II Timothy 3:14-17 (NKJV)

14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

II Timothy 3:14-17 (NKJV)

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCHII Timothy 3:14-17

Doctrine Of The Church We are in the midst of a series of

lessons designed to help us recognize the church of the New Testament

In a world where there is a church building on every corner, how do we know which church is the church Jesus built?

Doctrine Of The Church So far we have looked at what the

church actually is We discussed how one becomes a

member of the church of the NT We looked last time at what the

worship of the NT church looked like

Doctrine Of The Church Notice that we did all of these by going

back to the scriptures Why is it that we do that? Why do we bother trying to hold to a

document that was written around 2,000 years ago

Why can we not just do what we want?

Inspiration Of The Bible We begin by asking and answering the

question of why the Bible is relevant II Timothy 3:14-17 Paul reveals here that all of scripture has

been given by the inspiration of God That literally means that scripture is

God-breathed

Inspiration Of The Bible Notice that all scripture is also

profitable for:o teaching (doctrine)o reproof (evidence)o correction (restore or straighten)o instruction (education or training)

Inspiration Of The Bible II Peter 1:19-21 No man has written what we call

scripture through or by his own will

These holy men of God were moved by the Holy Spirit, therefore speaking the things of God

The Bible is most certainly God’s word

Inspiration Of The Bible Jesus Himself referred to the

scriptures as God’s word Jesus called the Old Testament

“your law”, “the word of God”, and “Scripture” (Jn. 10:34-35)

Jesus said the Sadducees did not know the “Scriptures” (Matt. 22:29)

Inspiration Of The Bible We know the rest of the New

Testament is included in this by what we read as well

The apostles were told that the Spirit would speak for them (Matt. 10:19-20)

Jesus also said that the Holy Spirit would teach them and “bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (Jn. 14:26)

Inspiration Of The Bible Jesus went on to also say that

the Spirit would “guide you into all truth” and “He will tell you things to come” (Jn. 16:13)

The fact that the Bible is inspired by God tells us that it came from God and not man

It is therefore His instruction to us

Is God’s Word Still Relevant? How do we know if God’s word is

still relevant for us today? Was it simply written and meant

for those during the time of the writings?

Is it possible that God’s word is still relevant to our day and age some 2,000 years later?

Is God’s Word Still Relevant? The word of God was purposed

for all men for all times I Peter 1:23-25 “through the word of God which

lives and abides forever” “But the word of the Lord

endures forever”

Is God’s Word Still Relevant? Jesus had been given all

authority both in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18)

He taught then that they should be “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (v. 20)

All men that are taught are to turn around and teach all that Jesus taught (incl. GC)

Is God’s Word Still Relevant? These scriptures pertain to Jesus,

who is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8)

There is no expiration date on Romans 1:16 or Hebrews 4:12

Man does not have the ability to direct his own steps (Jer. 10:23)

Is God’s Word Still Relevant? The Bible still meets the needs of

man today…o It meets the needs for salvation from

sin (Rom. 3:23; Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12)

o It meets the social and moral needs (Matt. 7:24; Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5&6; Gal. 5:19-23)

o It meets the needs of the the scientific questions (Gen. 1:1; Ps. 19:1)