Baptist Catechism Q4

Introduction

The last question we answered told us how we know there is a God. We know there is a God because the light of nature in man and the works of God plainly declare there is a God, but His Word and Spirit only do it fully and effectually for the salvation of sinners.

In a later question, the person and work of the Spirit will be explained in greater detail. At this point, we will now take up and discuss the Word of God. What is it? What are its divisions and parts? What is it a rule for? The first question I asked is the literal question that is being answered. The rest are also answered.

Body

Question 4

A. Question and Answer

Q. 4. What is the Word of God?

A. 4. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God and the only certain rule of faith and obedience. (2 Timothy 3:16; Ephesians 2:20)

B. Exposition

i. The Old and New Testaments are the complete canon of Scripture.

Though ultimately it is the Spirit of God that makes the child of God accept the Word of God, several clues demonstrate a book is God's Word and not the mere words of men.

a. Scripture has divine qualities.

- It is beautiful and excellent.

David states that the Word of God is more desirable than the most precious of metals and sweeter than the richest of treats (Psalm 19:10-14). Psalm 119 states that God's Word is better than riches (Psalm 119:72, 127), sweeter than honey (Psalm 119:103), a joy to the heart (Psalm 119:111), and wonderful (Psalm 119:29).

- It is effective and powerful.

God's Word leads a man to flourish and life (Psalm 1:1-3). It revives the soul, makes wise the simple, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes, and endures forever (Psalm 19:7-9). Psalm 119 helps us see that God's Word makes a man wiser than His enemies (Psalm 119:98) and gives understanding for life (Psalm 119:144).

The apostle Paul reminds Timothy that the sacred writings, Scripture, "are able to make [a man] wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:14-15). Moreover, within the Scriptures, we find the gospel, which is the power of God for salvation to anyone who believes (Romans 1:16-17). The Word of God is also powerful to the effect that it cuts to the core of who we are, our intentions, and our thoughts (Hebrews 4:12-13).

- It is unified and harmonious.

Scripture comes from God through the person and work of God the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17). By Him, men spoke and wrote the very words of God (2 Peter 1:19-21). God is a God of order and not confusion. God does not lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). Therefore, it is expected and true that God's Word is unified and harmonious. Its unity and harmony are ultimately expressed by its consistently pointing to, foreshadowing, describing, explaining, and applying Christ's person and work (Luke 24:27).

b. Scripture has divine origins.

- They are prophetic.

The prophets were carried along by the Holy Spirit so that what they uttered and wrote is what God said (2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). One of the foundations of our faith and the church of Christ are the testimonies of the prophets (Ephesians 2:20).

- They are apostolic.

The words of the apostles were taken as authoritative by the early church (Acts 2:42). These men were eyewitnesses to Christ's power and resurrection (Luke 1:1-4). Paul saw His preaching and writing as something to be obeyed (Romans 6:17, Philippians 4:9; Colossians 2:6-8), that came from Christ (1 Corinthians 11:23), that should be received as God's Word (1 Thessalonians 2:13-15), and that is to be guarded (1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:14). Peter understood the gospel he preached was something that a person should never turn away from without the risk of severe judgment (2 Peter 2:21).

c. Scripture has been received by the church catholic.

Simple wisdom demonstrates the benefit of having an abundance of consolers (Proverbs 11:14). The Old and New Testaments have been accepted as God's Word by the universal church. Thus, it is wise to consider and accept such judgment. The fact that Christians have received the same Spirit also suggests that they will mutually agree on that Word which God has spoken (1 Corinthians 12:13). The church is a pillar and buttress of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). As such, they will know that which is true and from God by God's grace. The church is God's people and has an ear for His voice (Titus 2:14).

d. Scripture is complete.

When the Laws of God in the Old Covenant had been given in full, God made clear that no man shall add to or take away from anything He had commanded (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32). Wisdom, according to Proverbs, steers clear of adding to God's Word (Proverbs 30:6). The final book of the New Testament written by the final apostle clarifies that it is a dangerous thing to add to or take away from God's revelation (Revelation 22:18-19). Christ is the final Word from God (Hebrews 1:1-2). The New Testament is the document that authoritatively describes, explains, and applies His person and work. Thus, no further special revelation is needed.

e. Scripture is confirmed by the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit inspired the Scriptures to be written (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21). The same Holy Spirit guides Christ's people in all truth, glorifying Christ and granting the blessings of Christ to His people (John 16:13-14). The Spirit helps us to understand those things God has freely given to us as they are described in His inspired Word (1 Corinthians 2:10-12). Thus, ultimately it is God who confirms His Word within the souls and lives of His people.

The Old and New Testaments are the complete canon of Scripture.

ii. The Old Testament is the Word of God.

The Words given to Moses and delivered to Israel are God's Word to be obeyed (Exodus 24:3-7). No one should add to or take away from them (Deuteronomy 4:2). They should be taken with Israel everywhere they go (Deuteronomy 31:26). By this book of the Covenant, Josiah brings reform in Judah (2 Kings 23:1). The Old Testament Prophets called people back to the Law of Moses (Jeremiah 7:25; Ezekiel 38:17; Zechariah 1:4; 7:7). The words of earlier prophets were received as the Word of God (Daniel 9:2). The poetry of the Old Testament points back to this very same law (Psalm 19:7-9; Proverbs 30:6). The law was read and explained upon the return of Israel from exile in Babylon (Nehemiah 8:1-9:38). All these examples show that the Old Testament owns God as its source.

