The BLB Blog

The official blog of Blue Letter Bible

What Is the Sufficiency of Scripture?

Posted on Posted by

The sufficiency of Scripture can be simply defined as follows: In the Bible alone, God has given humankind all things that are necessary for the proper understanding of who God is, who we are, how God has acted in the past, and what God expects from us. The basic idea behind the sufficiency of Scripture is that nothing else needs to be revealed to humanity about God or His plan for the human race. In addition, through the various stages of history, God have His people sufficient information to believe in Him.

We Are To Search The Scriptures

 The answers to the basic problems that humanity faces, such as identity, purpose, and destiny, can be found in the pages of Scripture. Jesus said to the religious leaders of His day.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39).

Paul emphasized the same truth to Timothy.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

According to Paul, those who study the Scripture can be thoroughly equipped for “every good work.” Scripture is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. We need nothing else.

The Bible Alone Has The Answers 

The sufficiency of Scripture means that the Bible contains what God thought that we should know on a number of different topics. His teaching on any subject is sufficient for us. We do not have to go elsewhere to find answers. The Bible says.

“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

Consequently we are able to search the Bible and find out the important truths about God in its pages.

The Bible Alone Has The Key To Salvation

The Bible alone holds the key to salvation. Paul wrote to Timothy.

“and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15).

Everything That We Need To Know

 While the Scriptures contain everything humanity needs to know about God, it does not reveal everything that we want to know. The truth that God has revealed is sufficient but not exhaustive.

We Do Not Need Some Authority To Interpret The Bible For Us

 Sometimes it is argued that Scriptures are not clear in and of themselves. Believers need some type of external authority to properly interpret and understand it. This may be some church, a creed, or a the teaching of some church leader. However the facts speak otherwise.

This Is Not A Reasonable Position 

It is unreasonable to assert that God would give humanity a revelation of Himself that could not be understood by the masses. The Bible is written in such a way that people in every age are able to understand it. Every believer is commanded to study the Scriptures for themselves. Paul wrote.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

The Creeds And Councils Are Insufficient 

Although some assert that creeds or church councils are alternatives to Scripture they cause more problems than they solve. Creeds and councils, no matter how orthodox, are still the pronouncements of human beings. There is no guarantee that any pronouncements they make are to be considered infallible. The Holy Scripture contains all things necessary for salvation. There is no need for anything to be added to them.

The Bible Has Proved Sufficient For Us

Scriptures have proved themselves to be sufficient. Those who read and study the Bible discover that the Scripture provide everything necessary to understand the plan of God and live a godly life. Peter wrote.

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3).

Summary 

The sufficiency of Scripture is an important doctrine. It teaches that everything that humankind needs to know about God and ourselves has been revealed in the Bible. These truths should be studied. While the truth of Scripture is sufficient it is not exhaustive – it does not tell us everything that we would like to know. Consequently believers do not need any type of external authority to understand and interpret the Scriptures – whether it may be a church, a creedal statement or the teaching of some leader. It is not reasonable to think that God would give a communication to humanity that could not be understood by the masses. In fact, believers are commanded to study the Bible for themselves. God has given believers all things necessary to understand the Scriptures. As one studies the Bible the truths about God and His plan becomes more and more clear.

Comments

  1. Thank you!! This is a timely reminder for me. My pastor is one of the best Bible teachers I have found. His knowledge and insights really help to open up the Scriptures for me to understand more deeply. But the real transformation happens when I go back and study while prayerfully asking the Holy Spirit to guide me to all He wants me to see, learn, live and share. My pastor may bring it into focus a little easier for me, but it is all there for me if I will study it.

  2. One problem. ‘Sayin’ ain’t doin’; doin’ is doin.’ Scripture is full of examples of people who honor God with their lips but then do things that reveal their statements regarding God or the authority of his word are not the standard by which they will measure their own actions, teachings, or beliefs.

