The Scriptures

"The Authority and Inspiration of the Scriptures"
-Outline used, New Hampshire Confession

It is important for us to realize, as a church, that all matters of faith are settled by the guidance of the Word of
God. In the Bible, we find out about God's character, man's character and state before God, and what God
requires of man while he is on the Earth. There is no authority higher than the Bible, because it is a revelation
from God himself. It is divinely inspired by God, and should be treated as such. As we study this, I hope we
realize the importance of daily Bible reading, and application of the Bible to our daily lives.

1. The Bible was written by men who were divinely inspired, and is a perfect source for heavenly instruction.

"All 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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." -
II Timothy 3:16-17

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by
the Holy Ghost." - I Peter 1:21

"Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David
spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus." - Acts 1:16

"Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the
mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." - Acts 3:21

"What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because
that unto them were committed the oracles of God." - Romans 3:1-2

2. God is the author of the scriptures. All scripture is God-breathed. The overall theme and end of the Bible is
to teach us the Way of salvation.

"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" - II Timothy 3:15-16

"Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that
should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the spirit of Christ which was in them did
signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was
revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you
by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the
angels desire to look into." - I Peter 1:10-12

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that
believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." - Romans 1:16

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and
is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." - Mark 16:15-16

"And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures;
for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." - John 5:38-39

3. Because God is the author of the scriptures, the Bible is inerrant and is the most perfect source of truth.

"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words,
lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." - Proverbs 30:5-6

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." - John 17:17

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto
these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away
from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the
holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." - Revelation 22:18-19

"God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy
sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged." - Romans 3:4

4. The Bible reveals the principles by which God will judge us.

"For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law
shall be judged by the law;" - Romans 2:12

"And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save
the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have
spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." - John 12:47-48

"But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine
own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord." - I
Corinthians 4:3-4

"And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall
be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten
with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have
committed much, of him they will ask the more." - Luke 12:47-48

5. The Bible is the true center of Christian union, and shall be unto the end of the world.

"Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." -
Philippians 3:16

"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as
ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is
above all, and through all, and in you all." - Ephesians 4:3-6

"If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any
bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one
mind." - Philippians 2:1-2

6. The Bible is the sole authority in matters of faith, and the standard by which all conduct, creeds, and
opinions should be tried.

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are
gone out into the world." - I John 4:1

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." - I Thessalonians 5:21

"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind,
and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." - Acts 17:11

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" - Acts 6:17