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THE SCRIPTURES
IV. Authority
A/108. The Bible is God's written Word, uniquely inspired by the
Holy Spirit. It bears unerring witness to Jesus Christ, the living
Word. As attested by the early church and subsequent councils, it
is the trustworthy record of God's revelation, completely truthful
in all it affirms. It has been faithfully preserved and proves itself
true in human experience.
The Scriptures have come to us through human authors who wrote,
as God moved them, in the languages and literary forms of their
times. God continues, by the illumination of the Holy Spirit, to
speak through this Word to each generation and culture.
The Bible has authority over all human life. It teaches the truth
about God, His creation, His people, His one and only Son, and the
destiny of humankind. It also teaches the way of salvation and the
life of faith. Whatever is not found in the Bible nor can be proved
by it is not to be required as an article of belief or as necessary
to salvation.
V. Authority of the Old Testament
A/109. The Old Testament is not contrary to the New. Both Testaments
bear witness to God's salvation in Christ; both speak of God's will
for His people. The ancient laws for ceremonies and rites, and the
civil precepts for the nation Israel are not necessarily binding
on Christians today. But, on the example of Jesus we are obligated
to obey the moral commandments of the Old Testament.
The books of the Old Testament are: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel,
1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther,
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Solomon, Isaiah,
Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah,
Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.
VI. New Testament
A/110. The New Testament fulfills and interprets the Old Testament.
It is the record of the revelation of God in Jesus Christ and the
Holy Spirit. It is God's final word regarding humankind, sin, and
salvation, the world and its destiny.
The books of the New Testament are: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts,
Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy,
Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John,
3 John, Jude, Revelation.
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