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Deuteronomy 18:18-20 and 2 Peter 1:20, 21
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can also download our service at Baptist-Christian at iTunes. Many Christians claim the Bible to be their highest and final authority in all matters of faith and practice. The sad truth is few of them actually practice that statement. Today Christians are being challenged more on why they believe Scripture than what they believe from it. Peter tells us we are to “be ready to give a reason for the hope within us.” That reason must be as sound as the Scriptures if we are to plant good seed in fertile ground so it grows productively. To a person with a spiritual background or point of view, the Scriptures are the Word of God. To those without a spiritual understanding or background, it is most often just another religious book. So how do we know the Scriptures are God’s Word? Let’s consider first
- AUTHORITY DEFINED. Wayne Grudem defines the authority of Scripture as “all the Words in Scripture are God’s Words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God.” Lewis Sperry Chafer says, “authority (of Scripture) is a necessary requirement of and inspired Bible.” Ian Pasley says “the Bible claims its authority from the God Who breathed it.” As true Christians we accept the authority of the Bible because to us, there is no higher Authority than God Himself. When a person believes God exists, it is possible to establish the authority of the Word, from the Word. Because God is, He is then the Final Authority and all He speaks is authoritative! Let’s consider
- AUTHORITY DECLARED. The OT uses the phrases “thus saith the Lord,” or “this is what the Lord says,” or “the Lord spoke to…” From an ancient cultural perspective such phrases meant whatever was said by an authority could not be challenged, just obeyed. When God’s writers used such phrases, the people understood it was God speaking to/thru His messenger. The NT also verifies Scripture as God’s words. Read 2 Timothy 3:16 where Paul tells us all Scripture is God breathed. In all 50+ times the word “Scripture” is used in the NT is includes or refers to the OT writings as well. 1 Tim. 5:8 and 2 Peter 3:16 include OT and NT writings. 2 Peter 1:21 tells us holy men were “carried along” as they wrote. We would say God put into their hearts the words He wanted them to write. Biblical writers were not “human keyboards” through whom God pecked out His Word. They were all intelligent, mature, spiritual people through whom God authored His Bible. Now consider
- AUTHORITY DEMONSTRATED. The most powerful proof of the inspired, infallible, inerrant authority of the Word of God is a changed life that has turned from being God’s enemy to being His adopted child. Visible, physical evidences of a life changed from using profane words, demonstrating a self-centered, hard-hearted, me first way of life, into a well-spoken, others “first”, gentle loving life are all real life evidences that the Word of God really is alive and powerful that not only discerns the motive and intents of the heart, but actually changes them to have a desire that originates deep within the personal, private realms of the individual to serve the Living and True God. This is by no means a full study of the Authority of Scripture, but an introduction to get you started.
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