    So when someone affirms the “sufficiency of scripture” but also insists on clinging to the traditions of men that make void the word of God on this-or-that issue, their true heart is shown by their choice to set aside the authority of God’s word for the sake of tradition (instead of doing the opposite).

    Today, as in Jesus’ day, men can make void the word of God by their traditions. The test comes when one is offered biblical evidence that can show they have been taught to believe an idea that is in fact not biblical. Will they shut their eyes or will they stand with the facts in the plain text of scripture?

    • Excellent point! Shortly after coming to Christ, my wife and I discussed the convictioons we had during our second Christmas season after we were converted, and decided to confess and repent to our 5yr old son about our following te follies of the fictious “Santa” traditions. Ever since then we put away such worldly non-sense and did not introduce the lies to our other two younger children born later. When they would ask about the falsehood we were(are) bombarded with, we would explain to them the snares of tradition people have fallen into, and we would explain to them truthfully the reality of things. WWJD? Some people disliked how our kids would ruin the other’s “fairytale” Christmas, but if the parents would not lie to begin with, there should be no animosity for blowing their cover. This tradition was a big deal with us. As far as other traditions go, it is good to learn the reasons why traditions are practised, and if there is teaching encircled by it, for many simply go though the motions of traditions or rituals and miss the point of what they teach. On top of this mistake, some will even cling to such as the power of their salvation, rather than what Jesus has done. Eph.2:8-10 is a good counter to such thinking (and this even speaking of the works of the law, and not even some man made tradition).

  3. This will be a short and helpful tool to use when defending the Bible and It’s true Spiritual orgins.

  4. This is a timely word, for our day, in which the Bible/the Word of God has been, and is being marginalized more and more, not just in the secular world, but sadly even in the Church by those who purport to believe it. I concur with Bible Student. “Lip service religion” is worthless, and will ultimately damn the souls of those who practice it. May God grant repentance, reconciliation, and restoration whereever it is needed. Dear God grant us grace to be bold and courageous and to “stand our ground” when we are afforded the opportunity to be “doers” of Your Word in the world today. Amen!

  5. Hebrews 13:5
    Let your conversation be without covetousness
    And be content with such things as you have
    ——FOR HE HATH SAID——
    I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE NOR FORSAKE THEE

    Luke 17:1&2
    Then said unto the disciples
    It is impossible but that offences will come
    BUT WOE UNTO HIM THROUGH WHOM THEY COME

    (2)It were better for him that a millstone were hanged
    about his neck and he cast into the sea than that he should offend one of these little ones

    2 Chronicles 15:2
    And he went out to meet Asa and said unto him
    Hear ye me Asa and all Judah and Benjamin
    THE LORD IS WITH YOU WHILE YOU BE WITH HIM
    AND —IF—YOU SEEK HIM HE WILL BE FOUND OF YOU
    BUT —IF—YOU FORSAKE HIM HE WILL FORSAKE YOU

    Joseph 24:20
    —If—you forsake the LORD and serve strange gods
    Then HE will turn and do you hurt and consume you
    after that HE hath done you good

    2 Chronicles 7:19
    But —IF—you turn away and forsake MY statutes and MY commandments which I have set before you and shall go and serve other gods and worship them—-2 Chronicles 7:20—-

    John 15:9&10
    As the father hath loved ME so have I loved you
    —CONTINUE—in MY love
    (10)—IF—you keep MY commandments you shall abide in MY love
    even as I have kept MY FATHERS commandments and abide in HIS love

    2 Timothy 2:12
    —IF—we suffer we shall also reign with HIM
    —IF—we deny HIM he will also deny us

    1 Timothy 4:7&8
    But refuse profane and old wives fables
    And exercise thyself rather unto GODLINESS

    (8)For bodily exercise profiteth little
    But GODLINESS is profitable unto —ALL—things
    Having promise of the life that now is
    and of that which is to come

    1 Timothy 6:3
    —IF— any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesome
    words even the words of our LORD JESUS CHRIST and to the doctrine which is according to GODLINESS (1 Timothy 6:4)

