Author: Reformed Baptista

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 15

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Day 15

Of The Holy Scriptures

Chapter 1, Paragraph 8.

“…and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the Nations) being immediately inspired by God, and by his singular care and Providence kept pure in all Ages, are therefore authentical; so as in all controverises of Religion the Church is finally to appeal unto them.”

Scripture Lookup

Isaiah 8:20. What does it mean for the law and testimony to have “dawn” or “light”?

Reflection

 It is amazing to think that for millennia, the Scriptures have always been God’s revelation to us in written form. There was no point in time when the Scriptures were not inspired by God. Notice how the Confession says “immediately inspired by God”. It was God’s Word from the moment the ink touched the scroll, and it is still God’s Word today.

Not only have the Scriptures been inspired since their inception, they have been preserved from generation to generation. This should show us how much we ought to value Scripture. God has ensured that it would stand throughout time, so that we among many might be able to read and understand what His will is. Scripture will still be inspired and preserved for those who come after us.

We do not need to have any mistrust concerning Scripture. God keeps His Word.

Questions to Consider

  • Have you ever wondered at the preservation of God’s word?
  • Have you ever considered studying Koine Greek (the language of the New Testament)? Why or why not?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 14

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Day 14

Of The Holy Scriptures

Chapter 1, Paragraph 8.

“The Old Testament in Hebrew, (which was the Native language of the people of God of old)…”

Scripture Lookup

Romans 3:2. Who had the “oracles of God”?

Reflection

Hebrew.

The language of the Israelites.

Different from English. Different alphabet. Different reading order. (English is read from left to right; Hebrew is read from right to left.)

The Old Testament is written in this language. God’s word revealed to the people of Israel.

Sometimes it can be difficult to see the usefulness of the Old Testament. Israel seems to have been a culture so different from Western society. Animal sacrifice, miracles and prophecy, wars and famines.

They sinned. We sin.

God chose them to be a people set apart. God has chosen us to be a people set apart.

They looked forward to a savior. We look back to the savior.

When we read about God’s dealings with Israel, we see how universal is the human condition of sin. We see how people throughout history have rejoiced and despaired, and we see the power, compassion, and mercy of God demonstrated in the history of Israel. A redeemer is promised from its earliest pages.

The God of the Old Testament is the same God we worship. The Old Testament is His word to us as well.

Not so different after all.

Questions to Consider

  • What is your view of the Old Testament?
  • Have you ever considered learning Hebrew? Why or why not?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 13

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Day 13

Of The Holy Scriptures

Chapter 1, Paragraph 7.

“…yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for Salvation, are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them.”

Scripture Lookup

Psalm 19:7. What does the testimony of the Lord do?

Psalm 119:130. Can those of low intelligence understand God’s word?

Reflection

The Bible has some passages that are hard to understand. Yet God in His goodness and mercy has made the way of salvation comprehensible to all levels of intellect. There is no “secret knowledge” about the Gospel. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to have the smarts necessary to know how to gain eternal life.

For there is no partiality with God. -Romans 2:11 (NASB)

…God is not one to show partiality…-Acts 10:34 (NASB)

You might not know all the ins and outs of covenant theology, or supralapsarianism vs. infralapsarianism, but you can understand what must be believed to have saving faith. Scripture is clear and direct about the gospel.

This simplicity of the gospel makes any lack of evangelism on the part of the Christian inexcusable.  We know that our message of sin and salvation can be understood by the intelligent and the ignorant alike, and so we must be sure to bring the gospel news to all. It can be clearly known. We must know it. We must share it.

Questions to Consider

  • Can you articulate the gospel?
  • Do you show partiality when it comes to sharing the gospel?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 12

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Day 12

Of The Holy Scriptures

Chapter 1, Paragraph 7

“All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all;…”

Scripture Lookup

2 Peter 3:16. What does Peter say is hard to understand?

Reflection

There are churches that preach the Gospel. Yet how they understand other matters of Christian theology and practice differ. One example would be Reformed Baptist churches and Reformed Presbyterian churches. Both preach a saving Gospel, yet how and to whom  baptism is to be administered differs between the two groups. Another example would be whether women should wear headcoverings in worship. Some earnest Christians believe Scripture clearly teaches such a notion; yet other, equally earnest Christians do not think it such a clear-cut issue. How do we determine who is correct?

