The Unveiled Word: God's Gift of Accessible Truth

Statement of Doctrine: The Old Testament, originally in Hebrew (the native language of God's people in ancient times), and the New Testament, originally in Greek (the most widely understood language among nations when it was written), were directly inspired by God. Through His unique care and providence, these original texts have been preserved purely throughout all generations, making them authoritative. Consequently, in all religious disputes, the church must ultimately refer to these original Scriptures. However, since not all of God's people know these original languages—and yet they have a right to and an interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded to read and diligently search them in the fear of God—it is essential that the Bible be translated into the common language of every nation where it arrives. This ensures that God's Word can richly dwell within them, enabling them to worship Him acceptably and to find hope through the patience and comfort the Scriptures provide. (Summarium Fidei Christianae Filipinas, Chapter 1, paragraph 8)

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Key Text: "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8)

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Let us turn our hearts and minds today to the profound truth embedded in the eighth paragraph of Chapter 1 of our Summarium Fidei Christianae Filipinas. This passage beautifully articulates the cornerstone of our faith: the absolute authority and divine preservation of God's Word.

We are reminded that the Scriptures, both the Old Testament in its original Hebrew and the New Testament in its original Greek, are not merely human writings but are "directly inspired by God." This divine breath, this theopneustos (2 Timothy 3:16), means that every word is God-breathed, carrying His very authority and truth. And what an astonishing display of His love and power that "through His unique care and providence, these original texts have been preserved purely throughout all generations." This preservation is not accidental; it is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His revelation. This truth should fill us with immense confidence – we hold in our hands the very words of God, untainted and enduring.

This divine inspiration and preservation lead us to a crucial point: the Scriptures are "authoritative." In every spiritual debate, in every question of faith and practice, "the church must ultimately refer to these original Scriptures." They are our ultimate standard, our plumb line, our final court of appeal. We do not appeal to human tradition, or popular opinion, or even our own feelings; we appeal to the settled Word of God.

Yet, our passage doesn't stop there. It acknowledges a vital reality: "not all of God's people know these original languages." This is where the beauty of God's wisdom and grace truly shines forth. Our God is not a God who hides His truth from His people. On the contrary, He desires for His Word to "richly dwell within them." This is why "it is essential that the Bible be translated into the common language of every nation where it arrives."

Consider the profound implications of this. God, in His infinite wisdom, orchestrated the preservation of His Word, not for a select few scholars, but for all His people. He commands us to "read and diligently search them in the fear of God." This is not a suggestion; it is a divine mandate! He desires that His sheep hear His voice, that His children know His will, that His saints find comfort and hope in His promises.

The purpose of this accessibility is clear: "This ensures that God's Word can richly dwell within them, enabling them to worship Him acceptably and to find hope through the patience and comfort the Scriptures provide." When God's Word saturates our lives, it transforms our worship, aligning it with His truth. It equips us with patience in trials and offers us comfort in sorrow, all rooted in the unwavering promises found only in His inspired and preserved Word.

Therefore, let us never take for granted the incredible privilege we have of holding the Bible in our own language. Let us heed the command to diligently search it, not as a burdensome task, but as a joyful pursuit of God Himself. For in these pages, we encounter the living God, our Creator and Redeemer, who has graciously unveiled Himself to us, ensuring that His saving truth is accessible to all who hunger and thirst for righteousness. May we ever be a people devoted to the unadulterated, authoritative, and accessible Word of God.

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Other Scripture References:

• 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." (Emphasizes inspiration and purpose)

• Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." (Highlights guidance and clarity)

• Deuteronomy 6:6-7: "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (Emphasizes the command to teach and meditate on God's Word)

• Colossians 3:16: "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." (Connects the indwelling of God's Word with corporate worship and edification)

• Romans 15:4: "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." (Reinforces the purpose of Scripture for hope and endurance)