GROW - Summer Training Sessions kicked off this week looking at the Authority of Scripture. Aiming to answer the question, Why is it that we hold the Bible to be 'divinely inspired and infallible, as originally given and therefore the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct*'?
The simple answer is because it is through his word God has spoken to reveal himself to his people. Our God is a speaking god from the very beginning of creation and every step of the way.
And so when it comes to thinking about how we 'grow' as followers of Jesus, this is really the foundational question as our Statement of Belief goes on to say,
'The Bible is sufficient for knowing God. It is not only central to the wellbeing of the church but is able to thoroughly equip the Christian community for life and godliness.'
If we want to grow as followers of Jesus, it begins with the Bible. Hearing the word, thinking about it, trusting it and putting it into practice in our lives. As 2 Timothy 3 says,
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
And we can trust scripture, not just as human words but God's word to us. We didn't have time to look at it on Tuesday but 2 Peter 1 is emphatic about this. Peter writes,
"For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
"We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
We have nothing less than God's word to us in the Bible. We must hear it, meditate on it, trust it and put it into practice if we're going to grow as followers of Jesus.
Grace & peace,
Andrew
P.S. If you missed GROW, here are some resources on the Authority of Scripture...
- Sermon on The God who Speaks
- Video on Can I trust the Bible?
- Video on How did we get the Bible?