Paragraph 1.1
Chapter 1: Of the Scriptures
We believe the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction;a that it has God for its author, salvation for its end,b and truth without any mixture of error for its matter;c that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us;d and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true centre of christian union,e and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried.f
a. 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Samuel 23:2; Acts 1:16; 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29–31; Psalm 119:111; Romans 3:1–2
2 Timothy 3:16–17
3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 3:17 so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:21
1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
1:21 For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Samuel 23:2
23:2 The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
23:2 The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.
Acts 1:16
1:16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
1:16 "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus.
Acts 3:21
3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
3:21 Heaven must take Him in until the time comes for the restoration of all things, which God announced long ago through His holy prophets.
John 10:35
10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
10:35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came-and the Scripture cannot be broken-
Luke 16:29–31
16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
16:29 But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let your brothers listen to them.' 16:30 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone is sent to them from the dead, they will repent.' 16:31 Then Abraham said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'"
Psalm 119:111
119:111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
119:111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
Romans 3:1–2
3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 3:2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
3:1 What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 3:2 Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.
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b. 2 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 1:10–12; Acts 11:14; Romans 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 5:34–39
2 Timothy 3:15
3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
3:15 From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 1:10–12
1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully, 1:11 trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 1:12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
Acts 11:14
11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
11:14 He will convey to you a message by which you and all your household will be saved.'
Romans 1:16
1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.
Mark 16:16
16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
John 5:34–39
5:34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 5:38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
5:34 Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may be saved. 5:35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light. 5:36 But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish-the very works I am doing-testify about Me that the Father has sent Me. 5:37 And the Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form, 5:38 nor does His word abide in you, because you do not believe the One He sent. 5:39 You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,
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c. Proverbs 30:5–6; John 17:17; Revelation 22:18–19; Romans 3:4
Proverbs 30:5–6
30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
30:5 Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 30:6 Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.
John 17:17
17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.
Revelation 22:18–19
22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
22:18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 22:19 And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book.
Romans 3:4
3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
3:4 Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that You may be proved right when You speak and victorious when You judge."
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d. Romans 2:12; John 12:47–48; 1 Corinthians 4:3–4; Luke 10:10–16; 12:47–48
Romans 2:12
2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
2:12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.
John 12:47–48
12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
12:47 As for anyone who hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 12:48 There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
1 Corinthians 4:3–4
4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
4:3 I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4:4 My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.
Luke 10:10–16
10:10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 10:11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 10:12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. 10:13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 10:14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. 10:15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
10:10 But if you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go into the streets and declare, 10:11 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off as a testimony against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.' 10:12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. 10:13 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 10:14 But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 10:15 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! 10:16 Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me."
Luke 12:47–48
12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
12:47 That servant who knows his master's will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. 12:48 But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.
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e. Philippians 3:16; Ephesians 4:3–6; Philippians 2:1–2; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Peter 4:11
Philippians 3:16
3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
3:16 Nevertheless, we must live up to what we have already attained.
Ephesians 4:3–6
4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
4:3 and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Philippians 2:1–2
2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
2:1 Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2:2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.
1 Corinthians 1:10
1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction.
1 Peter 4:11
4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
4:11 If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
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f. 1 John 4:1; Isaiah 8:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:6; Jude 3; Ephesians 6:17; Psalm 119:59–60; Philippians 1:9–11
1 John 4:1
4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Isaiah 8:20
8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
5:21 but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.
2 Corinthians 13:5
13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can't you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you-unless you actually fail the test?
Acts 17:11
17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
17:11 Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.
1 John 4:6
4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
4:6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.
Jude 1:3
1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
1:3 Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints.
Ephesians 6:17
6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
6:17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Psalm 119:59–60
119:59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. 119:60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
119:59 I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies. 119:60 I hurried without hesitating to keep Your commandments.
Philippians 1:9–11
1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 1:10 so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 1:11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
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