    1 Timothy 6:6
    BUT GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN

    Titus 1:1
    Paul a servant of GOD and an apostle of JESUS CHRIST
    according to the faith of GODS elect
    And the acknowledging of the truth which is after GODLINESS

    Philippians 4:11
    Not that I speak in respect of want
    For I have learned in whatsoever state I am there with to be content

    Philippians 1:27
    Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of CHRIST that whether I come and see you or else be absent
    I may hear of your affairs that you stand fast in one spirit
    with one mind–STRIVING TOGETHER FOR THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL–

    2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy
    conversation and GODLINESS (2 peter 3:9&10&3:12)

    LOVING THE LORD

      • Larry is this about me/us or about the LORD JESUS
        AND THE FATHER

        Psalm 119:59
        I thought on my ways
        and turned my feet unto thy testimonies

        Psalm 25:10
        All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth
        unto such as keep
        HIS COVENANT AND HIS TESTIMONIES

        Psalm 119:24
        THY TESTIMONIES ALSO ARE MY DELIGHT AND MY
        —COUNSELLORS—

        Psalm 119:111
        THY TESTIMONIES HAVE I TAKEN AS AN HERITAGE FOREVER FOR THEY ARE THE REJOICING OF MY HEART

        Psalm 119:144
        The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting
        GIVE ME UNDERSTANDING AND I SHALL LIVE

        Psalm 119:125
        I am thy servant give me understanding
        That I might know thy testimonies

        Psalm 111:10
        The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom A good understanding have all they that do HIS commandments HIS praise endureth forever

        LOVING THE LORD AND THE FATHER

    • …godliness with contentment is of great gain…
      (I was meditating on this subject earlier this morning)

      BTW, Did you make a typo attributing a book of Scripture to “Joseph”?

      • stephanos

        Yes indeed a typo Thank You
        Joshua 24:20 would be the correct reference

  6. Bible Student is correct here. Considering again 2 Timothy 3:15, it is an eye opener to realized that none if any of what we know as the New Testament was written at the time Paul was commending Timothy for being acquainted with the sacred writings meaning all that Tim was complimented on came from what we call the Old testament.
    Could we as believers today do the same?

    Words mean things and should be interpreted within the context of there original intent. Two thousand years of human history will bring human traditions that we are all susceptible to and we can also place scripture in a position that will also elevate those traditions. The LORD proves Himself faithful day in and day out in my life. Trust Him and Him alone, He is sufficient.

    J.

    • Jerry~

      I read your post several times, and I was wondering if you could clarify something. You wrote, “…all that Tim was complimented on came from what we call the Old testament,” and then immediately posed the question, “Could we as believers today do the same?” My question is, do what today? As I read your comments, the only reason that I can see for posing that particular question after a comment that emphasized reliance only on the OT would be that you are advocating that we should only look to the Old Testament for truth as Timothy did. In your second paragraph, you wrote that “Words mean things and should be interpreted with the context of [their] original intent.” I agree, so I’m thinking that perhaps you left something out of your post that would rightly link your statement to your question.

      Yours in Christ~
      Barbara

      • Hello Barb,

        Please forgive the error in grammar; it was a late night posting while away from home on vacation.

        No, I’m not advocating OT only and there would be other reasons for posing that hypothetical question other than the one that came to your mind.

        To answer your question, “do what?” Do what Timothy did in light of 2Ti 3:14, 15 and other verses that describe his youth. Consider a young man being commended by the writer of the majority of the NT and without the benefit of those scriptures coming to “salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” Could we do the same? And if not, how did he, his mother, his grandmother?

        Touching back to Justin’s series, I do not see how Justin’s conclusion to his series fits in with Timothy’s, his mother and grandmothers experience.

        J.

