Topical Bible: Word of God: Called: Scriptures

◄ Word of God: Called: Scriptures ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "Scriptures" refers to the sacred writings recognized as the authoritative Word of God within the Christian faith. These texts are considered divinely inspired and are central to the beliefs, teachings, and practices of Christianity. The Scriptures encompass both the Old and New Testaments, forming the complete canon of the Bible.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Bible, is foundational to the understanding of the Scriptures. It is composed of the Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nevi'im), and the Writings (Ketuvim). These texts were revered by the Jewish people and were acknowledged by Jesus and the early Christians as the Word of God. In 2 Timothy 3:16 , the Apostle Paul affirms the divine inspiration of these texts: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness."

New Testament References

The New Testament writings, which include the Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation, are also regarded as Scripture. These texts document the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the early church's formation and growth. The Apostle Peter refers to Paul's letters as Scripture in 2 Peter 3:15-16 : "Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him. He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction."

Authority and Infallibility

The Scriptures are considered the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice. They are believed to be infallible, meaning they are without error in their teachings and are wholly trustworthy. This belief is rooted in the conviction that God, who is perfect and truthful, is the ultimate author of the Scriptures. Hebrews 4:12 highlights the power and authority of the Word of God: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Role in the Life of Believers

The Scriptures serve as a guide for believers, providing wisdom, instruction, and encouragement. They are used in personal devotion, public worship, and teaching. The Psalmist expresses the value of the Scriptures in Psalm 119:105 : "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." This metaphor illustrates the guiding and illuminating role of the Scriptures in the life of a believer.

Preservation and Transmission

Throughout history, the Scriptures have been meticulously preserved and transmitted. The process of copying and translating these texts has been undertaken with great care to maintain their accuracy and integrity. The discovery of ancient manuscripts, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, has affirmed the reliability of the biblical texts as they have been passed down through generations.

Conclusion

The Scriptures, as the Word of God, hold a central place in the Christian faith. They are revered as the authoritative and inspired revelation of God's will and purpose for humanity. Through the Scriptures, believers encounter the living God and are equipped for every good work.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Corinthians 15:3
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
Nave's Topical Index

Library

On the Rule of Religion, the Word of God, and the Scriptures in ...
... also completed it in writing; so that we now have the infallible word of God in
no ... books of the Old and the New Testament which are called "canonical:" They ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation v on the rule.htm

Of the Scriptures
... performance, and therefore Christ may be called the truth indeed,"the substantial
word of God,"for he ... the very substance of the written and preached word. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture v of the scriptures.htm

How the West Saxons Received the Word of God by the Preaching of ...
... he thought it better to preach the Word there, than ... his son, thus born again and
dedicated to God, the man ... out of Ireland, a certain bishop called Agilbert,^ a ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap vii how the west.htm

Two Famous Versions of the Scriptures
... yet all this made no difference; without the written Word of God, they could ... entirely
themselves, although their Greek Bible is still called the 'Septuagint ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter vii two famous versions.htm

Jesus Christ was not a Mere Man, Begotten from Joseph in the ...
... is as to everything, and absolutely, called God, or named ... beyond all men who ever
lived, God, and Lord ... and King Eternal, and the Incarnate Word, proclaimed by ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xix jesus christ was not.htm

On the Sufficiency and Perfection of the Holy Scriptures In
... sure word of prophecy," that is, the word which is ... of the prophets: for it is soon
afterwards called "prophecy of ... Pharaoh," (Romans 9:17,) that is, God said it ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 2 on the sufficiency.htm

"Hear the Word of the Lord, Ye Rulers of Sodom, Give Ear unto the ...
... because it is not received as God's word. There is a practical heresy in our hearts,
which rather may be called atheism"we do not believe the Scriptures. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon viii hear the word.htm

Whosoever Confesses that one God is the Author of Both Testaments ...
... and she bare a son, and His name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God;"
[4304] and ... of the Virgin, exhibited the union of the Word of God ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiii whosoever confesses that one.htm

What the Scriptures Principally Teach: the Ruin and Recovery of ...
... Now we shall speak a word of these two cardinal ... Unbelief of the law of God,"of his
promises and ... This was first called in question, and when once called in ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture vi what the scriptures.htm

The Doctrine of the Scriptures.
... under the direct influence of the Spirit of God there can ... quality or degree of their
insspiration may be called into question ... (We use the word Inspiration here ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the scriptures.htm