The approach to Scripture’s hard teachings varies. Some throw up their hands and decide to not bother with what these difficult parts of Scripture say.”Who cares? As long as they preach the gospel, anything else doesn’t matter.” Others say that they have no need for commentaries or aid from learned pastors and teachers: “The Bible states it, therefore I know it means this and don’t need any opinions of man!” Neither of these stances respect or recognize the efforts of God-fearing, gifted theologians who have wrestled with the difficult texts in order to aid the Church.

Our approach should be different than nonchalance or stubborn pride. There are parts of Scripture that take work -yes, work!- to understand, and there are conflicting views concerning their meaning, but that should not scare us from rolling up our sleeves and putting forth the effort. We also should make use of the resources available to us in comprehending these portions of God’s Word. Most importantly, we should humbly trust that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth.

Questions to Consider

  • What are some parts of Scripture you find hard to understand?
  • Are you patient with Christians who have a different understanding of secondary issues?
  • Are you willing to strive toward a clearer understanding of these hard passages?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 11

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Day 11

Of The Holy Scriptures

Chapter 1, Paragraph 6

 “…and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the Church common to humane actions and societies; which are to be ordered by the light of nature, and Christian prudence according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed.”

Scripture Lookup

1 Corinthians 11:13,14. Is Scripture or nature appealed to in this passage?

1 Corinthians 14:26,40. What is the guideline for worship given in these verses?

Reflection

How do you determine what time a church service should start? If you should use chairs or pews to sit in? Where to meet? What lighting to use?

Decisions regarding the worship of God should always be directed by Scripture. Some elements are essential; these are mentioned clearly in the Bible. There is freedom, though, in choosing those elements that are circumstantial – that aid us in our worship. Chairs for the comfort of members during church would be an example of prudent thinking, although not mentioned as necessary in Scripture.Holding a service in a store-front building is as valid as meeting under a tree. LED lights or candlelight can be used to light the room.

Since God is the Creator of nature and reason, it makes sense that some circumstances between the Christian life and the secular life would be similar. God would not have us doing things that make no rhyme or reason. While Christians are not of this world, we and the world do share a sense of order. As long as the general guidelines of Scripture are obeyed, we are free to use our own common sense and wisdom in determining surroundings and circumstances that aid in worship services.

Questions to Consider

  • What are essential elements of worship?
  • What are circumstantial elements of worship?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 10

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Day 10

Of The Holy Scriptures

Chapter 1, Paragraph 5.

“Nevertheless we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God, to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word,…”

Scripture Lookup

John 6:45. By whom are we taught?

1 Corinthians 2:9-12. What does the Holy Spirit do?

Reflection

Why isn’t everyone a Christian? If Scripture is such a treasure, and contains all things necessary for God’s glory, our salvation, faith and life, then this Book should be read and everyone should follow God and be saved, right? All that would need to happen is to show the appropriate passage, win them over through reason, and all would be well. If salvation were by intellect alone, that would be the case.

Yet salvation is not by intellect alone. Due to sin, all people need the Holy Spirit to reveal the things of God and the ways of salvation. Scriptures speak of those without saving faith as dead (Romans 6:13) and in darkness (1 Peter 2:9). The Holy Spirit works inwardly to bring life and light to His people through the truths of Scripture. Apart from this work, Scripture cannot be understood.

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. – 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NASB)

There is a certain pride that can accompany intelligence. Quickness of comprehension and cleverness is favored by our society.  You may be able to quote Scripture from cover to cover. Unless the Holy Spirit illumines your understanding, though, you will never come to understand the saving knowledge Scripture provides.

