Grounding Our Beliefs in Biblical Truth and Authority
Beliefs grounded in biblical truth and authority stem from the conviction that the Bible is the inspired Word of God [5]. This inspiration means that the Scriptures are "given by inspiration of God" and "by inspiration of the Holy Spirit" [5]. Jesus himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them and teaching from them [5].
The concept of "truth" in this context refers to the reliable and authoritative nature of God's revelation. The Gospel of Jesus is considered truth, and the testimony concerning it is also truth [7]. This truth is not merely an abstract concept but is meant to be embraced and lived out. For instance, believers are to be "of the truth" and persuade their hearts before God, knowing that they possess the "true religion of the Lord Jesus" [3, 8].
Central to grounding beliefs in biblical authority is faith, which is defined as the persuasion of the mind that a statement is true, leading to trust [1]. Faith involves knowledge and assent, and it is cultivated through teaching [1]. The resurrection of Jesus serves as God's assurance or pledge that His revelation is true and worthy of acceptance [6]. This faith is not static; it is something to be held fast "steadfast unto the end" [2, 11]. John Gill describes faith as "the faith of God's elect," which is "of the operation of God" and "firm and immovable as a foundation," supported by God's power and Christ's mediation [9].
The authority of the Bible means that its teachings are to be followed. Adam Clarke notes that as apostles of God, they cannot bring false doctrine, and their actions are "for that truth, to propagate and establish it" [7]. This commitment to truth means that believers are "looking for a new heaven and a new earth, which will be the resting-place of righteousness" because they have faith in God's word [4]. The confidence that believers have "through Christ toward God" is solid and real, as it looks to God for strength and for future reward [10].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Faith — Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests. Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14-17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act ”
- Hebrews “For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm to the end: -- Hebrews 3:14”
- 1 John “And by this we know that we are of the truth, and persuade our hearts before him, -- 1 John 3:19”
- II Peter “II Peter 3:13 (BBE) — But having faith in his word, we are looking for a new heaven and a new earth, which will be the resting-place of righteousness.”
- 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 13:8: For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth - As we are the apostles of God, we cannot bring to you any false doctrine; and, as we profess to be under the influence of God's Spirit, we cannot do any thing that is opposed to that truth, or which might be prejudicial to it. On the contrary, what we say and do is for that truth, to propagate and establish it. The Gospel of Jesus is truth; and my testimony concerning it is truth also. In my coming, and in my rod, you have nothing to fear, if you retain and abide in this truth.”
- 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 3:19: Hereby we know that we are of the truth - That we have the true religion of the Lord Jesus, and shall assure our hearts - be persuaded in our consciences, that we have the truth as it is in Jesus; as no man can impose upon himself by imagining he loves when he does not: he may make empty professions to others, but if he loves either God or man, he knows it because he feels it; and love unfelt is not love, it is word or tongue. This the apostle lays down as a test of a man's Christianity, and it is the strongest and most infallible test that can be given. He that lov”
- 2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 2:19: Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure,.... That faith, which is the faith of God's elect, is of the operation of God, and is the gift of his grace, and of which Christ is the author and finisher, is firm and immovable as a foundation; it is solid and substantial; it is the substance of things hoped for; and it is permanent and abiding; it stands sure, being supported by the power of God, and prevalent mediation of Jesus Christ; and so cannot be overthrown by false teachers, when an historical faith, or the faith of temporary believers may: or the doctri”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 3:4: And--Greek, "But." "Such confidence, however (namely, of our 'sufficiency,' Co2 3:5-6; Co2 2:16 --to which he reverts after the parenthesis--as ministers of the New Testament, 'not hinting,' Co2 4:1), we have through Christ (not through ourselves, compare Co2 3:18) toward God" (that is, in our relation to God and His work, the ministry committed by Him to us, for which we must render an account to Him). Confidence toward God is solid and real, as looking to Him for the strength needed now, and also for the reward of grace to be given hereafter. C”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 3:14: For we are made partakers of Christ - Having believed in Christ as the promised Messiah, and embraced the whole Christian system, they were consequently made partakers of all its benefits in this life, and entitled to the fulfillment of all its exceeding great and precious promises relative to the glories of the eternal world. The former they actually possessed, the latter they could have only in case of their perseverance; therefore the apostle says, If we hold fast the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end, i.e. of our life. For our participation of ”