“Doctrinal Statement on Bibliology”

Pastor John – 2023 

My Doctrinal Statement on Bibliology

I. The Canon of Scripture – I believe that the canon, as body of Scripture, consists of the 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament, totalling 66[1] and no others, whatsoever, are part of the Bible. The books of the canon, contain the divinely inspired, inerrant and infallible word of God. All Scripture points us to God as ultimate author, His revelation to mankind in and through the person of Jesus Christ (John 5:39; Luke 24:27), who is the Word Himself (John 1:1) as absolute truth (John 14:6; John 15:5). There is only one triune God, in three distinct Persons – the Father, the Son (Christ), and the Holy Spirit, who are coequal and coeternal (Isa. 44:6; 45:5; Gen. 1:26-27; Matt. 3:17; Luke 9:35; 2 Cor. 13:14). Christ’s death and resurrection, fully atoned for our sins. By faith alone, in Him alone, we have right standing with God (2 Cor. 5:21), that way only inheriting eternal life (John 3:16-21). The Bible as canon of Scripture, is the only source, containing these truths and must not be altered (Rev. 22:18-19).

II. The Characteristics of Scripture – I believe that Scripture reveals God-unique attributes, divine precepts, fully manifested in the incarnation of Jesus Christ (John 2:9; 1 Cor. 15; Luke 24:39). I believe that Scripture is written by the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Exod. 2:24; Isa. 40:8; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; 1 Cor. 2:13), without error, is complete and closed. I believe Scripture is fully sufficient to understand the way to salvation and godly living through Christ (John 5:39; Acts 28:23; 1 Cor. 10:11; 1 Pet. 1:16-25). It is mandatory to use for practical instruction (Ps. 119:105; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). I believe that the Bible is unique, authentic, true, accurate, reliable and absolutely dependable (Matt. 24:35). 

III. General and Special Revelation

  1. General Revelation (GR) – I believe that GR communicates undeniable truth that God makes Himself known to all people: One, in nature (Ps. 19:1-6). Two, divine Providence (Dan. 2:21; Matt. 5:45; Acts 14:15-17). Three, human conscience, God placing His law in all human hearts (Rom. 2:14-15). Yet, I believe that GR on its own is insufficient for salvation (Rom. 1:18-21), and as believers we must fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20), pointing people to divine doctrine, revealed only through SR as found in Scripture.
  • Special Revelation (SR) – I believe that God has revealed Himself in Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16, 17 and 2 Pet. 1:21) and in Jesus Christ, as Messiah, God’s one and only Son, sent to reveal and proclaim the Father (John 1:18, 5:36-37, 6:63 and 14:10). I believe that God speaks to us through His Word, directly and personally, guided by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:20-21; Mark 4:39-41; Heb. 1:1-2). 

IV. Inspiration – I believe that every word in the Bible is divinely inspired and God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16). I believe that the human writers of the Bible, guided by the Holy Spirit, were divinely selected recording it free of error, accurately and exactly the way God desired it to be (Ps. 69; Acts 1:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21). I affirm, God having completed this divinely inspired process, the canon is finalized. I deny any claim of alleged new inspiration and deny any call to reopen God’s Word, as manifested in the canon (2 Tim. 2:12-13). 

V. Inerrancy – I believe that the original autographs of the canon are inerrant, free from all errors and contradictions (2 Tim. 3:16). I believe – based on its divine inspiration – that Scripture is God’s only written record, as singular trustworthy, infallible and authoritative precept for faith and life (2 Pet. 1:21). Therefore, I believe God has revealed Himself, and confirmed His divine will in His Word, the faultless, eternal absolute truth in the canon – confirmed by our risen Lord (Matt. 28-18). Amen.

Appendix A

The 66 Books of the Bible

Old Testament Books

Genesis

Exodus

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

Joshua

Judges

Ruth

1 Samuel

2 Samuel

1 Kings

2 Kings

1 Chronicles

2 Chronicles

Ezra

Nehemiah

Esther

Job

Psalms

Proverbs

Ecclesiastes

Song of Solomon

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Lamentations

Ezekiel

Daniel

Hosea

Joel

Amos

Obadiah

Jonah

Micah

Nahum

Habakkuk

Zephaniah

Haggai

Zechariah

Malachi

New Testament Books

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy

2 Timothy

Titus

Philemon

Hebrews

James

1 Peter

2 Peter

1 John

2 John

3 John

Jude

Revelation

[1] See Appendix A, for the OT and NT books referenced here, comprising the specified 66 canonical books.