Questions to Consider

  • Are you trusting that the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth?
  • How have you seen the Spirit’s work in illuminating your own life?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 9

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Day 9

Of The Holy Scriptures

Chapter 1, Paragraph 6

“The whole Counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own Glory, Man’s Salvation, Faith and Life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture; unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new Revelation of the spirit, or traditions of men.”

Scripture Lookup

2 Timothy 3:15-17. What are the Scriptures able to do?

Galatians 1:8,9. Should other gospels be preached?

Reflection

Is the Book of Mormon or Doctrine and Covenants, both used by Mormons, a reliable guide to salvation? What about the writings of Ellen G. White, who influenced Seventh-Day Adventism? Or the teachings of Ann Lee, founder of the Shakers? They may have different beliefs, but they all claim to follow the same set of Scriptures that Christians do.

There are differences between those groups and Christians, though, important ones. Mormons, Seventh-Day Adventists, and Shakers all had prophecies and revelations supposedly given to them by God. Thus they adopted various beliefs and practices that veered away from the clear teaching and logical deductions contained in the Bible. Looking at Galatians 1, we read that it doesn’t matter who is doing the preaching – if that preaching is pointing you to a Gospel that is not the one found in the Scriptures, it is false and those preaching it are accursed. Those are scary and harsh words! Yet they show just how important Scripture is, how powerful Scripture is, and how grievous is any teaching that deviates from it.

“Alright,” you may argue, “so Scripture is to be my authority in religion, but what about everyday life? The Bible doesn’t help me explain mathematics or teach me geography or politics. Does that mean I shouldn’t pay attention to those things? Or does the Bible have no authority in those matters?”

All that you need to know for God’s glory and your salvation, faith and life are found in Scripture. While it may not teach you explicitly about the world we live in, it does provide a framework and guidelines to aid us in how we approach learning and living in this world. Sam Waldron in his 1689:  A Modern Exposition writes:

When we remember that the area of religion and ethics is the supreme sphere of human life and knowledge, we become increasingly aware of the magnitude and value of this doctrine of the sufficiency of the Scriptures. Though it is not an assertion of the omni-sufficiency of the Scriptures, it is saying that they are sufficient to be the basis and starting-point for every other scientific endeavor. The Scriptures are not a textbook of biology, but they sufficiently provide those ethical and religious perspectives basic to any proper science of biology.

So value Scripture highly. Recognize its place as “the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving Knowledge, Faith and Obedience.”

Questions to Consider

  • If you haven’t memorized 2 Timothy 3:16-17, take some time to do so.
  • Have there been “new revelations” or “traditions of men” that you have followed?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 8

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Day 8

Of The Holy Scriptures

Chapter 1, Paragraph 5

“We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church of God, to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the Doctrine, and the Majesty of the style, the content of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God) the full discovery it makes of the only way of mans salvation, and many other incomparable Excellencies, and entire perfections thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence it self to be the Word of God; yet notwithstanding; our full persuasion, and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the Word in our Hearts.”

Scripture Lookup

John 16:13, 14. What does the Spirit do in this passage?

1 Corinthians 2:10-12. What does the Spirit do in this passage?

1 John 2:20,27. Who does the teaching?

Reflection

At the end of the 1980’s children’s television show Reading Rainbow, the host LeVar Burton would mention other books that would be good to read, “…but you don’t have to take my word for it.” The scene would then shift to children giving reviews of various books. In a sense, this paragraph of the 1689 is saying the same thing. The church can attest to Scripture being the Word of God, but ultimately it is the Holy Spirit working with Scripture in our hearts that persuades and assures us that the Bible is God’s Word.

While the church does not hold power over Scripture (see Day 7), the church can demonstrate to us how the Bible is the Word of God. Books and sermons abound that show evidence that this is so; the beauty, the truth, the clarity, and the logic contained in Scripture is aptly brought forth by pastors, theologians, and apologists as evidence to Scripture’s divine authority. Especially in the Reformed tradition, Scripture is recognized as the authoritative Word of God and is respected accordingly.

