What sector of humanity often opposes the authority of the Bible?
(Matthew 4:1-11; 5:17-18; Luke 24:13-35; Acts 5:29 ) Blog Apr. 12-18, 2019
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: The Bible is unique for it is always up to date and has the power to make people holy when approached in faith. The major portion of Sacred Scripture is historical narrative relating the mighty acts of God in history and how they are moving towards a glorious climax. It also includes a significant amount of predictive prophecy that is 100% accurate making it like no other book in the world. With God, the Holy Spirit as its source it is the Word of God written in human language. Since holy men composed its “words” it is not inerrant but since God inspired its thoughts it is infallible. And for us, human beings, it is necessary for without it we would not know how to live or how to be saved.
Jesus and the Bible (Matt. 4:1-11; 22:23-40; Luke 2:52; 24:13-35; 44-45; 2 Tim. 3:15)
1. What expression of doubt did Satan make twice to Jesus in the wilderness? “If thou be the Son of God.”
2. As the very Son of God to what authority did Jesus appeal when met by Satan in the wilderness? To the supreme authority of Holy Scripture rather than to his own personal authority as the Son of God.
3. Why would Jesus use Holy Scripture in answer to his greatest enemy if he was God himself? Because he considered Holy Scripture superior to any miracle & it was openly available in written form to Satan & all humanity & Jesus was well acquainted with it & believed it to be supremely powerful by continually repeating the phrase “It is written.”
4. How was it that Jesus knew Holy Scripture so well and could quote it without hesitation even after being decimated by a forty-day fast in a dangerous desert? It was that from childhood he, like Timothy, had been diligently taught it at his mother’s knee & that as a youth he personally gained wisdom from its daily study.
5. In response to Satan’s first temptation how does Jesus’ answer show how he regarded Scripture in relation to life? He placed the Bible, as a whole, as the fountain of spiritual life.
6. How did Satan acknowledge the Bible as having supreme authority when taking Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple? By quoting it himself which was also an admission that he had studied it diligently.
7. Why didn’t Jesus add some interpretive comments to the Scriptures he quoted in the wilderness? Because the plain words of Scripture need no interpretation – they just need to be understood.
8. What does Jesus’ answer to the Sadducees in Matthew 22 tell us about the Bible? That when quoting it it must be properly understood & that it is important to read all of it comparing Scripture with Scripture.
9. When responding to the Pharisee’s question in Matthew 22 from where did he quote his answer? From Deuteronomy 6:5 & Leviticus 19:18 showing that the Bible has authoritative answers to the great questions of life.
10. What should we learn from Jesus’ conversation with two disciples on the road to Emmaus? That the entire Old Testament speaks of & points to him & that if properly understood & accepted as unquestionable authority would have removed the doubts of his disciples.
11. On what basis does Jesus say that it was necessary for him to suffer, die, and rise again? On the basis that Moses, the prophets, & Psalms said so.
The Apostles and the Bible:
12. In the following passages observe how the writers of the New Testament used Holy Scripture as their authority:
Mark 1:1-4: When Mark begins his gospel, on whose authority does he identify John the Baptist? On God’s authority as recorded in Isaiah 40.
Luke 2:21-24: Why does Luke say that Joseph and Mary brought Jesus with a dedication offering to the temple? Because God had commanded such in Exodus & Leviticus.
Rom. 3:1-4: What great advantage does Paul say that the Jews had over all other nations whether they realized it or not? That to them were given the Word of God, showing that it should have guided their every thought, word, & action.
1 Cor. 1:18-20: Based on Isaiah 29:14 how does Paul compare human wisdom to the Word of God? When pitted against God’s Word human wisdom is worthless.
1 Pet. 1:13-16: On what ultimate authority does Peter say that we should live obedient lives? On that of Holy Scripture recorded in Leviticus 11 & 19.
13. Why do Mark, Luke, Paul, and Peter all base their understanding of events and life on Bible references? Because that is the undeniable authority they had for all their faith and lifestyle.
The Absolute Authority of the Bible (Isa. 40:8; Matt. 5:17-18; Acts 5:29; 2 Tim. 3:16)
14. When do Isaiah and Jesus say that God’s Holy Word will no longer be the supreme authority for humanity? Not until heaven & earth pass away – never.
15. In what areas of life does Paul say that Scripture has authority? In doctrine, reproof, correction, & instruction in righteousness – in other words in all areas of faith & living.
16. What sector of humanity often opposes the authority of the Bible? That of collective man — administrators, committees, conferences, councils, churches, or elected popes — these have NO right to overrule what the Bible says.
17. How does Peter express to the Jewish council that they have no right to overrule the Bible? By saying “We ought to obey God rather than men.”