Your Complete Canon: Why the Whole Scriptures are All You'll Ever Need
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Dear Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
In confessing our faith to each other and the world around us, it is a wonderful thing to be able to appeal to seed embedded in everyone of their knowledge and experience of God in creation. It is exciting and challenging to move to a statement that is not enough to really know God’s person and will, that we need the living God to speak to us, which is completely reasonable for a a Creator in whose image - who has a plan, who cares deeply for us to do. But last week we saw that Special Revelation from God - God speaking in words through prophets and apostles and even by God Himself, didn’t happen as a mere dictation, nor as a by God taking inspirational thoughts of what humans thought about their experience with God - and then putting his stamp of approval on their thoughts. God breathes out His Word, through human instruments - in a full and organic way - exact circumstances God sovereign over, to get the exact words. But in the last paragraph of Article 3 we have an extraordinary claim that if we are going explain and defend and confess our faith to each other and our neighbours we are going to have understand and defend.
Article 3 Afterwards our God - because of the special care he has for us and our salvation - commanded his servants, the prophets and apostles, to commit this revealed Word to writing!
How can we believe that these books and only these books, are the ones that have been inspired by the Holy Spirit, and sent through the church, to the world as God’s only authoritative way of speaking?
If you were a kid with a curious mind growing up in church, probably asked at some point - who actually wrote the Bible? Did someone write it all down made up the whole thing. Probably understand 66 books with over 40 authors, written over time, but when put together and how. And this is a vitally important question that will determine how people “look” for God and how they establish the “way of the faith”, The Muslims have book claim dictated by God to Muhammad all in one shot. Book Mormon held much the same way beside the Bible. Buddhist collection not of events of God working in the world but spiritual teachings. “Isn’t the Bible just like an alternate holy book, and the church, like every religion has its teaching and they create a book to back it up by choosing some writings that explain their teachings?” Like Dan Brown’s DiVinci Code. And why stop at these writings, that's maybe what God was saying back then to those cultures, but God’s spirit continues to speak to us in all sorts of ways, so - He speaks to individuals, gives visions and dreams. These Prophets wrote a few other books, Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Laodiceans that don’t have - wasn’t that Scripture too. God’s speaking - in that special way for salvation and direction of life in actual divine words, can’t be just these books of the Bible to us.
Basically there are 3 positions: 1. God speaks through His Spirit to us all, and Scripture is just one way he does that, but ongoing continual revelation of new words from God, or amid all God’s speaking, 2. the church looks through and existing before the Scripture and having authority greater than the Scripture the church decides what is to be included in Scripture. Or the this view that 3. the Spirit inspired just these books, to be the complete testimony by which God now continually speaks by both His Word and Spirit, and that God’s Word with the Spirit are what actually create the church. Though God speaks through creation, and our conscience, and works within us by the Spirit,
Key Truth: God speaks verbally and authoritatively to us today only through His Written Word, the canon of Scripture.
The application then is whether you turn to the Holy Scriptures to actually hear God speaking powerfully, authoritatively? When you hear Scripture are you hearing more than what human authors say, are you hearing more than the church or tradition, or what reason tell you, hearing more than a spiritual experience you’re having - are you hearing God speak directly with His Words into your Soul?
It would be really good to have such a clear concrete revelation from God wouldn’t it? Not just having for the source of our religion and relationship with him, a whole hosts of experiences, philosophical arguments, church decisions - but God’s actual words - a complete and definite revelation of all His will, His way of saving and sanctifying us, of transforming and directing and organizing. A little bit like in Canada become a Canadian citizen - given little red copies of Constitution and what Charter of Rights. Well, that’s what God in His Providence has given you - in collecting His Speaking he is giving us the condensed and detailed, direct truths of all He communicated, into just these 66 books. These are questions about the canon, the rule of Scripture.
A) Necessity of Holy Scriptures as a Canon in the OT
Our OT reading from Deuteronomy reveals that the idea of a canon is in total keeping with what Scripture really is. A written record of God’s acts in history with us and this world, and the authoritative interpretation of what those actions mean.
Deut 4:2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.
You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.
