Topical Bible: The Scriptures: should be Appealed To

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The Scriptures, regarded as the divinely inspired Word of God, hold a central place in the life and faith of believers. They are the ultimate authority for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). The Scriptures are not merely historical documents but are living and active, capable of discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Authority and Inspiration

The Scriptures are considered God-breathed, meaning they originate from God Himself and are thus authoritative in all matters of faith and practice. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this in his letter to Timothy: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). This divine inspiration ensures that the Scriptures are infallible and trustworthy.

Jesus and the Scriptures

Jesus Christ Himself appealed to the Scriptures as the ultimate authority. During His temptation in the wilderness, Jesus responded to Satan's challenges by quoting Scripture, saying, "It is written" (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). This demonstrates that even the Son of God relied on the authority of the Scriptures to affirm truth and resist temptation.

Furthermore, Jesus affirmed the enduring nature of the Scriptures, stating, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away" (Matthew 24:35). This underscores the eternal relevance and authority of the Scriptures.

The Apostolic Example

The apostles consistently appealed to the Scriptures in their teaching and preaching. Peter, in his sermon at Pentecost, quoted extensively from the Old Testament to explain the events that were unfolding (Acts 2:16-36). Similarly, Paul reasoned from the Scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Christ (Acts 17:2-3).

The Bereans are commended for their noble character because they "received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true" (Acts 17:11). This example highlights the importance of verifying teachings against the Scriptures.

Guidance and Wisdom

The Scriptures are a source of guidance and wisdom for believers. The psalmist declares, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). This metaphor illustrates how the Scriptures illuminate the believer's journey, providing direction and clarity in a world often shrouded in darkness.

Doctrine and Teaching

The Scriptures are foundational for sound doctrine and teaching. Paul instructs Titus to "teach what is consistent with sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1), emphasizing the need for teaching that aligns with the truth of the Scriptures. The early church devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, which was rooted in the Scriptures (Acts 2:42).

Correction and Reproof

The Scriptures serve as a tool for correction and reproof. Paul exhorts Timothy to "preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and careful instruction" (2 Timothy 4:2). This highlights the role of the Scriptures in correcting error and guiding believers back to the truth.

Conclusion

The Scriptures, as the inspired Word of God, are the ultimate authority for believers. They provide guidance, wisdom, and correction, and are to be appealed to in all matters of faith and practice. Through the example of Jesus, the apostles, and the early church, believers are encouraged to rely on the Scriptures as the foundation of their faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 1:31
That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 1:16
Because it is written, Be you holy; for I am holy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Our Scriptures were Received by Ancient Christians of Different ...
... Catholic writers constantly allege the Scriptures, and reply ... adorable words of the
Scripture, should be execrated ... the subject.); yet every one appealed for the ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/section vii our scriptures were.htm

Ezekiel xx. 49
... possible that his zeal in studying it should not be ... to us in the place of the Scriptures;
and that ... and authority of the church are continually appealed to, or ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xxxvii ezekiel xx 49.htm

Truth Rather to be Appealed to than Custom, and Truth Progressive ...
... Chapter I."Truth Rather to Be Appealed to Than ... all things at once, discipline should,
little by ... discipline, the revelation of the Scriptures, the reformation ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter i truth rather to be.htm

The Temple Cleansed Again
... them, the Saviour continued, "Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone ... at the
time of Christ's first advent, and should have appealed with special ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 65 the temple cleansed.htm

Epistle xii. To Paschasius, Bishop of Neapolis (Naples).
... We should therefore so act that, being rather appealed to by ... follow us, and not to
fly from us; and that proving to them from their own Scriptures what we ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xii to paschasius bishop.htm

The Seven Deacons
... It is not in the order of God that such men should be appealed to for the ... held to
the high standards of leadership outlined in the Old Testament Scriptures. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 9 the seven deacons.htm

Faustus Willing to Believe not Only that the Jewish but that all ...
... Christ declared that Moses wrote of him, I should be very ... I have searched the Scriptures,
as we are told to do ... not true," I do not find that He appealed to the ...
/.../faustus willing to believe not.htm

Christ and the Sadduccees
... the full roll of the sacred books "the Scriptures.". ... And Moses, to whom they appealed,
had heard God ... even the humblest, of their true personality should perish. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 12 18-27 christ and the.htm

The Early Fathers Appealed To, and Observed to Bear Favourable ...
... the most venerable Ecclesiastical writings are appealed to ... spoken of as anelthonta:
in the Scriptures, invariably as ... enough to point out that we should not have ...
/.../chapter iii the early fathers.htm

The Early Fathers Appealed To, and Observed to Bear Favourable ...
... when the most venerable Ecclesiastical writings are appealed to ... GREEK SMALL LETTER
ALPHA}: in the Scriptures, invariably as ... to point out that we should not have ...
/.../chapter iii the early fathers.htm