The Undeniable Standard - Part 6 - Are we really sure God intended for us to have an inspired,...

The Undeniable Standard- Part 6 -

Are we Are we reallreally y sure God sure God

intendedintended for us for us to have an to have an inspiredinspired, , infallibleinfallible, ,

inerrantinerrant standard standard in our handsin our hands??

Since God Since God DIDDID promise to give promise to give us an inspired, us an inspired,

infallible, infallible, inerrant inerrant

standard; standard; where where is itis it??

What are What are the dangers the dangers of of rejectingrejecting

“Sola “Sola Scriptura”?Scriptura”?

What are the What are the DANGERSDANGERS of of REJECTINGREJECTING “Sola “Sola

Scriptura”?Scriptura”?

False Jehovah False Jehovah WitnessesWitnesses

MormonismMormonismRoman Roman

CatholocismCatholocismHyper Hyper

CharasmaticsCharasmaticsChristian Christian

IntellectualismIntellectualismEtc… Etc…

Does the Does the Bible teach Bible teach

that Scripture that Scripture alone is our alone is our

solesole authorityauthority??

Does the Bible Does the Bible teach that teach that Scripture Scripture

alone alone is our is our solesole

authorityauthority??

•An argument from silence is not valid

•God has ALWAYS intended His people to live by the

Book.

•Jesus and His apostles considered Scripture their

final authority.

•Only the Scripture is said to be inspired

Where did Where did we get our we get our

Bible?Bible?

WHAT’S YOUR AUTHORITY FOR THAT?Nothing fancy, just a little script you might learn

from. In Catholic Answers’ seminars we keep trying to emphasize the point that you should always demand of a missionary who comes to your door that he establish his authority first. We don’t mean his personal credentials. We

mean the Bible. …

Roman Roman CatholicisCatholicis

mmAn Excerpt from a “Catholic Answers Seminar”An Excerpt from a “Catholic Answers Seminar”

Catholic Answers

… The missionary (unless he is a Mormon, of course, in which case his authority is the Book

of Mormon) will always fall back on the authority of Scripture. “Scripture says this” or “Scripture proves that”. Before turning to the verses he brings up, and thus to the topic he brings up, demand that he demonstrate …



Catholic Answers

… first how he can tell that the Bible is the rule of faith—and even what constitutes the Bible. Imagine the conversation goes something like this: “Good afternoon, neighbor. May I share

with you a few words of Christian truth?” “Sure”, you say. “Where do you get this Where do you get this

truthtruth?” “From the Bible, of course”. “THAT’S your Authority?” “Yes, it’s the only…



Catholic Answers

… authority for Christians”. “Can you prove the Bible?” “What do you mean”? “I mean I don’t believe the Bible claims itself to the sole rule of faith. I mean the doctrine of sola scriptura is itself unbiblical. Please show me where the

Bible claims such a status for itself”. At this point the missionary will bring up one of several verses. Perhaps the verse most…



Catholic Answers

… commonly brought up is 2nd Timothy 3:16. In the King James Version, the verse reads this way: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of

God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in

righteousness”. It is said that 2nd Timothy 3:16 claims Scripture is sufficient as a rule of faith.

But it doesn’t claim that at all; it only…



Catholic Answers

… claims Scripture is “profitable”, this is helpful. Many things can be profitable for moving one

toward an end, without being sufficient in getting one to an end. The few other verses

that might be brought up to “prove” the sufficiency of scripture can be handled the

same way.



Catholic Answers

UNDERSTANDING SCRIPTURE’S ROLEThe thing to keep in mind is that nowhere does

the Bible say, “Scripture alone is sufficient”, and nowhere does the Bible imply it. After

you have argued that the verses the missionary brings up simply don’t prove this

point, continue the discussion this way:



Catholic Answers

“If you look at Scripture for what it is, you’ll see it wasn’t intended to be an instructional tool

for converts. In fact, not one book of the Bible was written for non-believers. John 20:30-31 “And

many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are

written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might

have life through his name.”



Catholic Answers

“The Old Testament books were written for Jews, The New testament books for people who already were Christians”. “The Bible is

not a catechism or a theological treatise. Just look at the 27 books of the New Testament.

