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Gospel Study Ground Rules
All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God might be mature, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Tim 3:16-17) |
Gospel Study Ground Rules
We cannot trust what simply seems right, the strength or consistency of our emotions, or some lofty opinion or witty quote that sounds good to us. Our dependence is only to be in the word of God: the Bible.
"I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments" (Col 2:4).
In 2 Tim 3:16, the Bible says that the word is "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting (if we are wrong, the word shows it up), and training (we can only be trained if we submit and carefully pay attention to what the word teaches) in righteousness." This is why the word tells us "do not go beyond what is written" (1Cor 4:6). Why? If we make up things that are not in the word, or accept them from sources other than scripture, we could be deceived.
The testimony of the word is the testimony of God, and God does not need us to clarify anything He had written. It is sufficient, infallible, inerrant, good enough for Jesus and the apostles and good enough for me. It is not changed, corrupted, incomplete or deficient in any way. Scripture must be our guide for life; it is the final authority on whatever I say or anyone else.
Our attitude toward God will be seen by our handling of the very place where He declares who and what He is—His own Word. If we do not know the Word, we do not really know God. If we do not reverence the Word, we do not reverence God. If we do not have humility toward the Word, we do not have humility toward God! His word is our only source of His truth.
“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)
Determining the Gospel from the Word of God
Let us, therefore, establish some ground rules before we begin to explore the gospel. These ground rules, if followed, will help avoid problems that have been going on for centuries among Christians.
We cannot trust what simply seems right, the strength or consistency of our emotions, or some lofty opinion or witty quote that sounds good to us. Our dependence is only to be in the word of God: the Bible.
"I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments" (Col 2:4).
In 2 Tim 3:16, the Bible says that the word is "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting (if we are wrong, the word shows it up), and training (we can only be trained if we submit and carefully pay attention to what the word teaches) in righteousness." This is why the word tells us "do not go beyond what is written" (1Cor 4:6). Why? If we make up things that are not in the word, or accept them from sources other than scripture, we could be deceived.
The testimony of the word is the testimony of God, and God does not need us to clarify anything He had written. It is sufficient, infallible, inerrant, good enough for Jesus and the apostles and good enough for me. It is not changed, corrupted, incomplete or deficient in any way. Scripture must be our guide for life; it is the final authority on whatever I say or anyone else.
Our attitude toward God will be seen by our handling of the very place where He declares who and what He is—His own Word. If we do not know the Word, we do not really know God. If we do not reverence the Word, we do not reverence God. If we do not have humility toward the Word, we do not have humility toward God! His word is our only source of His truth.
“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)
Determining the Gospel from the Word of God
Let us, therefore, establish some ground rules before we begin to explore the gospel. These ground rules, if followed, will help avoid problems that have been going on for centuries among Christians.
- The Bible (66 books) is God’s Word. If we do not believe that the Bible is God’s Word, we cannot proceed to show the gospel from the Bible. Our focus should be on the veracity of the Word of God to establish the validity of the Bible.
- The only evidence for the gospel will be found in the Bible. We will not consider experience, Church authority, no matter how ancient, dreams, visions, God speaking to people audibly, or any revelation outside the 66 books of the Bible.
- The Bible is the final authority on anything anyone says. No Church’s traditional teaching or opinions will be considered if there is no clear support and teaching in the Word of God.
- Our attitude toward the Bible is our attitude toward God. If we do not know the Bible, we do not know God.
- Since we believe the Word came from God, we must allow it to correct us when we are not in line with what it teaches. God is wiser than we are concerning salvation.
- When passages are presented, we must examine them in context to understand what the Bible writer originally had in mind. Then, if possible, we can make proper applications.
- While we may not have humility toward each other, we must have humility toward the Bible; we must allow the Bible to tell us what the Gospel is and is not. In fact, we must use the very words of scripture to avoid confusion and terminology issues.
- We are not to be concerned with who is right or wrong, but only what the Bible teaches. There is no winner or loser because this is not a game or a contest. We all benefit when we understand with clarity the Gospel according to the infallible Word of God.
- The Bible does not contradict itself. One Scripture cannot be offered to dispute another Scripture without explaining that passage and showing why, in context, it does not contradict but is in harmony with the testimony of Scripture.
- The direct statements of scripture will be the weightiest evidence. We will not try to understand a point from an obscure passage when we have a clear passage.
- Parables will not be used to arrive at doctrinal conclusions unless there is no direct evidence to depend on elsewhere.
- If any conclusions are drawn from passages, those conclusions must not contradict the other direct statements of scripture. All conclusions must harmonize with all of the testimony of God found in the Word.
- There will be disagreement. Disagree respectfully and thoughtfully. Someone is not wrong because we disagree with them. Right or wrong is determined by what the Word of God teaches.
- We must seek to understand each other before we respond or object. We must state what we are objecting to and explain our reasons from the Word. Legitimate objections will stand, and we must stand corrected.
- Compromise is not acceptable. There is no room for politics here, only God’s Word. The Gospel does not have to be reasonable to us, but it must be Biblical.
- We must admit when we are wrong, this demonstrates that we desire God’s will to prevail and not our will. Also, it creates an atmosphere of humility.
- We must maintain respect, kindness, fairness and honesty when we handle the Word of truth. We must have the same goal in mind—a unified Gospel message.