What is the word of God?
The holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, and the only certain rule of faith and obedience.
Proofs
- The holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, and the only certain rule of faith and obedience. (2 Timothy 3:16; Ephesians 2:20)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Are the scriptures of the Old and New Testament the word of God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, (2 Timothy 3:16)
Might not this revelation be imposed upon us by evil spirits?
Answer: No.
Proof: For if Satan be divided against himself how shall his kingdom stand, (Matthew 12:26)
Might it not be intruded upon us by wicked and designing men?
Answer: No.
Proof: Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles, (Matthew 7:16)
Might it not be the fruit of pious craft in good men?
Answer: No.
Proof: I say the truth in Christ, I He not, (Romans 9:1)
Section 2
Were holy men then moved to speak what they did?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, (2 Peter 1:21)
Were they moved to write what they spoke?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The Lord said, write the vision, make it plain upon the tables, (Habakkuk 2:2)
Does God own what men have thus written as his?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I have written to him the great things of my law, (Hosea 8:12)
Were the writings of the Old Testament inspired?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For the prophecy came not of old times by the will of man, (2 Peter 1:21)
And may the same be affirmed of those of the New?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God sent by his angel to his servant (Revelation 1:1)
Section 3
Were the penmen of the sacred scriptures satisfied of their own inspiration?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, (2 Samuel 23:3)
But might they not be deceived?
Answer: No.
Proof: We have not followed cunningly devised fables, (2 Peter 1:16)
Did they write what they knew?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, (1 John 1:3)
And what others who were their contemporaries knew?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For this thing was not done in a corner, (Acts 26:26)
Did they take any undue methods to gain credit?
Answer: No.
Proof: My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, (1 Corinthians 2:4)
Had they no secular aims?
Answer: No.
Proof: For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, (1 Timothy 4:10)
Section 4
Were the divine writings confirmed by miracles?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: God also bearing them witness with signs and wonders, (Hebrews 2:4)
Did the gospel gain early credit?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Their sound went out into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world, (Romans 10:18)
Have many confirmed and sealed it with their blood?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They were slain for the word of God, (Revelation 6:9)
And hath it a witness in the heart of every true christian?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For he that believeth hath the witness in himself, (1 John 5:10)
Section 5
Is the word of God a rule?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: It is a light to our feet, and a lamp to our path, (Psalm 119:105)
Do we need such a rule?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For we all like sheep have gone astray, (Isaiah 53:6)
Is the word of God a sufficient rule?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The law of the Lord is perfect, (Psalm 19:7)
Is it a plain rule?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The words of his mouth are all plain to him that understandeth, (Proverbs 8:8–9)
Is it an extensive rule?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The commandment is exceeding broad, (Psalm 119:96)
Is it an abiding rule?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The word of the Lord endureth for ever, (1 Peter 1:23)
And is it the only rule?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For if any man shall add to these things, God will add to him the plague written in this book, (Revelation 22:18)
Section 6
Are not unwritten traditions a rule?
Answer: No.
Proof: Ye have made the commandment of God of none effect by your traditions, (Matthew 15:6)
Is the authority of the church a rule?
Answer: No.
Proof: For our faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, (1 Corinthians 2:5)
Are the sentiments of great men a rule?
Answer: No.
Proof: The prophet and the priest have erred, (Isaiah 28:7)
Is the light of nature a sufficient rule?
Answer: No.
Proof: For it is said of those that were guided by it, the way of peace they have not known, (Romans 3:17)
Is the light within a certain rule?
Answer: No.
Proof: The way of man is not in himself, (Jeremiah 10:23)
Are not the examples of many a rule?
Answer: No.
Proof: Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil, (Exodus 23:2)
Are not the examples of the good a sufficient rule?
Answer: No.
Proof: We must be followers of them only as they are of Christ, (1 Corinthians 11:1)
May not what angels say be depended upon as a certain rule?
Answer: No.
Proof: Though an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you, let him be accursed, (Galatians 1:8)
Or a voice from heaven?
Answer: No.
Proof: For we have a more sure word of prophecy, (2 Peter 1:19)
Section 7
Is it necessary then that the scriptures should be translated?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, (1 Corinthians 14:6)
Should we readily receive and embrace them?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They received the word with all readiness of mind, (Acts 17:11)
And should we make them our rule?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Let us walk by the same rule, (Philippians 3:16)