The Bible, Is It Enough? Acts 20:18-32

Introduction.

1. In previous lessons we have briefly considered three basic doctrines:

a. The existence of God - which differentiates between.

1) Atheists and agnostics on the one hand.

2) Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Moslems, Christians, etc., on the other hand.

b. The identity of God - which distinguishes between.

1) Buddhists, Hindus, etc.

2) Jews, Moslems, Christians, etc.

c. The Identity of Jesus of Nazareth - over which there is a difference between.

1) Jews, Moslems, etc.

2) Christians.

2. It would be wonderful if all who accepted Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of God" were one.

a. Jesus prayed for such unity - John 17:20-21.

b. Paul commanded that we be one - 1 Corinthians 1:10-13.

3. The main reason why there is not unity pertains to another basic doctrine.

a. That doctrine is the all-sufficiency of the Scriptures.

1) Are the Scriptures sufficient by themselves to lead us unto salvation and to guide our lives?

2) Or do we need other sources of authority for what we do in matters of religion?

b. One's understanding on this will greatly affect his or her religious beliefs and practices!

Body.

I. Are there any who deny the All-Sufficiency of The Scriptures?

A. THE ROMAN CATHOLICS, GREEK ORTHODOX, ETC.

1. Who accept in ADDITION to the Bible.

a. Traditions of the church which have arisen over the years

b. Papal or ecclesiastical decrees

2. Allowing such "traditions" or "decrees" to take precedence over the Scriptures

a. Using "Father" as a religious title, though Jesus forbade it - Matthew 23:9.

b. Requiring celibacy for bishops, though Paul taught otherwise - 1 Timothy 3:1-2.

B. MORMONS, JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, PENTECOSTALS, ETC.

1. Who accept in ADDITION to the Bible.

a. Latter-day prophets

b. Modern-day revelations

2. Who allow their "revelations" to take precedence over the Scriptures

a. The Mormons' concept of God having a body of flesh - John 4:24; Luke 24:39.

b. The Witnesses' denial of the bodily resurrection of Jesus - Luke 24:39-40; John 2:19-22.

c. Pentecostals allowing women preachers - 1 Corinthians 14:34-37; 1 Timothy 2:11-12.

C. When people reject "the all-sufficiency of the Scriptures", appealing to other sources for their authority in religion, division is the natural outcome.

D. The first step towards unity is to recognize the need for the same standard of authority, which I believe ought to be the Scriptures alone!

II. Why believe in the All Sufficiency of The Scriptures?

A. THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD HAS BEEN PROCLAIMED.

1. In his address to the Ephesian elders -Acts 20:20-27.

2. In leaving them, he entrusted them to the Word of God - Acts 20:32.

B. WE HAVE ALL THINGS PERTAINING TO LIFE AND GODLINESS.

1. Peter wrote how God has given us all things necessary for spiritual life and godly living - 2 Peter 1:3.

C. THE FAITH HAS BEEN REVEALED ONCE FOR ALL.

1. Jude wrote of "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" - Jude 3.

D. THE SCRIPTURES CAN MAKE US COMPLETE, EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK

1. Paul wrote to Timothy of the value of the Scriptures - 2 Timothy 3:14-17.

2. When I turn to the Scriptures, I find that I have all I need to:

a. Believe in Jesus - John 20:30-31.

b. Have life in His name - John 20:30-31.

c. Have fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the apostles - 1 John 1:3.

d. Have joy that is full - 1 John 1:4.

e. Have help when I sin - 1 John 2:1.

f. Know that I have eternal life - 1 John 5:13.

g. Understand the revelation of the mystery of God - Romans 16:25-26; Ephesians 3:3-4.

h. Be fruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom - 2 Peter 1:8-11.

3. What else must one know or have?

Conclusion.

1. There will always be a distinction related to the all-sufficiency of the Scriptures

2. The distinction becomes apparent as one considers the doctrines and practices of any religious group.

a. Those who accept it are more apt to be like the church you read about in the Bible

b. Those who deny it will quickly evolve into something much different

3. I hope I have given you reasons to place your faith in the Word of God, and it alone!

a. The whole counsel of God has been proclaimed!

b. We have all things pertaining to life and godliness!

c. The faith has been revealed once and for all!

d. The Scriptures can make us complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work!

4. May we accept the words of the apostle Paul.

"...I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." (Acts 20:32)

5. Next week we will examine the purpose of baptism.

-- Don Treadway, February 2002 --

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P.O. Box 307408, Gahanna, Ohio 43230 • Meeting at 7816 Havens Road, Blacklick, Ohio

10/05/2012

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Text: Acts 20:18-32

Introduction.

