Great Truths of the Reformation -1- The Bible Alone

Reading: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

I. The Bible is God’s Word

   A.    God Breathed His Word into people

       1.    All Scripture is God-breathed... (inspired)

       2.    God’s breath makes it alive

       3.    God’s intent was that His will would be clearly expressed through the human authors. His breath assures that it is.

   B.    The Bible is Infallible

       1.    Hot topic, when it comes to the relation of the Bible to science.

       2.    Infallible in what it teaches, even if some of the devices it uses are not scientifically accurate (does the earth have 4 corners?)

       3.    Because the Bible is “God-breathed” it is completely reliable to tell us how to live before God, and how to live with each other.

   C.    The Bible is Authoritative

       1.    Because the Bible is God’s word, and it was translated through human authors infallibly, the Bible has the final say on things.

       2.    Cultures, fads, religious authorities and movements come and go. The Bible remains.

       3.    We all need and have a final or ultimate authority — whether our own whim, someone else’s, some other book, some tradition, or the Bible.

II.    The Bible is Sufficient

   A.    It is all we need for Salvation

       1.    B.C. Article VII (p. 71-72)

       2.    so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2Tim. 3:17

       3.    Salvation is not a complicated process. The Bible explains it completely and clearly: Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved (Acts 16:31)

   B.    It is all we need for healthy Living

       1.    Scripture ...is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 2Tim. 3:16

       2.    Not to deny the place of Psychology and Sociology informed and governed by Biblical principles, etc.

       3.    The Bible (rightly interpreted) guides us toward a healthy life-style.

   C.    We may not Add to it.

       1.    The Bible is quite adamant about this:

 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!

Galatians 1:8 (NIV)

       2.     If the Bible is God’s Word and is sufficient, there is no need to add to it either.

       3.    Not Scripture and tradition, or the Bible and the “continuing story” (as the Mormons say), or the Bible and such and such an interpretation.

III.   The Bible is Open to all

   A.    Its message is Plain

       1.    Anyone may read it — no special ordination or dispensation from God is required to rightly understand the Bible.

       2.    It is still a translation, though, and some training may be required to develop the skills to interpret it with greater accuracy.

       3.    But anyone with average intelligence can learn those skills — don’t have to be a pastor or priest.

       4.    And for it’s central message, no extraordinary skill is necessary. Anyone who can read with understanding can understand the Bible’s message.

           a.    That is the subtle points of translation are almost always insignificant, and when they aren’t they still aren’t central.

   B.    Yet, we still need the Holy Spirit

       1.    The words on the page become God’s Word to us when the Holy Spirit empowers the message to take root in our hearts.

       2.    We are still stuck enough in our sin, our egoism, and our narrow and small views, that unless God’s Spirit works in our hearts our hearts remain soft to His voice.

The Bottom Line:

20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:20-21 (NIV)