You won’t find one that spells out the elements of the faith the way today’s

catechism’s do or even as the ancient…



Catholic Answers

… creeds do. Those books were written to particular audiences for particular purposes”.

“Most of the epistles, for example, were written to local churches which were having

problems. Paul or John or another writer would try to solve these problems. There was no attempt to impart basic instruction to non-

believers or to summarize everything…



Catholic Answers

… for believers.” “I don’t agree with any of that,” replies the missionary. “The New Testament is

the basis of the Christian faith”. “How can it be, since the Christian faith existed before the New Testament was written? The first book of

the New Testament was composed decades after the Ascension, and it took centuries for

there to be general agreement among …



Catholic Answers

… Christians as to which books comprised the New Testament. And that brings up another

point. How do you know what constitutes the New Testament canon? How do you know these 27 books are inspired and should be

gathered to from the New Testament and not some other books?”



Catholic Answers

WHO DECIDED?“Well, the early Christians agreed on the 27

books,” answers the missionary. “The Holy Spirit led them to this agreement”. “But a

study of early Christian history shows considerable disagreement. Who finally

decided? Some early Christians said the Book of Revelation didn’t belong in the canon. …



Catholic Answers

“… Others said the “Shepherd of Hermas” did belong. How do you handle that?” “We know

by examining the contents. Some books obviously belong. Others obviously don’t.”

“But us it really that obvious? Tell me, what is so obvious in Philemon to indicate that it is

inspired? And what is so obviously…



Catholic Answers

…unorthodox in the “Shepherd” or the “Didache” or the “Letter of Clement?” If you happen to have the writings of the Fathers,

this would be a good time to read from them. The writings are all short, and you can

demonstrate that they seems as orthodox as the New Testament writings themselves. …



Catholic Answers

…Then read Philemon or some other short book, such as 3rd John. “Tell me, what’s in these books that so obviously makes them inspired? If you didn’t know that Philemon

was written by Paul or that 3rd John was written by John, would you give either a

second reading? It’s not disrespectful to say they don’t have much substance to them. …



Catholic Answers

… “One can imagine the Christian Church surviving well enough without either”.

“Neither book claims inspiration for itself. If there is, as a matter of fact, more solid

Christian meat in these other non-canonical writings—if they contain more Christian truths and no religious erros—then how can you say

it’s obvious which books are inspired…



Catholic Answers

… and which aren’t?” Here, the missionary will fumble around for a while, perhaps repeating his earlier statements. Then you swoop in for the kill. “Look the fact is this: The only reason you and I have the New Testament is that the canon is a reflection of the teaching authority of the Catholic Church. As Augustine put it, ‘I

would not believe in the Gospels were it …



Catholic Answers

… not for the authority of the Catholic Church’. Any Christian accepting the authority of the New Testament does so, whether or not he

admits it, on the say-so of the Catholic Church”. “The question you have to ask

yourself, my friend, is this: WHERE DID WE GET OUR BIBLE? Until you can give a

satisfactory answer, you aren’t…



Catholic Answers

… in much position to rely on the authority of Scripture”. “And after you answer that

question—and there’s only one answer you can give, as an honest inquirer– you have a follow up question: If the Bible, which we

receive from the Catholic Church, is our sole rule of faith, who’s to do the interpreting …



Catholic Answers

…, why are there so many variant understandings

even among evangelicals and fundamentalists?”



Catholic Answers

11stst He tries to get her to

questionquestion God’s Word 22ndnd He

contradictedcontradicted God’s Word

33rdrd He reinterpreted reinterpreted

(changes)(changes) God’s Word HIS APPROACH

WAS RELIGION!

Where did Where did we get our we get our

Bible?Bible?

•Titus 1:9Titus 1:9 – “Holding fast – “Holding fast the faithful word as he the faithful word as he hath been taught, that hath been taught, that

he may be able he may be able by by sound doctrine sound doctrine both both

to exhort and to to exhort and to convince the convince the gainsayersgainsayers.”.”

“Christ did not intend that mankind in general should

learn his religion from a book” - Milner’s End of Controversy


mm

Where Where did we did we

get get OUR OUR

BIBLE?BIBLE?

•God has always intended His

people to live by the Book.

