Bible Doctrines

Why Study Bible Docs?

• to discern God’s truth-several ways:

  • Chronological

  • Expositional

  • Systematic Theology - our attempt to organize God’s revelation into component parts

• God

  • That God has revealed Himself - Bibliology

  • Who God is - Theology Proper

  • How He sacrificed Himself - Christology

  • How He draws men to Himself - Pneumatology

  • How He employs ministering spirits - Angelology

• To mature spiritually (Eph. 4:11-15)

• To share our faith (1 Peter 3:15)

BIBLIOLOGY - The Doctrine of the Bible

I. INSPIRATION

    A. False views of inspiration

        1. Natural inspiration

            The writers inspired of God with heightened creativity

        2. Partial inspiration

            Some of the Bible is inspired, some is not inspired (“The Bible contains the Word of God”)

        3. Conceptual inspiration   

            God inspired the thoughts and ideas; men wrote in their own words

            Leads to “dynamic equivalency”translations

            Dynamic Equivalency - a thought-for-thought translation (emphasizes understanding)

    B. The Bible’s Perspective on Inspiration

        1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

            - “All” each, every, all, the whole

            Plenary Inspiration - all the words were breathed out by God (refutes Partial Inspiration)

            -”scripture” graphe, the writings (refutes Conceptual Inspiration and Natural Inspiration)

            -”given by inspiration of God” theopnuestos, God-breathed 2 Sam. 23:2

            -Verbal Inspiration - all the words were breathed out by God Matt. 4:4(refutes Superintendence)

            - “Dictation”: God gave the words that the writers wrote down

            - Mechanical Dictation - a straw man argument (false argument) that the                       writers became robots or zombie-like, their consciousness being                                 suspended, while writing Scripture

            - Inspiration assumes inerrancy and infallibility

                *Inerrancy - without error (God gave the words of Scripture without error                      in the original autographs)

                *Autograph - original document of a given book (ex: when God told Moses                     what to write down)

                *Apograph - copy of an original document (the Bible sold on shelves in                         stores)

                *Infallibility - incorruptibility of the Word of God in its transmission through the generations

                        - Refutes Partial Inspiration

            - “and is profitable” (sufficiency of Scripture… it contains all we need to please God)

    2. 2 Peter 1:20-21

• “Private interpretation” - Scripture did not originate with the human author

• “holy men”

C. Summary and Clarifications

    1. God is ultimately responsible for the words recorded in the Scriptures

II. CANANICITY

A. Two Critical Assumptions:

1. God determined which books would be included

2. Man recognized which books would be included

B. The Recognition of the Canon   

1. Terminology

• Canon - “rule or standard” Gal. 6:16

  • Sacred writings accepted by the church as the authoritative rule of faith and practice (or 66 Books of the Bible)

• Canonicity - the study of which books are included in the Scriptures (they “measure up” to being God’s inspired Word)

2. The Biblical Record and Evidence of Recognition    

• Canonization - the process of recognition of canonical books

• The Bible acknowledges books as canonical John 5:39, 46-47; Luke 24:27, 44; 2 Peter 3:16

C. Historical Recognition

1. God’s Perspective - “eternally” formed, Ps. 119:89

2. Man’s Perspective - historically recognized

3. The OT Canon

• God set the standard Ex. 31:18

  • Moses’ writings “measured up” to it, and later prophets “measured up” to Moses

    • There is a succession

  • God’s people recognized the authority of God’s Word

4. The NT Canon

• The early church accepted the OT’s authority because Christ and the apostles did

• The NT Canon was complete when John wrote “things to come” in Revelation

Reasons Why the Church Needed to Discuss

1. The NT church was dispersed

2. Other letters claimed authority

3. Other letters were heretical

4. Christians were being persecuted

A Timeline of NT Canon Recognition

• AD 64 - Peter recognizes Paul’s writings are as “Scripture” (2 Peter 3:15-16)

