The Doctrine of Scripture

(Article for publication week of 8-26-2009 AD)

"Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God" (Matthew 22:29).

This week we begin a new series for the Narrow Way. For the next few months we will be setting forth the doctrine of scripture. Our text this week is the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures." The reason people err is because they do not know the scriptures, nor the God of scripture. The reason there is so much error in family, church and state is because people will not believe the scripture. The reason most of you are lost is because you will not believe and obey the scripture.

It is apparent that the overwhelming majority of the people here in our county do not believe the Bible, including the church members and the preachers. By the way you talk, think, behave, and dress it is apparent that most of you do not believe the Bible. And if you do not believe the Bible, you are not saved. And if you do not believe ALL the Bible, you are not saved.

There is no reason for you not to believe the Bible. We know the Bible is the word of God for many reasons. The scriptures are evidently the word of God because of its unique style and majesty. They are written in such a style as no man could have. The scriptures have the marks of God all over them. It is clearly not a human production. The scriptures are self-authenticating because they are God's words.

It is clear that the Bible is the word of God because of the unity of all its parts. The thirty-nine books of the Old Testament and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament speak as one Word. The entire Bible points us to Christ, the Saviour of sinners. As all roads led to Rome, so all scriptures lead to Christ.

We know the Bible is the word of God because it contains no errors. The God haters have tried to attack the Bible all down through history. For instance, the infidels used to say there was never a nation known as the Hittites as the Bible says. But recent archaeological finds have proven there were a people known as Hittites and no one tries to argue that any more. There was a time when some scoffers said Isaiah chapter 53 had to have been written after the death of Christ because of its amazing accuracy regarding His sufferings. But the Dead Sea Scrolls proved the Book of Isaiah was written long before the coming of Christ.

And we know the Bible is the word of God of its unique message. The gospel message is one that no man could have dreamed up. The message that God became a man to live a sinless life and die vicariously to save ruined and lost sinners from their sins is a message that could only have come from the Mind of God. The good news that Christ was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification is a message too sublime to have been invented by men. The truth that the Lord Jesus Christ is the willing and able Saviour of all that will believe in Him is a message that only God could have given.

But with all this clear evidence, no one will believe the Bible until they are convinced by faith. It is impossible to please God without faith. Unless the Holy Spirit gives you faith, you will go on in unbelief and deny the scriptures and spend eternity in hell. May God have mercy on you.