Aligning Examples with Scripture's Authority and Teaching
Aligning Examples with Scripture's Authority and Teaching
The concept of aligning examples with Scripture's authority and teaching is rooted in the understanding that the Bible is the inspired Word of God [1]. This understanding is foundational to Christian doctrine and practice. The authority of Scripture is established through its divine inspiration, as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16, which describes Scripture as "God-breathed" [5].
The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who demonstrated faithfulness and obedience to God's commands, serving as models for Christian living. For instance, Christ is presented as the ultimate example of self-denial, humility, and obedience [2, 4]. His life and teachings are seen as the embodiment of God's will, and His example is to be followed by believers.
The early Christian Church recognized the importance of Scripture in guiding doctrine and practice. The practice of reading Scripture was adopted from the Jewish synagogue and became a central part of Christian worship [6]. The New Testament writings, recognized as inspired, were read alongside the Old Testament in early Christian gatherings.
Different Christian traditions have understood the role of examples in Scripture in various ways. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom, emphasizes the importance of understanding the context and nuances of biblical teachings [7]. The Presbyterian tradition, as seen in the commentary by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, highlights the authority of Scripture in matters of doctrine and practice [9].
The examples provided in Scripture serve as a guide for Christian living, illustrating virtues such as justice, humility, and self-denial [3, 2]. These examples are not merely historical or anecdotal but are presented as normative for Christian behavior. The biblical emphasis on following Christ's example underscores the importance of aligning one's life with the teachings and character of Jesus [4].
In interpreting the examples provided in Scripture, Christian traditions have emphasized the need for careful consideration of the biblical context and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill, stresses the importance of adhering to the rule of Scripture in matters of faith and practice [8].
The authority of Scripture is not limited to its role in providing examples for Christian living. It is also the source of doctrine and the standard against which all teachings are to be measured. The biblical text itself asserts its authority, with passages like 2 Timothy 3:16 affirming its divine inspiration [5].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Justice — Commanded -- De 16:20; Isa 56:1. Christ, an example of -- Ps 98:9; Isa 11:4; Jer 23:5. Specially required in rulers -- 2Sa 23:3; Eze 45:9. To be done In executing judgment. -- De 16:18; Jer 21:12. In buying and selling. -- Le 19:36; De 25:15. To the poor. -- Pr 29:14; 31:9. To the fatherless and widows. -- Isa 1:17. To servants. -- Col 4:1. Gifts impede -- Ex 23:8. God Requires. -- Mic 6:8. Sets the highest value on. -- Pr 2:13. Delights in. -- Pr 11:1. Gives wisdom to execute. -- 1Ki 3:11,12; Pr 2:6,9. Displeased with the want of. -- Ec 5:8. Brings its own”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (Ti1 1:3; Ti1 3:14). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15; Act 15:21; Co2 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (Th1 5:21”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: 39 . Teachers should speak with certainty, 7 ; and a little at a time, 16 ; like builders, 27 . Temporal blessings given us as we can bear them, 15 . Testimony, facts the best, 49 . "Testimony of two," how applicable to God, 188 ; of man, when credible, 189 . That, expresses the consequence, not the final cause, 227 . Theaters, indecency of, 3 ; to be avoided, 4 ; corrupting tendency of, 66 ; corrupt their inmates more than prisons, 220 . Thomas, St., his fear before, exceeded by his courage after, the Crucifixion, 228 ; condemned for vain curiosity”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 3:15: Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained,.... Whatever degree of knowledge of Christ, and the truths of his Gospel, is attained to, let it be retained, and not departed from: let us walk by the same rule; either the doctrine of justification by Christ's righteousness in particular, which is a rule of judgment concerning other things; for so far as they agree or disagree with this, they are to be received or rejected; or the Scriptures of truth, which are the rule of faith and practice, and the standard and test, to which all are to be brought and tried: ”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:16: Scripture is the true source of all authority in questions of doctrine and practice. Be ye . . . for I am--It is I with whom ye have to do. Ye are mine. Therefore abstain from Gentile pollutions. We are too prone to have respect unto men [CALVIN]. As I am the fountain of holiness, being holy in My essence, be ye therefore zealous to be partakers of holiness, that ye may be as I also am [DIDYMUS]. God is essentially holy: the creature is holy in so far as it is sanctified by God. God, in giving the command, is willing to give also the power to obey i”