• AD 90 - Book of Revelation completes the NT Canon

• Muratorian Fragment (AD 170) - earliest listing of NT books

• AD 175 - Iranaeus’ list of “undisputed” books includes 80% of the NT

• AD 220 - Origen adds Hebrews and Jude to Irenaeus

• AD 340 - Athenasius lists only our present 27 NT books as “canonical”

• AD 397 - Council of Carthage

  • All 27 NT books were recognized as Scripture

5 Questions to Help Recognize Canonicity

1. Is it authoritative?

• Claims to speak of God

2. Is it prophetic?

• Has an apostolic connection

3. Is the writing authentic?

• Agrees with other Scriptures

4. Is it dynamic?

• Possesses the power of God to change lives

III. PRESERVATION AND TRANSLATION

• Preservation matters

• Insiration without preservation is useless

• Historically, the church has believed in preservation of Scripture

A. The Promise of Preservation

1. God’s Word is pure (Psalm. 12:6)

2. God’s Word is eternal (Psalm. 119:89-91)

3. God’s Word is preserved accurately and completely (Matt. 5:18)

4. God’s Word is permanent (Isa. 40:8, I Pet. 1:23-25)

Conclusion: The Bible promises preservation

B. The Manner of Preservation

1. Old Testament

• Joshua, Jos.8:32

• Kings, Deut. 17:18

• Scribes, 2 Sam. 8:15, 17

• Masoretes: a Jewish sect credited with copying the OT text (AD 600-960)

There is very little question or debate over the accuracy of transmission and preservation of the OT text.

• The “Dead Sea Scrolls” supports this

“Masoretic Text” - the OT Hebrew text meticulously copies and…

2. New Testament

Key Words:

• Manuscript - a complete, handwritten copy of work, such as a book of selection

• Fragments - a small scrap containing a few verses

• Codex -

• Lectionary - a printed worship manual that contains/quotes huge amounts

    a. Early on, copies of the NT books were in circulation

    b. Quotations from lectionaries (about 2000) and church fathers included copies of the Scripture

    c. The number of copies multiplied after persecution of the church ceased

    d. The NT is the best-attested document of all ancient writings

        - Thousands of NT manuscripts vs. few for other ancient writings

        -Printing Press invented by Gutenberg (1456 AD)

        -”Received Text” - NT Greek text received by God’s people

            - Combined with the OT Masoretic Text, these form the basis of the KJV translation

        -”Textus Receptus” - named/coined in 1633

    e. Challenges to the Received Text

        -Sinaiticus - a discarded codex

        -Vaticanus - a codex of questionable origin/history “discovered” by the Roman Church when their beliefs. were challenged

        -Vaticanus and Siniaticus contain significant omissions and errors.

        -Critical Text - collation of primarily 2 Greek manuscripts called Sinaiticus and Vaticanus in 1881 by BF Wescott and AJ Hort.

C. Translation - 2 Key Factors

1. Which Text?

2. Which translation philosophy?

• Translate - to lift/carry

• Formal/Verbal Equivalency - the words from the Greek and Hebrew are rendered as closely as possible into the English (going “word-by-word”)

  • Formal - word by word translation

  • Dynamic -

D. Conclusion

• KJV is the most accurate because it’s translated from the best Hebrew and Greek texts.

• KJV is not re-inspired, nor superior to the originals

• KJV is faithful to the words inspired and preserved by God

THEOLOGY PROPER - The Doctrine of God

I. INTRODUCTION

A. What is Theology?

1. Theos = God

2. Logos = a word about; the study of something

B. Three Important Questions:

1. How do I know God exists?

2. Has He communicated with us?

3. What has He revealed about Himself?

II. DOES GOD EXIST?

A. The Official Answer: God does not introduce Himself by first arguing for His own existence, however, many evidences testify to His existence.

