The Value of Biblical Language I. Introduction A. 1 Peter 4:10-11 1. Those who speak are to do so as "oracles of God" 2. Not to be misconstrued to mean that whatever we speak is inspired 3. Nevertheless, if we are to speak, should we not speak with the words God Himself has used? B. There should be great value for us in Biblical language and its use! C. There are many challenges to this idea 1. Many use terms and phrases foreign to the Scriptures that never entered the mind of God 2. Other terms are used that describe things in Scripture but are not exactly as God has revealed 3. Far too often words are used that are used in Scripture but not in the way that God spoke D. Therefore, it is good for us to consider the value and use of Biblical language in life II. Departures from Biblical Language A. There are many instances when people entirely depart from Biblical language for various reasons B. Departures from Biblical language in concept and terminology 1. The "sinner's prayer" a. The Bible never speaks of a "sinner's prayer" b. The Bible provides no example of a "sinner's prayer" nor ever indicates that a sinner ought to pray a "sinner's prayer" c. Many models of possible "sinner's prayers" exist, and yet none come from Scripture d. The Scriptures are clear: people must believe (Acts 16:16), confess (1 Timothy 6:12), repent (Acts 2:38), and be immersed in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) in order to be saved e. The "sinner's prayer" has no place in this scheme, and is an invention of man 2. "Accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior" a. Along the same lines as the "sinner's prayer," the idea of "accepting" Jesus as your "personal Savior" b. Terminology established as a response to people adhering to an impersonal God; nevertheless, concept and terms not in Scripture c. Scriptures speak of becoming obedient to the standard of truth (Romans 6:17), coming to faith (Acts 4:4), repentance (Acts 11:18), or obedience (Romans 1:5) d. Even if one could make a defense for the phrase as being acceptable, it is still associated with the "sinner's prayer" and "faith only" in the eyes of many and will confuse those who have heard about such things 3. "Faith alone" or "faith only" a. While "faith" is most certainly a Biblical concept, "faith only" foreign to them b. A 16th century over-reaction to Catholic works-based salvation c. Scriptures teach that we are saved, justified by faith (Romans 3:26, 28, Ephesians 2:8-10), not by our own efforts d. Yet "faith only" explicitly condemned in Scripture (James 2:24), for Christians are saved in order to serve God as obedient servants (Romans 1:5, 2:5-11, 6:1-23, 8:1-11, James 2:14-26, 1 Peter 1:22) 4. Names for churches a. God named the body of believers the ekklesia, or assembly (Matthew 16:18) b. At times, assembly described in terms of its Possessor-- God (1 Corinthians 1:2), Christ (Romans 16:16) c. Yet today we see all kinds of groups being named after a man or a concept d. "Catholic"-- means universal, should be true of the church, yet never so described in Scripture e. "Lutheran" (Luther), "Wesleyan" (the Wesleys)-- why should church be named for people who did not redeem it (cf. Ephesians 5:22-33, 1 Corinthians 1:11-13)? f. "Presbyterian" (presbyters, i.e. elders), "Episcopal" (episcopes, i.e. bishops, overseers), "Congregational"-- why name a church for the form of oversight? g. "Anglican" (English)-- why name a church for a group of people? h. "Baptist," "Methodist," etc.-- why name a church for its ideology or function? i. No basis for any of this in Scripture! C. Departures in Terminology 1. Trinity a. An often contested word is "Trinity" as describing the triune nature of God b. Bible does not use that word-- uses Godhead (cf. Colossians 2:9), that's about it c. Trinity can be helpful explanation but comes with some Catholic baggage d. God certainly One in Three Persons based on what Scriptures reveal, divine description for this truth not explicitly provided e. Care should be exercised! D. We can see the dangers present in straying from Biblical language! III. The Value of Biblical Language A. Why should we be concerned about precise wording? Isn't that a bit legalistic (cf. 1 Timothy 6:4)? B. While such concerns can be taken to an extreme, consider what the Scriptures teach C. Jesus as the Incarnate Word (John 1:1-14, 18) D. Man as subsisting not just on bread but by every word proceeding from mouth of God (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4) E. Jesus as that Word to be consumed-- eating "His body," drinking "His blood" (John 6:31-58) F. Jesus' words as life (John 6:63), confessed as much by disciples (v. 68) G. Therefore, God's words as having great power and life! H. If we want to spiritually live, we must feast on God's words! I. Furthermore, if we want others to live spiritually, we must teach them God's words and speak God's words to them! 1. Most likely the logic behind 1 Peter 4:10-11 2. also cf. Romans 10:14-17 J. Scripture as revealed words of God (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21) K. Therefore, using the language of the Bible in speaking about spiritual life of great consequence! IV. Distortions of Biblical Language A. It is not enough, however, to just use the words used by God in the Bible B. We must also use them as God used them! C. We have many examples when the words God has used have been distorted by men to mean something different D. Expanded definitions 1. Many times people have expanded the meanings of Biblical words beyond the intent of God in the Bible 2. "Baptism"-- baptizo refers to immersion (cf. Romans 6:4), yet people have expanded it to also refer to sprinkling or pouring without warrant 3. "Church"-- ekklesia can refer to any number of types of assemblies of people (cf. Matthew 16:18, Acts 19:32, 39), yet people will speak of religious buildings or organizations as "churches" 4. "Worship"-- that which originally referred to prostration (proskunein) or service (latreuein) included into English word referring to religious events 5. "Fellowship"-- a word describing the state of existence of a relationship (koinonia) expanded to mean the actions done in said relationship 6. "Antichrist"-- refers to many different people who are against the truth of God (cf. 1 John 2:18, 2 John 1:7), now expanded by many to refer to the "beast" in Revelation 13-19 E. Complicated words used in challenging ways 1. "Justification"-- Greek word dikaioo means, on a basic level, "to make or declare just, righteous;" word "justification" more complex, often covers unbiblical exegesis 2. "Sanctification"-- Greek word hagioo "to make, declare holy," same issue as with justification 3. Many times words invented or taken from Greek to describe Biblical concepts, forms of interpretation, like hermeneutics, exegesis, eisegesis, parousia, kerygma, etc. 4. We must be careful with how such words are used to use them either as God did or as appropriate within Biblical guidelines F. Therefore, care must be given to use the words of God as God would have them used! V. Conclusion A. We have seen why it is good for us to use the language of Scripture in the way Scripture uses it B. We have seen the challenges that come about when non-Biblical language is used and how such language often serves to promote false doctrines C. Since the words of God contain life, and believers are to subsist on those words, it is wise to use those words in our lives D. Let us speak as oracles of God! E. Invitation/songbook