Baptist Faith and Message

ARTICLE 1

“THE SCRIPTURES”

I. The Scriptures

The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is 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. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.

I. The Scriptures

“GOD'S REVELATION”

I. The Scriptures

“GOD'S REVELATION”

• General (Natural) Revelation

I. The Scriptures

Psalm 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.

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Romans 1:20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

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“GOD'S REVELATION”

• General (Natural) Revelation• Special (Specific) Revelation

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1. ___ The beauty of creation.2. ___ The conscience within.3. ___ The Bible.4. ___ The Book of Isaiah5. ___ Mountains, rivers.6. ___ John 3:16

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1. G The beauty of creation.2. G The conscience within.3. S The Bible.4. S The Book of Isaiah5. G Mountains, rivers.6. S John 3:16

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“GOD FOR ITS AUTHOR”

I. The Scriptures

“GOD FOR ITS AUTHOR”

“Written by men, divinely inspired...”

I. The Scriptures

“GOD FOR ITS AUTHOR”

Three Main Theories of Inspiration

1. The Dynamic Theory

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“GOD FOR ITS AUTHOR”

The Dynamic TheoryGod gave human authors basic ideas that they developed in their own ways.

I. The Scriptures

“GOD FOR ITS AUTHOR”

Three Main Theories of Inspiration

1. The Dynamic Theory2. The Dictation Theory

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“GOD FOR ITS AUTHOR”

The Dictation TheoryThe authors were passive instruments who recorded divine dictation.

I. The Scriptures

“GOD FOR ITS AUTHOR”

Three Main Theories of Inspiration

1. The Dynamic Theory2. The Dictation Theory3. The Plenary-Verbal Theory

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“GOD FOR ITS AUTHOR”

The Plenary-Verbal TheoryEvery word of the Bible is fully inspired.

I. The Scriptures

Plenary-Verbal Theory

• Expresses the way the Bible describes its own inspiration.

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Plenary-Verbal Theory

2 Timothy 3:16-17All 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.

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Plenary-Verbal Theory

• Expresses the way the Bible describes its own inspiration.

• Holy Spirit working through human authors.

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Plenary-Verbal Theory

2 Peter 1:21...for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke [as they were] moved by the Holy Spirit.

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Plenary-Verbal Theory

• Expresses the way the Bible describes its own inspiration.

• Holy Spirit working through human authors.

• Results in COMPLETE CANON.

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“Complete Canon”

• We have EXACTLY the Bible God intends for us to have.

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“Complete Canon”

• We have EXACTLY the Bible God intends for us to have.

• NOTHING is missing.

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“Complete Canon”

• We have EXACTLY the Bible God intends for us to have.

• NOTHING is missing.• NOTHING is included that should not be

there.

THEREFORE...

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It is the historical belief of Southern Baptists that the Bible IS the very Word of God, and does not merely CONTAIN the Word of God.

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“GOD FOR ITS AUTHOR”

• We have exactly the Bible God intends for us to have.

• God guided the writers of Scripture to produce His truth.

• NO part of the Bible is more inspired than another part.

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“GOD FOR ITS AUTHOR”

• The Bible does NOT deceive us in any way.

• God used the personalities, writing styles, and life experiences of the authors of Scripture to accomplish His perfect purpose.

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“SALVATION FOR ITS END”

What is the purpose of Scripture?

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“SALVATION FOR ITS END”

• Teaching• Rebuking• Correcting• Training in righteousness• Equipping for good works

I. The Scriptures

“SALVATION FOR ITS END”

The primary purpose of Scripture:

To point us to salvation in Jesus Christ!

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“SALVATION FOR ITS END”

John 5:39"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”

I. The Scriptures

“SALVATION FOR ITS END”

1 John 5:13These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life...

I. The Scriptures

“SALVATION FOR ITS END”

John 20:31...but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

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“TRUTH WITHOUT ANY MIXTURE OF ERROR”

• Can we really trust the Bible?• If the Bible contained error, how could

we trust it?• How could we stake our lives on a

fallible revelation?

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“TRUTH WITHOUT ANY MIXTURE OF ERROR”

Southern Baptists affirm this with FIVE STATEMENTS:

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“TRUTH WITHOUT ANY MIXTURE OF ERROR”

The Bible is...• Authoritative• Infallible• Inerrant• Sufficient• Eternal

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AUTHORITATIVE

Every word of the Bible bears God'sown authority.

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INFALLIBLE

God's Word never fails.

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INERRANT

The Bible is all truth, and contains no errors of any kind.

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SUFFICIENT

We are to rely on God's wisdom found in the Bible rather than the world's wisdom.

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ETERNAL

God's Word will endure forever.

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How can a believer demonstrate a love for the Word of God...?

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• Diligently studying it• Obeying it• Listening to biblical teaching and preaching

• Sharing it

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Challenge for the Week!

• Meditate on 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – commit to meditate for 15 minutes each day.

• Choose a special time and place to meet with God.

• Begin by praying Psalm 19:14• Slowly read the verses in an open, humble,

and loving manner. Read them audibly and repeatedly, letting them speak to your mind and heart.

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Challenge (cont'd.)

• Meditate on the passage. Think of the meaning of each word and phrase. Let the passage saturate your being. Acknowledge in your heart the greatness and holiness of the loving God who gave you His Word.

• Pray, thanking God for the truths in the passage. Pray the verse back to God.

• Write the verse on a small card and carry it with you.