Holy Scriptures [Diving Deep Into the First Fundamental Belief] – Pastor Ted Wilson

Summary

This video script from a Seventh-day Adventist perspective emphasizes the divine inspiration and authority of the Bible. It discusses the harmony of Jesus' humanity and divinity as depicted in John 1:1 and the Bible's role as God's message to humanity. The speaker encourages viewers to approach the Scriptures with faith, seeking guidance through prayer and the Holy Spirit. The video also warns against false teachings that distort the Bible's clear meaning and invites viewers to explore Adventist beliefs and methods of Bible study.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Bible is described as the Word of God, which is both divine and human, as stated in John 1:1.
• 👣 Jesus Christ's presence is found throughout the Bible, guiding us through both the Old and New Testaments.
• 🌟 The Holy Scriptures are considered the living, powerful word of God, as mentioned in Hebrews 4:12.
• 📝 The Bible is God's message to humanity, written by divinely inspired men, as explained in 2 Peter 1:21.
• 🔑 The Holy Scriptures are the foundation of Seventh-day Adventist beliefs, as outlined in their fundamental beliefs.
• ✍️ The Bible is the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration, and is the supreme authority for Seventh-day Adventists.
• 🛡️ Proverbs 30:5-6 emphasizes the purity of God's Word and warns against adding to it.
• 💡 Isaiah 8:20 highlights the importance of the law and testimony, which are central to understanding God's Word.
• 🙏 John 17:17 shows Jesus praying for the sanctification of His disciples through the truth of God's Word.
• 📖 The letter to the Thessalonians reveals that the Word of God is received as both the word of man and the Word of God by believers.
• 🕯️ The Great Controversy book warns against false teachings that obscure the plain truths of the Bible.

Q & A

What is the significance of the phrase 'In the beginning was the Word' from the Gospel of John?

The phrase signifies that Jesus, the Word, existed from the beginning of creation and was both with God and was God, illustrating the divine nature of Jesus Christ.

How does the Holy Scripture convey God's message to humanity according to the speaker?

The Holy Scripture conveys God's message to humanity through divinely inspired men who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

What is the role of the Holy Scriptures in the beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists?

The Holy Scriptures are the foundational basis for all beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists, as stated in their first fundamental belief.

What does the speaker mean by 'the footprints of Jesus throughout the Bible'?

The speaker refers to the presence and influence of Jesus Christ evident in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

What does the speaker say about the importance of the Holy Scriptures in Hebrews 4:12?

The speaker mentions that Hebrews 4:12 describes the Scriptures as the living, powerful word of God, which Jesus Christ has given to provide words of life.

How does Jesus affirm the Scriptures according to the speaker?

Jesus affirms the Scriptures by stating that they testify of Him and are the Word of God which effectively works in believers.

What warning does the speaker give about approaching the Scriptures?

The speaker warns against adding to or interpreting the Scriptures with false spiritual meanings, as this can lead to error and confusion.

What does the speaker suggest is necessary to truly hear God speaking through the Scriptures?

The speaker suggests that one must approach the Scriptures with the belief that they are the supreme authoritative and infallible revelation of God's will.

What resources does the speaker recommend for learning more about the Seventh-day Adventist beliefs on the Holy Scriptures?

The speaker recommends visiting www.adventist.org/beliefs and reading the document titled 'Methods of Bible Study' for more information.

What is the purpose of prayer when studying the Scriptures according to the speaker?

Prayer is necessary to ask for guidance from God through the Holy Spirit to reveal truths from the Scriptures that are practical for our lives.

What does the speaker mean by 'taking off the blinds of our own presuppositions'?

The speaker means that one must remove personal biases and preconceived notions to clearly understand and see the light of God's truth in the Scriptures.

