Chapter 1- Of the Holy Scriptures

For the next several months I will be making my way through the Westminster Confession. I will post small portions of the confession along with a brief commentary and teaching. Here is the first part of Chapter 1, "Of the Holy Scriptures."

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, yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and of His will, which is necessary unto salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times, and in diverse manners, to reveal Himself, and to declare that His will unto His church; and afterwords, 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 Scripture to be most necessary; those former ways of God revealing His will unto His people being now ceased.

There is no excuse for anyone who has lived on this earth. It is evident from creation that there is a creator, the one true God. The one who made heaven and earth. Romans chapter one spells this out plainly for all to see, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse (Rom 1:18-20)." Again we read in Psalm 19, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard (Ps. 19:1-3)." However, this revelation of the one true God cannot reveal the gospel message. God has given us His Word in written form. The Bible contains the will of God for man, the meaning of life, the true knowledge of God, and so much more!

The Gospel is revealed in the Bible, the Good News for all men, that Christ has died for sinners, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God. Creation doesn't tell us of the mysteries of salvation. Preachers have to do that and for preachers to preach they need a message to preach. That message is found in God's Word. God gave His word in written form because He is merciful and He loves us. It was for our best that He gave it to us in this way and not through oral tradition or priests. As a result of us having the Word of God in written form we have a solid preserved word, a word that can be studied and memorized, a word that can be preached, a protection for the church against herself and the devil as well as the world.

The Bible is therefore necessary for every true follower of the Lord Jesus. In the Bible God reveals Himself and His will. That is the way He does it now. In former times He did many different things, but now we have a more sure word give to us. As Peter said, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Pet. 2:19-21)."

Get in the Bible today and learn God's will for you. Get in the Bible today and learn about who God really is. Only in the sure word of God will you be corrected in your view of the truth. We all have our own "default" systems of doctrine and beliefs whether or not we admit it and it is only as we get into the word, study it, and conform to it that our beliefs and views will begin to line up with God's. Are you sure your system of doctrine in biblical? You had better hope so because your life depends on it.