BY SCRIPTURE ALONE SOLA SCRIPTURA Lesson 5 for

BY SCRIPTURE ALONE— SOLA SCRIPTURA Lesson 5 for May 2, 2020

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and o joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of th heart” (Hebrews 4: 12, NKJV) Memory Verse

The B I B L E Yes that’s the book for me I stand alone on the Word of God The B I B L E

Some definitions by Jon Paulien Revelation - God decides to reveal something that could not be known by other means Inspiration is what happens when a human being is the receiver of that revelation Illumination - A s we study the Scriptures the Holy Spirit illumines our minds so that we can understand the revelation that God inspired someone to bring to us

Every truth must be proven by the Bible: by the whole Bible (Tota Scriptura ) and by the Bible alone ( Sola Scriptura ). That doesn’t mean there’s no inspiration apart from the Bible, or that there are no other sources (Tradition, Culture, Experience, Reason) where we can understand some topics better. Sola Scriptura : The Rule of Faith The only interpretation rule Tota Scriptura : The unity of the Bible The clear message of the Bible The writings of Ellen G. White Jon Paulien suggested that Prima Scriptura might be more appropriate. As the meaning that the reformers gave to Sola Scriptura may not be what we do today.

The Bible as the ultimate authority for faith and practice The apostle Paul explained that the Scriptures must be the only foundation of doctrine (the Old Testament in that context). “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. ” (1 Corinthians 4: 6) He praised some for checking his words against the scriptures. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (Acts 17: 11)

Peter included the writings of Paul in the doctrine foundation. as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, asthey do also the rest of the Scriptures. (2 Peter 3: 15 b-16) The book of Revelation ends with a warning against changing or removing anything. (This would also apply to the Old and New Testaments). For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, andfrom the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22: 18 -19)

There are other sources that help us better understanding the Bible better, but they cannot replace it. For example: archaeology, dictionaries, concordances, books, commentaries … “Scripture alone is the true lord and master of all writings and doctrine on earth. ” (Martin Luther)

THE ONLY INTERPRETATION RULE Scripture Interprets Scripture What norm should we follow when interpreting the Bible texts we study? If the Bible is the only rule of faith, it must be the only rule of interpretation too. “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. ” (Romans 15: 4) As it is written: “There is none righteous, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, not one. ” 13 “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; 14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. ” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17 And the way of peace they have not known. ” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes. ” 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. (Romans 3: 10– 19 Quoting Psalms 14: 1 -3; 53: 1 -3; Ecclesiastes 7: 20)

THE ONLY INTERPRETATION RULE Daniel used the Sacred writings. (Daniel 9: 2). The New Testament is full of direct and indirect references to the Old Testament to support doctrine and interpret facts (Lk. 24: 27; Acts 2: 1621). And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. (Luke 24: 27) But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above. And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass. That whoever calls on the name of the Lord, (Acts 2: 16 -21)

THE ONLY INTERPRETATION RULE And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. (Luke 24: 27) Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me. ” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. (Luke 24: 44, 45) We should interpret the Bible by comparing verses, always in their context and studying how the whole Scripture deals with the topic at hand ( Isa. 28: 10). “For precept must be upon recept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little. ” (Isaiah 28: 10 )

Five Rules for good Bible Understanding from Jan Paulien 1 Never open the Bible without prayer and selfdistrust 2 If you can read the original languages – if not then use a variety of translations 3 Spend the majority of your time in the clear parts of scripture 4 Spend the majority of your time reading the Bible, not studying it 5 Listen carefully to the criticism of your peers discuss your ideas with others

THE UNITY OF THE BIBLE holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. (Titus 1: 9) God is the true author of the Bible, so there’s perfect unity and harmony between its books (2 Tim. 3: 16; 2 Pet. 1: 20 -21). All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3: 16 -17) knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1: 20, 21)

THE UNITY OF THE BIBLE Old Testament New Testament That unity empowers us to: Come up with a harmony in doctrine Distinguish truth from error Repudiate heresy Apply disciplinary measures Correct deviations from God’s truth Unity gives the Bible a convincing and liberating power. The Old Testament is the foundation of the New, and the New Testament explains and extends the Old. Neither can be studied separately.

THE CLEAR MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation, ’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ” (Mark 13: 14) Although there are some passages that are hard to understand ( 2 Pet. 3: 16), the Bible is clear enough for anyone to understand it. The topics of salvation and eternal life are amazingly easy to understand in the Bible. Both the ignorant and the wise can understand them. If we read the Bible with the desire to learn more about God, the Holy Spirit will help us to understand it better and to obtain wisdom. There is no point in restricting the Bible to only a handful of chosen people or the clergy. Everyone can

THE WRITINGS OF ELLEN G. WHITE “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dreams, your young men shall see visions. ” (Joel 2: 28) How should Ellen G. White’s writings be interpreted? Do they have any authority? As Ellen explained, her writings must be interpreted according to the Bible, not vice versa. She never stated or pretended that her writings should replace the Bible. The purpose of the visions given to sister White is for the people of God to put the Bible truths into practice in the End Time. We must never use her writings as the foundation for any doctrine. The Bible is still the only rule of faith and practice for the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

But God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms. The opinions of learned men, the deductions of science, the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical councils, as numerous and discordant as are the churches which they represent, the voice of the majority--not one nor all of these should be regarded as evidence for or against any point of religious faith. Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain "Thus saith the Lord" in its support. Great Controversy pg. 595

E. G. W. (Selected Messages, vol. 3, p. 33) “When you make the Bible your food, your meat, and your drink, when you make its principles the elements of your character, you will know better how to receive counsel from God. I exalt the precious word before you today. Do not repeat what I have said, saying, ‘Sister White said this, ’ and ‘Sister White said that. ’ Find out what the Lord God of Israel says, and then do what He commands. ”

The End These slides have been adapted from those prepared by Sergio Fustero and Eunice Laveda, members of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Spain. The originals can be found at https: //www. fustero. es/index_en. php The Affirmations and Denials tables were based on https: //whiteestate. org/legacy/issues-scripsda-html/