I mentioned last week with the toledot’s of Genesis possible that accounts given orally to Adam and Eve and passed down, what God spoke - especially about His covenant and His will for worship for life, His plan for salvation. And that would be progressive revelation - bit by bit from God, and then with Moses we see something new in this process of God speaking - write it down - My Words - generations and the world to come are going to need these words - this story, these promises and warning, these laws, and wisdom, this comfort - and do you get the sense that God’s community of faith - look at the collection Moses wrote - the Torah - as those words by which God continues to speak.
Deut 4:9 … and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—
“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—
Now progressively this happens through out the OT, God’s people end up in new circumstance, God is leading them to be a kingdom from which Messiah would come and bring his kingdom to the nations. SO he reveals more of that, and he sends Prophets to call them back to the TORAH = the instruction of the covenant. Job of the prophets, yes expand knowledge of what God will do, but big deal was to call them back to covenant living with God, expand it more fully. And it is clear, the way the Word of the LORD happens to Jonah, comes on Ezekiel , all the other prophets that - though using own word,s though eventually commit it to concrete written form - they are speaking God’s Word, to His people and then written down the people in God’s Providence given that record of the Holy Word, Holy Writings - That was the second part of the OT the Prophets which in the Jewish Bible begins with the histories beginning with Samuel.
But then in the richness of God’s communication to us, in His desire to have His Light and Truth at the centre of everyday life - God also - takes writings like Proverbs and say, Royal Court has wisdom literature by which the princes inherit the the throne and kingdom, All Israel is royal - hear is my further word about daily life and having the fear of the Lord, wisdom of the Lord in all lof life, Hear is my celebration and instruction on marriage in the Song of Songs and how it reflects my love sacred fire of love for my people Here is how to worship focused on my word and my Son the Redeemer - book of Psalms. Here is are the writings beyond Kings history - Chronicles written - Paralipomenon after the return of the exile answering here is my Word about suffering and God’s justice in the world, Job. There are the writings.
And let me ask you if you know the last revelation of God in the OT - who did it come by? Malachi- and what are his last words, the end of the OT canon? He says as God; remember the TORAH, and then what?
Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.
Speaking of John the Baptist, who prophet who would bring message greater than Elijah’s and point to a prophet and mediator greater than Moses, who would bring God’s plan and also his revelation to fullness, Jesus. So the OT ends saying there will be a famine of God’s revelation silent years, until Elijah comes, John the Baptist and the Messiah. And the Jews during this time compile these 46 books - and say that’s the written covenant, the testament. No dispute, and even though 7 more books written during 400 years, very different nature and focus - never quoted in the NT, boo, like Bel and the Dragon and the Three Friends in the Furnace , and Maccabees (which at the end claims its not perfect). Books that certainly give us understanding of history, religious ideas, customs; but they don’t speak of the Messiah they don’t confirm and testify to the truths the Spirit spoke and then inscriputrated And so there was no dispute among Palestinians Jews, only 39 inspired books that are the Word of God!
B) The idea of canon even clearer in the NT
Here too, it was a process. God acts in the most important and powerful ways in the life, teaching, death, resurrection, ascension to the throne of Jesus Christ , the sending of the Holy Spirit - and through his actions he most certainly spoke - and Jesus spoke many many many things. Some of these collected orally or even written sayings of Jesus. But God says,way I am going to speak to my people and this world, is through a written canon, just like the OT. Jesus Himself looked at the OT that way. Remember Luke 24:25-27.
the Emmaus Road, he uses the Jewish short form for the OT, those 39 agreed upon books, either called TNK, the Law the Prophets and the Psalms the Writings - or for short the Law and the Prophets. And Jesus says, those writings even though fully human, God inspired and they are God’s words. Jesus says:
Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
Not only does Jesus say there is a OT canon, that He doesn’t abolish but upholds. (Indeed elsewhere he says: John 10:35b
If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—
DO you get that Jesus view of Scripture is again and again these are the Writings, It is Written, It’s God’s Word, that Continues to speak in present continuous way!
But in Matthew 5 He is also saying He is the fulfillment of all that Revelation. IN fact as the Son of God he revealed all that and now comes to bring the completion and fulfillment the full colour version of it as he come as King, brings a kingdom comes as a Saviour bring rescue Comes as Lord of life release from suffering and evil. And as God is in Christ reconciling the world to Himself like this, guess what He gives authoritative Words you can count on - to receive this Christ and all He remains. Word s we must get our neighbours to hear.
