- The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience, although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and his will which is necessary unto salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times and in divers manners to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his church; and afterward for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of God’s revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.
( 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Isaiah 8:20; Luke 16:29, 31; Ephesians 2:20; Romans 1:19-21; Romans 2:14,15; Psalms 19:1-3; Hebrews 1:1; Proverbs 22:19-21; Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19,20 ) - Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these:
Of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings, II Kings, I Chronicles, II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Solomen, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
Of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts of the Apostles, Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I Thessalonians, II Thessalonians, I Timothy, II Timothy, To Titus, To Philemon, The Epistle to the Hebrews, Epistle of James, The first and second Epistles of Peter, The first, second, and third Epistles of John, The Epistle of Jude, The Revelation
All of which are given by the inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life.
( 2 Timothy 3:16 ) - The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon or rule of the Scripture, and, therefore, are of no authority to the church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved or made use of than other human writings.
( Luke 24:27, 44; Romans 3:2 ) - The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the author thereof; therefore it is to be received because it is the Word of God.
( 2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 John 5:9 ) - We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church of God to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, and the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man’s salvation, and many other incomparable excellencies, and entire perfections thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.
( John 16:13,14; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12; 1 John 2:20, 27 ) - The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word, and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed.
( 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Galatians 1:8,9; John 6:45; 1 Corinthians 2:9-12; 1 Corinthians 11:13, 14; 1 Corinthians 14:26,40 ) - All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them.
( 2 Peter 3:16; Psalms 19:7; Psalms 119:130 ) - The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by his singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentic; so as in all controversies of religion, the church is finally to appeal to them. But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have a right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded in the fear of God to read and search them, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner, and through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope.
( Romans 3:2; Isaiah 8:20; Acts 15:15; John 5:39; 1 Corinthians 14:6, 9, 11, 12, 24, 28; Colossians 3:16 ) - The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched by other places that speak more clearly.
( 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Acts 15:15, 16 ) - The supreme judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture delivered by the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered, our faith is finally resolved.
( Matthew 22:29, 31, 32; Ephesians 2:20; Acts 28:23 )
Categories Archives: Ethos
Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scriptures
Introduction
Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scriptures
Chapter 2: Of God and the Holy Trinity
Chapter 3: Of God’s Decree
Chapter 4: Of Creation
Chapter 5: Of Divine Providence
Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof
Chapter 7: Of God’s Covenant
Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator
Chapter 9: Of Free Will
Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling
Chapter 11: Of Justification
Chapter 12: Of Adoption
Chapter 13: Of Sanctification
Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith
Chapter 15: Of Repentance unto Life and Salvation
Chapter 16: Of Good Works
Chapter 17: Of the Perseverance of the Saint
Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation
Chapter 19: Of the Law of God
Chapter 20: Of the Gospel and the Extent of Grace thereof
Chapter 21: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience
Chapter 22: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day
Chapter 23: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
Chapter 24: Of the Civil Magistrate
Chapter 25: Of Marriage
Chapter 26: Of the Church
Chapter 27: Of the Communion of Saints
Chapter 28: Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Chapter 29: Of Baptism
Chapter 30: Of the Lord’s Supper
Chapter 31: Of the State of Man after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead
Chapter 32: Of the Last Judgement
Closing Statement and Signatories
How & Why We Pray
The reason we pray is to bring glory to God (Jn 14:13) and obtain joy in God (Jn 17:13). That to pray by His will, this, in turn, brings us joy. Not by repetitive words, platitudes, or complicated requests, but in simplicity, because the LORD knows what it is we need before we ask (Mt. 6:7-8).
When we end our prayers by “In Jesus’s name, Amen” that is an acknowledgment and affirmation that it is possible to pray to the Father because of the access we are given by the LORD’s sacrifice and resurrection. Since we have this gift of access, we are to pray continually, in private, and with perseverance in a manner by which He taught us (Mt 6:9-13). Our persistence in prayer and pleas to Him is to meet our needs and carry out His will.
It is also by Jesus’s instruction that we are to pray by faith (Mk 11:22, 24). That is simply one condition by which we pray. Another is given in John 15:7 where He says, ” If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” To mean, we are to remain in Him, in fellowship, and in His words. To know Him where there is a relationship there to underlie our prayers to Him and the Father.
In his guidance, He further explains how to pray and how not to pray. For whom we are to pray and for what we are to pray. Moreover, he gives us specifics and examples to learn from and apply.
Pray in truth without hypocrisy and with full confession (Matt 6:5-6). The LORD had some of the strongest words of condemnation for hypocritical people. So we are to pray for ourselves. Pray for everyone without exception. Even for our enemies and for those who insult and curse us (Lk 6:28).
And so finally, the LORD’S prayer is modeled for us to remember and put into practice.
Our Father in heaven,
1. Hallowed be your name.
This is to pray that all people would pursue the glory of God. The first function of prayer.
2. Your kingdom come.
That in our lives, His kingdom would reign in our hearts and minds.
3. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
That we put into effect His will here on Earth just as it is done in heaven. Without hesitation, in full zeal, and by exceptional effort.
4. Give us this day our daily bread.
To meet our daily physical needs for body and mind.
5. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
The continued requests for forgiveness of our daily failure to honor Him.
6. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
A request for protection against the evil one and from temptations.
Contemplate
Consider the words of the Lord set to gentle music. Dwell on what He says through His Spirit. Find peace in what is written in the Lord’s eternal words. His blessings come from the time your heart dwells on what His words mean and how they apply.
What Jesus Wants
These are sheets that have Jesus’s words on them which are specifically about what He requires. What He has said, what He expects of those who love Him. These NASB verses are separated, formatted and placed into a verse-by-verse layout. To cut them out from these sheets to place them onto blank 3.5″ x 2″ cards.
Suggested Materials:
Verse Sheets:
Print these sheets from the following sheets and cut along the dotted line.
https://tinyurl.com/y33nzq7l
Blank Cards:
The verses cut from these sheets are printed to get glued onto these cards.
Suggested Card Stock: https://tinyurl.com/yyswfjkz
Glue Sticks:
Just a single standard glue stick (clear) is suggested: https://tinyurl.com/y6fezgt3
Apostles
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. AMEN.
Nicene
The Nicene Creed of 325.
I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ the Only Begotten Son of God, the first-born of all the creatures.
Who was born before all the worlds, and not made.
True God of true God.
Consubstantial with the Father.
By Whom the worlds were made and all things were created.
Who for us children of men and for our salvation came down from heaven, was incarnate and became a man.
And was born of the Virgin Mary and crucified in the days of Pontius Pilate.
And was buried and rose the third day according to the Scriptures.
And ascended into heaven and sat at the right hand of God.
And He shall come again to judge the living and the dead.
And in the Holy Spirit.
The Nicene Creed of 381.
We believe in one God, Father almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, what is seen and what is not seen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages
Light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not created, equal to the Father in essence
who for the sake of us men and for the sake of our salvation came down from heaven
and became incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary.
He suffered and was buried
and rose on the third day.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father in the heights
and He will also come in glory to judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom has no passing away or end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds, whom we worship and glorify with the Father and the Son, who speaks in the prophets.
We confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We hope for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come, amen
