Willmington, Harold

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Liberty UniversityScholars Crossing101 Most Asked Questions 101 Most Asked Questions About the Bible1-2019Question 3 - What is the dual purpose of thescriptures?Harold WillmingtonLiberty University, hwillmington@liberty.eduFollow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/questions_101Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought,Theology and Philosophy of Religion CommonsThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the 101 Most Asked Questions About the Bible at Scholars Crossing. It has been accepted forinclusion in 101 Most Asked Questions by an authorized administrator of Scholars Crossing. For more information, please contactscholarlycommunication@liberty.edu.Recommended CitationWillmington, Harold, "Question 3 - What is the dual purpose of the scriptures?" (2019). 101 Most Asked Questions. 8.https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/questions_101/8101 MOST ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BIBLE  3. What is the dual purpose of the scriptures? The first purpose deals with the sovereign God while the second has to do with the saints of God. The Scriptures and the Sovereign God  A. They were written to give us the two-fold account of God’s labor. 1. As defined.  Everything that God has done, is doing, or shall do can be placed under one of two categories: His work in Creation and His work in Redemption. 2. As described.  There are two special days, four special chapters, and nine special feasts which remind us of God’s great work in Creation and Redemption. a. Two special Days (1) Saturday, reminding us of His work in Creation (Ex. 20:8-11) (2) Sunday, reminding us of His work in Redemption (Mt. 28:1) b. Four special Chapters (1) Genesis 1.  The account of man being made in the image of God.  This speaks of Creation.  “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gen. 1:26-27). (2) Luke 2.  The account of God being made in the image of man.  This speaks of Redemption.  “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (Lk. 2:7; Jn. 1:14). (3) Revelation 4.  The account of heaven thanking God for His work in Creation.  “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Rev. 4:11). (4) Revelation 5.  The account of heaven thanking God for His work in Redemption. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev. 5:9). c. Nine special Feasts  His Creative work, as seen by: (1) The weekly Sabbath (Ex. 20:8-11; Lev. 23:3). (2) The seven-year Sabbath feast (Ex. 23:10-11; Lev. 25:27). (3) The fiftieth year Sabbath feast (Lev. 25:8-16). His Redemptive work, as seen by: (1) The Passover Feast (Lev. 23:4-8).  This speaks of Calvary  (1 Cor. 5:7). (2) The Feast of Firstfruits (Lev. 23:9-14).  This speaks of the Resurrection (1 Cor. 15:23). (3) The Feast of Pentecost (Lev. 23:15-22).  This speaks of the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1). (4) The Feast of Trumpets (Lev. 23:23-25).  This speaks of the Rapture and Second Coming (1 Th. 4:13-18; Rev. 11:15). (5) The Day of Atonement Feast (Lev. 23:26-32).  This speaks of the coming Great Tribulation (Rev. 6-19). (6) The Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:33-44).  This speaks of the Millennium (Rev. 20:1-6). B. They were written to give us the five-fold account of God’s Lamb.  1. The Old Testament records the Preparation for the life of Jesus. a. That we might be aware of His coming.  “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (Lk. 24:27; Jn. 5:39). b. That we might be assured by His Coming.  “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11).    2. The Gospels records the Manifestation of the life of Christ.     a. The fact of His birth (Lk. 2:1-20).     b. The fact of His death (Mt. 27; Mk. 15; Lk. 23; Jn. 19).     c. The fact of His resurrection (Mt. 28; Mk. 16; Lk. 24; Jn. 20). d. The fact of His ascension (Mk. 16:19; Lk. 24:51).    3. The book of Acts records the Propagation of the life of Jesus.     a. The origin of the early church (Acts 2:1-13).   b. The obedience of the early church. (1) Its message.  “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ”  (Acts 5:42). (2) Its ministers.  Serving in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, led by Peter, James the half-brother of Christ, John the apostle, Philip the evangelist, and Stephen (Acts 1-12). (3) Its missionaries.  Serving throughout the known world, led by Paul, Barnabas, Timothy, Titus, and Silas (Acts 13-28).    4. The Epistles record the Interpretation of the life of Jesus. a. The reason for His birth.  “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God”   (1 Tim. 1:15; Heb. 10:4-7). b. The reason for His death (Rom. 4:25a; 5:8-9).  “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage”  (Heb. 2:14-15). c. The reason for His resurrection (Rom. 4:25b).  “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all” (1 Cor. 15:20-28). d. The reason for His ascension.  “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us” (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 4:14-16; 9:24).    5. The book of Revelation records the Coronation of King Jesus.     a. Rev. 1-3: The Witnesses of the Lamb     b. Rev. 4-5: The Worship of the Lamb     c. Rev. 6-19: The Wrath of the Lamb     d. Rev. 20: The Wonder of the Lamb (His Millennial reign)    e. Rev. 21-22: The Wife of the Lamb (the church) II. The Scriptures and the Saints of God   A. What the Bible does for the believer   1. It upholds (Psa. 119:116).   2. It orders steps (Psa. 119:133). 3. It produces joy (Psa. 119:162). 4. It strengthens (Psa. 119:28; 1 Jn. 2:14). 5. It gives hope (Psa. 119:74, 81). 6. It gives light (Psa. 119:105, 130). 7. It gives understanding (Psa. 119:169). 8. It shows God’s will (Isa. 55:11). 9. It builds up (Acts 20:32). 10. It produces fruit (Jn. 15:7-8). 11. It convicts of sin (Heb. 4:12). 12. It converts the soul (James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23). 13. It cleanses the conscience (Jn. 15:3). 14. It consecrates life (Jn. 17:17). 15. It corrects the wrong (2 Tim. 3:16). 16. It confirms the right (Jn. 8:31). 17. It comforts the heart (Ps. 119:50, 54). B. What the Bible demands from the believer – Because of the above, the Christian is exhorted to: 1. Read it (Col. 3:16; Deut. 31:11; Rev. 1:3; Is. 34:16; Lk. 4:16; Eph. 3:4;  1 Th. 5:27; 2 Tim. 4:13; Col. 4:1). 2. Heed it (Ps. 119:9; 1 Tim. 4:16). 3. Seed it (Mt. 28:19-20). 4. Desire it (1 Pet. 2:2). 5. Preach it (2 Tim. 4:2). 6. Rightly divide it (2 Tim. 2:15). 7. Live by it (Mt. 4:4). 8. Use it (Eph. 6:17). 9. Suffer for it, and if need be, die for it (Rev. 1:9; 6:9; 20:4).  

Question 3 - What is the dual purpose of the scriptures?

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Question 3 - What is the dual purpose of the scriptures?

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