•God has always intended His people to live by the Book.Moses and THE BOOKMoses and THE BOOK

The King and THE BOOKThe King and THE BOOKJoshua and THE BOOKJoshua and THE BOOKJosiah and THE BOOKJosiah and THE BOOKNehemiah and THE Nehemiah and THE

BOOKBOOK


get get OUR OUR

BIBLE?BIBLE?

•James 1:22 But James 1:22 But be ye be ye doers of doers of the word, and the word, and not hearers not hearers

onlyonly, deceiving , deceiving your own selves.your own selves.


get get OUR OUR

BIBLE?BIBLE?•God has a 3

fold warning...


get get OUR OUR

BIBLE?BIBLE?

•God has a 3 fold warning: Deuteronomy 4:2Deuteronomy 4:2

Proverbs 3:5,6Proverbs 3:5,6Revelation Revelation

22:18,1922:18,19


get get OUR OUR

BIBLE?BIBLE?

•The Real Question is: Did God Preserve

His Completed Word?

• 2nd Corinthians 4:4 – “In whom the god of this the god of this world hath blinded world hath blinded the minds of them which them which

believe notbelieve not, lest the lightlest the light of the glorious gospel of ChristChrist, who is the image of Godwho is the image of God, should shine

unto them”.•Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them

from darkness to lightfrom darkness to light, and from the power of Satan from the power of Satan unto Godunto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by

faith that is in me.

• 2nd Corinthians 4:4 – “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe notthem which believe not, lest the lightlest the light of the glorious gospel of ChristChrist, who who

is the image of Godis the image of God, should shine unto them”.• Psalms 119:130 – “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth

understanding unto the simple.”• Psalms 119:105 – “Thy wordThy word is a lamp is a lamp unto my feet, and a light and a light unto my path.”

• Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heartthoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things manifest in his sight: but all things are nakedare naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom

we have to do.


get get OUR OUR

BIBLE?BIBLE?

•Did God Preserve His Completed

Word?The The PromisePromise of Godof God

•2 Kings 10:10 (a)– 2 Kings 10:10 (a)– ““Know now that Know now that there shall fall there shall fall unto the earth unto the earth nothing of the nothing of the

word of the word of the LORDLORD, ...”, ...”

•Psalms 12:6-Psalms 12:6-7 – “7 – “The The words of the LORD words of the LORD are are pure words: as silver tried pure words: as silver tried

in a furnace of earth, in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. purified seven times. Thou Thou

shalt keep them, O shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt LORD, thou shalt

preserve them preserve them from this from this generation for ever.”generation for ever.”

•Psalms 100:5Psalms 100:5 For the For the LORD is good; his mercy is LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; everlasting; and his truth and his truth

endureth to all endureth to all generationsgenerations..

•Psalms 119:89Psalms 119:89 For ever, O For ever, O LORD, thy word is LORD, thy word is settled in heavensettled in heaven..

•Psalms 119:140 Psalms 119:140 Thy word Thy word is very pureis very pure: therefore thy : therefore thy

servant loveth it.servant loveth it.•Psalms 119:152 Psalms 119:152 Concerning thy Concerning thy

testimoniestestimonies, I have known , I have known of old that of old that thou hast thou hast

founded them for everfounded them for ever..

• Psalms 119:160 Psalms 119:160 Thy word Thy word is true from the is true from the

beginningbeginning: and : and every one every one of thy righteous judgments of thy righteous judgments

endureth for everendureth for ever..•Proverbs 30:5 Proverbs 30:5 Every word Every word

of God is pureof God is pure: he is a : he is a shield unto them that put shield unto them that put

their trust in him.their trust in him.

• Isaiah 40:8 The grass Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God but the word of our God

shall stand for evershall stand for ever..• Isaiah 55:11 Isaiah 55:11 So shall my So shall my word be that goeth forth word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall out of my mouth: it shall

not return unto me voidnot return unto me void, but , but it shall accomplish that which I it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in please, and it shall prosper in

the thing whereto I sent it.the thing whereto I sent it.

• Matthew 5:18 For verily I say Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth unto you, Till heaven and earth

pass, pass, one jot or one tittle one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilledthe law, till all be fulfilled..

•Matthew 24:35 Heaven and Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, earth shall pass away, but my but my words shall not pass away.words shall not pass away.

