Basic Reformed Baptist Beliefs
Question 5a – Why is it vital for every believer to study the Scriptures?
Q/A
Q: Why is it vital for every believer to study the Scriptures?
A: The Scriptures are the only and all–sufficient rule of both faith and practice. The Holy Spirit never leads the believer apart from or contrary to this inscripturated Word.
Scripture References
| Psalm 11:3 | “if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” |
| Psalm 138:2 | I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. |
| Amos 8:11 | “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.” |
| Matthew 4:4 | But [Jesus] answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” |
| Matthew 5:17‑18 | Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. |
| 2 Timothy 2:15 | Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. |
| 2 Timothy 3:16‑17 | All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. |
| 1 John 2:3–5a | And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. |
Applying the Doctrine
God has many ways to pour His blessings on His people, but a single source of authority He has given for our instruction. One of the pervasive errors of our day is the belief by some that God can instruct us apart from the Scriptures, or, worse, contrary to them. The Holy Spirit, in His work of sanctification in the life of the follower of Jesus Christ, uses and interprets the Scriptures, implanting Scripture’s lessons into their hearts. None of these will be “fresh” revelations, new instructions, or novel interpretations that disagree with other Scripture. The Bible is complete and final.
About the Catechism
In this series, we will take a look at the questions and answers contained in a Reformed Baptist Catechism. Most of these entries will be based on the 1677 catechism known popularly as “Keach’s Catechism”, but some freedom may be taken with regard to updating language or adding additional Scripture references found in other sources. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references will be from the English Standard Version of the Bible, ©2016 by Crossway Bibles.
This question/ answer used: © W. R. Downing. A Baptist Catechism with Commentary. (2008). Version 1.7