Pillars of the Faith
Pillar 5, Word of God
Tod Kennedy, February 3, 2001

I. General truths demonstrating the need for the Word of God

1.    The Word of God is absolutely necessary for the believer on earth. Every opportunity should be taken to receive the Word from gifted men. The normal Christian life is a life completely influences by the Word of God (1 Corinthians 12.31).

2.     Jesus Christ accepted the Bible and his own teachings as the absolute authority from God (Matthew 5.17-18; 19.4ff; Mark 13.31; Luke 22.37; 24.44; John 7.16; 10.35; 12.49ff).

3.     The apostles accepted the Bible, including their message s the absolute authority from God (Acts 1.16; Galatians 1.11-12; 1 Thessalonians 2.13; 1 Timothy 5.18; 2 Timothy 3.16; 2 Peter 3.15-16).

4.     The Word of God is intelligible, objective, propositional truth. Intelligible means that it is understandable and meaningful. Objective means that it is reality separate from our own thoughts, feelings, and decisions. Propositional means that it is truth stated in sentence form.

5.     The word of God has a transcendent and supernatural force. It is greater than human experience, human life, human expectations, and human limitations (Isaiah 55.11; 40.8).

6.     The great emphasis on the Bible is not to elevate an historical phenomenon to the level of divine majesty, nor does it give God-like worth to the Bible while detracting from God himself.

7.     The Bible itself gives uncompromising priority and sovereignty and authority to God (Exodus 34.1-10; Psalm 148; Hebrews 1.1-3; Jude 25).

8.     The Bible is the recorded message of God to mankind who would otherwise have been strangers to God (Jeremiah 36.27-32).

9.     Therefore the absolute priority and authority of the Word of God rests inseparably upon the priority and sovereignty and authority of God. To reject or to minimize the Bible is to reject and minimize God’s priority, sovereignty, and authority (Romans 9.17; Galatians 3.8; 1 Timothy 5.18).

10. Because of the nature of the Bible—it is authored by God, authoritative, intelligible, objective, propositional, inerrant, and untied with God’s attributes), believers have been commanded to take it into their souls and to use it as the standard for their lives (Psalm 119.1-8, 38, 39, 130; Isaiah 55.8-9; Matthew 4.4; 2 Timothy 2.15; 3.16-17; Hebrews 5.11-14; James 1.21-25; 1 Peter 2.2;  2 Peter 3.18; 2 John 4;  3 John 3-4; Revelation 1.3).

II. The Word of God is without error in the original manuscripts

1.    The Word of God is inerrant in part and in the whole. Since it is inerrant it is completely trustworthy for the mankind (Psalm 119.89; Matthew 5.17-18’ John 10.35;  12.49; 2 Timothy 3.16-17; Titus 1.2; 1 Peter 1.23-25; 2 Peter 1.21).

2.    There is a difference in meaning when people contrast infallibility and inerrancy.  Infallibility without confirming inerrancy indicates that one believes that the Bible is infallible in matters of faith and practice, but that it still contains errors in others areas. People have become impressed with their own learning and their own ability. They become judges of the Word of God.

3.    The absolute truth of the Word of God is based on and linked with the absolute truthfulness of God. When he says that his word is truth (John 17.7) and that God cannot lie (Titus 1.2) he means that whatever he has recorded in Scripture is absolute truth and therefore without error.

III. The day to day value of the Word of God in our lives

1.     Accomplishes God’s purpose (Isaiah 55.11).

2.     Endures forever and no one or no thing can harm it (1 Peter 1.25).

3.     Gospel: The Bible is the correct and complete message of the eternal life gospel  (John 5.39; 20.31; Romans 10.17; 1 Peter 1.10-12;

4.     Keeps believers from sinning  when obeyed (Psalm 119.9-11).

5.     Knowledge about God, salvation, blessings, and God’s plan and will (Isaiah 55.8-11; 1 Corinthians 2.9-16; 2 Timothy 3.16-17).

6.     Mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2.16).

7.     Powerful in one’s life (Hebrews 4.12; Romans 1.16).

8.     Real as what we see, feel, or hear (2 Peter 1.16-19).

9.     Reverence for God: the Bible produces reverence for God (Psalm 119.38).

10. Sanctifies or sets the believer apart for his priestly ministry (John 17.17).

11. Source of faith, hope, confidence—blessing ( Psalm 1.1-3).

12. Spiritual food required for spiritual growth and life (Matthew 4.4; 1 Peter 2.2; Hebrews 5.12-14).

13. Strengthens us during grief (Psalm 119.38).

14. Transforms and prepares believers for life and service (Romans 12.1-2; Ephesians 4.20-24; 2 Timothy 3.16-17).

15.     Truth (absolute) and therefore without error in the original manuscripts (2 Timothy 3.16; Titus 1.2).

16. Weapon for spiritual life (Ephesians 6.18).

17. Written Word from God, God speaking to mankind  (Acts 4.25; Romans 3.2; 2 Timothy 3.17; 1 Timothy 5.18; 2 Peter 1.20-21).

IV. Scripture passages to study. 2 Timothy 3.16-17

2 Timothy 3:16-17 Nestle Aland 26th Edition Greek New Testament

 16 pa`sa grafh; qeovpneusto" kai; wjfevlimo" pro;" didaskalivan, pro;" ejlegmovn, pro;" ejpanovrqwsin, pro;" paideivan th;n ejn dikaiosuvnh/,17 i{na a[rtio" h\/ oJ tou` qeou` a[nqrwpo", pro;" pa`n e[rgon ajgaqo;n ejxhrtismevno".

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 

V. So What do I do about the word of God?

1.        Take advantage of the teaching of the Word of God (1 Corinthians 12.31).

2.        Come to church Bible classes and come consistently

3.        Have a teachable spirit—attitude and human spirit.

4.        Accept what the pastor-teacher teaches unless there is a strong reason not to accept what he teaches.

5.        Make and keep a doctrinal notebook and a book study notebook.

6.        Think biblically.