Monday, July 20, 2009

No Bible because Christ is Sufficient

Dr. Couch, some folks say we do not have to study the Scriptures because after all, Jesus fulfilled the OT, so we do not have to go back and study the Bible passages because Christ has fulfilled many of the prophecies of the Word of God! We just look at Him, because this is sufficient for us today. How do you answer?

ANSWER:  We are still commanded, as the Greek text states: "Be zealous, take pains, to stand yourself, approved by testing [with] God as an artisan, a craftsman, who does not need to be ashamed, to cut apart accurately the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). The reference to "the word of truth" is mainly referring to the OT prophecies!

   Wuest has some great notes: "Study means 'to make haste, to exert one's self, endeavor. Paul is saying—I wish to know that you are hurrying on the making of it.' "Put to the test for the purpose of approving, and finding that the person or thing meets the specifications laid down, to put one's approval upon that person or thing." "Rightly dividing  or cutting straight, to hold a straight course, to make straight, to handle rightly," the word of truth.

   Note these verses: John 5:46; Luke 22:37; 24:26-35; Acts 10:43; 28:23; 26:22-23. Yes, it is true He fulfills the OT prophecies, but so what? We are still commanded to glean from the Word of God all that it says about Him, and about so many other great doctrines that are laid out for us.

   What are the elders supposed to do? Note Titus 1:9 and 2:11-15. Also, 2 Timothy 2:1-2. Too: 1 Timothy 5:17.

   Believers are not to be kept uninformed or kept in the dark about Bible prophecy and the plan of God. Paul tells the Romans: "I do not want you, brothers, to be 'ignorant' of the mystery of the hardening of the heart of the Jews, because from Israel (from Zion) will come the Deliverer" (Rom. 11:25-32). "Ignorant" means in Greek "to be unknowing" (agnoein). It is a Present Infinitive. "I don't want you to be right now unknowing!" Paul then reminds his readers of the prophecy of Isaiah 59:20-21. He wants his audience to know what that great prophecy is saying.

   Thanks for asking.
   Dr. Mal Couch