{"id":585,"date":"2013-10-21T13:16:28","date_gmt":"2013-10-21T02:16:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/?p=585"},"modified":"2013-11-13T13:05:40","modified_gmt":"2013-11-13T02:05:40","slug":"sola-scriptura-pt-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/2013\/10\/sola-scriptura-pt-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Sola Scriptura (Pt 3)"},"content":{"rendered":"

If we are to effectively reform the Church<\/span> in our day, we must begin by turning back to and embracing the Scriptures as our only rule for life and faith. We must return to the solas of the Reformation<\/a> and to the cry \u2013 Sola Scriptura!<\/p>\n

This wholehearted return to Scripture as our only and final authority is necessary in order to counteract each and every attempt by man, yes, even redeemed man, to govern autonomously. Even as the redeemed of the Lord, we still show the tendency of Adam to question God\u2019s perspicuous statements and commands and to believe that we can construct or invent a better way \u2013 even if we are not so bold as to state it in these terms!<\/p>\n

Let me outline two prominent errors found in the modern Church:<\/p>\n

1. The New Testament Christian<\/span>: This position, implicitly or explicitly, denies the authority of large portions of the Bible, namely, substantial parts of the Old Testament. Those holding to this position would avow that they believe the Bible, however, when pushed, you would find a tacit acknowledgement that the Old Testament is pass\u00e9 to the Christian.<\/p>\n

Let us be clear. These people believe the Old Testament. The problem is that they believe it only as history<\/em><\/span>. They believe it as a set of events that have transpired. What they do not believe is that the Old Testament has actual authority to guide and direct their li<\/span>ves<\/span>. As noted elsewhere, the Old Testament is largely viewed as \u2018examples to follow and sins to avoid<\/em>\u2019. The Bible is not viewed as a single, authoritative whole.[1]<\/a> Thus, there is absolutely nothing whatsoever \u2018Thus says the Lord-ish<\/span>\u2019 about these Old Testament portions.<\/p>\n

2. The Age of the Spirit<\/span>: This group takes very seriously the fact that the New Testament teaches that the Holy Spirit has come in power as a sign of the New Age. So seriously do they take this teaching that they, in effect, lay down their Bibles. These, too, see the Bible as pass\u00e9, albeit in a slightly different manner to group one.<\/p>\n

Where the first group would claim that \u201cthe Bible\u201d is authoritative, they restrict that authority to the New Testament and often to words directly attributed to Jesus. Thus, they have, at the very least, an interesting concept of \u201cthe Bible\u201d.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n

This second group tend to accept much of the Old Testament. However, their belief in the Spirit sees Scripture subordinated to the Spirit\u2019s leading<\/span>. Their teachings in this area prompt people to give up on the study of Scripture for a higher and more enlightened path. Thus, regardless of what they say about the Bible\u2019s authority, it is in effect overridden and superseded by a belief in the Spirit\u2019s superiority.<\/p>\n

Both of these errors present themselves differently (symptoms), yet they derive from the same source \u2013 a failure to believe the totality of God\u2019s word<\/em><\/span>. Room does not permit an in-depth hermeneutical discussion on interpreting the Old Testament. Suffice it to say that what should be clear to all, based on Biblical example, is that the Old Testament is nowhere debunked in Scripture as pass\u00e9<\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n

