ONLINE CHURCH BULLETIN

Is the New Testament, Scripture?  Part 1

Introduction

The claim is sometimes made that “scripture” as used in 2 Timothy 3: 16 refers exclusively to the writings of the Old Law.  The reasoning is that the writings of Moses and the prophets were the only scripture (inspired writings) available at the time Paul wrote these words and were the only scripture used in Timothy’s training, therefore “scripture,” as used here, cannot refer to the New Testament.

Related arguments claim that since the New Testament writings were not collected into a body until much later and that we cannot know what the first century church taught nor can we be certain what words (whether by verse, chapter or book) are inspired of God.  The primary reason for this lack of certainty, as the claim goes, is because men of questionable character were responsible for the collection and assimilation of “scripture” in later centuries.  Consequently, there are allegations of deletions or insertions these men made through their councils and synods to promote their own ideologies.

The consequences of these beliefs, when considered together, are enormous.  (1)  This reasoning prevents the New Testament writings from being placed in the category of “scripture” in any century and consequently restricts what can be taught as “doctrine” by believers today by limiting what is considered to be inspired and authoritative writings.  (2)  If New Testament scripture was not available to the early church and what was collected was altered over time, then the consequence is that “believers” today cannot know the truth of God and are, therefore, free to make doctrine to be whatever they want it to be.  There is no doctrine to guide them, allowing, them to bind and/or loose at will because no one can know what was in the original autographed writings.  This sets the foundation for religion to be anything anyone wants it to be and assumes God will accept whatever we throw His way.

Though these claims seem to be separate, they are somewhat related.  We will assess these claims together, beginning with the context of 2 Timothy 3: 10 - 17 and reviewing some of the consequences of these doctrines. 

WHAT IS DOCTRINE?

Paul writes, “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  (NKJV)

It is NOT true that in the immediate context the only “scripture” to which Paul refers are the Old Scriptures.  This thought completely misses the point of verse 10.  The Old Scriptures may have been the ones used by Lois and Eunice (his mother and grandmother) in raising Timothy, but Paul was busy revealing the words of the new.

Verse 15 refers to, “…the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”  The scripture of the Old Law could only lead one to Christ, it could not save one through Christ.  Read this verse from the New American Standard, “and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”  The Old Scriptures lead us to Him, but do not introduce Him.  The old scripture tells us of the coming salvation and gives us superior examples of faith, but it cannot save through faith.  The Old Law cannot make the worshiper perfect nor is its salvation perfect (cf. Hb. 7: 19; 9:9; 10:1).  To insist that the only scripture that is referenced in 2 Tm. 3: 16-17 is the Old Scripture is to argue, whether intentional or not, that the Old Scripture alone can be used as our only source of doctrine.  To exclude the New Scripture from this reference is to deny it the right to be used to establish doctrine.  The unintended consequence of such meddling with scripture is to teach heresy.

The context of 2 Timothy 3: 16 begins with verse 10.  The first word of verse 16 – ALL – describes the nature of all the words Timothy had heard in his life as described in verses 10 and 16.  In Paul’s mind, inspired scripture included his words and the words of old.  The complete doctrine must include an understanding of the old, but the old cannot stand alone. 

The words Timothy had heard from his mother and from the apostle Paul were necessary for a complete understanding of scripture.  One without the other paints an incomplete picture.  Paul said as much in the words, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them….”  This part of the statement does NOT refer to his childhood training.  Timothy was to place the credibility of the message upon the identity of the one who taught him.  As valuable as his mother was in his training, she did not surpass the apostle Paul in the area of credibility.  The things which he learned from this notable person were things in which he was to continue.

The part of the statement that involves the early years of his life begin with the next word “...and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures.”  His early training and his apostolic training are included in this complete statement.  Thus, Paul concludes with “ALL” beginning with verse 16 which is all inclusive of the entire body of knowledge which Timothy learned from all believers in his life.  The coordinating conjunction “and” ties the two periods of training together.  The Old could not be neglected and the New could not rejected.

One objection to including the New Testament in this context is that the Old Scriptures were the only ones in written form at the time this letter was penned and therefore are the only ones that can be called “scripture.”  And, if they are the only ones that can be called scripture, then the New Law is not under consideration in any form in verses 16-17.  This objection also misses the point for Paul calls his preaching “doctrine.”  If the writings of Paul were not scripture, then Paul missed the mark.  If scripture is the only message that can establish doctrine and Paul’s preaching was doctrine, then his words are scripture. 

But, let’s not stop here.  Consider 1 Timothy 4: 6-16, “6-If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 7-But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8-For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9-This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 10-For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11-These things command and teach. 12-Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13-Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14-Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15-Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16-Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”

Paul was fully convinced that his words were doctrine, and, if doctrine, then inspired.  The source of the good doctrine necessary to nourish faith in Christ are the inspired words of the Gospel, whether written or oral, whether presented by Paul or any of the other inspired apostles or prophets of the first century.  The exhortation to Timothy to give attention to reading, exhortation and doctrine included Paul’s letters.  It is important to understand that by the time Paul wrote 2 Timothy that much of Paul’s writings were already in place.

Timothy joined Paul’s missionary team and consequently, over time, had personal access to the letters to the Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Ephesians, Philemon, 1 and 2 Timothy and, most likely, Hebrews (cf. 13: 23).  Approximately ten of Paul’s letters had already been written before the two directed to Timothy.  Timothy was working with the church in Ephesus at the time of the receipt of Paul’s personal letters to him and to the Ephesian church.  Therefore, he was in personal possession of copies of at least 12 of the letters of New Testament scripture.  These letters certainly fall into the group of letters Paul referenced in 2 Timothy 2:13.  If Timothy had these letters, then he certainly had the opportunity to give heed to reading the doctrines of Christ.  It looks like Timothy was already part of the very process of confirming and settling the collection of New Testament scripture that some argue did not occur until centuries later.

There are nine references in the New Testament to doctrine (Eph 4:14; 1Ti 4:6; 1Ti 6:1; 1Ti 6:3; 2Ti 4:3; Tit 1:9; Tit 2:1; Tit 2:7; Tit 2:10).  In these verses Paul is concerned about the trickery of the doctrine of men; being a good servant of Christ Jesus, being constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine (of that faith); the name of God, our doctrine, a different doctrine (one that does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose words are the doctrine causing one to conform to godliness); people who will not endure sound doctrine; holding fast the faithful word so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict; speaking the things which are fitting for sound doctrine; good deeds, with purity in doctrine; faith that adorns the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

The definition of scripture is, “(1) a writing, thing written; (2) the Scripture, used to denote either the book itself, or its contents; (3) a certain portion or section of the Holy Scripture.”  The difference between writings of men and writings of God is that writings of God are inspired of God whereas a writing of man is not.  A writing of man cannot be used to establish doctrine; it cannot be used to discern the mind of God; it cannot be used to judge a persons life; it cannot be used to save a soul.  God’s writings can.  Paul’s letters can.  2 Timothy can.

(to continue to part 2, click here)