(More) Scriptural references have been added from Sam Waldron’s excellent Modern Exposition of 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith.
Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scriptures [Return] [Commentary]
- The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience 1, although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable 2; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and his will which is necessary unto salvation 3. Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times and in divers manners to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his church 4; and afterward for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary 5, those former ways of God’s revealing his will unto his people being now ceased. 6
- Isa. 8:20; Luke 16:29; Eph. 2:20; 2 Tim. 3:15-17
- Ps. 19:1-3; Rom. 1:19-21, 32; 2:12a, 14-15
- Ps. 19:1-3 with vv. 7-11; Rom. 1:19-21; 2:12a, 14-15 with 1:16-17; and 3:21
- Heb. 1:1-2a
- Prov. 22:19-21; Luke 1:1-4; 2 Peter 1:12-15; 3:1; Deut. 17:18ff; 31:9ff, 19ff; 1 Cor. 15:1; 2 Thess. 2:1-2, 15; 3:17; Rom. 1:8-15; Gal. 4:20; 6:11; 1 Tim. 3:14ff; Rev. 1:9, 19; 2:1 etc.; Rom. 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19-21
- Heb. 1:1-2a; Acts 1:21-22; 1 Cor. 9:1; 15:7-8; Eph. 2:20
- Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these:
OF THE OLD TESTAMENT OF THE NEW TESTAMENT Genesis Matthew Exodus Mark Leviticus Luke Numbers John Deuteronomy Paul’s Epistle to the Romans Joshua I Corinthians & II Corinthians Judges Galatians Ruth Ephesians I Samuel & II Samuel Philippians I Kings & II Kings Colossians I Chronicles, II Chronicles I Thessalonians & II Thessalonians Ezra I Timothy & II Timothy Nehemiah To Titus Esther To Philemon Job The Epistle to the Hebrews Psalms Epistle of James Proverbs The first and second Epistles of Peter Ecclesiastes The first, second, and third Epistles of John The Song of Solomen The Epistle of Jude Isaiah The Revelation Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi
All of which are given by the inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life. 1
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