On the contrary, we see the exact opposite.<\/p>\n

When Luke introduced John the Baptist and sought to describe his mission,\u00a0Luke quotes directly from Isaiah 40:3-5. When Jesus is taken into the desert to be tempted, Luke shows that His defence against Satan is the very Word of God \u2013 \u201cIt stands written<\/em><\/span>!\u201d[3]<\/a> When Jesus revealed Himself and His mission to the world, He did so by quoting Isaiah 60:1-2.[4]<\/a> When the Rich Young Ruler asks Jesus for direction, Jesus points him to the Ten Commandments.[5]<\/a> When Herod asks where the Christ is to be born, he is answered with a quotation from Micah.[6]<\/a> When Paul wants to prove that all men are dead in sin, he quotes from the Psalms.[7]<\/a> When Paul wants to prove the cardinal doctrine of salvation \u2013 justification by faith \u2013 he quotes Hosea, Genesis, and a Psalm.[8]<\/a> When Matthew wants to prove the virgin birth of Jesus, he does so by quoting Isaiah 7:1.[9]<\/a> When Jesus confronted the disciples on the road to Emmaus, to what did He appeal in order to instruct them? He appealed to the Old Testament: \u201cAnd beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures<\/span>.\u201d[10]<\/a><\/p>\n

The Biblical evidence, in regard to the written Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, shows no sign of conflict<\/span>. This evidence points to a priority, not a conflict. What may surprise some is that priority is given to the Word<\/span>. The picture we are shown is that the Holy Spirit authored the Word and then uses that Word to guide men.<\/p>\n

Peter declares:<\/p>\n

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter<\/em> of one\u2019s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God<\/em> <\/span>(2 Peter 1:20-21).<\/p>\n

When John records Jesus\u2019 words in relation to the coming of the Holy Spirit, we are told that the Spirit will convict[11]<\/a>, bring to remembrance Jesus\u2019 words, [12]<\/a> and speak from Christ.[13]<\/a> In other words, The Holy Spirit does not come with His own message and His own ideas<\/em>. He comes as an extension of Jesus<\/strong><\/span>. He brings back to the mind the words Jesus spoke so that the Apostles can convey them correctly \u2013 whether by word or in writing.<\/p>\n

Jesus is the Living Word. The Holy Spirit enabled men to write down the things which Jesus spoke and which testify to Him \u2013 the written Word.[14]<\/a> As such, the Bible does not contradict the Living Word. As such, the Holy Spirit does not lead to, contradict, or establish different truths, principles, or standards than those established by God and revealed by Jesus. As such, the directions of the Holy Spirit will never contradict the instructions given in Scripture \u2013 whether by God, Christ, angel, prophet, or apostle.<\/p>\n

Let us also note a simple occurrence in the Bible. When Paul commended the Bereans he noted that they were nobler because they \u201csearched the Scriptures<\/em><\/span>\u201d (Acts 17:11). He did not commend them for greater revelations in the Spirit. He did not commend them for having access to mystical powers. No, they were commended for going back to God\u2019s authoritative revelation of Himself.<\/p>\n

This is important, for at this point, Paul simply mimics His Lord. Think back to Jesus\u2019 encounter on the road to Emmaus. Why did Jesus rebuke these two disciples? Unbelief \u2013 \u201cO foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!<\/span>\u201d (v 25) Later, after these disciples had returned to the eleven in Jerusalem, what gift did Jesus give to the disciples? Did Jesus endow them with mystical abilities? Did Jesus give them over to substantial operations of the Holy Spirit? No. Jesus simply \u2018opened their mind to believe the Scriptures<\/em><\/span>.\u2019[15]<\/a><\/p>\n

Jesus, the Living Word, the very Son of God \u2013 a man fully endowed with the Holy Spirit and able to impart it to others[16]<\/a> \u2013 directed men back to God\u2019s authoritative word, the Holy Scriptures. This was Jesus modus operandi<\/em>.<\/p>\n

When speaking to the Pharisees and in order to prove his point, Jesus asks this question, \u201cDid you never read in the Scriptures?<\/span>\u201d and then immediately quotes from Scripture.[17]<\/a> A little latter, Jesus points out the reason for the Pharisees error: \u201cYou are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God<\/span>.\u201d[18]<\/a> Once more, Jesus makes the statement and then appeals to Scripture to give the correct teaching.<\/p>\n

Also, Jesus and the Apostles are fully aware that the happenings, current in their day, were events that had been predicted in Scripture. Therefore, Jesus can say:<\/p>\n