  7. Oh, how I wish my Dear Dad had not been influenced by “Process Theology” in the church he and my Mom attended approximately 20 years ago. If only he had believed as we encouraged him, just as is written in the text of your blog today: “The sufficiency of Scripture is an important doctrine. It teaches that everything that humankind needs to know about God and ourselves has been revealed in the Bible. These truths should be studied. ”

    My Dad died of complications resulting from Alzheimer’s Disease. Even in his state of mental insufficiency, we would tell him about Jesus, and even in that state, he would get angry at us for talking about Jesus.

    But Praise the Lord, when we were little children, he and Mom took us to various churches that talked about Jesus in some capacity or another, and my sister and I are now Believers and Followers of Jesus Christ.

    The Bible is what we need to study; the Holy Spirit is Who we need in order to understand what we study.

    love, Debi

      • I believe it is a belief that “God is revealing new things about Himself”….something like that. A belief that, in my way of understanding, God really doesn’t know who he is and is always changing. That God is in a process of growth just as we are. Something like that. I haven’t done a Google search on it in a long time, and basically, I have forgotten the meaning except that it didn’t serve my Dad very well.

  8. In a time where many claims revelations/dreams to quantify an idea or belief…you need a gold standard.

    I cannot quantify a dream, feeling, personal revelation…but I can compare all things with scripture. If it bucks against it, reject it.

    Especially interesting during the dark ages, when Catholicism repressed the personal study/understanding of scriptures; how Christian men died for this freedom. Let’s not let their sacrifice go in vain.

  9. I am worried about Wycliffe and its associates who are leaving out Son of God and Father to please muslim sensibilities. They should heed the scriptures of Revelation22:18-19 about not adding to or taking away and 1Tim.6:3. The Holy Spirit empowers the Word to cut into hearts and plants it there. Like the rebuilding of the temple in Ezra and Nehemiah’s day. HE works as a labourer with a sword in His hand. Israel seems to have that model in mind today with the farms/kibbutzs and the military training for all Israelis. I just love how true The Lord is,how practical,how good to His own,He is just indescribably perfectly great.Words fail me,but The Word cannot fail. So,Wycliffe and all quit messing with it.Preserve it as all our forefathers have in integrity and purity even to horrible deaths as some endured.

    • Lynette~

      Thank you for sharing this. I had no idea what was going on with Wycliffe, so I looked it up, and it is very disturbing. As you have pointed out, the purity of God’s Word must not be tampered with.

      If I may add something to what you have written, I see the very same thing happening in the body of Christ, and we need the same standard to govern our personal interpretation of Scripture. As anyone who has followed this blog can testify, there are many, too many, differing opinions on doctrine, and this shouldn’t be the case. God’s Word may have different applications, but it has only one meaning. We are told in John 16:13 that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth, but we need to do our part. We need to humble ourselves before the Lord, to repent of our sins, and come to Him with a contrite spirit. Only then will He open the rich treasure of His Word. I Corinthians 2:10 tells us, “But God has revealed [them] to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” In other words, deep speaks to deep, but if we, although saved, are not positioned to receive what God has for us, through studying the Word, praying, and fasting, then we will not be able to know the truth of the Word or be able to bear the fruit of the Word. It just won’t happen.

      May this be the time for each one of us to make an honest assessment of just where we really are with the Lord, and may we each follow the admonition to “… seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33b).

      God bless you~
      Barbara

      • Good point! One meaning, different applications. Read slow, and study thoroughly, praying for wisdom (James1:5), comparing spirtual things with spiritual…line upon line, etc.

  10. Brethren,

    In today’s post the author states, “nothing else needs to be revealed to humanity about God or His plan for the human race. In addition, through the various stages of history, God have His people sufficient information to believe in Him.”

    I have heard of this teaching and do not fully except it and here are some reasons why:

    As amazing and powerful our God is we, mankind, should not limit Him if he wants to give more to us through prophecy, visions and dreams. We shouldn’t limit Him. The Prophet Joel (Joel 2:28) said to us that in the last days your old men shall dream dreams and your young me shall see visions. The Apostle Peter by inspiration from God connected this to the infilling of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost Acts 2:17.

