Introduction
- Thomas Campbell: “Where the Bible speaks, we speak; where the Bible is silent, we are silent.” (1800s Restoration Movement)
- Do you have a “book, chapter, verse” faith?
“Book, chapter, and verse”
- Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-3
- The original documents were not divided into chapters and verses. Chapters weren’t added until about 1227 A.D., with verses added in 1555 A.D.
- Chapters and verses aided cross-reference and public reading, which helped knowledge of the Bible to expand during the Reformation.
- II Timothy 3:14-17
- Luke 4:17-19
- Luke 20:27-39 – Jesus used the scriptures to correct their misunderstanding.
- Acts 4:5-11
- Acts 15 – The dispute about circumcision went back to Amos.
- Acts 17:10-12 – Those in Berea searched the scriptures to confirm Paul’s teaching.
- Although the phrase “book, chapter, and verse” is not in the Bible, the concept is present throughout the scriptures.
Where is the authority of your faith?
- Colossians 3:17
- II John 1:9-11 – Don’t go beyond the scriptures. We must have proof for what we practice from the Bible.
- I Corinthians 4:6
- I Peter 4:11 – Speak as the oracles of God – minimize yourself and magnify God.
- I Corinthians 2:4-5; 1:18
Establish the pattern of sound words
- II Timothy 1:13-14
- Hebrews 8:5-6
- Everything we do must follow the pattern set forth in the Bible.
Growing in the knowledge of the truth
- II Peter 3:18
- I Peter 2:2
- Romans 10:17
- If you can find book, chapter, and verse for what you are doing, you know you are on solid ground.
- John 8:31-32
- John 20:30-31
- Matthew 15:7-9