First Chapter Of Westminster Confession Of Faith
“The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.
We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scripture. And the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, 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, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection 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.”
Over the years, I have studied on the amazing fulfillment of prophecies, the correlation of science with the content and doctrine of Scripture, and the astonishing unity and consistency of Scripture. Though all these had helped me to a higher and more reverent esteem of the Holy Scripture, I have noticed that all such knowledge do not necessarily lead one to believe the Holy Scripture to be the infallible Word of God. Unless God the Spirit helps to bear witness to one’s spirit that it is God Himself speaking through the Word.
As we live out our faith, we will surely notice that the faith of those with tremendous knowledge on apologetics does not necessarily tower over those who do not know much persuasive arguments. That is amazing grace. The Holy Spirit will bear witness with our spirit that the Holy Scripture is the infallible Word of God and will also illuminate it for our understanding. 1 Cor 2:9-11. If my dad called me over the phone and said,”Hi, son…”, I could immediately recognize his voice though anyone could have said such on the other line. The sheep of our Lord Jesus will surely recognize the voice of their Master and have no doubt their Master is the One speaking.
He will help us to understand the Bible as some passages are difficult and to apply the contained truths in our lives.
