The Sufficiency of the Scriptures I. Introduction A. Humans tend to have an innate recognition that there is a power greater than themselves in the universe B. This power is understood to be God C. Christians believe that God has revealed Himself to His creation in three ways 1. In the creation itself (Romans 1:18-20) 2. Through the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ (John 1:1-18, 14:6-13) 3. Through the revealed Word in Scripture (Hebrews 1:1-2, 2 Peter 1:19-21, 2 Timothy 3:15-16) D. Therefore, how can we know what God would have us do? E. Many answers exist to this question 1. Some believe that men are still given the ability to prophesy or provide additional revelation 2. Most, however, recognize that Scripture is the way to understand what God would have us to do 3. Even then, some believe that a religious authority or a church tradition is necessary to properly understand Scripture 4. Many others believe that the Scriptures are sufficient for understanding God's will even to this day and that understanding of the Scriptures need not be limited to a few F. Let us explore these issues today and see whether and how the Scriptures are sufficient for us to understand God's will II. The Importance of Scripture A. At many times the word of the LORD was delivered to people directly from God or through a prophet B. Whenever such a message was written down, it instantly gained importance 1. God as writing the Ten Commandments-- Exodus 31:18 2. Ezra reading the Law to the people-- Nehemiah 8:8 C. Scripture was also of great importance in the time of Jesus 1. Luke 4:1-13: Jesus counters every temptation of Satan with a word from Scripture 2. Luke 24:27: Jesus interprets the Scriptures to the disciples regarding all the things regarding Himself D. Scripture also of great importance in new covenant 1. Acts 17:1-3, 10-11: Paul uses Scripture to demonstrate to Jews that Jesus is the Christ, Berean Jews search Scriptures to see what was true 2. Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:1-12: encouragement, examples found in Scripture 3. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: Jesus' death and resurrection according to Scriptures 4. 1 Peter 1:10-12: Prophets as encouraging believers in the present regarding the predictions of what would be in the Gospel E. The place of Scripture 1. 2 Peter 1:19-21: word of prophecy sure, not of prophet's own interpretation, spoke as directed by Spirit 2. 2 Timothy 3:15-17: Scriptures able to make wise, sufficient to equip man of God for every good work 3. New Testament as collection of messages regarding Jesus, of the Apostles, directed to instruct believers in how to conduct themselves in new covenant (Matthew 18:18, Acts 2:42) 4. Gospel message recorded in New Testament, not subject to revision (Galatians 1:6-9) F. Spiritual Gifts and the End of the First Century 1. Many read statements in the Scriptures regarding prophets and knowledge from the Spirit and assume that such is for today also 2. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10: Paul foresees a day where the Spirit will no longer be empowering people to speak in tongues or to prophesy or would be revealing as He did in Paul's own day 3. Jude speaks of how the faith has been revealed "once for all" (Jude 1:3) 4. By all accounts, this all manifestly takes place by end of first century with John and the Revelation G. Prophets, New Revelation Today? 1. Many groups nonetheless claim that God has inspired prophets since the days of the first century, or that a religious organization can put forth new, true, and binding revelation 2. Scripture remains prominent-- it must be the standard by which all of these claims are tested (cf. 1 John 4:1) 3. None of the messages from the various groups have proven entirely consistent with that which has already been revealed in the New Testament 4. Any such deviation is anathema, accursed to hell (Galatians 1:6-9) H. What more is necessary? 1. As Paul told Timothy, the Scriptures are sufficient to equip mankind to do every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 2. We know that the Scriptures come from God, and we can live by their commands and examples (Hebrews 1:1-2, 1 John 2:3-6) 3. What more can be revealed about Jesus that has not already been revealed about Him? If we are to pattern our lives after Him, what more could be necessary (1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 John 2:6)? I. Therefore, it should be evident that the Scriptures are extremely important-- the means by which we understand the truths of God J. All must conform to the standards and truths already established in Scripture K. We have no reason to expect