Great Doctrines - Grace Church of DuPage

DOCTRINAL OCTRINAL LESSON ESSON SSECTION
S ECTION 2 TTHE
T HE BBIBLE
B IBLE IS IS CCOMPLETE
C OMPLETE
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
As the Biblical record progresses from Sinai onward, we observe requirements for the
writing and preservation of God’s words, and instructions for public recital. On the
‘human side’ of the recording and preserving of divine revelation, there was a compelling
factor of the fear of God, eliminating any likelihood of deception or tampering with the
Sacred Scriptures. As an example, The features of a human treaty included; the preamble,
a historical prologue, stipulations for both sides, provisions for sacred deposit of the text
and public reading, a list of divine witnesses, and promises for blessings/cursings. This
covenantal document was then legally binding, and so also OT canonicity and authority
were inherent in the nature of the material. The prophets voiced God’s legal complaint
against the apostate nation, and referred to each other’s words as authorized additions to the
Law ( “Thus saith the LORD..”). Those directly responsible for collection and
canonization of the Hebrew Scriptures believed that every word was inspired, and they
needed only to certify those accredited as prophets.
The early believers had the unquestioned authority of Christ, and they recognized Him
as “both Lord and Messiah”. Paul’s letters show the words of the Lord used as an early
‘canon’, and these sayings of the Lord mostly correspond to the Gospels. The canonical
status of the Lord’s words produced the need for collections of His utterances and such
collections required careful verification and regulation (Luke 1:1-4). The Apostles were
chosen to “be with Him” and they provided the interpretation of His Person and work. And
because of the promise and work of the Holy Spirit, they did not have to rely on unaided
memories from their intimate companionship with Christ.
The result of all this is that we have an account of all the truth that God has for us in
this life.
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE:
Psalm 19:14 ~ “Let the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart be
acceptable in Thy sight, 0 Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
HOMEWORK:
Read the Key Passages daily.
Read Grudem chapter 3.
GREAT DOCTRINES I ~ THE BIBLE AND GOD PART 1~SECTION 2 ~PAGE 3
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Notes