Outlines

00:00

📜 The Divine and Human in Scripture

The paragraph begins with an uplifting musical introduction and a greeting to the audience. It delves into the profound statement from the Gospel of John, highlighting the dual nature of Jesus as both divine and human. The speaker emphasizes the importance of the Holy Scriptures as the living word of God, given to humanity through divinely inspired individuals. The Bible is portrayed as a record of Jesus' footprints, guiding believers through the Old and New Testaments. The speaker quotes Hebrews 4:12 to stress the power of the word of God and references Jesus' own affirmation of the Scriptures' testimony about Him. The paragraph concludes with a discussion on the inspiration behind the Bible, citing Second Peter 2:21, and the foundational role of Scripture in Seventh-day Adventist beliefs, as outlined in their fundamental beliefs. Key texts from Proverbs, Isaiah, John, and the letter to the Thessalonians are mentioned to underscore the authority and truth of Scripture.

05:01

🙏 Embracing Scripture for Divine Guidance

This paragraph continues the theme of the importance of Scripture, focusing on the necessity of approaching it with faith and reverence. It warns against the dangers of false teachings that obscure the clear meaning of the Bible. The speaker encourages the audience to read 'The Great Controversy' for further insight and to understand the straightforward interpretation of Scripture. The paragraph also stresses the practical application of Scripture in daily life, with a promise from Christ that those who seek His will shall understand His teachings. The speaker provides resources for further study, including the website www.adventist.org/beliefs and a document titled 'Methods of Bible Study.' The paragraph concludes with a prayer expressing gratitude for the Word of God and asking for guidance in understanding and applying its truths in anticipation of Jesus' return.

Keywords

💡Word of God

The 'Word of God' refers to the divine message or revelation from God, often understood as the content of the Bible. In the video, this term is central to the theme, as it discusses how the Bible, as the Word of God, provides guidance, truth, and salvation. The speaker emphasizes that the Bible is a combination of the divine and human, written by men who were divinely inspired, as stated in Second Peter 2:21.

💡Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith as the Son of God and the Messiah. The video discusses Jesus as the embodiment of the 'Word' in John 1:1, highlighting His dual nature as both divine and human. The speaker describes Jesus as the perfect blending of humanity and divinity, and His words as the source of life, as per the Holy Scriptures.

💡Holy Scriptures

The term 'Holy Scriptures' in the video refers to the Bible, which is considered the inspired word of God. The speaker discusses the Bible's role as the foundation of Seventh-day Adventist beliefs, emphasizing its authority and infallibility. The video also mentions that the Holy Scriptures are the standard for character, experience, doctrine, and history, as per the first fundamental belief of Seventh-day Adventists.

💡Divine Inspiration

Divine inspiration is the belief that the authors of the Bible were guided by the Holy Spirit to write God's message. In the video, this concept is crucial as it explains how the Bible, written in human language, carries the divine message. The speaker cites Second Peter 2:21 to illustrate that 'holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit,' which underscores the trustworthiness of the Scriptures.

💡Old Testament

The 'Old Testament' is the first part of the Bible, containing historical, legal, poetic, and prophetic texts. The video mentions the Old Testament as part of the footprints of Jesus throughout the Bible, indicating that it contains prophecies and references to Jesus Christ, which are essential for understanding the full narrative of salvation.

💡New Testament

The 'New Testament' is the second part of the Bible, focusing on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the early Christian church. The video highlights the New Testament as a clear presentation of Jesus Christ, including the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, Paul's letters, and the book of Revelation.

💡Apostle Paul

Apostle Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary work and letters, many of which are included in the New Testament. The video refers to Paul's letters as part of the New Testament, emphasizing his role in spreading the Christian message and his influence on the development of Christian doctrine.

💡Seventh-day Adventists

Seventh-day Adventists is a Christian denomination that emphasizes the imminent return of Jesus Christ and adheres to the Sabbath on Saturday. The video discusses the beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists, particularly their view of the Holy Scriptures as the supreme authority and infallible revelation of God's will, which is the first of their fundamental beliefs.