Listen as Jesus describes why and how there will be a definitive word of God about the new covenant, the new testament the new fulfillment and revelation of God’s grace!
John 14:25-26… But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
While the Spirit will teach all of us, and he brings into remembrance Christ’ word in every believer, the heart of this is a promise to the Apostles - that the Holy Spirit would speak the remaining part of God’s revelation to the world - in the new canon of the New Testament. But Jesus says those are also the things he must say to us.
John 16:12-14 “I still have many things to say … When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
In Matthew he says: Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
And as the NT, slowly written over time, as the apostolic teaching, borne by the Spirit not just taught and preached orally, but those apostolic men, towards the end of the apostolic age, knowing they who were eyewitnesses, and special blessing of revelation from God - had to commit that revelation to paper to entrust the church with the rest of the sacred deposit. and those 27 books not written and dictated all at the same time. But first letters, than gospel and acts, then revelation of John for these last days. And as each book is written, the churches recognize - these are not just any words even spiritual, even true and reasonable, but these are the Holy Spirit’s words through these apostolic men - that testify to the faith and way of God. We see that both in how these words were received at the time, as well as how the author’s themselves felt about writing them.
Paul clearly states as the church receives his teaching and the apostolic message whether spoken or written they are receiving the actual Word of God: To the Thessalonians he wrote that they received the word .. with the joy of the Holy Spirit. And then says: 1 Thess 2:13
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
Later he specifically says:
2 Thess 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
Saw last week Peter recognize Paul’s letters on level with OT Testament Scriptures. Not just that they recognized the apostolic men as Christ’s delegates, but in the writings themselves - testimony a witness to the power to save. Those human writers were God’s narrators of the story of Christ and that story is true and - in no other writings do we find this. And those words in these books, God’s Words actually bring the church and the individual in our lost existence an brokenness into touch with the Christ whose Word it is and into His view of the eternal kingdom , invite them into that salvation. So that when we read these books, we are receiving God’s Word , in a way no other writing do.
This is what our confession means that though non-canonical books the Apocrypha, can be read in so far you can learn something that agree with Scripture,
“But they do not have such power and virtue that one could confirm from their testimony any point of faith or of the Christian religion.” Article 6
When Guido deBres and his compatriots who began to read the Bible anew, opened their Bible they sensed afresh the surprise and wonder of God Himself speaking - that doesn’t happen with the other books, and what’s more these holy writing and these only - became the course of the foundation from which the church and Christian life sprang… We have got to communication that.
But let me finish the story - the whole the NT is completed, with the book of Revelation from the last living apostle, if not in order of writing, in order of putting it together. And how does the canon end? Same way when canon written in the beginning and entrusted to the worshipping community. Listen to Revelation 22:17 glorious 3 fold invitation - this whole book summed COME to living water, Bride and Spirit come that what all Scripture is about. But look at the warning of v.18 that mirrors Deuteronomy 4 Revelation 22:18-19
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
THE So-What
C) The Significance of a Complete Canon of Holy Scripture Today
Do you understand what we are testifying, in saying God speaks to our neighbors and our families and friends? Not just great that there is a great and awesome God, not only great that He really makes stuff known in creation and in personhood and providence. Not even great that there is revelation of God in special way. But neighbour friend, this is the Bible, this truly is God’ message, God speaking to you today! Nothing more and nothing less, this much, and every part of it - Pastor pretending to be speaking for God, said to a congregation a town, not reading my word , I’m taking it away. No, take farm, take our kids, but leave us your Word. Unchained it made to leave. What did you say - another chance, OK see it plead promises, heed warning, change life to path of word! George Whitefield in that service, went out 15 minutes head on horse weeping. Spurgeon swore, covenanted - my path wherever it goes.
