My intention in this series is to call attention to the fact that no religious group is entirely correct in its understanding of the Bible. Of course, no individual person can be entirely correct in his or her understanding of the Bible either.
That fact does not always mean that an individual is not a Christian.
That fact does not always mean that a group is not Christian.
I personally believe that this fact demonstrates that all claims made by any group of Christians to be exclusively the only “One True Church” are therefore proven false.
Logically, this is so because to make the claim of infallibility or to claim to teach the precise doctrines taught by Jesus and His Apostles necessitates that such teaching conforms to what Jesus and His Apostles originally taught. To differ invalidates the claim.
An example of a position taken by some mistaken groups is that they:
(6B) Deny the sufficiency of Scripture, +*2Ti 3:17.
A careful study of the context of 2 Timothy 3:17 will help settle the question of just what the term “scripture” includes.
Paul writes about Timothy’s having known the holy scriptures from his infancy. This is verified by the term in the original Greek text, “brephos,” which Strong defines as “an infant (properly unborn) literally or figuratively.” This reference to Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:15 refers, therefore, to the Hebrew Scriptures, our Old Testament. The term for “known” is “oida,” a reference to intuitive knowledge, full conscious knowledge that cannot be improved upon; to know without effort. Paul tells us how Timothy gained this knowledge when he states in 2 Timothy 1:5 that “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well” (English Standard Version). Luke tells us a bit more about how Paul met Timothy in Acts 16:1, “Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek” (ESV).
When Paul writes, in his next sentence, at 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture,” he writes in a manner that intentionally includes the Scriptures of our New Testament. The Apostles knew that what they wrote was Scripture, as confirmed by what Peter wrote at 2 Peter 3:16, “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction,” where “also the other scriptures” refers to others of the same kind, rendering the Greek word “loipoi.”
Paul then proceeds to specify what Scripture is sufficient for, when he writes in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
Now to the key text:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Careful readers of the Bible know that Scripture interprets Scripture. The Bible is its own best commentary. By comparing Scripture with Scripture we gain a more accurate understanding of what the Bible teaches. This is so because the Bible does not speak exhaustively about a subject all at one place. To find out all the places where a particular subject or topic is mentioned it is most helpful to consult a study resource which contains the most complete collection of cross references you can find.
Here are some of the cross references I have found for 2 Timothy 3:17,
that the man of God. Deuteronomy 33:1. Joshua 14:6. Joshua 13:6, 8. 1 Timothy 6:11. 2 Peter 1:21.
perfect. or, fitted. Gr. artios (S# G739, only here), fresh, that is, (by implication) complete (Strong). Job 36:4. 2 Corinthians 13:9. Philippians 3:15. James 1:4.
throughly furnished. or, perfected, or, equipped. Holy Scripture is the only source of doctrinal and spiritual authority for the Christian. This passage teaches the sufficiency of Scripture: Scripture furnishes all that the Christian must know to be saved and to grow in grace, and tells us all we need to know to live a life which is well pleasing to God. This very text of Scripture teaches we must go by Scripture alone. This is a position logically derived from the statements of the Bible itself, starting here (see also Psa 119:104, 105; Psa 119:130, Isa 8:20, Jer 23:28, Mrk 12:24, Jhn 5:39; **Jhn 20:31, Act 17:11, 12, 1Th 5:21 note. 1Pe 2:2, 2Pe 1:19; 2Pe 3:18). The Bible as we now have it is complete: there are no additional sources available today which contain genuine communications from Jesus, his original twelve disciples, or the Apostle Paul, that are essential and necessary for a person to have saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, words which legitimate scholarship agrees are genuine and from the time of Christ. All we have, and all we need, is contained in the 27 primary source first century documents of our New Testament, and the 39 books of the Old Testament, and nowhere else. Psalm 119:104, 113, 128. Jeremiah 23:28. Matthew 13:52. Ephesians 4:11, 12, 13, 14.
unto all. Job 23:12. Acts 20:20, 27, 32. **2 Corinthians 9:8. Colossians 2:3, 4, 7, 8. 1 Thessalonians 2:13. 2 Peter 1:3.
good works. 2 Timothy 2:21. Nehemiah 2:18. Micah 2:7. Mark 12:24. Acts 9:36. Romans 12:2. 1 Corinthians 2:13, 15, 16. **2 Corinthians 9:8. Ephesians 2:10. 1 Timothy 5:10. Titus 2:14. 3:1, 8. Hebrews 10:24.
WHAT THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE APPLIES TO:
Notice the expression, unto all. This teaches that Scripture is sufficient unto all things that pertain to the life of the Christian believer.
The Bible is sufficient to teach us about doctrinal truth;
The Bible is sufficient to teach us about church organization;
The Bible is sufficient to teach us about how God wants us to live;
The Bible is sufficient to adequately guide us in our family life;
The Bible is sufficient to guide us in our church life;
The Bible is sufficient to teach us how to fulfill our responsibilities in each of these areas of life and much more.
As I compiled additional cross references to produce The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, I discovered that the Bible provides sufficient direction even though it does not always provide exhaustive information about a subject of concern.
For example, Jesus commanded us to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19, 20).
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (KJV)
Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV)
I learned and discovered that the Bible gives much instruction about how to make disciples. I have placed a note in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge at Jonah 4:11 which will lead any serious student of Scripture to the passages in Scripture that provide instruction on how to make disciples.