SCRIPTURE
The Bible is comprised of sixty-six books (thirty-nine in the Old Testament and twenty-seven in the New Testament). It was compiled by a process of recognition (not determination) into a canon (i.e., a rule or standard) by the people of God in attestation to the accuracy and reliability (for faith and practice) of each individual book.
Written by the Holy Spirit through the unique personalities, backgrounds, and perspectives of prophetic men (2 Pet. 1.20-21), the Bible is God’s divine, complete, and sufficient disclosure of truth regarding His person (Ps. 138.2), works (Ps. 33.6; cf. Jn. 1.3), and redemptive plan (Ps. 119.105; Lk. 24.27, 44-45; Jn. 5.39). In the original manuscripts (called autographs), the books of the Bible were perfect in grammar and factual content. Due to the abundance of OT and NT manuscripts, the work of textual scholars, and (most importantly) the providence and protection of the Holy Spirit, we enjoy the same words and experiences of the original audiences.
The timeless truths of the Bible are unable to lead an individual or church body astray (theologically, historically, scientifically, and/or practically) (Num. 23.19; Ps. 12.6; Prov. 30.5). However, as has been the case throughout the history of the church, if any individual or group does not pay careful attention to the rules of grammar and language and/or disregards the study of historical background, historical orthodoxy, and (most importantly) redemptive history (found within Scripture itself), sinful individuals can and will distort Scripture’s plain meaning.
The Bible is infallible (2 Sam. 22.31; Ps. 18.30). Therefore, it is supremely authoritative for all of our thinking, life, practices, and decisions in both the life of the church and as individuals (2 Tim. 3.16-17; Jn. 17.17). In other words, as the Protestant Reformers put it, we believe in the authority of Scripture alone. Because of this, it is sufficient for all the problems and perplexities of a person’s life (Ps. 107.20). The proper method for its interpretation is reading the text in its grammatical-historical-canonical context, in accordance with the author’s intent. The ultimate goal of interpretation is to know God in the face of Jesus Christ – who is concealed in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament (Jn. 5.39; Lk. 24.27, 44-45; Col. 2.16-17). A person’s recognition of the Bible as the Word of God takes place by the Holy Spirit’s witness in their heart that it is so (I Cor. 2.13-14).
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