Yet the church alone does not have the power nor the ability to make Scripture be the Word of God. That power and ability belongs to God alone. Since the Bible is “God-breathed”, it testifies to its own authority and veracity. The Holy Spirit, being God, illuminates the Scriptures in our hearts so that we can recognize that it is truly God’s Word.

When Scripture tells us that no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God, and that the Holy Spirit abides in His people, we can be comforted. God shows Himself to be intimately involved in making Himself known to His people. He does not leave it to ourselves to prove that Scripture is the Word of God – He takes the time to teach us Himself! What an gracious God!

Questions to Consider

  • Have you ever reflected on the excellency and majesty of Scripture?
  • Have you ever praised the Holy Spirit for testifying to us about Scripture being the Word of God?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 7

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Day 7

Of The Holy Scriptures

Chapter 1, Paragraph 4

“The Authority of the Holy Scripture for which it ought to be believed dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the Author thereof; therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.”

Scripture Lookup

2 Peter 1:19-21. Are Scriptures solely a man-made document?

2 Timothy 3:16. How is Scripture described in this passage?

1 Thessalonians 2:13. Are these the words of men, or of God?

1 John 5:9. Whose testimony or witness is it?

Reflection

Should you believe and obey the Bible because your church says so?

Should you believe and obey the Bible because of the great men who wrote the various books it contains?

No and no.

While the Church may recognize the authority of Scripture, the Church does not hold power over Scripture. The only reason why we should believe and obey the Bible is because it is God’s Word. While God used the personalities and and talents of various men throughout history to declare His truth, it is His truth that is contained in there. If God is Truth, He does not lie. His Word, therefore, does not lie.

Strictly speaking the books became part of the canon the moment the ink dried on the page. They were breathed out by God. They were God’s word. But only when gathered together over an extended time was it possible for any church, and then for the entire church, to recognise them as a whole as the canon.-Sinclair Ferguson, From the Mouth of God. (Banner of Truth, Carlisle PA. 2014)

The Almighty Creator of the universe and all that it contains has breathed out the Scriptures. They are powerful words that reveal His character and will. They are a display of His majesty and glory. Trust them. Submit to them. And most of all, trust in and submit to their Author.

Questions to Consider:

  • Do you view Scripture as the word of God?
  • Are you spending time learning God’s word and submitting to its authority?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 6

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Day 6

Of The Holy Scriptures

Chapter 1, Paragraph 3

“The books commonly called Apocrypha not being of Divine inspiration, are no part of the Canon (or rule) of the Scripture, and therefore are of no authority to the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved or made use of, then other humane writings.”

Scripture Lookup

Luke 24:27, 44. Which books of the Bible are referenced in this passage?

Romans 3:2. What are these oracles of God with which the Jews were entrusted?

Reflection

Pop quiz:

The Bible that Roman Catholics use and Protestants use is the same. True or false?

Answer: false.

Surprised?

With Biblical illiteracy running rampant in our culture, it may be a bit of a shock to learn that while 66  books are in the Bible (39 Old Testament, 27 New Testament), a Catholic Bible contains 73 books. Also called “Deuterocanonical books”, they are considered by Roman Catholic Church to be divinely inspired. The books of Daniel and Esther have added material as well that Catholics consider to be Holy Scripture. They are part of the Catholic canon, and as such are a rule for faith and life.

Upon learning of the difference in what is considered Scripture, one has to ask,”Why?” The Roman Catholic Church declared them to be Scripture at the Council of Trent. These books, however, have never been considered Scripture by the Jews. Jesus and the apostles never gave them the authority that they do Scripture.

The books of the Bible we looked at yesterday are Holy Scripture. They are authoritative, and we can rest assured that they are the Word of God. We should be careful not to put any other writing on that level.

Questions to consider:

  • Are there any writings that you (intentionally or not) put on par with Scripture?
  • Want to know more why the Apocrypha are not Scripture? Listen to this debate.