Try to imagine God’s position in revealing Himself to humanity. He knows truth perfectly! He has a plan! And He loves His sinful children who are ignorant of His plan and His glory. How should He communicate these things? He has spoken through prophets and donkeys. He has given visions and dreams. He has declared His glory in creation. But for His primary method of communication He chose to write a book. He wrote a best seller! As the story unfolded God made sure it got published. God has seen that His chosen messages are recorded, compiled and preserved. God is a communicator. He wants us to know Him. The Scriptures are His chosen self-revelation.
SDA Fundamental Belief #1: The Holy Scriptures
The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration. The inspired authors spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to humanity the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the supreme, authoritative, and the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the definitive revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God’s acts in history. (Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Heb. 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20, 21.)
This message considers this fundamental belief by asking four questions of 2 Timothy 3:14-16.
Question #1: What are “the sacred writings”?
Paul reminded Timothy that he had been acquainted with the “sacred writings” from his youth(v.15). He refers to this group of writings as “all scripture” (v.16). It was a bit different collection than what we call the Bible today. At the time Paul was writing this letter to Timothy(67-68 AD) the Bible was still being written. Though many books that we include in the New Testament today were written by this time, the “sacred writings” that Timothy grew up with are what we call the Old Testament today.
The collection of “sacred writings” is referred to as the “Canon of Scripture”. We get the word “canon” from a Greek word that refers to a straight reed that would have been used as a measuring tool. The Canon of Scripture is the standard for measurement. Here’s the point, we make sense of reality by lifting it up to the measuring tape of Scripture, not the other way around.
Different groups have different “canons”. The Samaritans limited it to just the Law of Moses(the first 5 books of the Bible). The Jews gave the highest position to the Law of Moses but also include the “Prophets” and the “Writings” that make the Old Testament we know today. Protestants Christians accept all that and add the 27 books of the New Testament. Catholic Christians accept additional writings called the Apocrypha. Seventh Day Adventists consider the 66 books of the Old and New Testament to be the “sacred writings”. But what if we got it wrong? Humans have this potential to mess things up. But let us remember that the Bible is God’s idea not ours. The same goodness of God that inspired the message has been faithful to preserve the message.
How are you doing with the sacred writings? Are you tempted to leave out some of the passages you find difficult? Are you elevating a favorite preacher or author to the level of authority that is reserved for Scripture? Don’t miss God’s chosen self-revelation in His Word.
Question #2: Where do the sacred writings come from?
Scripture is “breathed out by God”(v.16). That feels intimate! We know what it is like to feel disconnected in this time of social distancing. The screen is less intimate than face to face. We miss part of the experience. Scriptures provides a personal connection with God. It is not God typed, or God emailed, or God texted, or God Zoomed, it is God breathed. God is personally present in speaking this Word to us. You can feel His breath on these pages. How incredible to think that we hold in our hands something that God breathed out.
The credibility of Scripture is found in where it comes from. It is not primarily the historical accuracy or the archeological validation that makes this Book credible but the truth that it comes from God. The process of inspiration is outlined in 2 Peter 1:19-21. God chose to use men in the communication process but Peter wants us to understand that this does not mean that Scripture has a human origin.
Question #3: How should we respond to the sacred writings?
Paul writes Timothy, “But as for you…”. See, others in Timothy’s time were casting aside the truth of the sacred writings (2 timothy 3:1-13), but not Timothy. He was to “continue” in what he had learned. This reminds us that knowing God is a journey. The Bible is not a book to be read once but to be continued in.
Timothy “firmly believed” these truths. Scripture is not just something to be heard and understood but something to be believed.
How do we come to believe in this Book?
There are many intellectual arguments that reinforce the believability of the Bible. We should apply our minds to these things. We should not have a blind faith. But there is more that leads to belief than intellectual human proofs. God’s revelation of himself is not just for theologians, historians, and archeologists. In fact, sometimes the knowledge these people have gets in the way of belief. How does the 5 year old come to belief in this book? How does the illiterate tribesman, who knows nothing of history or archology, know that these words are true? What causes people, who have never considered the intellectual arguments, to sacrifice and die for this Book?
Just as John the Baptist was able to look at Jesus and say “behold the lamb of God” (John 1:29) and Simeon and Anna could recognize the child as the Messiah (Luke 2:22-38) there is a self-authenticating glory in the Scriptures. Just as the heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1) and we are without excuse (Romans 1:20) there is a glory in the Bible that testifies that it is from God. We should not run from intellectual arguments for Scripture. Neither should we ignore God when He speaks it’s truth to our hearts.
Question #4: What are the sacred writings able to do in us?
The sacred writings are “able to make you wise unto salvation” (v15). They have ability and power.
We know that the word of the God has power. He said let there be light and there was light (Genesis 1:3). By the word of the Lord the heavens were made (Psalm 33:6). For he spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm (Psalm 33:9). The Word that was powerful in creation is at work in us (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Here are a few things that the Bible is able to do in us:
It gives us life!
Psalm 119:25 My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!
Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Proverbs 4:22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.
It purify us!
Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
Psalm 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
Ephesians 5:26 …that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.
It guides us!
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
It Pierces Us!
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
It builds us!
Acts 20:32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
It delights us!
Jeremiah 15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.
Psalm 119:16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
It lead us to saving faith!
Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
James 1:21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Additionally, it is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of god my ne complete, equipped for every good work.” (vv.16-17).
The Word of God has great ability in our lives.
Let’s allow it to do it’s work!