Bible: What is it?

Introduction

“What do we believe and Why do we believe it?” (Ed Dudek)

1 Peter 3:13–17 (ESV)

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Give a defense to anyone who asks.

Great verse for evangelism and apologetics.

We need to be able to know what we believe and why for ourselves as well.

I have been on a journey of discovery of “What I believe and Why I believe it.”

For those who may think that Pastors know it all, or have it all together, or have special assess to understanding, We don’t. We are like everyone else in seeking to understand God and His Word. We strive to honor Him with our lives and ministry with humility and obedience. We have a specific role in the family of God of preaching/teaching the Word as accurately as possible and shepherding God’s people (encouragement).

I was really good at coming up with answers to theological questions and I knew what I knew about the Word. This caused me to start thinking arrogantly about myself and what I knew about the Bible. People were coming to me to get understanding about God and His Word. I knew what the general/popular understandings of scripture was and was able to articulate it well.

Then some challenges came into my life that challenged my theological understandings and I did not have answers for them. I was disagreeing with what I was hearing, but I did not know why. I had my set answers, but those answers were not from my own understanding from the Word, but what I was taught. I could explain what I believe, but I could not tell you why.

For ourselves we need to know what we believe and Why so when the sin and struggles of the world hit us we have a solid foundation to hold to.

We say we believe in God, but I have never seen God. I have never heard God. I have never seen angels or spiritual beings, But I believe they are all there. Why?

We can’t understand anything about the Spiritual realm with our physical 5 senses. Trying to understand the spiritual realm with physical instruments or scientific methods will not work. It’s like using a metal detector to find plastic.

How do we know there is a God and spiritual beings? They must reveal themselves to us.

Revelation - “Divine revelation is communication from God in various forms (such as dreams, direct speech, or written text) and through various means (such as a theophany, angels, prophets, or nature). This communication is knowledge that is hidden from men or previously unknown to men, which is given to humans from God.” (Robertson, Michael Scott. “Divine Revelation.” Ed. Douglas Mangum et al. Lexham Theological Wordbook 2014 : n. pag. Print. Lexham Bible Reference Series.)

Deuteronomy 29:29 (ESV)

29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

God has chosen to reveal himself to us. 3 types of Revelation.

General Revelation

Special Revelation

Progressive Revelation

General Revelation (Romans 1:19-20; Psalm 19:1-4)

Defined

“General revelation is God’s testimony to his character and works given to all human beings indiscriminately through the created order.” (Lexham Survey of Theology)

“General revelation is that disclosure of God that is available to all human beings through the created universe (nature) and in the inner nature of human beings (conscience).” (Garrett, James Leo, Jr. Systematic Theology: Biblical, Historical, and Evangelical. Fourth Edition. Vol. 1. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2014. Print.)

Creation Displays (Psalm 19:1-4)

Psalm 19:1–4 (ESV)

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,

Declare - to tell v., to let something be known. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017 : n. pag. Print.)

Proclaim - to declare (authority) v., to state emphatically and authoritatively. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017 : n. pag. Print.)

The created universe is declaring God and his works.

God’s qualities seen in Creation

Romans 1:19–20 (ESV)

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Invisible Attributes - pertaining to that which cannot be seen—‘what cannot be seen, invisible.’ (Louw, Nida)

Eternal Power - potential for functioning in some way, power, might, strength, force, capability (BDAG)

Divine Nature - the nature or state of being God—‘deity, divine nature, divine being.’ (Louw, Nida)

“Have been clearly perceived...”

νοέωb: to think over a matter with care—‘to think about carefully, to consider well.’ (Louw, Nida)

καθοράω: to acquire definite information, and with focus upon the process of perception—‘to learn about, to perceive clearly.’ (Louw, Nida)

We can learn from the created universe of a delicate design and perceive Divine workings in it. We can see how fine-tuned the universe and earth is for life. Paul uses the words “Invisible Attributes” because the spiritual world is invisible to us. We only know of the Spiritual because it has been revealed to us.

