Q2: What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
A2: The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.
Q3: What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A3: The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
I. "The Word of God..." God has spoken.
Special Revelation (in distinction from General Revelation)
II. "...which is contained..." The Inscripturation of Special Revelation
Some of what God has spoken has been recorded in writing and preserved by God.
III. "...in the Scriptures..." The Canon of the Bible
The Old Testament (39 books)
The New Testament (27 books)
IV. "The Word of God... in the Scriptures" The Inspiration of the Bible
Plenary Inspiration
Verbal Inspiration
Infallible Inspiration
Inerrant Inspiration
V. "...the only RULE..." The Authority of the Bible - Thus says the Lord
VI. "...the ONLY rule..." The Sufficiency of the Bible
VII. "The Scriptures principally teach..." The Focus of the Bible
The Internal Testimony of the Bible
I. The Old Testament
A. Its Authorship (Exodus 24.4; 34.27-28; Deut. 31.24; 2 Kings 17.13; Is. 1.10; Jer. 30.1-3; Ezek. 1.3; Hos. 1.1-2; Joel 1.1; Amos 1.3; Obadiah 1; Jonah 1.1; Micah 1.1; Nahum 1.12; Hab. 2.2; Zeph. 1.1; Hag. 1.1-2; Zech. 1.1; Mal. 1.1)
B. Its Authority (Deut. 17.8-13; Deut. 29.14-ff; 1 Kings 2.1-4; 2 Kings 14.5-7; Is. 8.20)
II. The New Testament
A. Its Authorship
1. Jesus' View (Matthew 15.1-9; 19.1-10; 22.22-23; Mark 7.1-13; 12.18-27)
2. The Apostles' View (2 Tim. 3.16-17; 2 Pet. 1.13-21) ("God said" - Acts 3.17- 21; 4.25-26; 7.5-8; Rom. 1.1-3; 9.15,25-26; 1 Cor. 6.16; 2 Cor. 6.16-18; Eph. 4.8; Heb. 1.1-13; 5.5-6; 8.5,8-13; 10.5-9; Rev. 1.11) ("The Holy Spirit said" - Acts 1.15-20; 28.25-28; Heb. 3.7-11; 10.15-17)
B. Its Authority
1. Jesus' View (Matt. 5.17-20; Luke 16.19-31; 24.13-27,44-47; John 10.30-39) ("It is written" - Matt. 4.4-10; 21.13; 26.24; 26.31; Mark 7.6; 9.12-13; 14.21,27; Luke 10.26; 18.31; 20.17-18; 21.22; 22.37; 24.44-46; John 6.45; 15.25)
2. The Apostles' View ("It is written" - Acts 1.16-20; 7.1-50; 13.29-41; 15.13-21; 17.1-4; Rom. 1.17; 2.24; 3.10-18; 15.8-13; 2 Cor. 4.13-15; Gal. 3.10-13; 1 Pet. 1.15-16)
III. The Ramifications and Conclusions
A. The Bible is without error and fully trustworthy
B. How do we respond?
1. The blessing of humble submission (Psalm 1; Psalm 19.7-14; Rom. 10.17)
2. The curse of rejection (Deut. 27.26; Prov. 13.13; Is. 5.20-25; John 12.44-50)