Embracing the Authority of Scripture in Faith

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we delve into the profound question of authority, particularly the authority of the Scriptures, which is crucial for both personal faith and the collective witness of the Christian Church. In a world filled with diverse teachings, some of which are misleading, it is vital to establish a firm foundation on the authority of the Bible. This authority is not merely a matter of intellectual assent but a matter of faith, illuminated by the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures are not just historical documents but the living Word of God, revealing His will and purpose throughout history.

The apostles, as the first preachers of the Gospel, consistently demonstrated that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. They did not isolate Christ from the Scriptures but preached Him within the context of the entire biblical narrative. This approach underscores the inseparability of Christ and the Scriptures, as the latter provides the authoritative revelation of the former. The modern tendency to separate doctrine from the historical events of the Bible is a dangerous path that undermines the very foundation of Christian faith.

The authority of the Scriptures is not something to be defended with human reasoning alone but to be asserted with confidence. The Bible's teachings on the nature of humanity, sin, and salvation are as relevant today as ever, providing the only adequate explanation for the human condition. The unity and consistency of the Bible, written over centuries by various authors, testify to its divine inspiration. The authority of the New Testament rests on the apostles, who were eyewitnesses of the resurrection and were commissioned by Christ Himself.

Ultimately, the choice is between trusting the authority of the Scriptures, as affirmed by Christ, or relying on human reason and modern knowledge. The Scriptures, as the Word of God, demand our faith and obedience, offering a sure foundation in a world of uncertainty.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Authority of Scripture: The authority of the Bible is foundational for Christian faith, providing a firm ground amidst diverse and often misleading teachings. It is not merely a historical document but the living Word of God, revealing His will and purpose. [01:04]

2. Christ and the Scriptures: The apostles preached Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, demonstrating the inseparability of Christ and the Scriptures. This approach underscores the importance of understanding Jesus within the entire biblical narrative. [07:34]

3. Faith and Illumination: Acceptance of the Scriptures' authority is ultimately a matter of faith, illuminated by the Holy Spirit. Arguments alone cannot convince; it is the Spirit's work that opens our eyes to the truth of God's Word. [21:08]

4. Assertion Over Defense: The authority of the Scriptures should be asserted confidently rather than merely defended. The Bible's teachings on human nature, sin, and salvation provide the only adequate explanation for the human condition. [22:24]

5. Unity and Consistency: The Bible's unity and consistency, despite being written over centuries by various authors, testify to its divine inspiration. This unity supports the claim that the entire Bible is the Word of God, not just parts of it. [36:48]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to Acts 17
- [01:04] - The Question of Authority
- [02:28] - Jesus as the Ultimate Authority
- [03:49] - Paul's Method in Thessalonica
- [05:24] - Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecies
- [07:34] - The Inseparability of Christ and Scripture
- [10:10] - Modern Challenges to Biblical Authority
- [13:35] - Approaching the Authority of Scripture
- [18:10] - Faith Over Argument
- [22:24] - Asserting the Authority of Scripture
- [27:12] - The Bible as the Word of God
- [31:02] - Historical Facts and Doctrinal Truths
- [36:48] - Unity and Consistency of the Bible
- [42:52] - Authority of the New Testament
- [49:24] - Conclusion: Trusting in Divine Revelation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Acts 17:1-3
- 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
- 2 Timothy 3:16

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Observation Questions:

1. What was Paul's method of preaching in Thessalonica, and how did he use the Scriptures in his reasoning? [03:49]

2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between Jesus Christ and the Old Testament prophecies? [04:58]

3. According to the sermon, what is the role of the Holy Spirit in accepting the authority of the Scriptures? [18:59]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the unity and consistency of the Bible, despite being written over centuries by various authors? [36:48]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the importance of understanding Jesus within the entire biblical narrative, and what implications does this have for modern Christian teaching? [07:34]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the authority of the Scriptures should be asserted rather than merely defended? [22:24]

3. How does the sermon address the modern tendency to separate doctrine from the historical events of the Bible, and what are the potential dangers of this approach? [07:34]

4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between faith, the Holy Spirit, and the acceptance of the Bible's authority? [21:08]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you relied on human reasoning over the authority of the Scriptures. How did that impact your faith journey, and what steps can you take to trust the Bible more fully? [49:24]

2. The sermon emphasizes the inseparability of Christ and the Scriptures. How can you incorporate this understanding into your daily Bible study and prayer life? [07:34]

3. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in illuminating the truth of the Scriptures. How can you be more open to the Spirit's guidance in your understanding of the Bible? [21:08]

4. The sermon suggests asserting the authority of the Scriptures confidently. How can you practice this in conversations with others who may question the Bible's relevance or truth? [22:24]

5. Reflect on the unity and consistency of the Bible as evidence of its divine inspiration. How does this understanding strengthen your faith, and how can you share this insight with others? [36:48]

6. The sermon warns against separating doctrine from historical events in the Bible. How can you ensure that your understanding of Christian doctrine remains rooted in the historical context of the Scriptures? [07:34]

7. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to trust the authority of the Scriptures. What practical steps can you take this week to address this struggle and deepen your faith? [49:24]

Devotional

Day 1: The Living Word of God
The authority of the Bible is foundational for Christian faith, providing a firm ground amidst diverse and often misleading teachings. It is not merely a historical document but the living Word of God, revealing His will and purpose. In a world filled with various teachings, some of which can be misleading, it is crucial to establish a firm foundation on the authority of the Scriptures. This authority is not just a matter of intellectual agreement but a matter of faith, illuminated by the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures are not just historical documents but the living Word of God, revealing His will and purpose throughout history. The Bible's teachings on the nature of humanity, sin, and salvation are as relevant today as ever, providing the only adequate explanation for the human condition. [01:04]

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you allow the living Word of God to actively shape your thoughts and actions today?


