiency of Scripture 1. Encourages us as we try to discover what God would have us to think (about a particular doctrinal issue) or to do (in a particular situation). Everything God has to tell us about that question is found in Scripture. a) The Bible does not answer all the questions we might think up (for example, order of worship) 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. b) Frequent practice in searching the Scripture for guidanceàincreasing ability to find accurate, carefully formulated answers to our problems and questions. 2 Timothy 3:17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2. 3. 4. 5. Reminds us that we are to add nothing to Scripture and consider no other writings of equal value to Scripture (for example, Book of Mormon, Science and Health with a Key to the Scriptures) God does not require us to believe anything about Himself or His redemptive work not found in Scripture (for example, collections of alleged sayings of Jesus, “lost” gospels). No modern revelations from God are to be placed on a level equal to Scripture in authority. When we put other writings on a level with Scripture the result has always been: a) to deemphasize the teachings of the Bible itself b) to begin to teach some things that are contrary to Scripture. Nothing is sin that is not forbidden by Scripture either explicitly or by implication. Psalms 119:1 How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the Lord. 6. Nothing is required of us by God that is not commanded in Scripture either explicitly or by implication. Psalms 119:44-45 So I will keep Your law continually, Forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts. Psalms 119:165 Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble. 7. In our doctrinal and ethical teaching, we should emphasize what Scripture emphasizes and be content with what God has told us in Scripture (for example, not making obscure portions of Scripture into major teachings). 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. 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. October 14th 2018 Blameless – Morally perfect in God's sight, a characteristic of those who follow God's word completely (Ps. 119:1). sufficiency of Scripture – The idea that Scripture contained all the words of God he intended his people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains all the words of God we need for salvation, for trusting him perfectly, and for obeying him perfectly. SCRIPTURE MEMORY PASSAGE Psalms 119:1 How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the Lord. 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. October 14th 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