B. How Do We Know God Exists?

1. Intuition

• It is natural to believe in the existence of God

2. Reason

• For every effect, there has to be something that caused it

3. Tradition

• In the history of humanity, there was a common acceptance of God

III. HAS HE COMMUNICATED WITH US?

A. General Revelation - reveals Himself in history, nature, and conscience

- Given to all, intended for all

-Infsufficient for salvation but sufficient for condemnation

Declares God’s greatness

1. History

• Ex: Israel

2. Nature (Ps. 19; Romans 1:20)

3. Conscience - man’s inherent sense of right and wrong

B. Special Revelation - God revealing Himself to specific people at specific times and places

-Given to few, intended for all

-Sufficient for salvation

-Declares God’s grace

1. Special revelation is not leaned on one’s own (I Cor. 2:14)

2. Special Revelation is accepted by faith (Heb. 11:6)

    a. The Official Answer: Special revelation is required for salvation (Rom. 10:17)

IV. WHAT HAS GOD REVEALED ABOUT HIMSELF?

A. The Nature of God

1. God is unity (Mark 12:29-30; Duet. 6:4; Ps. 86:10)

2. God is Trinity

• Key evidence / passages on the Trintiy:

       a. In the OT:

            1. Go in plural form and function

Reference to “us” Gen. 1:1, 26-27

                -The Trinity is consistent with the plural references to God

            2.Theophanies and Christophanies

                -Theophany - a physical manifestation of God in the Old Testament

                -Christophany: a human manifestation of Christ in the OT

                    - Isaiah 48:16-17

“Heretical” metaphors:

• heat, light, and energy

The point: There is nothing like God

3. God is a Spirit

• Gos is not a physical thing

        a. OT - Job 33:4; Ps. 115:2-8 (God is unlike false gods)

4. God is a Person

• He possesses mind, emotion, and will as a self-conscious, moral Being. Ex 3:14;6: 6-8

• God’s personality is revealed in His names.

  • Yaweh/Jehovah (“LORD”)

  • Elohim (“God”)

  • Adonai "(“Lord”) - God is owner and ruler over everything that is

  • El Elyon (“most high God”)

  • El Shaddai (“Almighty God”) - one who is mighty to completely nourish, satisfy, and supply us

  • El Roi (“God sees me”) - Wow! God sees even me

  • El Olam (“The Everlasting God”)

• God’s personality is revealed in the use of personal pronouns

B. Biblical Foundation for the Attributes of God

1. Natural/Non-Moral - unique attributes of God that only He will ever have

    a. Transcendent - God is separate from and above His creation Isa. 57:17a; Eccl 5:2

    b. Immanent - God is actively involved in His creation Isa. 57:15b; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3

    c. Eternal - God has no beginning and no ending (there has never been a time when God was not) Ex. 3:14; Ps. 90:2

    d. Infinite - unlimited in all things, God is not limited in space; all of His attributes are without limit 1 Kings 8:27; Ps. 147:5, 103:17; Isa. 55:8-9

    e. Immutable - God is absolutely consistent; God is unchangeable Mal. 3:6

    f. Omniscient - God knows all He wills to know Ps. 139:1-4; Isa. 43:25; 1 Kings 2:52

        -He can choose to not remember our sins Isa. 43:25

        - He can/did choose to learn as a man learns 1 Kings 2:52

        -Gos has perfect, complete, knowledge of all things Job 37:16

        -His knowledge is absolutely comprehensive Prov. 15:3; Matt. 10:29-30

        -God knows from eternity what might have taken place but did not Matt. 11:20-24

    g. Omnipotent - God can do all He wills to do Job 42:1-2; Matt. 8:2-3

    h. Omnipresent - God is everywhere He wills to be Ps. 139:7-12; Jer.; John 3:13

2. Communicable/Moral - revealed in God’s interaction with man; He expects us to reflect them

    a. Holiness - God possesses perfect and total purity, as well as perfect and total separation from sin James 1:13; 1 Pet. 1:15-16

    b. Just - God’s response to sin is always right and perfectly carries out the laws He has established Rev. 15:3-4; Duet. 32:4

• Wrong assumption:

  • God or righteous people should be exempt from suffering Job 1:1, 8; John 16:33; 1 Pet. 4:12-13

