Using the Bible as Ultimate Authority in Preaching and Teaching
The Authority of Scripture in Preaching and Teaching
The Bible is considered the ultimate authority in Christian preaching and teaching due to its divine inspiration and role as a guide for faith and practice. The scripture itself asserts its authority, stating that "Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness" [4]. This understanding is rooted in the biblical text, where the writers of its several books are seen as God's organs in communicating His will to men [2].
The authority of Scripture is further underscored by its use in the ministry of Jesus Christ and the apostles. Jesus sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them during His temptation in the wilderness and throughout His ministry [3]. The apostles also used Scripture to teach and preach, as seen in Acts 28:31, where Paul is "preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance" [1].
The Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin, emphasizes the importance of Scripture in the life of the Church. Calvin notes that an assembly in which the preaching of heavenly doctrine is not heard does not deserve to be reckoned a Church [6]. This highlights the central role of Scripture in Christian worship and instruction.
The Presbyterian and Reformed traditions have long affirmed the authority of Scripture in matters of doctrine and practice. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, "Scripture is the true source of all authority in questions of doctrine and practice" [8]. This understanding is grounded in the biblical text, where the one tradition writes that the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul [5].
The inspiration of Scripture is a key aspect of its authority. The apostle Paul writes that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" [3], and Peter notes that "no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" [7]. This understanding of Scripture's inspiration underscores its authority and reliability.
The authority of Scripture is not limited to matters of doctrine, but also extends to practice. The Bible provides guidance on how to live a life that is pleasing to God, with the Psalmist writing that "the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul" [5]. The apostle Paul also notes that Scripture is "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness" [4].
In Christian preaching and teaching, the authority of Scripture is paramount. It serves as the foundation for all instruction and guidance, providing a sure and certain basis for faith and practice. As the Baptist/Reformed commentator John Gill notes, the doctrines of God, as revealed in Scripture, are characterized by their truth, purity, harmony, and authority [9].
The use of Scripture in preaching and teaching is not merely a matter of conveying information, but also involves the application of its teachings to the lives of believers. The apostle Paul writes that his letters contain "some things hard to understand," but that they are intended to promote the growth of believers in the faith [7]. This understanding of the role of Scripture in Christian preaching and teaching highlights its ongoing relevance and authority.
Sources
- Acts “preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance. -- Acts 28:31”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Word of God — (Heb. 4:12, etc.). The Bible so called because the writers of its several books were God's organs in communicating his will to men. It is his "word," because he speaks to us in its sacred pages. Whatever the inspired writers here declare to be true and binding upon us, God declares to be true and binding. This word is infallible, because written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and therefore free from all error of fact or doctrine or precept. (See [670]INSPIRATION; [671]BIBLE.) All saving knowledge is obtained from the word of God. In the case of ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- 2 Timothy “Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, -- 2 Timothy 3:16”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 3, section 8.21: to the city this appellation, because there the priests and Levites were instructed according to the injunctions of the Law, that they might be the teachers of the whole people, and by their labors might spread the doctrine of salvation. ( Malachi 2:7 .) Yet we ought carefully to observe this commendation which God bestows on his Church, that it may not be without a clear mark of distinction; for an assembly in which the preaching of heavenly doctrine is not heard does not deserve to be reckoned a Church. In this sense also, Paul calls it ( 1”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:16: Scripture is the true source of all authority in questions of doctrine and practice. Be ye . . . for I am--It is I with whom ye have to do. Ye are mine. Therefore abstain from Gentile pollutions. We are too prone to have respect unto men [CALVIN]. As I am the fountain of holiness, being holy in My essence, be ye therefore zealous to be partakers of holiness, that ye may be as I also am [DIDYMUS]. God is essentially holy: the creature is holy in so far as it is sanctified by God. God, in giving the command, is willing to give also the power to obey i”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 51:16: And I have put my words in thy mouth,.... His promises and his truths, either in the mouth of his church, and people for them, both to preserve and transmit to future generations, and to publish and declare to the comfort of each other, Isa 59:21 or to the Prophet Isaiah, to make known to the people of Israel; or to Christ himself, the great Prophet in Israel, by whom grace and truth are come, and by whom God has spoken all his mind and will, and in whom all the promises are yea and amen. The doctrines of God, and not men, as appears by their truth, purity, harmony a”