The Doctrine of Holy Scripture
Why We Need the Bible
Creation and reason show us that God exists, leaving everyone without excuse. However, this general revelation isn’t enough to show us the way of salvation. Therefore, God graciously chose to reveal Himself and His will for our salvation clearly, and then had it written down in the Bible to preserve and spread this truth perfectly.
Belgic Confession: Art. 2; Heidelberg Catechism: Q&A 21-22; Westminster Larger Catechism: Q&A 2; Westminster Shorter Catechism: Q&A 2
Psalm 19:1-3; Proverbs 22:19-21; Isaiah 8:19-20; Matthew 4:4,7,10; Luke 1:3-4; Romans 1:19-20,32, 2:1,14-15, 15:4; 1 Corinthians 1:21, 2:13-14; 2 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:19
What Books Are in the Bible
The Holy Scripture consists of all the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. All of these books, and only these, were inspired by God. They serve as the ultimate rule for our faith and life.
Belgic Confession: Art. 4; Westminster Larger Catechism: Q&A 3; Westminster Shorter Catechism: Q&A 2
Luke 16:29,31; Ephesians 2:20; Revelation 22:18-19; 2 Timothy 3:16
About the Apocrypha
The books commonly called the Apocrypha are not inspired by God and are not part of the biblical canon. They hold no authority in the Church of God. Therefore, they should not be treated any differently than other human writings.
Belgic Confession: Art. 6; Westminster Larger Catechism: Q&A 3
Luke 24:27,44; Romans 3:2; 2 Peter 1:21
The Bible’s Authority
The Bible’s authority does not depend on the opinion of any person or church but rests entirely on its author, God, who is truth itself. It is to be received and obeyed for one reason: because it is the Word of God.
Belgic Confession: Art. 5; Westminster Larger Catechism: Q&A 4; Westminster Shorter Catechism: Q&A 3
1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 5:9; 2 Peter 1:19,21
Why We Believe the Bible
The Bible’s heavenly message, powerful doctrine, majestic style, and perfect internal consistency are all powerful arguments for its divine origin. We can be moved by the testimony of the church to hold it in high esteem. Yet, our full persuasion and assurance of its infallible truth comes from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, who bears witness by and with the Word in our hearts.
Belgic Confession: Art. 5; Heidelberg Catechism: Q&A 21; Westminster Larger Catechism: Q&A 4
Isaiah 59:21; John 16:13-14; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12; 1 John 2:20,27; 1 Timothy 3:15
The Bible is Enough
The Bible contains God’s whole will for His own glory, our salvation, and everything we need for faith and life. Nothing should be added to it, whether by new revelations of the Spirit or by human traditions. While Scripture is complete, we still need the Holy Spirit’s illumination to have a saving understanding of what is revealed in the Word.
Belgic Confession: Art. 7; Westminster Larger Catechism: Q&A 5; Westminster Shorter Catechism: Q&A 2
Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; John 6:45; 1 Corinthians 2:9-12, 11:13-14, 14:26,40; 2 Timothy 3:15-17
Is the Bible Clear?
Not everything in the Bible is equally plain to all people. However, the essential truths needed for salvation are presented so clearly in various parts of Scripture that anyone—whether learned or not—can sufficiently understand them through the ordinary means of grace.
Belgic Confession: Art. 7; Westminster Larger Catechism: Q&A 5
Psalm 119:105,130; 2 Peter 3:16
Original Languages and Translations
The Old Testament in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek are the original, inspired, and authentic Word of God. Because these languages aren’t known to everyone, the Bible must be translated into the common language of every nation. This ensures all God’s people can read it, worship Him acceptably, and have hope through the Scriptures.
Reformation principle of vernacular Scripture.
Isaiah 8:20; Matthew 5:18; John 5:39,46; Acts 15:15; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 14:6,9,11-12,24,27-28; Colossians 3:16
How to Interpret the Bible
The only infallible rule for interpreting Scripture is Scripture itself. When a particular passage is difficult to understand, its true and full sense must be found by searching other passages that speak more clearly. There is only one meaning to any Scripture, and the Bible is its own best interpreter.
Belgic Confession: Art. 7
Acts 15:15-16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
The Bible is the Final Word
The ultimate authority for settling all religious disputes and for examining all human traditions, opinions, and decrees is the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture. No council, ancient writer, or private spirit can be the final judge. The Bible alone is the supreme standard in whose sentence we must rest.
Belgic Confession: Art. 7; Westminster Larger Catechism: Q&A 5
Matthew 22:29,31; Acts 28:25; Ephesians 2:20