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Article 1 – The Holy Scriptures
Articles Of The Faith And Order Of A Primitive Or Strict And Particular Baptist Church Of The Lord Jesus Christ, Based On The Declaration Of Faith And Practice Of John Gill, D. D., 1720 I. The Holy Scriptures. We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired,[1] and our sole, supreme, and all-sufficient guide in every matter of Christian Faith and Practice.[2] ------------------------------- [1] Jn 10:35; 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20,21 [2] Psalm 19:9 -11; 119:128; Is 8:20; Lk 16:29-31; Jn 5:39; 2 Tim 3:15,16; 2 Pet 1:20,21 -------------------------------------------------------------- Annotations: Inspiration Asserted Note 1.—The passages cited clearly assert that, while the books of the Bible were written by human authors, (whose personal peculiarities are often apparent in their…
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November 1—Morning Devotion
"For thou wilt light my candle."—Psalm 18:28 Precious consideration! It is the Lord that lighteth the candle of his people. And if the Lord light it, what power can put it out? Cherish, my soul, the faith this thought awakens, amidst all the darkness around thee and in thee. Hath the Lord, indeed, given thee light? Dost thou in his light see light? In the light of God the Father, dost thou behold God the Son, and, by the enlightening of the Holy Ghost, hast thou the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ? Oh the blessedness of such a state of light, and life, and knowledge; how is it possible then any more to be in…
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Book 1: Chapter 6, The Need Of Scripture, As A Guide And Teacher, In Coming To God As A Creator
Sections. 1. God gives his elect a better help to the knowledge of himself—viz. the Holy Scriptures. This he did from the very first. 2. First, By oracles and visions, and the ministry of the Patriarchs. Secondly, By the promulgation of the Law, and the preaching of the Prophets. Why the doctrines of religion are committed to writing. 3. This view confirmed, 1. By the depravity of our nature making it necessary in every one who would know God to have recourse to the word; 2. From those passages of the Psalms in which God is introduced as reigning. 4. Another confirmation from certain direct statements in the Psalms. Lastly, From the words of our Saviour. 1. Therefore, though the effulgence which is presented to…
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Book 1: Chapter 7, The Testimony Of The Spirit Necessary To Give Full Authority To Scripture. The Impiety Of Pretending That The Credibility Of Scripture Depends On The Judgement Of The Church.
Sections. 1. The authority of Scripture derived not from men, but from the Spirit of God. Objection, That Scripture depends on the decision of the Church. Refutation, I. The truth of God would thus be subjected to the will of man. II. It is insulting to the Holy Spirit. III. It establishes a tyranny in the Church. IV. It forms a mass of errors. V. It subverts conscience. VI. It exposes our faith to the scoffs of the profane. 2. Another reply to the objection drawn from the words of the Apostle Paul. Solution of the difficulties started by opponents. A second objection refuted. 3. A third objection founded on a sentiment of Augustine considered. 4. Conclusion, That the authority of Scripture is founded on…
Further Study
Book 1: Chapter 4, The Knowledge of God Stifled Or Corrupted, Ignorantly Or Maliciously
Book 1: Chapter 5, The Knowledge Of God Conspicuous In The Creation, And Continual Government Of The World
Book 1: Chapter 1, The Knowledge Of God And Of Ourselves Mutually Connected—Nature Of The Connection
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Book 1: Chapter 8, The Credibility Of Scripture Sufficiently Proved In So Far As Natural Reason Admits.
This chapter consists of four parts. The first contains certain general proofs which may be easily gathered out of the writings both of the Old and New Testament—viz. the arrangement of the sacred volume, its dignity, truth, simplicity, efficacy, and majesty, sec. 1, 2. The second part contains special proofs taken from the Old Testament—viz. the antiquity of the books of Moses, their authority, his miracles and prophecies, sec. 3-7; also, the predictions of the other prophets and their wondrous harmony, sec. 8. There is subjoined a refutation of two objections to the books of Moses and the Prophets, sec. 9, 10. The third part exhibits proofs gathered out of the New Testament, e.g., the harmony of the Evangelists in their account of heavenly mysteries,…
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Book 1: Chapter 9, All The Principles Of Piety Subverted By Fanatics, Who Substitute Revelations For Scripture
Sections. 1. The temper and error of the Libertines, who take to themselves the name of spiritual, briefly described. Their refutation. 1. The Apostles and all true Christians have embraced the written Word. This confirmed by a passage in Isaiah; also by the example and words of Paul. 2. The Spirit of Christ seals the doctrine of the written Word on the minds of the godly. 2. Refutation continued. 3. The impositions of Satan cannot be detected without the aid of the written Word. First Objection. The Answer to it. Second Objection from the words of Paul as to the letter and spirit. The Answer, with an explanation of Paul’s meaning. How the Spirit and the written Word are indissolubly connected. 1. Those who, rejecting…
