Baptist Catechism: Question Four

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2 Timothy 3:16

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
Ephesians 2:20

In our last question and answer we discussed the two revelations in which God reveals himself, the general and special revelation. In the general sense, we see that God’s creation screams His glory for all to see and hear. God also specially reveals Himself to many by His own decree and will. This special revelation is necessary to intimately know God and be saved by Him. It is through the Word of God and the Spirit of God that His special revelation is seen and heard. This is how we may know God.

The catechism now more deeply explores the usage of the Word of God to reveal God to those He chooses. Question four tells us that the Word of God is Old Testament and New Testament. Though this is not explicitly said in the catechism, The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith declares both the Old and New Testaments are made up of the 66 books of the Bible that we currently hold to be Scripture. This is shown in detail in chapter one, section two.

Sadly, many throughout history have tried to distort the scriptures by adding to or subtracting from the Word of God. Such additions in the past were sometimes included the Apocrypha, as well as other collections such as the Pseudepigrapha. Such claims are unwarranted. These two groupings do not fit the qualifications of Scripture and even at times differ from the truths of scripture. Therefore, they have no authority in the church of God and are not used in any way different from other human writings. Therefore, Baptists hold to the canonized 66 books, and for very good reasons. One day, I will make a detailed post giving clear reasons for this, because it is quite encouraging and reassuring knowledge for all to have.

For our purposes in this post, our catechism proclaims the purpose of Scripture. Scripture is God’s certain standard or “rule” for faith and obedience. Where do we learn what faith is and amounts to? Where do we learn what obedience is and amounts to? Scripture, the 66 inerrant books that God divinely wrote through men of His choosing. It is breathed out by God through the prophets and apostles (2 Tim. 3:16; Eph. 2:10) for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness. Essentially all matters of the Christian faith. It is our certain standard from God.

Take this amazing encouragement with you for the rest of the day. We will dive deeper into Scripture’s purpose and contents in the coming days. Take some time to dive into God’s Word today. Search the treasures of our certain rule.