The New Testament, likewise, testifies to the divine origin of the Old Testament. Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, not abolish them (Matthew 5:17-20). Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees not for their belief in the Old Testament but for their misinterpretation and selective application of it (Matthew 23:23). Moreover, Jesus often quotes the Old Testament as authoritative (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 24:27; Mark 10:1-12; 12:28-34). All these examples demonstrate Jesus' belief in the truth and authority of the Old Testament as God's Word.

Paul and Peter both see the Old Testament as God's Word given to us through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit and profitable for us (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:19-21).

The Old and New Testaments are the complete canon of Scripture. Also, the Old Testament is the Word of God.

iii. The New Testament is the Word of God.

Paul saw Himself as an authoritative messenger and apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, his words were from Christ and are to be believed and obeyed (Romans 1:1, 5). If anybody preached something different, they are to be accursed (Galatians 1:8-9). When the Thessalonians received Paul's Word as the Word of God, He thanked God (1 Thessalonians 2:13). He declared His special appointment to be a preacher and apostle as the reason for him to be listened to and obeyed (1 Timothy 2:7). He demanded his letters to be read in churches, much like the Old Testament was read in Jewish synagogues (Colossians 4:16; cf. Luke 4:16-17; Acts 13:15). The Thessalonian church is to take note of the man who does not obey Paul's letter to them and have nothing to do with him (2 Thessalonians 3:14).

Luke sought out to write His Gospel to give an orderly account that provided certainty about the person and work of Christ in saving sinners (Luke 1:1-4). John wrote His Gospel so that people may believe Jesus is the Christ and may have life in His name (John 20:31). Though his account is not exhaustive, it is sufficient and true (John 20:30).

The production of the New Testament is the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit and lead His disciples into all truth (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13). John declares that he was an eyewitness to the things he wrote about (John 19:35). Peter says that what he proclaimed and wrote was true and in accord with what he saw (2 Peter 1:16). John claims divine origins for what he wrote in the book of Revelation (Revelation 1:1-3; 1:11; 22:18-19).

Also, consider how Paul quotes a portion from Luke's Gospel alongside verse from the Old Testament (1 Timothy 5:19; cf. Luke 10:7; Deuteronomy 25:4), which he clearly believes is from God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Similarly, Peter puts the writings of Paul on the same level as the Old Testament by saying they are among the Scriptures (2 Peter 3:14-18).

iv. The Old and New Testaments are the only certain rule of faith and obedience.

a. The Scriptures are certain.

The Scriptures are certain in that they are perfect (Psalm 19:7; Psalm 119:96), God's Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and are righteous and have nothing crooked within them (Proverbs 8:8).

b. The Scriptures are the rule for faith and obedience.

The Scriptures rule in that they show us the way we need to go (Psalm 119:105). This way includes both what we should believe and do. They shine light in the darkness (2 Peter 1:19). They are the living and abiding Word of God that caused us to be born again (1 Peter 1:23). To take away from or add to the Scriptures is deadly (Revelation 22:18-19). In them we find, the whole counsel of God, the gospel of our salvation, and the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Acts 20:26-28; Romans 1:16-17; Jude 3). They are the standard by which we judge all words given to us (Acts 17:11).

The traditions of men are not a certain or sufficient rule (Matthew 15:6). The wisdom of men is not a certain or sufficient rule (1 Corinthians 2:5; Jeremiah 10:23). The teachings of angels are not a certain or sufficient rule (Galatians 1:8).

C. Transition

The question and we have studied goes as follows:

Q. 4. What is the Word of God?

A. 4. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God and the only certain rule of faith and obedience. (2 Timothy 3:16; Ephesians 2:20)

We have considered how The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the complete canon of Scripture, the Word of God, and the only certain rule of faith and obedience. Now consider some uses of these truths.

D. Uses

i. Understand that the only infallible interpreter of Scripture is God the Holy Spirit.

ii. Use more clear Scripture to interpret less clear Scripture that refers to the same teaching or event.

iii. Allow the teaching of the whole of Scripture to inform your interpretation of a particular text of Scripture.

iv. Remember "the scope of Scripture is the glory of God in the redemptive work of the incarnate Son of God" (Barcellos 26).

v. Hear, read, and study the Scriptures.

vi. Believe what the Scriptures teach.

vii. Obey what the Scriptures command.

Conclusion

We need God's Word if we are to know God fully and effectually for our salvation. God has given us such a Word in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. In them, we find what we must believe and what we must do. In them, we see Christ's person and work prophesied, foreshadowed, typified, described, and explained. In them, we find that which will make us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. May God help our churches to make them our rule for faith and obedience. May we seek to bring all that we believe and do under their scrutiny. May God help you to be a student of the Scriptures and help you proclaim both His law and gospel that are within them.