What is scripture?
Two weeks ago, we had our All of Life night focused on Scripture. As we begin this practice together as a church it is important to know what Scripture is. Here is a simple description of Scripture to help us understand and embrace God’s Word.
SIMPLY SAID
Scripture is God’s word to us intended to shape our belief, our actions, and our emotions into submission under Jesus and his Kingdom.
WHAT ARE THE SCRIPTURES?
The “Scriptures” refer to the 66 books of the Christian Bible. The Bible is a historical book written by man and inspired by God. The words in the Bible are “God-breathed” and for the sake of mankind. The Scriptures are “authoritative and without error in the original writings, complete in its revelation of his will for salvation, sufficient for all that God requires us to believe and do, and final in its authority over every domain of knowledge to which it speaks” (Redemption’s Covenant Member Packet).
WHY DO WE TRUST THE SCRIPTURES?
We trust the Scriptures because Jesus trusted the Scriptures. Jesus viewed the Scriptures as sufficient, coherent, and authoritative. All the Old Testament points to him and all of the New Testament testifies of his works, words, the establishment of his Church, and his future return.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE SCRIPTURES IN OUR LIFE?
Scripture is the revelation of God contained in written word. It reveals God’s character and his plan of salvation that he has accomplished by sending his Son and establishing his kingdom. Jesus is the definitive revelation of God (Heb. 1:1-2) and the means by which the world comes to know the Father (Jn. 1:18; 14:6). Jesus invites us into this story and our lives become shaped around him and his good news. Scripture plays a key role in the renewal of our minds to be in line with God’s will and gospel (Rom 12:2).
It is essential to reshaping our:
Orthodoxy – right belief
Orthopraxy – right practice/action
Orthopathy – right emotion + desire
HOW DO I READ THE SCRIPTURES?
“The Bible is written in such a way that it is able to be understood; but right understanding requires time, effort, the use of ordinary means, a willingness to obey, and the help of the Holy Spirit.” - Wayne Grudem
Read – We commit to the consistent habit of reading Scripture to allow it to shape us.
Learn – We use tools, resources, and people to help our understanding of the Bible. We commit to the work of knowing the correct understanding of the text.
Prayer + Humility – We come to the Bible humbly confessing our need for God’s truth and praying that the Holy Spirit illuminates the truth of the text.
Obedience – We commit to submission under God and understand that disobeying the word of God is equivalent to disobeying God.