    When we hear these prophecies, these dreams and visions we have to ask ourselves a very important question and that is, “Does this align with the Word of God?”

    We see the Bible is full of millions of truths about God and His plans for us, it describes who He is and what He has done. As God wrote through the Apostle Paul to Timothy in 2Tim 3:16-17 that the scriptures “are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” but they are given so that the man (and women) of God can be “perfected”. See verse 17 “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (KJV)

    The idea of being perfected is something one needs to look closer at and when one does he can see that there is more to it than the Bible gives us when it comes to the maturing and perfecting of the saints.

    God still uses men and women today to help us with this process. We are legally saved when we except Jesus Christ as our savior but we must continue on and work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phl 2:12)

    God through Jesus Christ gave gifts to the churches for the perfecting of the saints. Ephesians 4: 11-13 tells us he gave us “some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:”

    Some of those who have posted to the blog today have commented on how their pastors have help them to understand the Word of God.

    Ezra the priest, during the time of reconstruction of the temple after the seventy years of Babylonian captivity read the law to the people and gave the sense and caused the people to understand law. Neh 8:8

    We must not limit our God ability to reveal more things to us.

    Let’s look at the nation of Israel during the time of the Exodus. Let’s put ourselves into the shoes of the average Hebrew who had been in slavery under the hands of the Egyptian task masters. Here comes this guy whose name is Moses and his brother Aaron. They are used by God to deliver them from the hands of Pharaoh.

    Once they leave Egypt they come to the mountain of Sinai where Moses receives the Ten Commandments and the Law. He writes out the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). This had never been done before. There had never been a Bible, a Pentateuch, a Law. And now we have to follow this? Well, they received it and followed it but then there came more as time went by we see that Joshua wrote a book and then Judges was added followed by Ruth, and so on.

    My point here is that if they espoused to this teaching “the sufficiency of scripture” then they would have had everything they needed after the Law was given, right? No, there was more that God wanted to give them and as we see there was a whole lot more!

    Jesus said, “Greater works shall you do because I go to my Father” (John 14:12) and greater works have been done like the writing of the New Testament and the establishment of the churches throughout the Roman Empire. When Jesus said this, the Gospels, the book of Acts and the writings of the Apostles Paul, John, Peter, and James had not been written yet.

    The Bible, God’s Word, is a handbook for us to follow. It is considered a love letter from our heavenly Father and a roadmap to follow. In it we see that His Holy Spirit will lead and guide us into all truth (John 16:13 – “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”)

    Our pastors will continue to teach us and evangelists will continue encourage us and our prophets will tell us of things to come and our apostles will establish new churches in the ongoing process of perfecting of the saints.

    Let us not limit our God’s ability to give what we need whether it is good times or bad because our God uses His ministers to give visions, prophecies, dreams and their sense so we can continue to grow and become mature saints.

    He is a final thought. When Jesus comes again and establishes God’s kingdom on earth and we rule and reign with him for a thousand years don’t you think that He will have some things to say? These things he says could easily be written down and added to the Bible as we know it today.

    Like I said previously, we cannot and must not limit the ALL powerful God from revealing more truth to us. The Word of God is a plumb line we can use to see whether or not a prophecy, a vision or a dream aligns with it and we like the Hebrews (Israelites) of old need to have faith that our God will lead and guide us into all truth and will give us His words as He seems fit.

    Agape,
    Andybob

    • I’m confused Andybob, are you denying the sufficiency of Scripture by stating we need to rely upon further “prophecies, dreams, and visions”? Or are you simply making an anachronastic (and wrong) application to the OT saints and prophets by asking the question “what if . . .”?