💡Prophecy

In the context of the video, 'prophecy' refers to the foretelling of future events, particularly those related to the divine plan and the end times. The speaker mentions prophecy in relation to the book of Revelation, which is considered the prophetic culmination of the New Testament, revealing 'things which must shortly take place,' as per the video's discussion.

💡Sanctify

To 'sanctify' means to set apart for a sacred purpose or to make holy. In the video, Jesus is quoted in John 17:17, praying for His disciples to be sanctified by the truth, which is identified as the Word of God. This highlights the transformative power of Scripture in the lives of believers, as they are set apart to live according to God's will.

💡False Teachers

The term 'false teachers' is used in the video to describe those who misinterpret or misrepresent the Scriptures, leading others astray. The speaker warns against such individuals, emphasizing the importance of understanding the Bible's plain language and its obvious meaning, as opposed to imposing mystical or secret interpretations that obscure its truth.

Highlights

The Bible's opening statement in John's gospel describes Jesus as the Word of God, embodying both human and divine nature.

Jesus Christ's words, as recorded in the Holy Scriptures, are considered the words of life.

The Bible contains footprints of Jesus throughout its 66 books, including the Old and New Testaments.

The Old Testament consists of 39 books covering history, law, wisdom, poetry, and prophecy.

The New Testament's 27 books include the Gospels, early church history, Paul's letters, and general letters, as well as the book of Revelation.

The Bible is described as God's message to humanity, written in human language by divinely inspired men.

Second Peter 2:21 explains that holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Scriptures are the foundation of Seventh-day Adventist beliefs.

The first fundamental belief of Seventh-day Adventists is the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures.

The Holy Scriptures are seen as the supreme authority and infallible revelation of God's will.

Proverbs 30:5-6 emphasizes the purity of every word of God and warns against adding to His words.

Isaiah 8:20 highlights the importance of the law and testimony as a light in the absence of divine guidance.

Jesus in John 17:17 prays for His disciples, sanctifying them through God's truth as revealed in Scripture.

Apostle Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians thanks God for the believers' reception of the Word of God.

The book 'The Great Controversy' warns against false teachers who obscure the Bible's clear teachings.

The Bible should be interpreted according to its obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is used.

The promise is given that those who do God's will shall know of His doctrine.

The Bible is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, but we must approach it without presuppositions.

Resources are recommended for learning more about Seventh-day Adventists' beliefs regarding the Holy Scriptures.

Prayer is encouraged for guidance in understanding and applying the truths of the Holy Scriptures.

Transcripts

(bright music starts)

-Greetings, friends.

When we open our Bibles

to the gospel of John,

we read this marvelous statement

in the very first chapter and verse.

It says, "In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God."

What a beautiful description of Jesus,

the Son of God and the Son of man,

a perfect blending

of the human and the divine.

We don't understand exactly

how this can be,

but we know that it is

and Jesus Christ has given us

His words of life

through the Holy Scriptures,

the living, powerful word of God,

according to Hebrews four verse 12.

Speaking of the Scriptures,

Jesus affirmed,

"These are they which testify of Me."

We find the footprints of Jesus

throughout the 66 books of the Bible,

leading us through the 39 books

of the Old Testament—

history, law, wisdom,

poetry and prophecy.

We see Him clearly,

Jesus Christ,

clearly through the 27 books

of the New Testament—

in the Gospels,

the early church history,

letters by the Apostle Paul

and other general letters,

and the prophecy

through the revelation of Jesus Christ,

which God gave Him to show His servants

things which must shortly take place.

You know, in fact,

the Bible is God's message

given to humanity

in the language of humanity

through men who were divinely inspired

as Second Peter

chapter two verse 21 explains,

"Holy men of God spoke

as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

So in a sense, the Scriptures,

these precious words of God

are like Christ

and that they are a combination

of the divine and human.

The Bible is God's message to us

contained in human language,

written by men

who were divinely inspired

by the Holy Spirit.

Holy Scriptures are the foundation

upon which we base all of our beliefs

as Seventh-day Adventists.

