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Proving the Content Sufficiency of Scripture (Belgic Confession 7c)

Rev. Angus Stewart

 

Belgic Confession 7: The Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures to Be the Only Rule of Faith
We believe that those Holy Scriptures fully contain the will of God, and that whatsoever man ought to believe unto salvation is sufficiently taught therein. For, since the whole manner of worship which God requires of us is written in them at large, it is unlawful for any one, though an apostle, to teach otherwise than we are now taught in the Holy Scriptures; nay, though it were an angel from heaven, as the apostle Paul saith. For, since it is forbidden to add unto or take away any thing from the Word of God, it doth thereby evidently appear that the doctrine thereof is most perfect and complete in all respects. Neither do we consider of equal value any writing of men, however holy these men may have been, with those divine Scriptures, nor ought we to consider custom, or the great multitude, or antiquity, or succession of times and persons, or councils, decrees, or statutes, as of equal value with the truth of God, for the truth is above all; for all men are of themselves liars and more vain than vanity itself. Therefore we reject with all our hearts whatsoever doth not agree with this infallible rule, which the apostles have taught us, saying, Try the spirits whether they are of God. Likewise, if there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house.

As proof for the content sufficiency of Scripture, the truth that the Bible provides us with all we need for our doctrine and life, we shall consider, in turn, two passages, II Timothy 3:15-17 and Psalm 19:7-11, by providing commentary on them.

II Timothy 3:15-17

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (II Tim. 3:15).

The Holy Scriptures in this verse refer to the Old Testament, for some of the New Testament was not written when Paul penned these words and probably none of the New Testament was produced and available to Timothy when he was a child. Thus this verse teaches that the Old Testament (not even the full Bible) was sufficient for a little child or infant (not an adult), like Timothy who was taught by his godly mother and grandmother (Acts 16:13; II Tim. 1:5; 3:14), to be saved through faith in the coming Christ, the anointed One promised by the prophets.

How much more is the New Testament and the whole Bible sufficient for the salvation of the elect through its doctrine of salvation by faith alone in Christ alone, powerfully blessed to our hearts by the Holy Spirit? We and our children today have no more need of the apocryphal gospels, the unwritten tradition of the church of Rome, pictures of Jesus or God whispering in our ear than young Timothy did.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Tim. 3:16).

“All Scripture,” by its very nature as a divine oracle, whether this applies to the Old or the New Testament, is God-breathed (the idea of the word “inspired” here). This being the only book directly and infallibly produced by the Holy Spirit, it must have been, and was, given for great purposes so that it is highly “profitable.”

The first of the four purposes for which God gave us His written Word is “doctrine.” This means that the Bible itself is not doctrine. Rather, it is the inspired book from which doctrine is derived or deduced “by good and necessary consequence” (Westminster Confession 1:6). Those fundamentalists who rail against the Reformed creeds fail to understand this. Orthodox confessions of the true biblical doctrine are required of the church, for God's Word tells us here that it was specifically given to us, first of all, “for doctrine”!

The remaining three purposes of Scripture flow from the first. God teaches us the truth (“doctrine”) which admonishes us for our errors and disobedience (“reproof”) so that we are pointed to the right path (“correction”) and told how we must live (“instruction in righteousness”). What more does the saint need for his spiritual and ethical thinking and behaviour as a citizen of the kingdom of God?

“That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (II Tim. 3:17).

The goal of the God-breathed and highly profitable Scriptures is that “the man of God” (Timothy and all ministers of the Word) and, by extension, all the faithful, both male and female, “may be perfect”—spiritually complete (not sinless), men and women of integrity—and “throughly furnished”—properly prepared and equipped—“unto all good works.” Do you see how all-embracing this verse is? “Perfect,” “throughly furnished” (not half-prepared), “unto all good works” (not just some).

Remember that II Timothy 3:15-17 comes at the end of the penultimate chapter in Paul's last canonical letter prior to his martyrdom (4:6-8). The apostle knew whereof he wrote. He had found by experience that the Scriptures are fully sufficient for doctrine and life—for himself and for the church.

Illumined and blessed to us by the Spirit, the Bible is sufficient for creeds (what we believe), character (what we are) and commands (what we must do). This is what we receive, and what we expect to receive and, thank God, what we do receive, as we read the Bible and listen to faithful preaching with a humble heart and by His grace.

Psalm 19:7-11

Psalm 19:7-11: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. (8) The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. (9) The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. (10) More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (11) Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.”

In these verses from a beautiful Psalm about general (vv. 1-6) and special (vv. 7-14) revelation, God's Word is spoken of as the “law,” “testimony,” “statutes,” “commandment” and “judgments” of the Lord. Scripture is also here called, according to the rules of Hebrew parallelism, the “fear” of the Lord, because it wonderfully declares the glory of God and it is by reading, hearing, discussing, praying and meditating upon the Word that our hearts are filled with a holy awe of the Most High, our heavenly Father in Jesus Christ.

Look at the many adjectives describing the virtues of the Scriptures: “perfect” (i.e., complete), “sure,” “right,” “pure” (i.e., clear), “clean,” everlasting (“enduring forever”), “true” and “righteous altogether.” Behold the many wonderful things the Word of God does, as it is blessed to our hearts by the Holy Spirit: “converting the soul,” “making wise the simple,” “rejoicing the heart” and “enlightening the eyes.”

No wonder that the perfect, pure and perspicuous Scriptures which bring us wisdom, illumination, conversion and joy are “more to be desired” even “than much fine gold” and are “sweeter also than honey.” Not only is the Bible eminently desirable and sweet, it is also “profitable,” to quote II Timothy 3:16, in two other ways. First, Scripture warns us against the snares of sin so that we avoid transgression and chastisement. Second, God rewards us richly for “keeping” His Word.

Thus the Christian does not need the world's political correctness or ungodly philosophies or modern psychology with a thin biblical veneer or preaching filled with “human interest stories.” He needs the Word of God coming to him in reading, sermons, singing the Psalms and fellowship, and abiding in His heart.

Experiential Knowledge

But how does the child of God personally know and feel confident in the sufficiency of Scripture? It comes more and more as the believer reads the Bible again and again, immerses himself in Reformed preaching and feeds upon solid Christian books so that the Word sinks into his heart and soul. Circumstances will arise—and some very difficult ones too—and he will see how the Scriptures apply and what he must do. He will have his “senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:14) and he will “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:2). He will have no need for charismatic or worldly “supplements” to the Word, for his confession and comfort is “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Ps. 119:105)!

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. Can you think of Bible texts proving the sufficiency of Scripture that are not mentioned in this article?

2. Is your personal grasp of God's Word sufficient so that you find Scripture providing you with doctrinal and ethical direction? If not, do you realize where the deficiency lies?