      The verse (2 Tim. 3:16) is clear in its application concerning the sufficiency of Scripture, so I’m not sure why you have such a problem with it. It is given by the inspiration of God, literally the “breath of God.” And, it is also declared profitable, or advantageous, in a multitude of applications: doctrine (the learning of truth); reproof (evidence of truth); correction (restoration to truth); and instruction (application of truth).

      Also, the verse must be taken contextually as well by reading onward (2 Tim. 3:17), “That the man of God may be –PERFECT–, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” The word “perfect” in the Greek means exactly that–perfect or complete. If the revelation of God’s truth is perfect and complete, there is no need for additions or subtractions.

      Scripture (Old and New Testaments) is complete,perfect and not in need of additions. It was the Holy Spirit that moved men, inspired them to write these precious Words of Life, and if they are not complete–He makes Himself a liar. The Word will not lead us contrary to the Spirit, nor will He lead us contrary to the Word–to assume such would be a grieveous error on our part.

      • Brother and Pastor Ashe,

        Sorry to confuse you dear saint that was not my intent. My intent was to say that the Bible we have today is not the end all on the things that pertain to God and what He wants do with and for mankind. There is a whole lot more and we should not limit Him and His abilities by unbelief and ignorance or pride.

        The Bible as we have it today suffices the needs of the churches but there is much more to come and I tried to show that when one looks throughout the history of mankind sees they did not always have the complete Bible as we have today but our God and Father continued to reveal more about Himself.

        One has to agree that the early Hebrew/Israel nation only had the first five books of the Bible but God saw to it that more would be added. The Bible is full of snapshots of the history of mankind particularly the nation of Israel and some of the neighboring nations round about them.

        So yes I believe that the scriptures we have today are sufficient for us now but my point is there is more to come and God will use visions, dreams, and prophecies as the book of Joel and Acts points out (Joel 2:28, Acts 2:17), and in the future He will reveal more about Himself and His plans for mankind. We must not and should not limit our God in what He can and will do!

        The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 14:39) and encouraged them to seek the best spiritual gifts and he pointed out (by inspiration of the Holy Spirit) to ask for and to covet to prophesy. Why? Many reasons, but mainly to edify the churches and help them and lead them and teach them in the times that lay ahead of them.

        I hope that answers your concerns dear brother!

        Thank you for the replies!

        Much love (Agape),
        Andybob

  11. I am looking for information about how to hear God when I found this blog it helped me so much Thank you all and God bless

  12. 1 John 2:20-21

    20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

    This scripture also shows that with the Holy Ghost we do not need to rely on just human interpretation but can be taught from the Lord himself. Praise God.

    Also to add

    I John 5:5 “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

    Thank the Lord that we have no need to fear for he has already overcome the world.

  13. A little confused on what all the postings mean, but I do agree with Andy. We are all the Body of Christ and all have different functions. The Word of God is the Word of God, and if that was all I had I would be happy. My mom spoke in tongues I have once but not really comfortable with it.But that doesnt mean it is not a gift from God. As I studied the Word of God about 15 yrs ago I came across this passage:

    1Cr 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual [gifts], but especially that you may prophesy.

    1Cr 14:2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands [him]; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

    1Cr 14:3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

    1Cr 14:4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

    1Cr 14:5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for [fn] he who prophesies [is] greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

    1Cr 14:6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?

    I asked for the gift of prophesy and I received it. I will share my prophesies as my testimonies, but not to add or take away from the written Word of God. Funny I just wrote to my pastor on this subject late last night. (not surprised).God is so much bigger then our minds and thoughts and I like the way my pastor taught last Sunday that God doesnt fit in a box. God is so much bigger and awesome then any box our mind tries to put Him in. God Bless you my Brothers and Sisters.

    • Although Andy i wouldnt go so far as to say things could/would be added to the Word. It is complete for our purpose today.

  14. My Sister Cheryl,

    Thank you for the replies I appreciate your support and the sharing of some of your testimony.

    Concerning the speaking of tongues; A lot of our Christian brethren are confused about this teaching in the scriptures. Some say tongues is not for the churches today while others say that it is.