That's why

our very first fundamental belief

is the Holy Scriptures,

which reads as follows,

"The Holy Scriptures,

Old and New Testaments,

are the written Word of God

given by divine inspiration.

The inspired authors spoke and wrote

as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

In this Word,

God has committed to humanity

the knowledge necessary for salvation.

The Holy Scriptures

are the supreme authoritative

and the infallible revelation

of His will.

They are the standard of character,

the test of experience,

the definitive revealer of doctrines

and the trustworthy record

of God's acts in history."

There are many texts affirming the beauty

and power of Scripture.

In Proverbs chapter 30

verses five and six,

we read this promise and admonition,

"Every word of God is pure.

He is a shield

to those who put their trust in Him.

Do not add to His words,

lest He rebuke you

and you be found a liar."

Now in Isaiah 8:20,

it testifies the following,

"To the law and to the testimony,

if they do not speak

according to this word,

it is because there is no light in them."

And in John 17:17,

very important text,

we again hear Jesus affirming

the importance of Scripture

when He prays for His disciples,

asking His Heavenly Father

to "sanctify them by Your truth.

Your word is truth."

In the letter to the Thessalonian,

Apostle Paul states to the believers,

"For this reason,

we also thank God without ceasing,

because when you received the Word of God,

which you heard from us,

you welcomed it not as the word of man,

but as it is in truth, the Word of God,

which also effectively works in you

who believe."

Yes, friends,

the Bible is truly God's Word to us,

revealing His truth

and drawing us closer to Him

as we follow His divine counsel

outlined in its precious pages.

But in order to really hear God speaking,

we must approach the Scriptures,

believing that they are indeed

the supreme authoritative

and infallible revelation of His will.

We're warned in the book

The Great Controversy,

I hope you're familiar with that book.

It's just so marvelous.

Read it if you haven't.

Reread it if you have.

It says the following,

"The truths most plainly revealed

in the Bible

have been involved in doubt and darkness

by learned men

who with a pretense of great wisdom,

teach that the Scriptures

have a mystical,

a secret spiritual meaning

not apparent in the language employed.

These men are false teachers.

It was to such a class

that Jesus declared,

'Ye know not the Scriptures,

neither the power of God.'

The language of the Bible

should be explained

according to its obvious meaning,

unless a symbol or figure is employed.

Christ has given the promise,

'if any man will do His will,

he shall know of the doctrine.'

If men would but take

the Bible as it reads,

if there were no false teachers

to mislead and confuse their minds,

a work would be accomplished

that would make angels glad

and that would bring

into the fold of Christ

thousands upon thousands

who are now wandering in error."

Yes, my friends,

the Bible is indeed a lamp to our feet

and a light to our path.

But we must first take off the blinds

of our own presuppositions

in order to see the light clearly.

If you would like to learn more

about we, as Seventh-day Adventists,

believe about the Holy Scriptures,

there are two resources

that I would like to recommend to you.

First, I invite you to visit

www.adventist.org/beliefs

where you will find

a lot of helpful information.

Secondly, I encourage you to read

a very important document that explains

how we as Seventh-day Adventists

approach the Scriptures.

It is titled, Methods of Bible Study,

and can be accessed at the URL shown

at the bottom of the screen.

Friends, I encourage you today

to open the living Word of God,

the Holy Scriptures,

and find out what God would like

to say to you just now.

Let's pray together.

Father in heaven,

thank You for the Word of God.

Thank You that we can open

the Word of God.

Thank You that when we read

the Word of God, first of all,

we need to ask for Your guidance

through prayer

and that through the Holy Spirit,

You will reveal to us truths

that will become not only those things

which are on paper,

but they will become absolutely practical

for our lives.

Please give us guidance

as we look at the Word of God daily

to understand Your direction for our lives

as we come close to Jesus' soon return.

Thank You for hearing us in this prayer.

In Jesus' name, we ask it.

Amen.

(bright music ends)