What do Christadelphians believe about the Bible?

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

When Paul wrote these words to Timothy, Scripture was the books of the Old Testament: the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings. They contained the original covenant with Israel and a history of the nation, along with poetry and proverbs. During the first century AD, the Holy Spirit enabled a few men to write the accounts of the life of Jesus and the beginning of the church, as well as letters that would further instruct the church in the new covenant.

Breathed out by God

Christadelphians believe that the writers of both the Old and New Testaments were inspired by God. The word ‘inspiration’ is translated from the Greek word theopneustos, which literally means God-breathed. In other words, the written words of the Bible in the original languages were not merely written down by men, but came from God. This is evidenced by the fact that the Bible is not an unconnected group of writings but is remarkably consistent and relevant to all ages despite being written by many different writers over a long period of time. This gives us confidence that the Bible is a message from God to humanity and that it is truth.

Teaching

Christadelphians believe that the Bible as a whole gives us teaching on who God is and the duties of men and women. It starts with the story of Creation, and tells us that God is the Creator of everything and purposed to fill the earth with His glory. If He is the Creator of everything, then He is also the supreme law-giver and the stories of His dealings with man demonstrate that His laws are good and just and when disobeyed eventually bring disaster. Finally, through the life of His Son we are shown what it means to live in the image of God, and why sin is evil and must be overcome.

Reproof

Christadelphians believe that the Bible can bring about conviction. The word ‘reproof’ is translated from a Greek word that means “that by which a thing is proved or tested, conviction”. We can see God’s word being fulfilled in the nations around and be certain that God is working still to carry out His plan.

Correction

Christadelphians believe that the Bible can help to restore us to the state that God intended for us: to be in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:27). The Greek word here means “restoration to an upright or a right state”. It teaches us the difference between folly and wisdom, and through the lives of various Bible characters shows the consequences of actions so that we can avoid the same mistakes and imitate the successes.

Training in Righteousness

Christadelphians believe that the Bible provides an unchanging moral centre so that we have something to base our lives on. The righteousness depicted in the Bible provides a person with what is truly right in feeling and action. It is not concerned about individual feelings and desires, but what is good for everyone as a whole.

Equipped for every good work

Finally, all of this makes a person completely prepared for whatever one undertakes to do. The Bible is not meant to be a book opened once in a while or lived only on Sundays, but one that governs every aspect of our lives – and with an emphasis on doing good to those around us.

JS, Image: pexels.com (John Mark Smith)