WHY THE BIBLE WAS GIVEN
By Peter C. Cay-ohen
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The scriptures were given by the inspiration of God for what purpose?
2 Timothy 3:16, 17 “All scripture is given…for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
The Scriptures teach what is right (Doctines) and show us where we have gone wrong (reproof). When we respond positively to the reproof a change is wrougth in our life (correction). Through continuous study of the scriptures (instruction in righteousness) there is a progressive transformation of character until we reach character perfection.
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What is the Holy Scriptures able to do to us?
2 Timothy 3:15 “the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
The doctrines, reproofs, corrections and instructions in righteousness that are found in the Holy scriptures were designed to make us wise unto salvation. Thus it is of vital importance that we consider each of these points that we maybe able to see their bearing on our salvation.
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FOR DOCTRINE
2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable.for doctrine.”
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Are the doctrines found in the Bible from God or from man?
Titus 2:10 “…the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”
2 John 1: 9 “…doctrine of Christ…”
John 7:16, 17 Jesus said, “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.”
The doctrine of Christ is the same as the doctrine of the Father, not because Jesus is the Father, but because they are in perfect harmony.
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Since God is the Author, What kind of doctrine did He teacht in his Holy Scriptures?
Proverbs 4:2 “For I give you good doctrine; Forsake ye not my law.”
1 Timothy 4: 6 “…nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine…”
Titus 2: 1 “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:”
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Does Bible doctrine has anything to do with our salvation?
1 Timothy 4:16 “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
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What will ensure the presence of both the Father and the Son in our life?
2 John 1: 9 “…He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”
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What example of a Bible doctrine is directly related to our Salvation?
John 20: 30, 31 “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name (name of Jesus Christ – verse 10) under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
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What is the doctrine about Jesus Christ as Son of God called?
Romans 1:1-4 “…the gospel of God… Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord…And declared to be the Son of God with power…”
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Does the bible endorse all doctrines about Jesus Christ as gospel truth that leads to eternal life?
Galatians 1:6-9 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel… there be some that… would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel…than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed…”
2 Corinthians 11:4 “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”
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What is to be the standard by which we are to test all doctrines whether they are of God?
“But God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms. The opinions of learned men, the deductions of science, the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and discordant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the majority–not one nor all of these should be regarded as evidence for or against any point of religious faith. Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain “Thus saith the Lord” in its support.” GC 595.1
“Whatever contradicts God’s word, we may be sure proceeds from Satan.” PP 55.2
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FOR REPROOF and CORRECTION
2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable … for reproof, for correction.” 2 Tim. 3:16
Reproof is synonimous with censure, reprehension, and rebuke. To rebuke is “to chide; to reprove; to reprehend for a fault; to check by reproof.” Thus the purpose of reproof is to impress the mind regarding the wrongness of certain thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and actions so that the person concern may repent and make the necessary correction in his way of life.
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Who does God rebuke and chasten and why?
Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
Hebrews 12:6-9 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth… God dealeth with you as with sons… if ye be without chastisement… then are ye bastards, and not sons.”
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What does God seek to accomplish by his reproof and chastening?
Hebrews 12: 10, 11 “…chastened us … for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness… no chastening…seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousnness…”
Job 5:17 – “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.”
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To benefit from God’s reproof and chastening, what attitude should we take whenever we are rebuked for our sins?
Proverbs 3:11 “My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah; Neither be weary of his reproof.”
Hebrews 12:5,6 “… My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”
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How did David react to God’s rebuke for his sin of adultery and what assurance did prophet Nathan give him?
2 Samuel 2:13 “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.”
Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 722 “The prophet’s rebuke touched the heart of David; conscience was aroused; his guilt appeared in all its enormity. His soul was bowed in penitence before God. With trembling lips he said, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 725 “David’s repentance was sincere and deep. There was no effort to palliate his crime. No desire to escape the judgments threatened, inspired his prayer. But he saw the enormity of his transgression against God; he saw the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. It was not for pardon only that he prayed, but for purity of heart. David did not in despair give over the struggle. In the promises of God to repentant sinners he saw the evidence of his pardon and acceptance.”
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What promise in the Holy Scriptures was fulfilled in the life of David?
1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves…under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
Patriarch and Prophets, p. 726 “Though David had fallen, the Lord lifted him up. He was now more fully in harmony with God and in sympathy with his fellow men than before he fell.”
As a result of humbly accepting the rebuke and chastening of God, David became a better person, a better husband and a better king. He became “more fully in harmony with God and in sympathy with his fellow men than before he fell.”
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FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable …for instruction in righteousness.”
The Greek word that is translated here as righteousness is “dikaiosune” and it is defined as “integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting.” Thus the Bible was given by the inspiration of God to give us instruction on “integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting.”
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What assurance do we have that what we find in the Bible are “instructions in righteousness”?
Daniel 9:7 “O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day.”
Proverbs 30:5, 6 “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…”
Psalms 33:4 “For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.”
Since God who inspired the writers of the Scriptures is righteous, we may be sure that the bible does contain “instruction in righteousness” – instruction on “integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting.”
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What part of the word of God was declared to be righteousness?
Psalms 119:172 “My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.”
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What else is said about the law of God and what is it capable of doing?
Psalms 19:7-10 “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”
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What did David say regarding the effect of the law of God in his life?
Psalms 119: 98 “Thy commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me… I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients…”
Conclusion:
Since the Holy Scriptures is indeed “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness” we need…
- To read,
- To study, and
- To obey them
That we may “be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16). May the “holy scriptures” be “able to make [us] wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15) as we study our Bibles.