•Luke 16:17 Luke 16:17 And it is easier And it is easier for heaven and earth to for heaven and earth to

pass, than one tittle of the pass, than one tittle of the law to faillaw to fail..

• John 10:35(b) – “… John 10:35(b) – “… the the scripture cannot be brokenscripture cannot be broken””

•1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by incorruptible, by the word of the word of

God, which liveth and God, which liveth and abideth for everabideth for ever..

•1 Peter 1:25(a)1 Peter 1:25(a) But the word of But the word of

the Lord the Lord endureth for endureth for

ever. ever.


get get OUR OUR

BIBLE?BIBLE?


Word?The The PromisePromise of Godof God


get get OUR OUR

BIBLE?BIBLE?


Word?The The PromisePromise of of

GodGodThe The PerformancePerformance

of Godof God

2 Thessalonians 3:62 Thessalonians 3:6 – – “Now we command you, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of brethren, in the name of

our Lord Jesus Christ, that our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that from every brother that walketh disorderly, walketh disorderly, and and not after the traditionnot after the tradition

which he received of us.”which he received of us.”

“That all should receive with equal reverence equal reverence the books of the Old and New Testaments, andand the the

traditions traditions concerning faith and manners, as proceeding from the mouth of Christ, or

inspired by the Holy Spirit, andand preserved in the Catholic Church; and that whosoever

knowingly, and of deliberate purpose, despised traditionstraditions, should be anathema”


mm

The Catholic Church holds that “the Word of God in general, both written and unwritten, - in in other words, the Bible and tradition taken other words, the Bible and tradition taken togethertogether, - constitute the rule of faith, or

method appointed by Christ for finding out the true religion”.- Milner’s End of Controversy-

1827


mm

Job 41:12-14 – “ I will not conceal his

parts, nor his power, nor his comely

proportion. Who can discover the

face of his garment? or who

can come to him with his double bridle? Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are

terrible round about.”


get get OUR OUR

BIBLE?BIBLE?


Word?The The PromisePromise of of

GodGodThe The PerformancePerformance

of Godof God


get OUR get OUR BIBLE?BIBLE?

•The Mentioning of the Apostles

The The PerformancePerformance of Godof God




Apostolic CREDENTIALS


•1 Corinthians 9:11 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not Am I not an apostlean apostle? am I not free? ? am I not free?

have I not seen Jesus have I not seen Jesus Christ our LordChrist our Lord? are not ye ? are not ye

my work in the Lord?my work in the Lord?•2 Corinthians 12:122 Corinthians 12:12 Truly the Truly the

signs of an apostle were signs of an apostle were wrought among you wrought among you in all in all

patience, in signs, and wonders, patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.and mighty deeds.


get OUR get OUR BIBLE?BIBLE?•The Mentioning of the

ApostlesApostolic

CREDENTIALSApostolic

COMMISSION


The Catholic Church holds that “the Word of God in general, both written and unwritten, - in in other words, the Bible and tradition taken other words, the Bible and tradition taken togethertogether, - constitute the rule of faith, or

method appointed by Christ for finding out the true religion”.- Milner’s End of Controversy-

1827


mm

•Matthew 28:19-20 Matthew 28:19-20 - “ - “GoGo ye ye therefore, therefore, and teach all and teach all

nations, baptizing them in the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them Teaching them to observe all to observe all things whatsoever I have things whatsoever I have

commanded you: and, lo, I am commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the with you alway, even unto the

end of the world. Amen.”end of the world. Amen.”





Apostolic COMMISSION

Apostolic CAPACITY


• Ephesians 2:19-21 Ephesians 2:19-21 Now therefore Now therefore ye are no more strangers and ye are no more strangers and

foreigners, but fellowcitizens with foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of the saints, and of the household of

God; God; And are built upon the And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stonebeing the chief corner stone; ;

In whom all the building fitly In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an framed together groweth unto an

holy temple in the Lord:holy temple in the Lord:

• 1 Corinthians 12:27-28 1 Corinthians 12:27-28 Now ye Now ye are the body of Christ, are the body of Christ,

and members in and members in particular. And God hath particular. And God hath set some in the church, set some in the church, first apostlesfirst apostles, secondarily , secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after prophets, thirdly teachers, after

that miracles, then gifts of that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, healings, helps, governments,

diversities of tongues.diversities of tongues.

