CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES What We Believe and Why

Word of God Four characteristics Authority Clarity (understandability) Necessity (why we need it) Sufficiency

Authority of Scripture Every word is God’s word  Scripture not given by dictation  Every word written God intended (applies to original manuscripts only)

Authority of Scripture  Scripture declares it Numbers 22:38 So Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come now to you! Am I able to speak anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak.”

Authority of Scripture  Scripture declares it 2 Peter 1:21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Authority of Scripture  To disbelieve or disobey the Bible is to disbelieve or disobey God himself Psalm 119:126 It is time for the LORD to act, For they have broken Your law.

Authority of Scripture Luke 24:25 And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

Clarity (understandability) Scripture affirms it is understandable Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.

Clarity (understandability) Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone; THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES’?

Clarity (understandability) Correct understanding is a moral and spiritual matter, not merely intellectual

Clarity (understandability) 1 Corinthians 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

Clarity (understandability) Misunderstanding is due in large part to lack of faith or hardened hearts Psalm 82:5 They do not know nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

Necessity (why we need it) For knowledge of the Gospel Romans 10:13-15, 17 for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?

Necessity (why we need it) For knowledge of the Gospel Romans 10:13-15, 17 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”... So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Necessity (why we need it) John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Necessity (why we need it) For maintaining a spiritual life Deuteronomy 8:3 “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD. (cf. Matt 4:4)

Necessity (why we need it) 1 Peter 2:2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,

Necessity (why we need it) For certain knowledge of God’s will Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.

Necessity (why we need it) Things for which we don’t need the Bible  Knowledge God exists Psalm 19:1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Necessity (why we need it) Romans 1:19-21 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

Necessity (why we need it) Romans 1:19-21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Necessity (why we need it)  Knowledge of some of God’s character and moral laws Acts 14:16-17 “In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons,

Necessity (why we need it)  Knowledge of some of God’s character and moral laws Acts 14:16-17 satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”

Necessity (why we need it) Romans 1:32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Sufficiency Definition: the Bible contains all the words of God we need for salvation, trusting God fully, and obeying God perfectly. Psalm 119:1 Aleph [א]. How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the LORD.

Sufficiency 2 Timothy 3:15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Sufficiency No other source needed for a holy life (contra Roman Catholic Church)  Scripture contains all God has said on various topics  Church historical documents are useful, but not necessary

Sufficiency Practical applications for sufficiency  Encourages us that all we need to know or do regarding a topic has been provided  We are never to add to Scripture or consider any other work as equal with Scripture  Book of Mormon  Science and Health With a Key to the Scriptures (Christian Science)

Sufficiency  We only have to believe about God what the Bible tells us about God  No modern revelations from God are to be considered equal with Scripture  No rules or restrictions made by man are binding—only those found in Scripture  Our moral and doctrinal teachings must be based on and accord with Scripture