Well, the churches always recognizing the apostolic teaching as the remaining canon, didn’t have all the books, not the same, some disputed, Jude and 2nd Peter so similar, 2, 3 John not really letters but greeting and the parting instructions. But when churches in various regions got the ones, studied them no dispute. And though no list made, by 2nd generation a false teacher named Marcion wanted to through them out and replace with his own version of the gospel, and cut out most of the letters, when the gnostics added… Well then the church, as we can see in the writings of the earliest church fathers, and then in lists council made much later - they nailed down the canon we have today! It was always there the authoritative and the exact word of God needed for His people , and it is the foundation of the church. Cornerstone is Christ, who the prophets of the OT and the apostiles of the NT devlier to us in fulness. As you hear this word preached, as you read it - understand that 3 fold inviation to Christ, is what it is all about. Understand all buitl ofn this
Eph 2:19-20 members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
The reason why this was so important spent 5 whole articles on it back is not today so that you will reject the Roman Catholic Apocrypha as the Word of God, Most don’t even know or care much about what that is. Th concern is much deeper than that and it just presented itself that way in medieval reformation Europe. But today in 21st century NA, the underlying question is still the same. What is the ultimate authority in your church, in your home, in your life? Is it big Tradition. That there is no clear definitive Word of God, but just the decisions of humans about writing and teaching we like. It wasn’t until the council of Trent that the RC said those books too God’s Word and strange teachings of purgatory and many others .. seek justification for church’s ideas in those writings. And so too today many many of our neighbour family, friends, think all we’ve got is traditions and human ideas and we have to challenge that. For most today in the church, its not the T of the church but merely Human Reason that is held up as the ultimate authority: Come not to have God’s Word Preached, but maybe read, and then tack on to it - rationalized pscyholigized approach to living a good life - how get relevance. But it is autonomous human reason as ultimate authority not God’s Word reasonably and rationally brought to bear upon us!
But when Catholic Prince Phillip read this, also another source of authority that a religious group was holding up as their ultimate authority and that was a big capital E, for experience. Worse of all in the city of Munster - Anabaptist not just saying Scripture alone as authority, through out every book, rational discussion, the proper place of traditions discerning whether arising from God’s Word, radical Anabaptists - said My experience of the Spirit is the ultimate authority. John of Leyden - proclaim himself King, took many wives, predicted Second Coming, burnt all books but the Bible, no infant baptism, suspend many ordinary life Christian following, because end of the world. Terrible seige, - individual experience of God’s revelation lifted high. And today in NA how many Christians rather listen to a friend who says God told me, I had a dream, God is telling me this. Extreme charismatic movement David Korresh, authoritarian And Guideo as much to the Spanish prince of that day, says no that’s not what Protestants hold to the Sovereignty and Tyranny f the Individual.
Our concern is that you come before the Word of God to have it speaking not of your political preference, not to tell you what your itching ears want to hear. But to speak of this Messiah and his unexpected and other-world kingdom that He brings to his world. Comes with authority like Jesus teaching in the courts, teaches as one with authority, not learned where did you get this. And so our confession says, though evidences that this is God’s word, look at thousands of prophesies of the Messiah, years before ever came those were written, look at archaeological and historical corroboration,evidence can’t prove to you or your neighbour this is the Word of God. And this is what we got to get our neighbour and family and friend to the point of:
Article 5 And we believe without a doubt all things contained in them - not so much because the church receives and approves them as such but above all because the Holy Spirit testifies in our hearts that they are from God and also because they prove themselves to be from God.
Try reading them like my childhood neighbour did , high school friend to youth group - actually read the Bible - find what it talk about, how it describes the world, your self, our problems the solution find what is say about grace forgiveness, justice about wrath and punishment about history about the future - the Holy Spirit will do a work of illumination - and as read and hear these truths - saying to yourself by Spirit’s work “Oh. of course that’s how it is!
God will com with the words of Scripture but also with his own enlightening presence. What we mean that Scripture is self-authenticating! Have you experienced that work of the Spirit are you praying for hat as preached here. Internal but not alone testimony … like day of Pentecost hearing together the wonders of God. That is the experience we are to pray for and expect and rely on:
1 Cor 2:12-13 … understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
Dear Friends, what you and your neighbour and Phillip needs, is not just an other sound byte of religious opinions, political preference, what they need and we are enabled to speak - is this strange new word from above. A word that will liberate you and me and our neighbour from captivity to false gods of our culture, from the frantic rush to success in order to prove we have purpose, Liberate us from the anger and violence, the uncertainty , A word of forgiveness, bring us into communion with the God who made us, and redeem us. You and Your neighbour need such Word, and we must speak of it.
