Session 7: WCF Chapter I Of the Holy Scripture, Sections 9 and 10

http://lordsave.weebly.com/bible-translation-history.html Greek Masoretic Text WCF Septuagint Modern Translations http://lordsave.weebly.com/bible-translation-history.html

Proverbs 25:2 “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.” כבד אלהים הסתר דבר וכבד מלכים חקר דבר׃ “glory” – kə-ḇōḏ – reputation, splendor or benefit of “thing” – dā-ḇār – a word within a word “conceal” – has-têr – to hide something, not maliciously, but with the intent to provoke someone to seek it at the proper time at which it is to be revealed “search” – ḥă-qōr – to seek at the proper time “God” – ’ĕ-lō-hîm – a spirit being (God here) “kings” – mə-lā-ḵîm – (rare) those who have been appointed to reign in the future

Proverbs 25:2 “It is the reputation, splendor and benefit of God to hide a word within a word with the intent of provoking someone to seek it at the proper time at which it is to be revealed, but it is the reputation, splendor and benefit of those who have been appointed to reign in the future to be provoked by God at the proper time to search out the word God put in the word so it can be revealed at the proper time.” http://www.facebook.com/jrajchel1

Acts 15:15 2 Peter 1:20 John 5:46

CHAPTER I - Of the Holy Scripture 9. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.

1. Sola Scriptura: Scripture Alone - A reaffirmation that the Bible contains all things necessary to understand and obey God. - A denial that any other form of authority is needed to bind the conscience of the Christian.

“Scripture Interprets Scripture” Regula Fidei – The Bible is the only rule of faith “Analogy of Faith,” or “Analogy of Scripture” – A passage should only be read in the light of the entire Bible. – Confusing passages should be understood using clear passages. – Not only a hermeneutic but also a mindset in other hermeneutics

An Example 1 Corinthians 15:29: “Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?” – Mormon “Baptism by proxy?” No Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Hebrews 9:27: “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment”

Western Hermeneutics Literal (Historical-Grammatical – The “plain meaning” expressed by linguistic construction and historical context. Allegorical – A second level of reference that is more than the people, events and things that are explicitly mentioned. Moral – Moral lessons that are seen as more important than what the text literally describes. Anagogical – Mystical significance given by the numerical values of Hebrew words and letters.

Jewish Hermeneutics Peshat (פְּשָׁט) – The surface, literal or direct meaning Remez (רֶמֶז) – Hints of a deeper allegoric, hidden or symbolic meaning beyond just the literal sense Derash (דְּרַשׁ) — The comparative (midrashic) meaning that comes from studying similar occurrences Sod (סוֹד) — The secret, esoteric or mystical meaning given through direct inspiration or revelation.

Matthew 22:29 Acts 28:25-26 Acts 17:11

CHAPTER I - Of the Holy Scripture 10. The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture.

WCF Chapter I Structure The Holy Scriptures Are: Ordinarily Necessary for Salvation The 66 Books We Recognize Not the Apocrypha The Testimony and Word of God Personally Witnessed by the Holy Spirit Complete Perspicacious (Clear) Inspired in Their Original Hebrew and Greek To be Used to Interpret Themselves The Supreme Authority for All Religious Issues

Truth of Scripture (Ch. I) Westminster Confession Structure Truth of Scripture (Ch. I) All Other Doctrine (Ch. II-XXXIII)

Controversy of the Week!

Bible Authority Does the Bible speak to all religious issues?

Personal Personal Focus Focus

How has your understanding of doctrine changed as you became more familiar with the Bible?