that there will be more revelation-- that which has been revealed in the Old and New Testaments are sufficient for us to be conformed to the image of Jesus and to be His disciples (Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 8:29) III. Authority and Interpretation of Scripture A. We understand that the Scriptures are sufficient for us to learn of God B. Well and good-- but the Scriptures themselves require understanding 1. Acts 8:31 2. There is work to do in interpreting the Scriptures in order to understand what God would have us to do C. Who is to interpret Scripture? D. Many feel that the interpretation of Scripture is to be left to a select few 1. Some believe in a leadership divinely inspired to interpret Scripture 2. Others believe that the Holy Spirit has inspired the way that their religious organization has interpreted Scripture 3. Many seek to understand Scripture in terms of a given set of traditions E. 2 Peter 1:20 often brought up in these regards 1. Assumed to mean that individuals are not equipped to interpret Scripture 2. A mistaken interpretation: Peter is indicating that the message of the prophets is not based in their own private understanding of things, but represent what God spoke through them (cf. vv. 19-21) F. In reality, human tradition a detriment-- Scripture must be understood on its own merit, not through some other lens 1. Colossians 2:1-10: we must subject all things to Christ, even the way we read Scripture 2. Danger of human traditions: Matthew 15:3-9, Pharisaic tendencies in the Gospels 3. Galatians 1:6-9: if it deviates from the first century message, it is anathema! G. No basis to invest church structure, certain individuals with greater authority, interpretive ability 1. Peter, Apostles given "keys to the Kingdom"-- message of Gospel, what God already determined should be loosed and bound (Matthew 16:19, 18:18) 2. This authority remains vested in them and their words-- not given to others (cf. Ephesians 2:20) 3. Believers on equal standing before God (Galatians 3:28, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Peter 2:5-9) 4. "The church" nothing more than the collective of individuals of whom it is constituted-- not an organization beyond its members (cf. Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, 1 Peter 2:5-9) 5. Jesus Christ our only Mediator-- no one else (1 Timothy 2:5) H. Therefore, Scripture is sufficient, and it is incumbent upon all of us to understand it and to apply it to our lives! IV. God and the Scriptures A. We recognize, therefore, that the Scriptures are sufficient for our instruction, equipping us for every good work, and we can all understand the Scriptures B. We must remember, though, that God is not the Scriptures, and the Scriptures are not God! 1. Danger of "bibliolatry"-- giving undue reverence to Scripture that is really due to its Author 2. We must value the Scriptures as God's revelation, but not as God Himself! C. The Scriptures are the means by which we learn of God, His will-- not to be confused with actually being of God, accomplishing His will! 1. One can know the Scriptures well and yet not be saved (cf. Matthew 7:21-23, James 1:22-26) 2. The Scriptures teach us about God in Christ, His will-- but it is for us to live the will of God, to depend on Him, and to seek His guidance in all things (1 John 2:3-5, Hebrews 5:14, Ephesians 6:10-18) 3. We learn about the Incarnate Word in the revealed Word so that we can grow and develop in conforming to His image (John 1:1-18, Romans 8:29) 4. But we can only do that when we take the message and live it out! D. The Scriptures, therefore, can be understood as a "road map" 1. The Scriptures are to be our guide in life 2. We learn from its examples of what to do, not to do (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17) 3. Yet, as with a road map, it is of little value if you do not practice what is written, or follow its directions! 4. The map guides but is no replacement for the sights, experience of the location-- so it is with discipleship E. The Scriptures are sufficient to instruct and guide the believer but are no replacement for serving God and following after the example of Jesus (cf. 1 John 2:6)! V. Conclusion A. We have considered the role of Scripture in the life of the believer 1. The Scriptures are sufficient for the instruction of believers-- nothing more is needed 2. Believers can understand the Scriptures-- no individual or church authority is necessary 3. The Scriptures are a guide to faith-- no replacement for practicing what is revealed B. Let us praise God for providing the Scriptures, and seek to follow Him according to their message! C. Invitation/songbook