The Authority and Source of the
Bible
1. 2 Timothy 3:15, 16
"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
-Knowing the Scriptures will give knowledge and faith
in Jesus.
-All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, so he inspired the words that were given. If we doubt the Bible, we are doubting God.
-“The testimony
is conveyed through the imperfect expression of human language, yet it is the
testimony of God; and the obedient, believing child of God beholds in it the
glory of a divine power, full of grace and truth.
In His Word, God has committed to men the
knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are to be accepted as an
authoritative, infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of
character, the revealer of doctrines, and the test of experience.” {GC vi, vii}
2. 2 Peter 1:19-21
"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
-“The Bible was
designed to be a guide to all who wish to become acquainted with the will of
their Maker. God gave to men the sure word of prophecy; angels and even Christ
himself came to make known to Daniel and John the things that must shortly come
to pass. Those important matters that concern our salvation were not left
involved in mystery. They were not revealed in such a way as to perplex and
mislead the honest seeker after truth.” {GC
521}
-The “day star” is Jesus (Rev. 22:16) and the “light
that shineth in a dark place” is prophecy and the Word of God.
-There is only one true interpretation to the Bible
which is found through prophecy
-God spoke through holy men in giving the Bible. (2Sam. 23:2)
3. 1 Thessalonians 2:13
"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."
-The Word of God is not words of men.
- “A knowledge
of the truth depends not so much upon strength of intellect as upon pureness of
purpose, the simplicity of an earnest, dependent faith. To those who in
humility of heart seek for divine guidance, angels of God draw near. The Holy
Spirit is given to open to them the rich treasures of the truth.” {COL 59.3}
4. Matthew 24: 35
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
-God’s Word will last forever. (Is. 40:8)
-God will never go back on His word. At any time, with an earnest and willing heart, we can accept God's gifts and blessings that He has promised to obedient followers.
What the
Bible Does For Us
5. Psalms 119:11
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
-Knowing God’s word keeps us from sin. (Ps. 37:31)
-“Every promise
in God's word is ours. "By every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of
God" are we to live. When assailed by temptation, look not to
circumstances or to the weakness of self, but to the power of the word. All its
strength is yours.” {DA 123.4}
-Jesus studied and lived by the scriptures.
-"In childhood, youth, and manhood, Jesus studied the Scriptures. As a little child He was daily at His mother's knee taught from the scrolls of the prophets. In His youth the early morning and the evening twilight often found Him alone on the mountainside or among the trees of the forest, spending a quiet hour in prayer and the study of God's word. During His ministry His intimate acquaintance with the Scriptures testifies to His diligence in their study. And since He gained knowledge as we may gain it, His wonderful power, both mental and spiritual, is a testimony to the value of the Bible as a means of education." {Ed 185.1}
6. Psalm 119:105
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
-The Bible lights the path before us.
7. Psalm 119:9
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word."
-The Bible - and the studying and obeying of it - cleanses us from sin.
-"The whole Bible is a revelation of the glory of God in Christ. Received, believed, obeyed, it is the great instrumentality in the transformation of character. It is the grand stimulus, the constraining force, that quickens the physical, mental, and spiritual powers, and directs the life into right channels." {MH 458.1}
8. Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
-The Bible is as powerful as a sword; it reaches deep
into our heart. But, instead of hurting us, it heals us.
-The Bible is referred to as a sword in other places in
the Bible, like in Ephesians 6:17.
-Jeremiah 23:29 helps us understand the power and might of God's Word.
9. John 17:17
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
-The Bible sanctifies us or, in other words, makes us
to be like Jesus.
This is a study I went through with my friend and my sister on Friday nights. I've added some things to it from our discussion. I've written out the main verses in an italic font and there are other verse references in red that you should look up to get the whole picture of the study. If you don't have your own Bible to use, you can just click on the verse reference and it will bring you to an online Bible already on that verse.
