Calvin Synod Herald, 2006 (107. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2006-09-01 / 9-10. szám

10

CALVIN SYNOD HÉRÁI D

Reformed Doctrine

Part 1.

The reformed faith has been set forth through the centuries by a series of confessional documents. I do not think we can find a place any of the reformed confessions contradict each other in an essential doctrine. I like the layout of the Westminster though like all other confessions it has shortcomings in places. It does however provide the platform to create a series of truly reformed lessons of essential reformed doctrine. I have previously written a series of lessons based on the 2nd Helvetic Confession of Faith. This time I have chosen the Westminster but have gone a step further, the text is not of any particular version of the Westminster Confession of Faith but my own paraphrase of the same. In essence this will then create a new series of reformed lessons on doctrine that all of the reformed agree upon without taking away from the particular confession(s) their denomination subscribes to. Therefore except for orderliness where I have left the Westminster headings in place and their paragraph structure and deal with things in this sequence this is a new reformed study of essential doctrine.

The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter I Of the Holy Scripture

I. When we look at nature, its complexities yet extreme orderliness we can see that such a creation must have a Creator. In creation we can see God’s goodness, wisdom, and power. No man can claim there is no god using the excuse of ignorance because nature declares this truth. [1] While nature (creation) reveals much about God it does not reveal what is necessary for salvation. God must reveal to man knowledge of His will for man to know how to be saved. [2] God using various means has spoken to His people from the beginning of time to reveal Himself to them and make His will clear to them. [3] God at a time of His own choosing to better preserve His word and to enable a more sure establishment of the church caused His word to be written down. This gives the church a better means to guard against the corruption of Satan and avoid the ways of the world. [4] This makes the Scriptures an absolute necessity to the church and God’s people. [5] The revelation of His will by God to man is complete. This means that even if God communicates with His people on a continuing basis as Scripture indicates will be done it will not add to or take away from the Bible which God has sealed and protected though the ages. [6]

1. Rom. 1:19-20; 1:32-2:1; 2:14-15; Psa. 19:1-4

2. John 17:3; I Cor. 1:21; 2:13-14

3. Heb. 1:1-2

4. Luke 1:3-4; Rom. 15:4; Matt. 4:4, 7, 10; Isa. 8:20

5. II Tim. 3:15; II Peter 1:19

6. John 20:31; I Cor. 10:11; 14:37; I John 5:13; Heb. 1:1-2; 2:2-4

II. The Bible is complete and all of God’s revealed will is included in these sixty-six books of Scripture collectively called the Word of God or Bible.

Of the Old Testament:

Genesis

I Kings

Ecclesiastes

Obadiah

Exodus

II Kings

The Song of Songs Jonah

Leviticus

I Chronicles

Isaiah

Micah

Numbers

II Chronicles

Jeremiah

Nahum

Deuteronomy

Ezra

Lamentations

Habakkuk

Joshua

Nehemiah

Ezekiel

Zephaniah

Judges

Esther

Daniel

Haggai

Ruth

Job

Hosea

Zechariah

I Samuel

Psalms

Joel

Malachi

II Samuel

Proverbs

Amos

Of the New Testament

Matthew

Romans

Philippians 2 Timothy 1 Peter

Jude

Mark

1 Corinthians Colossians Titus

2 Peter Revelation

Luke

2 Corinthinas

1 Thessalonians

Philemon

1 John

John

Galatians

2 Thessalonians

Hebrews

2 John

Acts

Ephesians

1 Timothy

James

3 John

The whole Bible is the only rule for what we believe and how we act in life. [7]

7. Luke 16:29, 31; 24:27, 44; II Tim. 3:15-16; John 5:46-47

III. There are many writings that try to appear to be like the Scriptures if not a part of Scripture. Some of these we know as the Apocrypha. No writing no matter where it is claimed it came from has any authority in the church or the life of a believer except God’s revealed will, the Bible. The only use of such works is that of man made books. It is not forbidden to read them or learn from them where they are in accord with the Bible. [8]

8. Rev. 22:18-19; Rom. 3:2; II Peter 1:21

IV. The Bible gets its authority from being the very word of God. God in effect wrote the Bible and it is received then as God’s word to mankind. The authority is then of God not any church or person on earth. [9]

9. II Peter 1:19-20; II Tim. 3:16; I John 5:9; I Thess. 2:13; Rev. 1:1-2

V. Likewise we may be influenced to give attention to the divine nature of the Bible, how effective the doctrines taught in the Bible are, How its parts all agree with each other, and how the whole when considered gives all glory to God. The complete revelation of the Bible is the only way to be saved. Its excellence and perfection testifies to it being what it claims to be, the Word of God. However none of this will bring complete persuasion and assurance of its truth and authority to man without the inward working of the Holy Spirit testifying to man’s spirit these great truths. [11]

10.1 Tim 3:15

11.1 Cor. 2:4-5, 9-10; Heb. 4:12; John 10:35; Isa. 55:11, 59:21;