The Rock We Stand On: God's Gracious Gift of His Canon 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Scripture References:

• Psalm 119:105

• 2 Peter 1:19-21

• John 16:13-14

• Revelation 22:18-19

 

In a world teeming with voices, opinions, and fleeting truths, where do we find an anchor? How do we discern right from wrong, truth from deception, and God's will from our own desires? This statement from the Summarium Fidei Christianae Filipinas points us to the bedrock of our faith: the Holy Scriptures, the written Word of God.

"Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments..." There are only 66 books of the Bible - 39 (Old Testament) and 27 (New Testament)

This seemingly simple statement carries profound weight. It speaks to the absolute necessity of a defined canon. The canon of Scripture means the officially recognized and accepted collection of books that Christians believe are truly God's inspired word and are the ultimate guide for their faith and life. Think of it like the "official story" of God's message to humanity, nothing more and nothing less.

Imagine a faith without a fixed set of divine revelation. It would be like building a house on shifting sand, constantly at the mercy of new teachings, personal interpretations, or even deliberate distortions. Without a canon, how would we know what truly constitutes God's revealed will? How would we distinguish between genuine prophecy and human imagination? The very foundation of our belief system would crumble.

But the beauty of this statement isn't just in acknowledging the need for a canon; it celebrates God’s gracious provision of that canon. The list of the 66 books of the Bible isn't an arbitrary human compilation. It is, as our key text reminds us, "God-breathed." This means that every word, every historical account, every prophetic declaration, every epistle, and every Gospel narrative is ultimately from the very breath of God Himself. He didn't leave us to wander in spiritual darkness. In His boundless wisdom and love, He meticulously inspired and preserved these particular books, ensuring that we would have a complete and authoritative guide for "the rule of faith and life."

Consider the profound implications of this divine provision. If all Scripture is "God-breathed," it means it possesses divine authority. It is not merely good advice or wise counsel; it is the very voice of God speaking to us. This divine inspiration makes the Scriptures "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." The canon is not a restrictive cage; it is a liberating roadmap, equipping us to live lives that honor God and bless others.

In a world clamoring for our attention, let us return to the sacred pages of the Old and New Testaments. Let us grasp the profound truth that in these 66 books, we have God's complete and trustworthy revelation. It is His gracious gift, a sure and steadfast guide that illuminates our path (Psalm 119:105), confirms the prophetic word (2 Peter 1:19-21), and guides us into all truth by His Spirit (John 16:13-14). Let us cherish this canon, diligently study it, and allow it to transform every aspect of our faith and life, standing firm on the rock of God's unchanging Word (Revelation 22:18-19).