Personal Confession of Faith, Article I. The Scriptures
[Introduction. According to Baptist historian Dr. Tom Nettles, there was a time in Baptist history when it was a common practice for those seeking full-time ministry to compose a personal confession of faith- a summary of the Bible doctrines that the minister determined to be most crucial to his personal devotion and service to others in ministry. It is my intention to follow in this tradition, and to present the following twenty articles as the core of what I believe concerning what the Bible teaches. This Personal Confession of Faith follows the structure of the Abstract of Principles held by the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The wording of this Confession is my own at certain points, but I also borrow heavily from historical Baptist confessions of faith such as the Abstract of Principles, the 1689 London Baptist Confession, and the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.]
I. The Scriptures.
I believe that Almighty God has revealed all that is necessary to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3) in the sixty-six books of the Holy Scripture (Rev 22:18). Scripture is the very Word of God transmitted by Him in a verbal, plenary manner (Matt 5:18) and is as truthful and authoritative as God Himself (John 17:17). Its authority is derived from its Author and not from the opinions of men (2 Pet 1:20-21). All Scripture was given by inspiration of God, is infallible and inerrant, and is the sufficient, final arbiter of all disputes concerning matters of life and godliness (2 Tim 3:16-17). Scripture’s chief purpose is soteriological- to proclaim the message of reconciliation of sinners to God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit; therefore, the testimony of Scripture is crystal clear in all matters concerning salvation. Scripture is focused on who Jesus is and what He has done in revealing God to sinners and in redeeming His people (Luke 24:25-27; John 5:39).
Summary: Scripture is necessary, authoritative, sufficient and clear. Scripture's chief purpose is soteriological. Scripture's focus is the Person and Work of Christ.
[Over the next couple of weeks, it is my intention to post the other nineteen articles of this Confession. Readers can be a great help to me by looking at the statements of the Confession and checking the scriptural proofs; if you have any question or comment, your interaction may help me to refine my thinking concerning the doctrines presented.]
I. The Scriptures.
I believe that Almighty God has revealed all that is necessary to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3) in the sixty-six books of the Holy Scripture (Rev 22:18). Scripture is the very Word of God transmitted by Him in a verbal, plenary manner (Matt 5:18) and is as truthful and authoritative as God Himself (John 17:17). Its authority is derived from its Author and not from the opinions of men (2 Pet 1:20-21). All Scripture was given by inspiration of God, is infallible and inerrant, and is the sufficient, final arbiter of all disputes concerning matters of life and godliness (2 Tim 3:16-17). Scripture’s chief purpose is soteriological- to proclaim the message of reconciliation of sinners to God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit; therefore, the testimony of Scripture is crystal clear in all matters concerning salvation. Scripture is focused on who Jesus is and what He has done in revealing God to sinners and in redeeming His people (Luke 24:25-27; John 5:39).
Summary: Scripture is necessary, authoritative, sufficient and clear. Scripture's chief purpose is soteriological. Scripture's focus is the Person and Work of Christ.
[Over the next couple of weeks, it is my intention to post the other nineteen articles of this Confession. Readers can be a great help to me by looking at the statements of the Confession and checking the scriptural proofs; if you have any question or comment, your interaction may help me to refine my thinking concerning the doctrines presented.]
Labels: personal
posted by Andrew Lindsey | 11:17 AM
1 Comments:
Andrew--
It was common practice in Westminster days for a aspiring minister to memorize the entire book of Psalms before entering their formal training. And to think that some of us might think it a hassle to write a personal confession of faith! :)
Post a Comment
<< Home