Topical Bible: The Scriptures: Perfect

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the Scriptures as perfect is deeply rooted in the Christian understanding of the Bible as the divinely inspired Word of God. This perfection is often understood in terms of its inerrancy, infallibility, and sufficiency for faith and practice.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible itself attests to its perfection. In Psalm 19:7 , it is written, "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple." This verse highlights the completeness and reliability of God's Word, suggesting that it is without flaw and fully capable of guiding believers in truth and wisdom.

Similarly, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." This passage underscores the divine origin of the Scriptures and their comprehensive role in equipping believers for a life of godliness.

Inerrancy and Infallibility

The doctrine of inerrancy holds that the Scriptures, in their original manuscripts, are without error in all that they affirm, whether it pertains to doctrine, history, science, or any other subject. This belief is grounded in the character of God, who is truth and cannot lie (Titus 1:2: "in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began"). Therefore, as God's Word, the Scriptures are a reflection of His perfect nature.

Infallibility, closely related to inerrancy, asserts that the Scriptures are incapable of leading believers astray in matters of faith and practice. This is based on the understanding that God's Word is a reliable guide, as seen in Isaiah 55:11 : "so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it."

Sufficiency of Scripture

The sufficiency of Scripture is the belief that the Bible contains all the knowledge necessary for salvation and living a life pleasing to God. This is supported by passages such as 2 Peter 1:3 : "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence." The Scriptures are seen as the complete revelation of God's will, providing all that is needed for understanding His purposes and commands.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The perfection of the Scriptures is also understood in light of the work of the Holy Spirit, who inspired the biblical authors and continues to illuminate the text for believers today. John 16:13 states, "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come." The Holy Spirit's role ensures that the Scriptures remain a living and active guide for the Church.

Conclusion

While the Scriptures are perfect, it is important to recognize the need for careful interpretation and application. The Bible, as God's perfect revelation, requires diligent study and reliance on the Holy Spirit to understand its truths fully and apply them to one's life.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 19:7
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... so that you may prove what (2307) of God is, that which is good and acceptable and
perfect. ... On the distinction between (belief), and in the Scriptures see Js ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

Library

Perfect Knowledge Cannot be Attained in the Present Life: Many ...
... We should leave things of that nature to God who created us, being most properly
assured that the Scriptures are indeed perfect, since they were spoken by the ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxviii perfect knowledge cannot be.htm

Faith in the Sacred Scriptures.
... faith is none other than the Mediator, and invariably in the garments of the Sacred
Scriptures. ... In the illustration, faith of the first kind was perfect. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxvii faith in the sacred.htm

Perfect Consecration and Devotion to God: what it Is.
... Chapter IV."Perfect Consecration and Devotion to God: What It is. ... and close it upon
others; thus, if I open it for the explanation of the Scriptures, for the ...
/.../chapter iv perfect consecration and devotion.htm

Who, Now, Should Know Better the Marrow of the Scriptures than the ...
... Who, now, should know better the marrow of the Scriptures than the school of Christ ...
8295] affirming that there is no fear in love: "For perfect love casteth ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter xii who now should.htm

On the Perfection of the Scriptures
... given to any single person or to any congregation of men whatsoever, which thing
is not in a full and most perfect manner comprised in the sacred Scriptures. ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation vii on the perfection.htm

The Duty of Searching the Scriptures
... tasted the good word of life, and am come to a more perfect knowledge of ... Search,
therefore, the scriptures, my dear brethren; taste and see how good the word ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the duty of searching the.htm

On the Sufficiency and Perfection of the Holy Scriptures In
... end and perfectly accomplish it, there is no reason why we should call a doctrine,
in what manner soever it may be proposed, more perfect than the Scriptures. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 2 on the sufficiency.htm

The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life through Jesus Christ
... The treasure that is hid in the Scriptures is Jesus Christ, whose entire and perfect
name is, "Way, Truth, and Life." He is a living truth and true life ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture iv the scriptures reveal.htm

How the Valentinians Pervert the Scriptures to Support their Own ...
... but of which they boast that beyond all others they have a perfect knowledge. They
gather their views from other sources than the Scriptures; [2750] and, to ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter viii how the valentinians pervert.htm

2 Timothy iii. 16, 17
... Having offered much exhortation and consolation from other sources, he adds that
which is more perfect, derived from the Scriptures; and he is reasonably full ...
/.../homily ix 2 timothy iii.htm