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Do we believe the right books, are these books just smorgasboard a council of grumpy power hungry men - supress the theolgical and political ideas didn’t like - Dan Brown D’Vinvci Code. Gnostic Gospel, Gospel sof Thomas - very different nature … History is written by its victors - and Scripture is just a reflection of what church wanted… ie. Albert Schwietzer -Historical Jesus - looked down well, saw relfection of their own face. Jesus ; well - 1500s low countries… Council of Trent responding to Martin Luther - not just recover gospel doctrines in Scripture, but he challenged unscriptural practices and doctrines of the RC indulgences, purgatory, transubstantiaon… RC said, Scripture are true because church recognized them, the pope and teaching authority of the church is the source of Bible, not the Bible as the source of the church. Include all the books of Apocrapha - wirteen after OT, before Christ, and then in early church books like revelation. … Something very different han the rest of Scritpure about them, but contain some of the grounding - of those Unscriputural practices and principles church wanted to defend,
Have you ever had someone tell you - even in this pandemic - God told me plague is comiong 2nd wave, need to do this - God told me you need to make this decision , should or shouldn’t marry, take this job, Charismatic. Well, when Gudio De Bres was confessing believed Scripture - had to speak into world Philiip and RC Spain/Belgium - They heard Protestant s saying we are rebelling against the church, and they think that they have direct line to God. Munster - John of Leyden … Excuse for princes and armies come in - restore order.And Guido has to say no God’s Special Revelation is neither from the church, like all the religious books of other religions, nor is it God’s Special Revelation through indivdiuals dreams, impressions, and continuing revelation.
No though fully human book, there is something so special unique, compeltey in category of it own, this isthe complete and defnitive special revelation of God that forms the church and is the ruler, the guide God has given in compoletness to the church until the end of the world.
What is a canon:
The Churech has Always Had the Complete Explanation Needed of Go’s Person and Saving Action:
Cause to have recorded, and recognized by God’s people - Deut… Warfield… Deuteronomy… not gneral ideas or philosphy of life, but historical action of God in relationship with us… covenant record…
Jesus own view can’t be broken… All speak of me, actually before Abraham was I was - spoke of me… Law and the Prophets … calling them back .. then Writings - complete list - understand need this - can’t be broken, what said God said…
Why not Bel and the SDragon, nor Daniel and His Four Freinds, - not ony don’t speak of Messiah, never refred to in the NT, Palestinian Jews never ever received those as inspired covenant Words of God. Helpful and historical context, but strange things … and they don’t speak of this salvation…
So interesting that Malachi the last revelatio fo the OT - speaks famine of God’s word until - coming of Elijah John the Baptist… understood silent years, end of OT.
B. But then Necessity of Christ fullling the OT - a new Canon -
John 16, do you get what he is claiming … truth for explainaing - authorizing new writers… historic organic … letters, gospels , acts - revelation . everyting we are going to need to know person and work of Christ… only way to know… Writers of NT super aware speaking and writing by Holy Spirit in official apostolic covennat teaching… 2 Peter speaking Scritpure…
Rev22 .. not just final book but all of HOly Wiriting - complete - canon is closed, don’t need anything more, not revealed secret thigns, but are revealed what need t know to live, perceive, be ready found doing mission…
Desire to be more precise or less than precise.. do not add, do not subtract.
C. What Authority Does Scritpure Have
1 Cor 2: … evdiences … they are there but problem with fallen man, reasonable but not raionalistically prove actually God’s Word… But Wrod with Spirit … like Jesus teaching, as one with authority…
Spirit does not add new evdience, but working together… must do two acts = illumine your heart to belive… assure you , testify child of God; but must also illumine the Scrpures He inspired those authros to write. Word and Spirit always working in tandem - powerful combination - truths revealed here - absolutely certain - my heart is pinned, my world, the purpose of life, the problems, and solution,s the - all like world trying to put a jig saw puzzle of life together - but actually read and see in Christ all fits…
D. So what characteristics Do We Have in Scritpurue
HOw church founded, Christ corenstone, Ephesians 2 propehts and apostles foundation … apostolic faith - delivers the living Christ