    I personally pray in tongues and have done so for the past 30 plus years. I searched out the scriptures on this matter when I went to Bible College and found that there is a clear distinction between the gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

    How does one know that they have been baptized in or filled with the Holy Spirit? They pray in tongues. See the following scriptures that describe this:

    Acts 2 – Shows us that they prayed in tongues when filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:4

    Acts 10 – Shows that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for Gentiles as well as Jews. Acts 10:44-46

    Acts 19 – Shows that through the laying on of hands that the Holy Spirit was given to those who believed in the teachings of John the Baptist and they spoke in tongues. Acts 19:6 tells us they spoke in tongues when they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

    Cheryl,
    You have been filled with the Holy Spirit and I encourage you to continue to pray in tongues because it is a gift from God to help you in your Christian walk. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:28 that we don’t know what to exactly pray for but He helps us and in the Book of Jude 1:20 we see that praying in the Holy Spirit builds up our faith!

    You said you were not comfortable with it and I was to because I did not understand it and I was battled by the devil with unbelief and fear but because I saw it in the scriptures and that it was for me and the my Father had given this to me I continued on with it and it has helped me in countless ways in my Christian walk.

    God Bless you Sister!

    Much Grace and Agape to you!

    Andybob

    • Andybob, I think I came across a teaching a short time ago, that someone introduced, which may give a lead to why some teach against toungues and prophecy. The teaching brought up 1Cor.13:8 as grounds for dismissing prophecyings and tongues. I think the person took the Scriptures out of context to get that result from It. I am not denying either, but comparing them to Scripture to prove all things… we should hold fast to that which is good, namely as Isa.8:20 admonishes …according to this Word…

      I would question your evidence of salvation teaching though, and offer to you the fruit of the Spirit as a more sound proof. For I was approached by a man who was in a “Penecostal” denomination shortly after I was converted and filled with the Holy Spirit, and he proposed to me the same approach. Even though he was not present to witness the Holy Spirit come upon me, he caused me confussion for a time by what he said. Sadly, he spoke out of church doctrine/creed rather than from the sufficiecy of Scripture. For he had no knowledge of my spitual cleansing, how I was walking in open rebellion, addicted to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, cussings, and an array of filth of the flesh, and after encountering the washing, I was enpowered to put away these things. I could say much to this, but to keep it short, it is good to examine the fruit, whether it is good or bad, according to the Word of God.

      Be blessed in the Lord! >

      • Brother Stephanos,

        Thank you for sharing your testimony! I am thankful that you’ve chosen eternal life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

        I was saved/born again when I went to a gospel music concern. The minister got up after the music had ended and explained how God gave us His son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16), to help us come to know Him.

        He explained further how a man “must” be born again to go to heaven John 3:3. I had never heard this before and paid close attention to what He was saying.

        He asked the audience to close their eyes, bow their heads and raise their hands if they wanted to become born again and receive Jesus Christ as the Lord and savior. I chose to raise my hand and when I did I felt all the breath within me go out of me and when I breathed in again I felt a peace come into me and a big smile come across my face.

        A young man came to me and said he would pray with me to help me confess my sins and accept Jesus as my savior. From that day on I have been saved and I have been learning, maturing and have been becoming more like His son Jesus Christ.

        A few months later I was in my bedroom alone praying to God. I was telling Him how much I loved Him and as I was saying the words, “I love you, I love you” my speech became stuttered and I started saying a few words I did not know. The more I prayed this way more words came.

        When I went to Bible College I learned that what had happened to me in my bedroom that wonderful day. I had received the promise of the Father, the infilling of the Holy Spirit or as many refer to it, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. A short time after that I was baptized in water in the name of Jesus.

        I learned that the salvation experience I had received and the baptism of the Holy Spirit I received were two separate events. Some teach that they are one in the same but they are not. For example, the thief on the cross who asked Jesus if he would remember him when he came into his kingdom got saved Luke 23:42-43 because Jesus said that he would be with him in paradise that day. The forgiven thief did not have a chance to get filled with the Holy Spirit and pray in tongues but died and went to heaven.

