Jesus and His Bible Part 1 Romans 3:1-2 John 10:27

Transcription

1 Jesus and His Bible Part 1 Romans 3:1-2 John 10:27 Also available are a text-only version of the outline at or an audio podcast at This is a pdf file for the PowerPoint notes for the sermon by Pastor Dave Tietjen on January 4, 2015

2 Arguing for acceptance The contents of the Bible

3 The questions we ask Why these 66 books? Who decided? Were there doubts about any?

4 The Canon we accept Canon A rule that serves as a measure and by extension that which is measured

5 The Canon we accept Context 2 Corinthians 10:13, Galatians 6:16 R. T. Beckwith What qualifies a book for a place in the canon of the Old Testament or New Testament is not just that it is ancient, informative and helpful, and has long been read and valued by God s people, but that it has God s authority for what it says. God spoke through its human author to teach His people what to believe and how to behave. It is not just a record of revelation, but the permanent written form of revelation.

6 This critical perspective we abandon Outline Different sections Law Prophets Writings Different eras Ezra Nehemiah 3 rd Century B.C. Council of Jamnia (A.D. 90)

7 This critical perspective we abandon Outline Outlook Early authors too ignorant

8 This critical perspective we abandon Outline Outlook Outcome Gradual adoption of Scripture Samaritans adopted only books of Moses Council of Jamnia doubted canonicity of some books Some books seemingly misplaced

9 Arranging for authority

10 Law An artistic arrangement Creation to Moses death Genesis-Deuteronomy

11 Law An artistic arrangement Narration Early Prophets Promised Land to exile Joshua-Kings Prophets

12 Law An artistic arrangement Prophets Narration Early Prophets Promised Land to exile Joshua-Kings Oracles Later Prophets Descending order of size Jeremiah Ezekiel Isaiah Book of Twelve

13 An artistic arrangement Law Prophets Writings Wisdom books descending order of size Psalms (Ruth) Job Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon Lamentations

14 An artistic arrangement Law Prophets Writings Wisdom books descending order of size Psalms (Ruth) Job Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon Lamentations Narration Daniel Esther Ezra-Nehemiah Chronicles

15 An artistic arrangement Law Prophets Writings

16 Accepted as authority

17 Moses commenced writing Deuteronomy 31:24 ESV When Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book to the very end....

18 Israel s kings carried the witness 2 Kings 18:6; 21:8; 23:25 2 Chronicles 17:9; 23:18; 25:4 Deuteronomy 17:18-19 ESV And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them.

19 Israel s prophets continued the Word Psalm 19:7 ESV Jeremiah 28:8; Ezekiel 38:17 Daniel 9:2; Zechariah 1:4-6 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

20 Israel s prophets continued the Word Isaiah 8:19-20 ESV Jeremiah 28:8; Ezekiel 38:17 Daniel 9:2; Zechariah 1:4-6 And when they say to you, Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.

21 Israel s prophets continued the Word Jeremiah 28:8; Ezekiel 38:17 Daniel 9:2; Zechariah 1:4-6 Deuteronomy 18:18 ESV I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.

22 Israel s people cared for the Word Romans 3:1-2 ESV Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.

23 Israel s people cared for the Word Nothing can be better attested than the writings authorized among us. In fact, they could not be subject to any discord, for only that which the prophets wrote ages ago is approved among us as they were taught by the very inspiration of God.... Josephus

24 Israel s people cared for the Word... During so many ages as have already passed, no one has been so bold as either to add anything to them, to take anything from them, or to make any change in them; but it is become natural to all Jews... to esteem these books to contain divine doctrines, and to persist in them and, if occasion be, willingly to die for them. Josephus

25 Approach with assurance

26 Approach with assurance The canon was not so much a prescribed list of inspired Jewish and Christian books as it was a number of books given by divine inspiration to both Jews and Christians.... René Pache

27 Approach with assurance René Pache... Because the writings of the apostles and prophets were canonical by virtue of their intrinsic quality, the canon, in principle, existed from the time these books were written; and it was added to with successive appearances of new inspired works.

28 Approach with assurance 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, 14 ESV But, as it is written, What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.... The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

29 Approach with assurance René Pache This is, in fact, why the Lord works according to three miracles. He grants inspiration to the sacred writers; illumination to the open-hearted individual reader, that he may understand the inspired text; and discernment to the body of believers, for the recognition of the books of divine origin and for the inclusion of these books in the canon.

30 Approach with assurance John 10:27 ESV My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

31 Approach with assurance With confidence, come to the Bible regularly this year to hear His voice, read His words and follow His path.