•1 Corinthians 4:9 1 Corinthians 4:9 For “I For “I think that God hath think that God hath set set forth us the apostles forth us the apostles

last, last, as it were as it were appointed to death: for appointed to death: for

we are made a spectacle we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to unto the world, and to angels, and to men.”angels, and to men.”





Apostolic COMMISSION

Apostolic CAPACITY


• Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the Full well ye reject the

commandment of God, that commandment of God, that ye may keep your own ye may keep your own

traditiontradition..

• Mark 7:13 Mark 7:13 Making the word of Making the word of God of none effect through God of none effect through your traditionyour tradition, , which ye which ye

have deliveredhave delivered: and many : and many such like things do ye.such like things do ye.

•Colossians 2:8 Colossians 2:8 BewareBeware lest any man spoil you lest any man spoil you through philosophy and through philosophy and vain deceit, vain deceit, after the after the

tradition of mentradition of men, after , after the rudiments of the the rudiments of the world, and not after world, and not after

ChristChrist..


get OUR get OUR BIBLE?BIBLE?•The Mentioning of

the Apostles•The Authority of

the Apostles



get OUR get OUR BIBLE?BIBLE?•The Authority of the

ApostlesEqual to Scripture

Considered ScriptureMore Sure Scripture


“Supernatural experiences could contradict God’s Word and still be and still be

from the Lord.”- John Goodwin from Vineyard Pastor, Healing,

Sign and Wonders and Church Growth Conference


get OUR get OUR BIBLE?BIBLE?•The Authority of the

ApostlesEqual to Scripture

Considered ScriptureMore Sure Scripture



get get OUR OUR

BIBLE?BIBLE?


Word?

The The PromisePromise of of GodGod


The The ProofProof from from GodGod

•1 Corinthians 5:9 1 Corinthians 5:9 ““I wrote I wrote unto you in an epistleunto you in an epistle not not to company with fornicators”to company with fornicators”•Colossians 4:16 And when Colossians 4:16 And when

this epistle is read among this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read you, cause that it be read also in the church of the also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye Laodiceans; and that ye

likewise likewise read the epistle read the epistle from Laodicea.from Laodicea.


get get OUR OUR

BIBLE?BIBLE?


Word?

The The PromisePromise of of GodGod


The The ProofProof from from GodGod



An An AbidingAbiding AssuranceAssurance

•John 10:27 “My sheep hear my sheep hear my voicevoice, and I know them, and

they follow mefollow me”•John 10:4-5 And when he putteth

forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep

follow him: for they know his for they know his voice. And a stranger will voice. And a stranger will they not followthey not follow, but will flee

from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

• John 14:21-26 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou

wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man

love me, he will keep my wordslove me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make

our abode with him. He that loveth me not He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayingskeepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet

present with you. But the Comforter, which is But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghostthe Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in , whom the Father will send in

my name, he shall teach you all things, and my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, bring all things to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto youwhatsoever I have said unto you.

• 1 John 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and know we the spirit of truth, and

the spirit of errorthe spirit of error.• 1 John 2:27 But the anointing But the anointing which ye have received of him which ye have received of him abideth in youabideth in you, and ye need not

that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all

things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall

abide in him.

• John 16:13-15 Howbeit when he, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he the Spirit of truth, is come, he

will guide you into all truth: will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but

whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he for he shall receive of mine, and shall shall receive of mine, and shall

shew it unto youshew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I,

that he shall take of mine, and that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.shall shew it unto you.



An An AbidingAbiding AssuranceAssurance

An An AwesomeAwesome AwarenessAwareness


get OUR get OUR BIBLE?BIBLE?An An AbidingAbiding

AssuranceAssuranceAn An AwesomeAwesome

AwarenessAwarenessAn An AgelessAgeless

AuthorityAuthority

•John 8:31-32 John 8:31-32 Then said Then said Jesus to those Jews which Jesus to those Jews which

believed on him, If ye believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then continue in my word, then

are ye my disciples are ye my disciples indeed; indeed; And ye shall And ye shall

know the truth, and the know the truth, and the truth shall make you truth shall make you

freefree..

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