Day 2: Christ in the Biblical Narrative
The apostles preached Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, demonstrating the inseparability of Christ and the Scriptures. This approach underscores the importance of understanding Jesus within the entire biblical narrative. The apostles, as the first preachers of the Gospel, consistently demonstrated that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. They did not isolate Christ from the Scriptures but preached Him within the context of the entire biblical narrative. This approach underscores the inseparability of Christ and the Scriptures, as the latter provides the authoritative revelation of the former. Understanding Jesus within the entire biblical narrative is crucial for a holistic view of the Christian faith. [07:34]

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:27, ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of Jesus by exploring His presence throughout the entire Bible, not just the New Testament?


Day 3: Faith Beyond Reason
Acceptance of the Scriptures' authority is ultimately a matter of faith, illuminated by the Holy Spirit. Arguments alone cannot convince; it is the Spirit's work that opens our eyes to the truth of God's Word. The authority of the Scriptures is not something to be defended with human reasoning alone but to be asserted with confidence. The unity and consistency of the Bible, written over centuries by various authors, testify to its divine inspiration. The authority of the New Testament rests on the apostles, who were eyewitnesses of the resurrection and were commissioned by Christ Himself. Ultimately, the choice is between trusting the authority of the Scriptures, as affirmed by Christ, or relying on human reason and modern knowledge. [21:08]

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on faith and less on human reasoning? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate these areas?


Day 4: Confident Assertion of Scripture
The authority of the Scriptures should be asserted confidently rather than merely defended. The Bible's teachings on human nature, sin, and salvation provide the only adequate explanation for the human condition. In a world of uncertainty, the Scriptures, as the Word of God, demand our faith and obedience, offering a sure foundation. The unity and consistency of the Bible, despite being written over centuries by various authors, testify to its divine inspiration. This unity supports the claim that the entire Bible is the Word of God, not just parts of it. [22:24]

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you assert the authority of Scripture in your daily conversations and interactions with others, especially when faced with opposing views?


Day 5: The Unity of the Bible
The Bible's unity and consistency, despite being written over centuries by various authors, testify to its divine inspiration. This unity supports the claim that the entire Bible is the Word of God, not just parts of it. The Scriptures, as the Word of God, demand our faith and obedience, offering a sure foundation in a world of uncertainty. The authority of the New Testament rests on the apostles, who were eyewitnesses of the resurrection and were commissioned by Christ Himself. The choice is between trusting the authority of the Scriptures, as affirmed by Christ, or relying on human reason and modern knowledge. [36:48]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: How does the unity and consistency of the Bible encourage you to trust in its teachings and apply them to your life today?

Quotes


It's very important for us to be certain of the ground on which we stand, the authority which we have, even in a personal sense. We are living in a world where there are all types and kinds of teachings being propagated and offered to us, and some of them we regard as false. [00:01:30]

The apostles and, after all, they are the only models and standards that we have of what is truly Christian preaching. They always preached him in terms of the Old Testament background, the Old Testament context, and I say it was their great concern to prove that he is the one who is the Fulfillment of all this. [00:06:34]

The whole tendency at the present time is to divorce the Lord Jesus Christ from the scriptures. Now, this is interesting because it shows the way in which unbelief has to resort to these various expedients from age to age and from time to time. [00:07:39]

Ultimately, our acceptance or rejection of the authority of the scriptures is not a matter of argument but a matter of faith. Now, I wonder whether we're all perfectly clear about that. There are arguments for the scriptures. I'm going to produce a few in a moment, but God forbid that I should rely upon these arguments finally. [00:18:20]

The authority of the scripture is not so much something to be defended as something which is to be asserted. You remember how Mr. Spurgeon used to put this in his own inimitable manner. He said if ever you see a lion being attacked, you needn't defend him. All you need to do is to open the gate and let him out. [00:22:18]

We claim that the entire Bible is the word of God. We reject this modern deception which says that the Bible contains the word of God. We say the Bible is the word of God, and that we mean by the authority of scripture that property by which it demands faith and obedience to all its declarations. [00:27:12]

The Bible has been written by some 66 different persons. There are 66 different books rather in the scriptures, written over as long a period of as, 1600 years, yet the doctrine is the same in every one of them. It doesn't matter where you go, you'll find the same teaching, the same message, the same doctrine. [00:36:48]

The authority of the New Testament is the authority of the Apostles. They were the men who wrote the New Testament, most of it, and indeed you remember that when the early church came to decide on the Canon of the New Testament, what to put in and what to put out, they'd only got one test, and the test was the test of apostolicity. [00:42:52]

The church is built and founded upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets. If you don't accept the authority of the New Testament scriptures, what authority have you got? What Christ do you know? How do you know you're right about him? What you know about anything? You must start with this and accept it. [00:47:51]

You either believe and trust to the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ or else you trust to the authority of men, the authority of the critics. Don't imagine for a moment that you can pick and choose here and shed this history. Christ, the son of God, in whom you claim to believe, he believed it, he accepted it. [00:49:24]

Our Authority is the Lord, the Lord as I know him and find him, and as he comes to me and speaks to me and offers himself to me through the scriptures, his own word, the word of the Living God. Let us make certain of the authority of the scriptures and beware of being carried away by every wind of doctrine. [00:49:24]

The Lord Jesus Christ patently accepted the whole of the Old Testament. He says it is written. He quotes scripture to Satan. He quotes it to the people. He says that heaven and Earth shall pass away, but this word shall not pass away. He hasn't come to destroy the law of the prophets but to fulfill. [00:40:12]

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Transcript
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