Statement of Faith Article I
PART I:
PASTORAL LEADERSHIP BIBLE STUDY LESSONS ON STATEMENT OF FAITH
LESSON 1: THE SCRIPTURES
Statement of Faith Article I
We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be verbally inspired by GOD, and that they are the supreme and final authority in faith and conduct.
The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is the record of GOD’S revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has GOD for its Author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. It reveals the principles by which God judges us; and therefore will remain to the end of the world.
The Bible speaks with authority because it is the Word of GOD. It is the final rule for faith and practice because it is the inspired and trustworthy witness to the mighty acts of GOD in self-revelation and redemption, all brought to fulfilment in the life, teachings, and saving work of Jesus CHRIST. It reveals the mind of CHRIST and teaches the meaning of HIS LORDSHIP. In its unique and unified disclosure of the will of GOD for mankind, the Bible is the final authority in pointing persons to CHRIST and guiding them in all matters of Christian faith.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES ON THE BIBLE
- And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and built an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel (Exodus 24:4).
- Now, therefore, hearken, o Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD GOD of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your GOD which I command you (Deuteronomy 4:1-2).
- And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his GOD, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them (Deuteronomy 17:19).
- And afterwards he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law (Joshua 8:34).
- The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb (Psalms 19:7-10).
- Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee (Psalm 119:11).
- Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89).
- Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).
- Thy word is very pure: therefore, thy servant loveth it (Psalm 119:140).
- Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth, it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them (Isaiah 34:16).
- The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our GOD shall stand forever (Isaiah 40:8).
- Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD GOD of HOSTS (Jeremiah 15:16).
- Think not that I AM come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I AM not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 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(Matthew 5:17-18).
- Jesus answered and said unto them, ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of GOD (Matthew 22:29).
- Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away(Luke 21:33).
- 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. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. And said unto them, thus it is written, and thus it behoved CHRIST to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day (Luke 24:44-46).
- Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me (John 5:39).
- Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my FATHER I have made known unto you (John 15:13-15).
- Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth (John 17:17).
- But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith GOD, I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my spirit; and they shall prophesy: and I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, fire and vapour of smoke (Acts 2:16-19).
- These were nobler than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so (Acts 17:11).
- For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope(Romans 15:4).
- Now to him, that is of power to stablish you according to my Gospel, and the preaching of JESUS CHRIST, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began. But now manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting GOD, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith (Romans 15:25-26).
- And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of GOD may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
- GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds (Hebrews 1:1-2).
- For the word of GOD is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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(Hebrews 4:12).
- But the word of the LORD endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1 Peter 1:25).
- We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 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.(2 Peter 1:19-21).
Read each of the Scripture verses cited. For your own benefit, on a separate paper, write notes and insights you receive from reading these verses and parallel them with the stated statement of faith.
Notes on Article I Statement of Faith
The Composition of Scripture
- 39 books of the Old Testament
- 27 books of the New Testament
- Almost all of the OT was accepted as canon at the time of the New Testament
- Most of the New Testament was considered Scripture by the time Paul wrote this
- Interpretation is Christological—centered around Christ, about Christ—Christ in every book of the Bible.
Modern Composition of the Bible Old Testament:
- Law or the Pentateuch (5 books)
- Genesis; Exodus; Leviticus; Numbers; Deuteronomy
- History (12 books)
- Joshua; Judges; Ruth ;1 Samuel ; 2 Samuel; 1 Kings ; 2 Kings; 1 Chronicles; 2 Chronicles; Ezra; Nehemiah; Esther
- Wisdom (5 books)
- Job ; Psalms; Proverbs; Ecclesiastes; Song of Solomon
- Major Prophets (5 books)
- Isaiah; Jeremiah; Lamentations; Ezekiel; Daniel
- Minor Prophets (12 books)
- Hosea; Joel; Amos; Obadiah; Jonah; Micah
- Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah; Haggai; Zechariah; Malachi
Modern Composition of the Bible New Testament :
- Gospels (4 Books) Matthew ; Mark; Luke; John
- History (1 Book) Acts
- Paul’s Epistles (14 Books)
Romans; 1 Corinthians ; 2 Corinthians; Galatians; Ephesians ; Philippians; Colossians; 1 Thessalonians; 2 Thessalonians; 1 Timothy;
2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon; Hebrews
- General Epistles (7 Books)
James ; 1 Peter ; 2 Peter ; 1 John; 2 John ; 3 John; Jude 5
Prophecy (1 Book) Revelation
Key Scripture passages are the following:
“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of GOD spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet 1:19-21).
“and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of GOD may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:15-17.)
ALL Scripture is inspired by GOD, not some Scripture, not Old Testament vs New Testament or New Testament vs Old Testament, not Paul’s writings vs Gospels, not Jesus’ words vs Paul’s words, not didactic (teaching books) vs historical books (like book of Acts).
Some say Jesus’ words are more important. Jesus’ words certainly stand out because they are Jesus’s words. But EVERY word of Scripture is important.
There is a teaching known as “hyper-grace” that claims believers don’t need to repent because all sins past, present, and future are forgiven. This teaching claims that 1 John 1:9 does not apply to Christians, but to unbelievers, that the first chapter of 1 John was addressed to unbelievers and Gnostics, not to believers. However, first of all, that passage of Scripture does not say that it is addressed to unbelievers and Gnostics. That is a presumption and what scholars call “eisgesis,” reading into a passage one’s own biases, rather than “exegesis,” reading out the meaning contained in the passage. Secondly, Scripture says ALL Scripture is inspired and useful for doctrine and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Important terms:
- Inspired = “GOD-breathed.” GOD breathed life into the words and breathed the words out through the biblical writers. These were the words of the Lord.
“And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord.” (Exod 24:4a)
- Verbal inspiration—the very words in Scripture are inspired by GOD. “Inspired” does not mean that every word that is written is the truth of GOD. For instance, Satan’s words are recorded, but they are not truth. The words of Job and his friends are recorded, but they are not all the truth of GOD. The verbal and plenary inspiration of Scripture means that both the words are inspired by GOD and the Scripture as a whole is inspired. Inspired means that GOD led the authors to write these words. These were the very words GOD wanted to be recorded for the whole world for eternity.
“For this reason we also thank GOD without ceasing, because when you received the word of GOD which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of GOD, which also effectively works in you who believe.” (1 Thess 2:13)
- Inerrant—without error as originally given by GOD. This does not mean that transmission and translations of the original manuscripts (called autographs) are without error, just that the original manuscripts were without error. No translation, whether the King James Version, The New American Standard Version, The New International Version, etc., nor any translation in any language is considered inerrant, but rather the original manuscripts written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek by the original writers of Scripture.
- The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and honeycomb. Psalm 19:7-10 - Forever, O Lord,
Your word is settled in heaven. Psalm 118:89 - Your word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it. Psalm 119:140
- Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord GOD of your fathers is giving you. You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your GOD which I command you (Deut. 4:1-2).
- And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. Josh. 8:3
- Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 - Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
Assignment—Please answer the following questions:
True and False: Write a “T” for true or an “F” for false for each of the following statements.
- The verbal and plenary inspiration of Scripture means that both the words are inspired by GOD and the Scripture as a whole is inspired.
- That the Bible is without error means that translations are without error.
- There are 70 total books in the Bible.
- All Scripture is useful for doctrine and not for practice.
- State the modern composition of the old and new testaments in their proper order
- How many Bible verses were stated in support of Article 1 statement of faith?