        The Apostle Paul knew these also are two separate events when he came across some believers at Ephesus in Acts 19:1-7. Paul asked them a very specific question, “Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit.”

        Paul separates their believing in salvation from the baptism in the Holy Spirit. In Acts 19:6 we see Paul laid his hands on them and the disciples get baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues.

        In Acts 1 and Acts 2 we see that there are 120 believers in Jesus (all saved) that get filled with the Holy Spirit after they get saved. Jesus had requested that they stay in Jerusalem until they received power from on high.

        The biggest change we see in the scriptures of one who is a believer in Jesus Christ and is saved but not filled or baptized in the Holy Spirit is the Apostle Peter.

        Peter, gripped with fear, denied knowing Jesus when he was arrested and crucified. 50 days later though we find that he has just been filled/baptized in the Holy Spirit Acts 2 and is no longer afraid but stands up in the temple and preaches to the crowd about salvation and Holy Spirit baptism. He says to the people in Acts 2:38-39 to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus and that they too could receive the Holy Spirit.

        I want to thank you again for sharing your testimony and I pray that you will ask God to be filled/baptized in the Holy Spirit.

        God bless you and fill you with His wonder Agape love and Spirit!

        Your servant & brother,
        Andybob

  15. This is an idea that took me a really long, long, long…. did I say– looooonnnggg– time to figure out, or come to understand. I appear to be rather dense, and slow to get things… Not sure if it’s a human thing, or a me thing!

    It’d been explained to me before, but not coming from an environment which engendered a lot… er, even a little bit, of trust, I did not grasp the idea of covenant, contracts, or agreements.
    It wasn’t until I did my studies in college, and the ideas of all that began sinking in 2-1/2 years later, that I began to realize that we can commit ourselves to God, and he will bear us up. Moreover, over the years, I’ve come to realize that we can commit ourselves to His Word, and he will in fact back up that Word by Himself.

    It’s only been in the last 2-1/2 years now, that I’m really seeing the faithfulness of God to His Promises (2 Peter 1:2-4) as stated in the Scripture– not that he hasn’t been faithful, rather, I simply am a really…… I did say- really, didn’t I?…. dense person.

    God is who he claims to be, and the basis upon which we can know this, is His Written Word. I.e., the bible is the contract/covenant God has with humanity. As we read in Psalm 138:2– God honors His Word, more than his Name, and as we read in Exodus 20, he takes his name VERY seriously.

    Thank you Pastor Chuck Smith for pointing that one out…. Not sure where I’d be today if you’d not showed us that one 33 years ago….

    God has made a covenant with humanity, so that if we believe what he’s told us in the book, believing Him, he will back it up to the nth degree, and show himself faithful to any, and all who do so.
    The idea goes back to Abraham’s belief, as stated in Genesis 15:6. Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Righteousness is nothing more than a right standing, or a right relationship.
    He’s working it with me, so I know he must be more than able, and willing to do it for everyone else too (I did say I’m dense and slow….). I.e., it’s taken me 30 years just to say– I believe you, and commit myself to you, period. Wow… what wonders he’s done since then.
    Phil. 1:6, Psalm 138:8.

  16. Lately, with all of the discussion surrounding Chick-Fil-A’s Christian/Biblical viewpoint regarding traditional marriage, I have been coming upon a lot of posts where liberals are using the Bible to defend the position of gay marriage. They are pointing mainly to passages in Leviticus where law is given concerning things that are unclean.

    Where can I find solid teaching from the New Testament regarding the sinfulness of man/man, woman/woman relationships, so that I can defend my position. I can explain the dietary laws, and I’m sure if I did some searching I could find what I’m looking for; howeve, I saw this blog and thought someone could direct me quickly.

    Thank you!