The Scriptures
By Jerry Batson, Th.D.
Special to The Alabama Baptist
Historically, Baptists have looked upon the Bible as the final authority in matters of faith and practice. The Baptist Faith and Message statement puts that authority in these words, naming the Scriptures as “the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and religious opinions should be tried.” The divine authority of the Scriptures rests on its origin and content. As to origin, the Bible is divine disclosure. As to content, it came by divine inspiration. As revelation from God and inspired by God, the Bible is an authoritative word from God.
Christians believe that God is the ultimate and final authority — no greater than Him exists. In setting human governing authority alongside God’s authority, Romans 13:1 declares, “There is no authority except from God.” Since Christians also understand that God exists as a trinity of persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, divine authority is a shared authority among the members of the Holy Trinity.
Power of God
During His earthly ministry Christ often exercised the authority that belongs only to God. He overpowered demons, healed diseases, raised the dead and forgave sins. At the conclusion of His famous Sermon on the Mount, Christ’s authority is noted in the conclusion, “He taught them as One having authority, and not as their scribes” (Matt. 7:29). Following the resurrection Christ staked His claim to authority in His famous declaration, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). The early followers of Christ confessed the authority that resided in Him with the declaration, “In Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily … who is the head of all rule and authority” (Col. 2:9–10).
By virtue of membership in the divine Trinity, the Holy Spirit also shares in the divine authority that belongs only to God. At the heart of the doctrine of the Bible as the Spirit-inspired word of God, the Bible possesses a derived authority as the written expression of the will, work and word of God. Divine authority is exercised through the Scriptures inasmuch as they declare authoritative truth, issue authoritative commands and serve as the authoritative norm by which all other claims to authority are to be weighed, challenged and, if needed, corrected.
Solid ground
Christians stand on solid ground when able to respond to all truth claims with “but the Bible says.” Given its authoritative role in the life of a believer, the Bible tells us whence we came, why we are here and where we are headed. The sacred Scriptures constitute the touchstone by which all religious instruction must the tested. Our obedience to God rests on the underlying conviction that what the Bible commands, God commands and what the Bible condemns, God condemns.
In summary, we might think of the Bible as revealed truth from God (its ultimate source) and about God (its primary subject). Hence, it is inspired truth vouchsafed to us by the influence of the Holy Spirit working through its inspired human authors. As a consequence of its nature as revealed and inspired truth, the Bible is our final authority for faith and practice as the Holy Spirit illumines our understanding of it and enables our obedience to it.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Jerry Batson is a retired Alabama Baptist pastor who also has served as associate dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University and professor of several schools of religion during his career.
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