BIBLIOLOGY We believe that the Bible is God s complete word to man. We believe that he gave the words of scripture to the writers that he chose and prepared through verbal plenary inspiration. We believe that God providentially preserved that which he inspired making the Bible, inerrant, infallible, and therefore trustworthy. We believe that it is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice. We believe that God has given the English speaking world an accurate translation of His word through the Authorized Version (KJV) which was translated out of the Hebrew Old Testament, and the Greek Text ( Textus Receptus - received text) of the New Testament. The Bible is the complete word of God to man. I. The Bible is complete and nothing should be added or taken away. Make note of gospel of Thomas, apocrypha, other Gnostic gospels. A. Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: B. Proverbs 30:5-6 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. C. The revelation of God, God s will, and God s plan to man is complete. There is no further divine revelation to be added to scripture, to share the same level as scripture, to supersede scripture, to change scripture, to clarify scripture, or to make scripture more relevant. II. The Bible was written by God but recognized by men. A. II Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. B. II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God C. We accept this by faith Heb 11:3 We must accept it by faith before we can understand it with our intellect and experience it in our life. i. Christ approved the complete Old Testament Cannon. 1. Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 2. Luke 11:51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. ii. Christ pre-authenticated the New Testament through his words to the disciples. 1. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth and he will shew you things to come. 2. John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. iii. The Apostles recognized them as Scripture. 1. Peter declares that Paul s writings are scripture - II Peter 3:15-16 even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 2. Paul uses quotes from the Old Testament and the New Testament marrying the two - I Timothy 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. a. Deuteronomy 25:4 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn b. Luke 10:7b for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 1
iv. The Church, God s people, recognized them as Scripture. Throughout time, as the word of God was given, each part was accepted as God s word by his people. Although all weren t bound together in the same book (Bible) they were all there, being used, being recognized as the word of God. 1. The Council of Carthage in 397 AD recognized all 27 books of the NT as canonical. a. 4 Gospels Written by Apostles b. 1 Acts of the Apostles Written by Luke c. 14 Epistles Written by Paul the apostle d. 1 James Written by the Lord s brother e. 2 I and II Peter written by the Apostle Peter f. 3 I II III John written by the Apostle John g. 1 Jude written by the Lord s brother h. 1 Revelation written by the Apostle John 2. When the council of Carthage officially recognized them as the word of God, it also meant that other books were not the word of God a. Other epistles of Paul b. Other epistles of other apostles c. Other books that contained history Maccabees d. Other mystical books Apocrypha 3. The Old Testament cannon was much less disputed. III. The books of the Bible are different from other books in several special ways. How do we know that the books in the Bible ought to be in the Bible? How do we know that these books are the words of God? A. They are authoritative (Divine origin) The scripture has authority because of it s author. i. I Corinthians 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. ii. I Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. B. They are prophetic (Written by a man of God) II Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. C. They are authentic (Agree with the rest of scripture) There are no contradictions in scripture. i. II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ii. NOTE: There are apparent contradictions. However, the contradictions exist in our understanding and our faith, not in the word of God. D. They are dynamic (Possesses the power of God) The bible changes lives i. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ii. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. iii. I Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 2
God gave the words of scripture to the writers that he chose and prepared through verbal plenary inspiration. IV. We believe God gave the Bible through the process of INSPIRATION. A. Inspiration Theopneustos literally God breathed. God gave the men the exact words that he wanted them to write. i. Not a product of human genius Shakespeare we inspired (different inspiration) ii. Not just the imagination of godly men Confucius and Aristotle had teachings of wisdom (different) iii. Not partial inspiration God is the source of our doctrine, history, and teachings on science. B. II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is (therefore) profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: C. II Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. D. II Samuel 23:2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. V. We believe in the VERBAL (word by word) inspiration of the Bible. He did not just give them ideas and let them write down the ideas the way they wanted to. A. Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. B. II Samuel 7:28 And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: C. This is one reason many modern versions cannot be trusted Many modern versions are written through the paraphrase method, or the dynamic equivalence method. Proponents claim that Bible versions are not important because as long as you get the idea the words are less important wrong!! God inspired words. We need God s words. D. This is an issue of faith first and foremost this is an issue of faith. If you believe that God means what he says, and he says words, then he gave us words. E. The KJV is a word for word translation One reason the KJV is superior is that it is a word for word translation of the original. Even when the thoughts wouldn t cross language boundaries or make for clear reading, they added just enough to complete the thought but put it in italics SO YOU WOULD KNOW WHAT WORDS WERE ADDED. This is called transparency VI. We believe in the PLENARY (complete) inspiration of the Bible. Plenary means that God wrote the entire Bible. There is no uninspired book, chapter, or verse. A. II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: B. Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. C. Modern versions question many verses and passages in the Bible Three doctrines affected i. RESURRECTION Mark 16:19-20 Modern translations either omit it or cast doubt on it ii. DIETY OF CHRIST I John 5:7-8 Modern translation either omit it or cast doubt on it iii. VIRGIN BIRTH Isaiah 7:14 In this text or others modern translations change the text to strip away the truth. REVIEW God wrote the words of scripture (inspiration) giving the human authors the exact words (verbal) for the entire Bible, every part of it (plenary). 3
VII. We believe that God used men to write the words of the Bible. A. NOTE: God wrote the ten commandments with his own finger on tablets of stone. B. However he used men to physically write the words of scripture. II Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. The idea here is one being carried along by the spirit as a ship is carried by the wind in it s sails. VIII. We believe that he prepared those men for the task of writing his word which he would give to them. A. The word of God is eternal. Man is not. Psa 119:89 LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. i. Why is this important to emphasize? Because the books of the New Testament do mirror the personalities and experiences of the human authors. ii. Although the books mirror the characteristics of the human writer, it is because God wanted the book written that way. Why do we say this? Because, before the men existed the words of God were settled in heaven. He wanted the book written that way, thus he prepared a human writers life to match the word of God. 1. God s plan and design for Jeremiah existed before his birth Jeremiah 1:5 2. Paul was chosen to be a preacher before his birth I Tim 2:7 3. In a similar fashion, God s plan for every believer is a life of service Eph 2:10 B. Christ told the disciples they would receive more teaching from God through the Holy Spirit John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. i. IMPORTANT: This is important to know since Christ himself did not write any book with his hand. Every book of the bible was either written before his life or after his death. He endorsed the books of the Old Testament and those of the New Testament which had not been written yet. ii. IMPORTANT: This is also important since some writers differ in their in their description of what Christ said. Since the Holy Spirit was the one who wrote the books, and he never makes a mistake, realize that they are not in disagreement. When two writers have differing accounts, simply realize that one is filling in where the other leaves off. C. Christ told the disciples they would receive future prophecy from the Holy Spirit. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. We believe that the inspired word has been preserved by God making it inerrant, infallible and trustworthy. IX. I believe that God providentially preserved, and continues to preserve, his inspired word. A. Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. The prophecies of the New Testament had not been written yet. Furthermore, even in our day, the New Testament prophecy has yet to be fulfilled. Based on Christ s promise, he is still protecting the word of God. B. Psalm 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. I believe that this promise indicates that God s people have always had God s book. It doesn t mean that it wasn t attacked. It means that it survived and that the true church, the remnant, has always possessed the true word of God. X. I believe that the Bible is eternal It existed before the world began and will continue to exist after the world is destroyed. A. I Peter 1:23 Being born again by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. B. Psalm 119:89 LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. C. Psalm 119:152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever. 4
XI. I believe that the Bible is inerrant. (without error) A. There is no error in the word of God in all matters History, science, chronology, testimony, doctrine. B. II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: - If there is one error it is not truly profitable as a standard for living. C. John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Truth is the opposite of error. God states that his word is truth. Jesus Christ, truth embodied, spoke these words to the father. The Bible has no errors. D. NOTE: This is not to say that there has never been a copy with a misprint, an addition, or a subtraction. This is to say that when the Bible is altered, it is evident, and it is rejected by the people of God, who are guided by the Spirit of God. XII. I believe that the Bible is infallible. (trustworthy) A. Infallibility Vs Inerrancy Infallibility is based on inerrancy. Because it has no errors, you can trust the counsel from the word of God. B. II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: - Because it is God breathed, it can be trusted. C. Romans 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. Because it is written by God, and God cannot lie, it can be trusted. XIII. ULTIMATE CONCLUSION: I believe that the Bible is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice. A. Illustration: Any time there is a discussion we usually appeal to a higher authority, a source of truth, a trustworthy guide. Well mom said ; My teacher says ; My pastor says ; Yes but the instructions/manual says - Friend, the Bible says - the word of God ought to be the sole authority for faith and practice. B. Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. We are to study the word so that we can obey the word. C. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. God commands his people to memorize his word, teach it to their children, and talk about it throughout the day. 5