Scripturally Established: Why Build an Assembly on the Word of God?

Matt 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. [not even every word, but even the smallest detail of each individual character!] Ps 119:89 Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Ps 119:152 Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever. Ps 119:160 The entirety of Your word [is] truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments [endures] forever. 3. Because the Bible Is __________________________________________ – God’s Word has been transmitted with care and accuracy. • Not one specific translation (e.g. “KJV Only”). Each needs to be evaluated on its own merit for accuracy. We have some very accurate literal translations; questionable passages are small details, not key truths. Why all the new “translations”? • Categories of Bible “Translations” o Literal – word for word (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV) Acts 15:13-17 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, "Men [and] brethren, listen to me: Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: 'After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the LORD who does all these things.'” Gal 1:6-12 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught [it,] but [it came] through the revelation of Jesus Christ. o Paraphrase – loose, general summary (God’s Word, Living Bible) Heb 4:12 For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. o God’s Word –"You received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to live as Christ's people." 5. Because the Bible Is __________________________________________ – God’s Word is better than man’s ideas, theologies, or philosophies. o Dynamic Equivalent – thought for thought (NIV, NLT) • It is very important to have literal translations – details matter! For example, Colossians 2:6 in two translations: o NKJV – “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,” 4. Because the Bible Is __________________________________________ – God’s Word has been given by God to teach us and direct us; it is to be believed and obeyed; it should judge man’s ideas. • God’s Word vs. o Voting (Democracy), o Mandating (Dictatorship), or o Mysticism (Direct Revelation) Prov 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Northridge Baptist Church – Pastor Kevin Subra – August 16, 2020 Ps 19:7-11 The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD [are] right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD [is] pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD [is] clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD [are] true [and] righteous altogether. More to be desired [are they] than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, [And] in keeping them [there is] great reward. Matt 15:1-11 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread." He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, Whatever profit you might have received from me [is] a gift [to God" -- ] 'then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. "Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with [their] lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching [as] doctrines the commandments of men.' "When He had called the multitude to [Himself,] He said to them, "Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." Col 2:6-8 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 6. Because the Bible Is __________________________________________ – God’s Word is used by God to teach, convert, and change! Ps 119:130 The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Rom 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." Summary: • God’s Word is the only reliable source of truth. • God’s Word is to govern our individual lives, our families, and our churches. • God’s Word is to be the foundation for all thinking and teaching, and the basis for all decisions. • All decisions, programs, and lifestyles are to be evaluated on the basis of God’s Word, not popularity, voting, etc. • Man’s ideas are inferior and subordinate to God’s Word, and possibly rejected altogether. • Pastors & churches are obligated to teach God’s Word accurately, to obey it diligently, & to uphold and defend it faithfully. Northridge Baptist Church – Pastor Kevin Subra – August 16, 2020 Scripturally Established: Why Build an Assembly on the Word of God? We seek to build this ministry on and by the Word of God, regardless of tradition or opposition. We desire to accurately understand, teach, and obey the Word as God revealed it. Our goal is not to be like other Christian churches nor unlike them. Our desire is to be obedient to the Word to the best of our ability whether it pleases or displeases other men or whether we are found acceptable or unacceptable to any given organization. 1. Because the Bible Is _______________________________ – This involves the origin of, process of transmission of, and nature of God’s Word. Definition of inspiration – “God exhaled” or “God-breathed” – deals with origin, not “I was inspired to write…” 2 Tim 3:14-17 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned [them,] 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. All Scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Pet 1:16-21 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke [as they were] moved by the Holy Spirit. Rev 22:18-19 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. 2. Because the Bible Is __________________________________________ – The Word of God was given without error. • Verbal (every _____________ ) & plenary (every _______________ ). • Relates to ________________________ writings; translations can have errors or typos; very little in question, and nothing major.