THE DOCTRINE OF THE BIBLE

The Doctrine of the Bible

(Bibliology)

I.         Inspiration

A.         Definition of inspiration: the supernatural influ­ence of the Holy Spirit upon the individual        writ­ers of the Bible. This influence of the Holy Spirit resulted in the words of the authors       in the original manuscripts being the very words of God. These words are without error   and are authoritative.

1.       The Holy Spirit worked in the hearts and lives of the writers of the Bible.

2.       Inspiration applies to the original writings, not translations or copies.

3.       The Bible is the Word of God.

a.       The Bible has authority over man.

b.       The Bible does not have any mistakes.

B.         Proofs for inspiration

1.       The Bible says that it is inspired (II Timothy 3:16-17).

2.       The Bible cannot be destroyed.

3.       The Bible is known throughout the world.

4.       The Bible does not contradict itself

5.       The Bible presents standards of living and a way of life that are of God.

6.       The Bible is accurate in its history.

7.       The Bible is accurate in its prophecy.

8.       The Bible provides for man’s physical and spiritual needs.

9.       The Bible has the witness of the Spirit in the hearts of believers

 (I Corinthians 2:11-15).

10.   The Bible has been shown to be inspired by believers who have found its teachings to work (Psalm 119:97-104).

C.         Details of inspiration

1.       The Bible is complete (Revelation 22:18-19).

a.       Nothing should be taken away from the Bible.

b.       Nothing should be added to the Bible.

2.       The Bible is eternal (Psalm 119:89; Matthew 24:35).

II. Canonicity

A.         Definition of canonicity: the study of the way books became part of the Bible.

1.       The decision to make a book part of the bible involved many people.

2.       The decision to make a book part of the Bible involved recognizing the book as an authoritative rule for faith and practice in the church.

B.         Questions asked to determine the canonicity of the New Testament books. (All the             questions had to be answered yes before the book became a part of the New Testament.)

1.       Was the book inspired? (This question was the most important.)

2.       Was the book written by an apostle or some­one who was close to an apostle?

3.       Was the book’s message on a high level spiri­tually?

4.       Was the book received by all the churches?

C.         Details of canonicity

1.       All the books of the Bible were inspired and had authority when they were written. (They became part of the Bible later.)

2.       All the books of the Bible formally became part of the Bible by the fourth century.