All talks » Scripture: The sufficiency of scripture

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Date: 05 Feb 2020
Bible:
Speaker: Andrew Latimer

The Sufficiency of Scripture

  

God has spoken a final word in Jesus

  

   a. God has told us all we need through Jesus

  Hebrews 1:1-3 (cf. Jude 3)

  Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…3 After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

  

   b. We are called not to receive new revelation

     but to remember and pass on what the apostles heard

  2 Peter 1:13-15 (cf. 3:1-2)

  13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

  

  2 Timothy 2:2 (cf. 1:13-14; Ephesians 3:2-5)

  2 …and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

  

  2. God is still speaking what he has spoken 

  

   a. What God told them was for us

  Romans 15:4 (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; 1 Peter 1:10-12)

  For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction…

  

   b. What God told them he is telling us

  Hebrews 3:7 

  Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…”

  

  3. So we are to look to the Bible (and not outside it) to hear from God

  Colossians 3:16

  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom…

   

          …but what about prophecy?

  4. Prophecy means different things in different parts of the Bible

  

   Old Testament (prophets; part of Scripture; finished)

  Jeremiah 26:12, 18 “The Lord sent me to prophesy…Thus says the Lord…”

   

   Ephesians 2:20 (prophets; part of Scripture; finished)

  …the household of God, [which is] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets…” (cf. 4:11)

  

   Acts 2:17 (all Christians; not Scripture; ongoing)

  “…I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy…” (cf. Numbers 11:29)

  

   1 Corinthians 12-14 (prophets; not Scripture? ongoing?)

  1 Corinthians 14:3 the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:8-12; 1 Corinthians 14:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21)