  • Our happiness is God’s greatest concern 1 Pet. 5:10

    • This ignores the wisdom and plan God has for us

    c. Righteous - God always does what is right Gen. 18:25; Ps. 7:9    

    d. Love - God has a. self-sacrificial concern for the welfare of others 1 John 4:8; John 15:13; Rom. 5:8

    e. Merciful - God acts with compassion, not giving people punishment thy deserve Deut. 4:31; Mic; 7:18

    f. Gracious - God acts. either unmerited goodness, giving people kindness they do not deserve Ex. 34:5-7; Jer. 9:24; Eph. 2:8

    g. Good - God deals bountifully with all men, He is good all the time Ps. 145:9; Matt. 5:44-45

    h. Truth - God cannot lie or tolerate untruth Num. 23:19; Prov. 6:16-19

IV. WHAT HAS GOD REVEALED ABOUT HIMSELF?

A. Nature of God

B. Attributes of God

C. The Fatherhood of God

1. Understanding God as a Father is necessary for a full appreciation of who God is

2. Biblical use of the title “Father”

    a. Seldom used in OT, often used in NT

    b. The primary title used by Jesus to express His relationship to God John 10:30-33

    c. Expresses the eternal relationship among the Persons of the Trinity

• While equal in nature, there is submission and distinction in the Godhead

  • “Ontological Trinity” - same essence but distinction of person and order in their work

  • “Economic Trinity” - distinction of function

    d. The Fatherhood of God expresses the relationship of God with us

• Father of all by creation Mal. 2:10

• Father of some (Christians) by salvation John 1:12; Rom. 8:15

D. The Sovereignty of God

1. God has the right to do as He pleases with what belongs to Him Ps. 24:1

2. God exercises His rights in the affairs of men and nations Dan. 4:35

3. God has desires and plans that will be accomplished (contrast with desires/plans that won’t) Prov. 21:1; Ps. 76:10; Isa. 55:11

• God’s will does not negate man’s will; God, in His control, allows man to choose whether or not to cooperate with His divine will/plan; and He holds them responsible for their choices!

CHRISTOLOGY - The Doctrine of Christ

“Who is Jesus?”

• How would your answer change if you were NOT a Christian?

• This was the question in Jesus’ day too Matt. 16:13

  • Jesus asked His disciples whom people thought He was:

    • John the Baptist

    • Elijah

    • Jeremiah

  • The people’s opinions of Jesus reveal their spiritual blindness; a great prophet, teacher, healer, but not God the Son

I. THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST

A. . The Deity of Jesus Christ

1. Jesus is called God in the Bible John 1:1, 14; 20:28

2. He claimed to be the God of the OT John 8:58-59

3. Jesus is referred to by other OT names for God

        a. He is called “the First and the Last” Isa. 44:6; Rev. 1:17

    Implications?

    The deity of Christ has been debated for centuries

    The deity of Christ is NOT an optional doctrine - it is essential and integral to the gospel message

    Anyone who denies Christ’s deity is an antichrist 2 John 4-11

B. Jesus is the Son of God

1. The title states His identity

2. The title implies a unique relationship with God

     “Jesus is the “only begotten” Son of God

• Monogenes - “one of a kind”

  • The word does not point to the origin of a relationship but rather to the quality of that relationship Heb. 11:17-18

  • Jesus used the phrase/title “Son of Man” which also points to his deity but also connection to humanity

3. The title implies oneness / equality of nature with God John 10:30

4. The title implies equality with God John 5

        a. Equal in works 5:19-21 - Jesus does what God does - “greater works than these”

        b. Equal in judgment 5:22, 26-30 - Jesus has God’s right to judge the world - “l,

