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-22-
God Hath Spoken
The Finality of Scripture
In the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew chapter 5, we read: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled" (vs. 17-18). Note again how Solomon said of old, "Every word of God is pure" (Proverbs 30:5).
Turn again in Matthew to chapter 24, verse 35: "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." If, therefore, the Word of the Lord shall not pass away, then the word of the Lord is sure. And, if it is sure, then it is free from error. And, if it is free from error, then it is infallible, or incapable of error; and if it is not, then the Word of God is not sure.
Someone may object and say, "I have a Bible in which the printer has made typographical errors. How can it be said that the Bible is without error?" Printing errors do not nullify the fact that the Bible is the Word of God. It remains without error as to the teaching of the very words.
David wrote in Psalm 19, verse 7, "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul." It cannot be perfect if it contains errors; and, the only reason it can convert the soul is because it is perfect.
Note again, "The testimony of the LORD is sure." It cannot be "sure" if it is capable of error. If we trust its precepts only to find that they slip and slide, how can it be "sure?" Nevertheless, because it is sure, it makes the simple wise.
"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 for ever: 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 is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward" (Ps. 19:7-11).
In Psalm 119, verse 89, the Psalmist says, "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." Now if the word of God is not without error, what is it doing in a place where there is nothing but perfection? And, if the word of God indeed is not incapable of error, why would we want to trust it? When Jesus said, "Ye do err not knowing the Scriptures," how would we keep from erring if we knew the Scriptures, and they were not perfect? Anything less than perfection makes the Scriptures worthless.
The Scriptures are authoritative. The apostle Paul writes in I Corinthians chapter 1, beginning at verse 18: "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
"Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (1 Cor. 1:18-31).
The Word of God is given to be our guide, and our guard. It is therefore authoritative. As such, it is supreme over our opinions. Its authority lies in the breath of God by which it is inspired.
In I Corinthians chapter 2, note verse 14. "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Men by wisdom do not know God.
The Scriptures are necessary. God chose to commit revelation to writing. This includes the knowledge of salvation.
The Scriptures are perspicuous. They are clear, simple, complete and self interpreting.
The Scriptures are sufficient being the guide God has given us as to what we are to believe and how we are to live. Woe unto them, therefore, who will not read His written Word!