All our doctrinal truth is based on the fact that the Holy Scriptures are divinely inspired. As such, the Bible becomes the court of final appeal for all our moral issues. We therefore teach all we do based on the Holy Scriptures as the will of God. The Bible is our creed, our constitution and by-laws.
1. The Holy Scriptures are given by God: 2Tim.3:16; Acts 1:16; 2 Peter 1:21.
2. Jesus Christ sanctioned the scriptures in a number of ways:
- (a) He appealed to them: Mat.4:4; Mark 12:10; John 7:42.
- (b) He taught the Scriptures to the people: Luke 24:27.
- (c) He delivered the Scriptures to the people: Heb. 1:1-2.
3. The Holy Scriptures are the Word and law of God;
- (a) Scriptures as the Word of God: Luke 11:28; Col. 3:16; Heb. 4:12; 1Peter 2:2; 1 Peter 4:11; James 1:21-23.
- (b) Scriptures as the Law of God: Psalms 1:2; Isaiah 30:9.
4. The Holy Scriptures are :
- (a) Unerring guide to us: Psalms 119:105
- (b) An instrument of salvation: 2 Tim. 3:15
- (c) Beneficial for doctrine and life giving: 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:22-23.
5. The Scriptures were given to all the people: Romans 16:26.
- (a) For instruction: Romans 15:4
- (b) To produce faith: John 20:31; Acts 20:32; Romans 10:17.
- (c) To produce hope in people: Romans 15:4.
- (d) To give life: James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; Psalms 119:50, 93.
- (e) To convert the soul: Psalms 19:7.
- (f) To cleanse the soul: Ephesians 5:26; John 15:3; Psalms 119:9.
- (g) To keep from destructive practices: Psalms 17:4
- (h) To keep the saved spiritually alive: Deut. 8:3; Mat. 4:4.
- (i) To comfort and rejoice the heart: 1 Cor. 10:11; Romans 15:4; Psalms 19:8; Psalms 119:111.
6. We are commanded by God:
- (a) To use the scriptures as the standard of teaching: 1 Peter 4:11; Isa. 8:20.
- (b) To read the Scriptures daily and also publicly: Acts 17:11; John 5:39; Deut. 17:19; Isaiah 34:16; Acts 13:15; Jer. 36:6.
- (c) To believe the scriptures and obey them: John 2:22; Mat. 28:19-20.
- (d) To receive the Scriptures and apply them in our lives:
- i. As the Word of God: 1 Thes. 2:13
- ii. With meekness: James 1:21
- iii. Commit them to heart: Deut. 6:6; 11:18.
- (e) To teach the scriptures
- (a) To children: Deut. 6:7; Deut. 11:19.
- (b) To every body: Mark 16:15-16.
- (f) Not to use the Scriptures deceitfully and not to add or deduct from them: 2 Cor. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19.