II. THE INCARNATION OF JESUS CHRIST

A. Incarnation Foretold

B. Historical Fuflillment

    1. NT accounts of His birth fulfill OT prophecies Luke 1:26-56, 2:4-7; Matt. 1:18-25    

    2. God “was made flesh” to be with us John 1:14; Gal. 4:4 (Jesus came like us in flesh)

C. The Significance of the Incarnation

    1. It reveals God John 1:18

    2. It provides an example for our lives 1 Pet. 2:21; 1 John 2:6

    3. It destroys the power of death and Satan Heb. 2:14-16; 1 John 3:8

    4. It provides an effective sacrifice for sin — the God-Man

D. The Continuing Incarnation

    1. Post-resurrection appearances Luke 24:39; John 20:27

    2. His appearance in Heaven Acts 7:55-56

    3. His physical return to Earth Zech. 14:3-4, Acts 1:11

III. THE HUMANITY OF JESUS CHRIST

The Humiliation of Christ (includes from His birth to His resurrection)

    Kenosis Passage - Phil. 2:5-8

    Two False Theories of the Kenosis Passage:

1. The Son gave up all of His divine attributes to become a human

• Objections: God is immutable and unable to “empty” Himself of His attributes

2. The Son gave up His relative (non-moral) divine attributes only

• Objections: God cannot be fragmented into “essential attributes” and “relative attributes”

• To take one or more away from Christ is to take away Christ’s deity. If He emptied Himself of any attributes, He made Himself less than God.

A. Human Titles

• “Son of man”

1. Full identification with all that man is

2. ALSO a reference to His deity Dan. 7:13-14

B. Human Ancestry

• The Genealogies

  • Luke 3 - genealogy of Mary to Adam (physical claim)

  • Matthew 1 - genealogy of Joseph to Abraham (legal claim)

C. His Sinless Human Nature

• Jesus experienced the physical — yet sinless — limitations of mankind

1. He experienced human growth Luke 2:52

2. He experienced human characteristics

• Hunger

• Werry

• Thirst

• Anger

• Grief

IV. THE HYPOSTATIC UNION

Hypostatic Union - human and divine natures in one individual person/personality

A. Definition of “Hypostatic”

1. “Hypostatisis = that which lies beneath as a foundation or basis

2. In reference to Chris, it describes His fundamental person, the reality of His existence 1 John 5:20

3. Translated in KJV as:person, substance

B. Jesus is, at the same time, 100% God and 100% man (fully God/fully Man)

C. How is this possible?

1. In His earthly ministry, Jesus suppressed within Himself the independent exercise of His divine; non-moral attributes

2. He never stopped being God but did not always use His deity in the non-moral aspects

D. Application - The Temptation of Christ:

Was it legitimate?

1. If Jesus is God, then He COULD NOT sin (God is impeccable = unable to sin)

2. Remember: Jesus did not overcome Satan through His deity, but through His humanity Luke 4

3. Jesus had victory the same way you and I can, by submitting to the Word of God in the power of the Spirit of God Psalm 119:9-11, 19:7-14

V. HIS DEATH

Passion - the suffering and death of Christ

A. The Importance of His Death

1. It is prominent in Scripture - mentioned over 175x in NT

2. It was the purpose of His incarnation Heb. 2:14; John 12:27

3. It was the study of the prophets 1 Pet. 1:10-11

4. It is the interest of the angels 1 Pet. 1:12

5. It is the theme of the church 1 Cor. 2:2, 15:1-4

6. It will be our song in heaven Rev. 5:9-12

B. The Necessity of His Death

1. Jesus paid the penalty for sin Rom. 5:8

    What is sin’s penalty?

• Death Rom. 6:23; Gen. 2:16-17    

  • Spiritual death Gen. 3:7-8

  • Physical death Gen. 3:19

• Jesus took our penalty - physical and spiritual death - separation from life and God Matt. 27:45-46

2. Jesus appeased God’s wrath

        a. God’s holiness demands that every violation of His law be punished Ex. 34:6-7

        b. Christ’s death was the only acceptable offering for sin Isa. 53:10; 1 John 2:2, 4:10

        c. Jesus made the infinite, eternal payment which was due for our sin Heb. 10:10-12

