THE GREATNESS OF THE SCRIPTURES

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness!” (2 Tim. 3:16 NKJV).

Here we have an important text on the greatness of the Bible. It speaks about the inspiration of the Scriptures and about the influence of the Scriptures.

Inspiration of the Scriptures – “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” Three important truths to note. First, the composing of Scriptures. The word translated “inspiration” means to breathe out. That is what a person does when he speaks. Thus, the Scriptures are composed by God breathing out His Word through the writers. Second, the Creator of the Scriptures. God is the Creator of the Scriptures. He is the One Who breathed out the words for the Bible. Thus, the Scriptures are truly God’s Word. Third, the character of the Scriptures. If the Scriptures are produced by God, they must be holy, and true. They are of highest character. The Bible does not teach error, only truth.

Influence of the Scriptures – “Is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Four areas of influence are stated here. First, creed. “Doctrine.” The Scriptures is where we should get our creed. Some get their creed from the current culture. But only the Scriptures gives the right creed. Second, condemnation. “Reproof.” The Scriptures give strong “reproof” of ungodly living. That is the reason many folks do not like the Scriptures; it condemns their sinful lifestyles. Third, correction. “Correction.” Not only do the Scriptures tell us what is wrong, but they also tell us what is right. They not only condemn us when we are wrong, but they also show us the right way to go. Fourth, character. “Righteousness.” A number of books are written that promote evil, but the Scriptures are written to guide men into righteousness and holy living. If we do not read and study the Scriptures, we will not know what is right and wrong. Reading and studying the Scriptures promotes a holy lifestyle.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“God is the author of the Bible, and only the truth it contains will lead people to true happiness!”

George Muller (1805 – 1898)

Christian Missionary, Evangelist and Director of Orphan Houses

Word Study

Fleshly

In Rom. 7:14 we read, “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin” (NKJV).

“Fleshy (carnal)” is the Greek word sarkikós (σαρκικός = sar-kee-kos') and means of flesh and can refer to physical flesh or to the moral / ethical aspects of flesh. In classical Greek, sarkikós means belonging to the flesh. Sarkikós does not appear in the Septuagint. And while sarkikós has no inherently negative aspect in classical Greek, that changed to some extent in the New Testament. When it is contrasted with pneumatikós “spiritual,” it speaks of belonging to the sinful nature, the flesh. In the present context, it speaks of one who is dominated by the indwelling sinful tendencies, in contrast to the “spiritual,” which finds its origin and source in God, and is in affinity with God.

Did You Know…

According to Deut. 15:18, an Israelite who sold himself as a slave was to be paid half of what a hired person was paid. It would have cost the master at least twice as much if he had hired someone for six years.

Bible Quiz

How was the Red Sea parted?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz

According to 2 Kings, what was the one thing Elijah left behind him when God took him to heaven? He left behind his cloak / mantle (2 Kings 2:13).

Prophecies Fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ

His delight in the will of the Father (Psalm 40:6-8; cf. John 4:34, Heb. 10:5-10)

"Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. Then I said, “Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart” (Psalm 38:20 NJKV).

In response to God’s gracious deliverance, David recommitted himself to the Lord. He expressed his desire to do God’s will and to obey His Word. These verses present a marvelous example of what is involved in dedicating oneself to God’s will in accordance with His Word. David also spoke prophetically of the coming Messiah. Verses 6-8 takes on greater significance when cited in Heb. 10:5-7. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the writer contrasted the Lord Jesus Christ’s perfect obedience and sacrifice with the insufficiency of the Mosaic sacrifices. The Old Testament sacrifices were not the final solution to the sin problem, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” (Heb. 10:4). It is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ that “cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). And the Lord Jesus was so delighted in doing the will of the Father that He said to the disciples, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). His delight in performing God’s will over His own human desires has set the standard we should strive to follow.

Did You Know – Christian History

John Hooper Burned in Gloucester - February 9, 1555

John Hooper was born about AD 1495 in Somerset, England. He was an English churchman, Anglican Bishop of Gloucester, a Protestant reformer and martyr.

Hooper was educated at Merton College, Oxford, and later became a Cistercian monk. However, he embraced Protestantism and fled to the continent during the reign of Henry VIII, where he was influenced by the teachings of Swiss reformers like Heinrich Bullinger. Upon returning to England during the reign of Edward VI, Hooper quickly rose to prominence. He was appointed Bishop of Gloucester in 1551, where he was known for his zealous reform efforts, including advocating for a more simplified form of worship and opposing the use of traditional vestments.

The accession of Mary I to the throne in 1553 marked a dramatic shift in England’s religious landscape. A devout Roman Catholic, Mary sought to reverse the Protestant reforms of her predecessors and restore Roman Catholicism as the state religion. This led to the Marian Persecutions, a campaign against Protestant leaders and adherents. Hooper was arrested in September 1553, shortly after Mary became queen. He was imprisoned in the Fleet Prison and later transferred to the Tower of London. Despite being offered opportunities to recant his Protestant beliefs, Hooper remained steadfast in his convictions. On February 9, 1555, Hooper was taken to Gloucester, where he was to be executed. His execution was intended to serve as a public demonstration of the consequences of heresy and to deter others from Protestant beliefs. Hooper’s execution was notably prolonged and painful, as the fire was poorly managed, causing him to suffer for nearly 45 minutes before succumbing to the flames.

Hooper’s martyrdom became a symbol of Protestant resistance against Catholic persecution, and is remembered as a testament to enduring faith and the value of Scripture over political or religious pressure. His steadfastness in the face of death inspired many Protestants and was later recorded in John Foxe’s “Book of Martyrs,” which documented the sufferings of Protestant martyrs during the Marian Persecutions. The Marian Persecutions ultimately failed to suppress Protestantism in England. Following Mary’s death in 1558 and the accession of Elizabeth I, Protestantism was re-established as the state religion, and the Church of England was firmly rooted in the Protestant tradition. Hooper’s execution is remembered as a poignant example of the religious strife that characterized the Tudor period and the enduring struggle for religious freedom and reform.

A Little Humor

A man was working outside and got bit by some ants. He screamed, “Ow! Why did God even create ants?” His little boy was out in the yard with him too and said, “Dad, that’s a really mean thing to say. Of course God had to create ants!” When the dad asked why, the boy calmly replied, “Because without ants, the uncles would have no wives.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Jesus is alive! This is the real reason for hope and a changed life!”