Science is limited to the physical world and therefore cannot test spiritual. To use Scientific method to find God is like using a metal detector to find plastic. How do we understand God? We can’t, unless God reveals himself to us.

Special Revelation (1 Cor 2:12-13)

Defined

“Special revelation involves God’s particular communications and manifestations of himself to particular persons at particular times, communications and manifestations that are available now only by consultation of certain sacred writings.” (Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013. Print.)

Communication - What God has said.

Genesis 12:1 (ESV)

1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.

Galatians 1:11–12 (ESV)

11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Manifestation - What God did.

manifestation ⇔ work n. — a manifestation (of something); understood as if a visible product produced through the effort, activity, or agency of a person or thing. (Sense)

Actions and Miracles he has accomplished. (Plagues on Egypt, Exodus, Covenant relationship with Israel, Miracles, etc.)

“Special revelation is the historical disclosure of God to the people of Israel and in Jesus Christ.” (Garrett, James Leo, Jr. Systematic Theology: Biblical, Historical, and Evangelical. Fourth Edition. Vol. 1. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2014. Print.)

Hebrews 1:1–3 (ESV)

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

God revealed His words and deeds to the Israelite people (covenant relation) and through Jesus. God has chosen to reveal himself to the Israelites because he chose them to be his covenant people. This means that they had a special relationship with God that others did not have. They have recorded and preserved God’s words and deeds in their scriptures.

God has also sent his Son to reveal who he is.

Colossians 1:15–20 (ESV)

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

“Special revelation is the teaching about God and his works that he has given to us through the prophets and apostles and which is now contained primarily or exclusively in the Bible.” (Lexham Survey of Theology)

What God said and did has been preserved in written for and collected into one book, the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Jude 3 (ESV)

3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

The Faith - (semantic derivative of πίστιςd ‘to be a believer, Christian faith,’ 31.102) the content of what Christians believe—‘the faith, beliefs, doctrine.’ (Louw, Nida)

God has chosen to reveal himself and His ways to the Israelites and Jesus and they are preserved by the Holy Spirit in the Bible.

Progressive Revelation (Hebrews 1:1-3)

Define

“Progressive revelation is not a movement from error to truth but from truth to truth, the lesser to the greater, the provisional to the permanent, the inadequate to the perfect.” (Crossway)

As God is communicating to people he is giving them some truth, but not all truth. He is giving promises but not the fulfillment. He is giving them some knowledge and understanding, but not complete.

“Hebrews 1:1 notes that God revealed himself “at many times and in many ways” in the past. Adam received a bit of God’s truth, and so did Noah; God spoke more fully to Abraham, unveiling more of himself and his purposes. He revealed himself supremely in the Old Testament through Moses. Progressive revelation is a movement from truth to more truth and so to full truth.” (Crossway)

God spoke to individuals, groups and nations in a way that they would understand and live with him, while giving clues/promises/hints/signs of His plans and purposes.

Scriptural examples

Abraham

Genesis 12:1–3 (ESV)

1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Hebrews 11:8–10 (ESV)

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Jesus speaking to the Apostles about his use of Parables.

Matthew 13:10–17 (ESV)

10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “ ‘ “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 15 For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Peter says about our Salvation

1 Peter 1:10–12 (ESV)

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

As the Prophets and Apostles were hearing and seeing God at work in revealing himself, they wrote it down. What they wrote down might not have been clear to them, but fuller understanding would come later.

Joseph in Egypt would not have known the Mosaic Law.

Isaiah would not understand Jesus as the Suffering Servant.

Takeaways

God has chosen to reveal himself in Nature, and specifically in his communication, actions, and Jesus.

We have the Bible, which is a collection of God’s communication and actions.

The Bible is a collection that shows God working out his plan of redemption through his Son Jesus Christ. We are still a part of His plan of redemption.