A Vision of Scripture

The first five studies in A Biblical Vision proclaim five primary areas in the vertical aspect of faith found in Scripture.  The first in the series is the vision of Scripture.

The Bible declares itself to be the Word of God and there is extra-Biblical revelation and evidence to support this.  The Scriptures are also the authority of truth in all matters of faith and practice for all Christians.

Ps.19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork."

- God first reveals Himself in the creation, and that He exists and He communicates with mankind.  God first speaks to us through general revelation.  

Ex.3:2, 5-6, 14, "And the angel of the Lord appeared to (Moses) in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush.  He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed ... Then (God) said, Do not come near; take the sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.  And he said, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.  And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God ... God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM.  And he said, Say this to the people of Israel, I AM has sent me to you."

- The burning bush revealed the Word of God’s power.  It also revealed that He speaks directly to His people.

Is.40:6, "The voice says, Cry out!  And he said, What shall I cry?  All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.  The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of God stands forever."

- The Bible declares that man is mortal and that God is immortal, and His Word stands forever.

Is.66:1-2, "Thus says the Lord: Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?  All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord.  But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my Word."

- The character and superior majesty of God is the basis for our humble submission to Him.  And we should tremble at the revelation of God’s Word.

Mt.4:4, "But He (Jesus) answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."

- Jesus is being tempted by the devil and answers with the power of Scripture.

Mt.5:17-18, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets.  I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.  For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled."

- Jesus affirms the Law and the Prophets, which will be preserved for God's purposes.

Mt.15:3, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?"

- Jesus describes at length in this passage that the traditions of men were blocking the Word of God.  And this is an egregious sin.

Jn.1:1-2, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God."

- The Word of God is described here as being God, being with God from the beginning.  The Word of God becomes incarnate, in the baby Jesus born in Bethlehem.

2Ti.3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

- The Bible is given by the special inspiration of God, and it is infallible, inerrant, just as God is.

He.4:12, "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of the soul and spirit, and joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

- The Word of God is supernatural just as God is supernatural.  The Bible has the power to change our lives from the inside out, at our core and in our soul.  This is the divine power of God to transform us to become Christ like.

Re. 22:4-5, "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

- John testifies that the Word of God is sufficient for all areas Spiritual, it is complete and capable for salvation and sanctification.  No one is to add to it or to subtract from it.

The Bible is the specific Word from God and it has been the source of knowing God for over three millennia.  The Scriptures affirm God's existence in the cosmos and his work in our conscience.  He speaks to us specifically through His Word, and this is the special revelation for all Christians.