Question 4: What
is the Word of God?
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments,
being given by divine inspiration, are the Word of God, the only infallible
rule of faith and practice.
This past week I had the privilege of listening to R. C. Sproul and hearing him discuss “the openness of God” view that has now begun to come in the church. He spoke of many of the proponents of this view saying that the Bible was “not inerrant”, but indeed was “infallible”. Many of us have heard both terms used from the pulpit, however, many do not know what the terms mean.
Inerrancy means, “to be without error”. Infallibility means that, “something cannot err”. For instance, man can do some tasks without error, but man is far from being unable to err. However, this is what the Scriptures are. They are both inerrant (without error) and they are infallible (are incapable of erring).
Why are they infallible? Because
they are given by divine inspiration, they are infallible. God is the divine inspirer. His Word tells us several things about His
infallibility: “…in hope of eternal life
which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,…”(Titus 1:2);
“…for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man…”(James
This week focus seriously, as if I didn’t think you would, on the consequences of us not believing the answer to this week’s question. The Scriptures do set the standard for every aspect of our faith and every aspect of our life. If they do not, then we are most miserable among men. Emphasize to your family that every thought, every motive, every word, and every action must be weighed against the objective truth of God’s Word.
DAY 1: 2 Peter 1:21
The context of the first chapter
contains references to the Scriptures (vss. 2, 4, 12, 15, 19-21)
Peter states that he had
tremendous experiences with the incarnate Christ (vss 16-18)
However, explain to your family
that his experience was no match for the word of God (vs. 19)
Verse 19 states, “we have the
prophetic word confirmed”. The
Greek word for confirmed means, “trusty, steadfast, firm, or stable”. Peter states that the word of God is more
sure and even more trustworthy than his
experience.
Verse 20 says that the Scriptures
are not of “private interpretation”. The
term interpretation comes from the Greek root word epiluo, which means to
expound or explain. Peter means that the
Scriptures are not from some man’s mind and his own explanation, rather he
moves on to verse 21 to explain who they did come from.
How does Peter say that prophecy came? Did it come by men making up stories? Peter uses the phrase, “moved by the Holy
Spirit”. Explain to your family that God
did not use men as pens, nor did he just dictate to them like a secretary. He used holy men with their culture,
language, and personalities to communicate the exact words he wanted to
communicate.
See 1 Peter 1:10,11 and explain
that some of the prophets did not fully understand what they were writing.
If Peter thought the Word of God
was more sure than his experience, should we not take his lead and trust God’s
Word over our’s and other’s experiences.
DAY 2: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The context of the passage is Paul
encouraging Timothy to continue in the things he has learned. Verses 1-9 warn Timothy of what is to come
and in verses 10-15 he reminds him of his conduct and challenges him to
continue in the things he has been entrusted with, mainly the Holy Scriptures
(vs. 15).
How much Scripture is inspired by
God? Some say, “All Scripture, that is
Scripture is inspired”, but that’s not what Scripture says itself, is it? “given by inspiration of God” literall means
“God-breathed”. God literally speaks via
His Word, the Bible.
Explain to your family that inerrancy
applies only to the original writings, not the copies, nor modern
versions. While we do believe that 99.9%
of the copies we have, are accurate, we only believe the originals were without
error.
What is Scripture profitable for?
1. Doctrine (teaching about God, life, faith, and practice, and everything else about which it speaks)
2. Reproof (comes from a Greek root word which means to rebuke or reprove)
3. Correction (Greek word means to restore to an upright or right state, speaking of one who would be deformed and then have it corrected.)
4. Instruction in Righteousness (The term instruction refers to complete training, whether in words or discipline. This training is for both the soul and the body. It is in righteousness, or right living.)
What is the end result of one who
gives heed to the Scriptures? The term
complete in verse 17 means “perfect or fitted”.
What is man then “fitted”
for? Both words, complete and equipped
are linked together in the Greek and have similar definitions. We have been fitted and equipped for EVERY
GOOD WORK. What are some of the good
works God has equipped us for in His Word?
DAY 3: Isaiah 8:20
The context of the verse is God
warning Israel of impending judgment and calling her from her idolatry. She has turned aside to false gods and away
from the words of God.
Verse 19 asks the question, “When
they say to you, ‘Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and
mutter,’ should not a people seek their God?”
What is Isaiah’s response to those seeking God? Verse 20.
Isaiah speaks of 2 things: the law and the testimony. The law (torah) is a reference to the first
five books of the Old Testament, given to Moses. The testimony (tauwdah) refers to the words
that came through the prophets, as they spoke for God. They were testifying of what God had already
said in His Word.
Isaiah says if those who speak to
them, referring to those who want the people to follow after the mediums and
wizards, don’t do so according to the law it is because they do not have any
light in them. They are in
darkness. Therefore, they do not speak
on behalf of God who is light (John 1:9; 3:19-21; 8:12; 9:5)
Who are those who have the
light? Where specifically does the light
come from?
DAY 4: Psalm 19:7-8
Again, we see the words, law and
testimony. Ask what the law does. Ask what the testimony does.
The law is perfect. The Hebrew word means “without blemish,
complete, upright and whole”. Because
God’s law is perfect is can convert the soul.
The word convert speaks of restoration.
It literally turns us back to God and reminds us of His character and
His holiness.
The testimony of the Lord is
sure. This is the same idea Peter
conveyed. God’s Word is faithful. It can be believed and trusted. Because it is sure it is able to make those
who are simple wise. It has been said
that man can give you knowledge, but only God can give you wisdom.
Isaiah then introduces us to two
more terms: statutes and
commandment. Both terms are synonymous
for God’s Word. Statutes implies
precepts and commandment implies orders.
Isaiah says that the statutes of
the Lord are right and the commandment of the Lord is Pure. Because God’s statutes are right, they cause
the heart to rejoice. When the precepts
of God’s Word are learned they cause us to be happy because we understand what
God is saying and why. The commandment
of the Lord enlightens the eyes. This
means that the Lord’s orders are able to help us filter out the lies and deceit
of the world and our own depraved minds.
DAY 5: 2 Peter 1:3
We began with 2 Peter and we are
concluding the week with 2 Peter. Our
answer said that the Scripture is the only infallible rule of faith and
practice. This verse, I believe, seems
to communicate that very thing.
Again, we have seen the context of
chapter one (see day 1).
Peter refers to Jesus’ divine
power. It is His power that is the
source of our life and godliness. How
does Christ’s power work in us to cause us to live lives that are pleasing unto
him? Is it not through his word and by
His Spirit?
What has his divine power given
us? How many things pertaining to life
and godliness?
Godliness refers to faith. This is what we are to believe and how we are
to be reverent and obedient to God.
The life portion of the verse
speaks of the everyday conduct we are to be engaged in.
God has supplied all we need for
these areas of our life through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. And…. How
do we know about Jesus Christ? By
His Word. It is the intimate
acquaintance that we discussed in the 3rd question.
It is also Christ who calls
us. It is His effectual call that is
given to us, not because of our life or our godliness, but by His own glory and
virtue. Glory is the Greek term “doxa”
and virtue is “arete”. Glory speaks of
His honor or His praise worthiness and virtue speaks of His moral
excellence. Thus, who is able to give us
an infallible rule of faith and practice, but the One who is morally excellent
and worthy of praise?
Scripture: 2 Peter 1 :21; 2 Timothy 3: 16, 17; Isaiah 8:20; Matthew 5: 17- 18; 1 Corinthians 2:13; Psalm 19:7-8.