1. In previous lessons we have briefly considered three basic doctrines:

a. The existence of God - which differentiates between.

1) Atheists and agnostics on the one hand.

2) Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Moslems, Christians, etc., on the other hand.

b. The identity of God - which distinguishes between.

1) Buddhists, Hindus, etc.

2) Jews, Moslems, Christians, etc.

c. The Identity of Jesus of Nazareth - over which there is a difference between.

1) Jews, Moslems, etc.

2) Christians.

2. It would be wonderful if all who accepted Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of God" were one.

a. Jesus prayed for such unity - John 17:20-21.

b. Paul commanded that we be one - 1 Corinthians 1:10-13.

3. The main reason why there is not unity pertains to another basic doctrine.

a. That doctrine is the all-sufficiency of the Scriptures.

1) Are the Scriptures sufficient by themselves to lead us unto salvation and to guide our lives?

2) Or do we need other sources of authority for what we do in matters of religion?

b. One's understanding on this will greatly affect his or her religious beliefs and practices!

Body.

I. Are there any who deny the All-Sufficiency of The Scriptures?

A. THE ROMAN CATHOLICS, GREEK ORTHODOX, ETC.

1. Who accept in ADDITION to the Bible.

a. Traditions of the church which have arisen over the years

b. Papal or ecclesiastical decrees

2. Allowing such "traditions" or "decrees" to take precedence over the Scriptures

a. Using "Father" as a religious title, though Jesus forbade it - Matthew 23:9.

b. Requiring celibacy for bishops, though Paul taught otherwise - 1 Timothy 3:1-2.

B. MORMONS, JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, PENTECOSTALS, ETC.

1. Who accept in ADDITION to the Bible.

a. Latter-day prophets

b. Modern-day revelations

2. Who allow their "revelations" to take precedence over the Scriptures

a. The Mormons' concept of God having a body of flesh - John 4:24; Luke 24:39.

b. The Witnesses' denial of the bodily resurrection of Jesus - Luke 24:39-40; John 2:19-22.

c. Pentecostals allowing women preachers - 1 Corinthians 14:34-37; 1 Timothy 2:11-12.

C. When people reject "the all-sufficiency of the Scriptures", appealing to other sources for their authority in religion, division is the natural outcome.

D. The first step towards unity is to recognize the need for the same standard of authority, which I believe ought to be the Scriptures alone!

II. Why believe in the All Sufficiency of The Scriptures?

A. THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD HAS BEEN PROCLAIMED.

1. In his address to the Ephesian elders -Acts 20:20-27.

2. In leaving them, he entrusted them to the Word of God - Acts 20:32.

B. WE HAVE ALL THINGS PERTAINING TO LIFE AND GODLINESS.

1. Peter wrote how God has given us all things necessary for spiritual life and godly living - 2 Peter 1:3.

C. THE FAITH HAS BEEN REVEALED ONCE FOR ALL.

1. Jude wrote of "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" - Jude 3.

D. THE SCRIPTURES CAN MAKE US COMPLETE, EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK

1. Paul wrote to Timothy of the value of the Scriptures - 2 Timothy 3:14-17.

2. When I turn to the Scriptures, I find that I have all I need to:

a. Believe in Jesus - John 20:30-31.

b. Have life in His name - John 20:30-31.

c. Have fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the apostles - 1 John 1:3.

d. Have joy that is full - 1 John 1:4.

e. Have help when I sin - 1 John 2:1.

f. Know that I have eternal life - 1 John 5:13.

g. Understand the revelation of the mystery of God - Romans 16:25-26; Ephesians 3:3-4.

h. Be fruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom - 2 Peter 1:8-11.

3. What else must one know or have?

Conclusion.

1. There will always be a distinction related to the all-sufficiency of the Scriptures

2. The distinction becomes apparent as one considers the doctrines and practices of any religious group.

a. Those who accept it are more apt to be like the church you read about in the Bible

b. Those who deny it will quickly evolve into something much different

3. I hope I have given you reasons to place your faith in the Word of God, and it alone!

a. The whole counsel of God has been proclaimed!

b. We have all things pertaining to life and godliness!

c. The faith has been revealed once and for all!

d. The Scriptures can make us complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work!

4. May we accept the words of the apostle Paul.

"...I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." (Acts 20:32)

5. Next week we will examine the purpose of baptism.