The Doctrine of the Word of God (4)

B. The Necessity of Scripture

• The necessity of Scripture means that the Bible is necessary for knowledge of the gospel, for maintaining spiritual life, and for certain knowledge of God's will, but is not necessary for knowing that God exists or for knowing something about God's character and moral laws.

1. The Bible is necessary for knowledge of the gospel

2. The Bible is necessary for maintaining spiritual life

3. The Bible is necessary for certain knowledge of God's will

4. But the Bible is not necessary for knowing that God exists or for knowing something about God's character and moral laws

• Romans 1:19-21
• For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse; for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened.

C. The Sufficiency of Scripture

1. We can find all that God has said on particular topics, and we can find answers to our questions.

2. The amount of Scripture given was sufficient at each stage of redemptive history

3. Practical applications of the sufficiency of Scripture

a. An encouragement to search the Bible for answers

• The sufficiency of Scripture should encourage us as we try to discover what God would have us to think or to do .
  

b. A warning not to add to Scripture

• The sufficiency of Scripture reminds us that we are to add nothing to Scripture, and that we are to consider no other writings of equal value to Scripture.
  

c. A warning not to count any other guidance from God equal to Scripture.

• The sufficiency of Scripture shows us that no modern revelations from God are to be placed on a level equal to Scripture in authority.
  

d. A warning not to add more sins or requirements to those named in Scripture

• With regard to living the Christian life, the sufficiency of Scripture reminds us that nothing is sin that is not forbidden by Scripture either explicity or by implication.
  

e. An encouragement to be content with Scripture

• The sufficiency of Scripture reminds us that in our doctrinal ethical teaching we should emphasize what Scripture emphasizes and be content with what God has told us in Scripture.