Vicarious death - Christ suffered and died in our place, as our substitute

C. The Results of His Death

1. Forgiveness of sins Eph. 1:7

2. Justification Rom. 5:9; 2 Cor. 5:20

• Justification - declared righteous

3. Freedom from condemnation Rom. 8:1, 33-34

4. Cleansed conscience Heb. 9:14

5. Access to God’s presence Heb. 10:19-20

VI. EXALTATION

His humiliation ENDED with His resurrection, which began His exaltation Phil. 2:9-11

A. His Resurrection - Act 2:32-33

1. Its importance

    a. Essential tot he gospel message 1 Cor. 15:1-4

    b. Guarantees our physical resurrection and immortality 1 Cor. 15:20-22, 51-54; 2 Cor. 4:13-14

2. Various false theories

    a. The theft theory

    b. The swoon theory

    c. The hallucination theory

    d. The wrong tomb theory

B. The Results of His Resurrection

1. Accepted atonement Heb. 9:12-14

2. Living intercessor

C. His Ascension

1. He physically ascended into heaven - Why?

        a. to prepare a place for us

        b. to intercede for us

2. He is seated at the right hand of the Father

        a. shows Christ’s divine glory

        b. illustrates His supremacy

        c. allows Him to represent us to God

D. Christ’s Return to Rule and to Reign

PNEUMATOLOGY - The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

I. INTRODUCTION

• Pneuma - spirit, breath, wind

A. Our Doctrine Must Be Based On Scripture, Not Experience 2 Pet. 1:19-20

1. Experience is not a fair test of orthodoxy Matt. 7:22-23; Phil. 3:3

2. A careful examination of key Scripture is necessary 1 John 4:1

B. Teaching Regarding the Holy Spirit Is More Limited In Scripture Than That of the Father And Son John 16: 13-14

II. WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT

A. His Identity

1. He is not merely the “energy” of God

2. He is not a created being

3. He is God, the third Person of the Trinity

        a. The baptismal formula puts God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit on equal footing Matt. 28:19

        b. He is called God Acts 5:3-4

        c. He has the attributes of God

            - He is eternal Heb. 9:14

            - He is omniscient 1 Cor. 2:9-10

            - He is omnipotent Job 26:13

            - He is omnipresent Psalm 139:7-10

            - He is holy Eph. 4:30; Rom. 15:16; Acts 2:4

            - He is truth 1 John 5:6

B. His Personhood

1. His personal nature is revealed in His names

        a. The Holy Spirit Rom. 15:16

        b. The Spirit of God 1 Cor. 3:16

        c. The Spirit of Christ Rom. 8:9

        d. The Spirit of Truth John 16:13

            - As the source of truth, He helps believes appropriate Scripture 1 Cor. 2:12-13

            - Anything that is truly of the Spirit will be in perfect harmony and non-contradiction with Scripture

        e. The Comforter John 14:26

2. His personality is revealed in His characteristics

        a. He has a will 1 Cor. 12:11

        b. He communicates

        c. He has sensibilities

            1. He can be grieved Eph. 4:29-30

            2. He can be lied to (but not deceived) Acts 5:3

            3. He can be resisted 1 Thess 5:19; Acts 7:51

        d. He has abilities John 14:26; Acts 13:4; 2 Thess. 2:7

How do we recognize God’s will through the Spirit?

1. The Bible establishes goals and boundaries

2. Our/His “desires and judgment” looks for opportunities

3. God’s providence opens and closes doors

III. WHAT DOES HE DO?

A. His UNIQUE Work In the Past

1. Creation Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13

2. Inspiration of Scriptures 2 Pet. 1:21

B. His Work In the Past And Present

1. Conviction of sin Gen. 6:3; John 16:8

2. Salvation

        a. He generates the believer John 3:5-6

        b. He gives assurance of salvation Rom. 8:15-16

        c. He guarantees our salvation Eph. 1:13-14

3. Sanctification

        a. He indwells us John 14:15-18; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 6:19

            Indwelling - abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life

        b. He helps