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“Sola Fide: Faith Alone” Romans 1:16-17
“Sola Fide: Faith Alone” Romans 1:16-17
A Sermon Series
The Five Solas
“Sola Fide: Faith Alone”
Romans 1:16-17
Introduction
The theologian Martin Luther who nailed the 95 thesis on the church door that started the Protestant Reformation, was a Catholic priest. He was very frustrated, and this is what he wrote in his journals, “I hated that word, justice of God . . . the justice by which God is just and by which he punishes sinners and the unjust . . . I was a sinner with an extremely troubled conscience . . . I hated the just God who punishes sinners . . . I grumbled vehemently and got angry at God . . . I was raging with wild and disturbed conscience . . . I badgered St. Paul on the spot in Romans 1”[1] Luther had been taught that he was made right with God by his actions, the works that he did to try and please God, But his conscience still bothered him because he knew he was a sinner. The more he tried to please God with his actions, the more frustrated and angry he became.
Then he came across Romans 1:17, and later he would write, “All at once I felt that I had been born again and entered into paradise itself through open gates . . . I saw the whole of Scripture in a different light . . . I exalted this sweetest word of mine, ‘justice of God’ with as much love as before I had hated it with hate. This phrase of Paul was for me the very gate of paradise.”[2]
Martin Luther realized by the Holy Spirit revealing to him a proper understanding of Romans 1:17, All that is required for salvation and right relationship with God, for a person to be considered righteous, is faith; faith alone.
Prayer
God’s People Have the Power of the Gospel (v. 16)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Paul begins v. 16 by stating that he is “not ashamed of the gospel.” A Scottish theologian, James Stewart, made the comment, “There’s no sense in declaring that you are not ashamed of something unless you have been tempted to feel ashamed of it.”[3]
The gospel means “good news,” and it is good news because all of humanity have sinned and are in need of a Savior. For the Jews it was a “stumbling block, and for the Gentiles foolishness.”[4] In order to see it as good news, you have to understand the bad news, or the fallen situation in which all of humanity are “dead in their trespasses and sin” (Eph. 2:1).
The OT law is designed by God to show every person that they are not capable of what God requires to go to heaven, or be in His presence (sinless perfection). No one can keep the law, Jesus even show this further with His teachings of (murder related to anger, and adultery related to lust, etc.).
There is a huge temptation by the church to make the gospel less offensive. It has been said that, “Christianity is wounded most in the house of its friends.”[5] In Galatians 5:11-12 Paul expresses his fear of removing the offense of the gospel. “But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.”
Paul clearly recognizes something we need to realize: the true gospel is offensive to sinful human beings. You cannot remove the offense of the gospel without removing the gospel itself. Paul recognized that it was impossible to share the true gospel without offending the lost.
Then he goes on to tell us why he is not ashamed of the gospel, “for it is the power of God for salvation,” – “of all the religions and non-religions of the world, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only message that truly saves . . . they cannot cleanse from sin or make a person right with the Creator of the universe. Only the gospel provides salvation from judgment.”[6]
John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (Jesus).” The only way to be forgiven of your sins, and enter into eternity is through Jesus.
Jeremiah 13:3 “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots?” Can a person change their nature? No. It takes the power of God acting in their lives to change our hearts.
Paul is not ashamed of the gospel because the gospel is not just “one power over against another others, by the supreme power, the power of almighty God Himself directed toward the salvation of men, God’s almighty saving power.”[7] In worldly religions and cults, people follow them because they want power, they want their gods to do something on their behalf. They would have healing papyri, having a healing formula – but here is true power of God to the person for the ultimate healing.
One temptation is change the gospel so that it is not offensive; another temptation is to try to bring people into a righteousness of God is some way other than the gospel (join a Sunday school Class, Come to Church, give money, serve on a committee) and never the mention of Jesus, their sin, or the cross – serving does not bring about righteousness in a person, only the gospel changes a life. We invite people to the gospel. A changed life begins only at the foot of the cross.
And that forgiveness of sin, is “to everyone who believes,” When the angels came to the shepherds, who were watching their flocks by night, they told them, Luke 2:10-11 “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” The good news of the Savior’s arrival is for the world, all the people.
Paul says that the good news for everyone, who believes. In Genesis 15:5 God tells Abraham to look up and to count the stars, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” Abraham was made righteous before God by believing what God said. Those who would become descendants of Abraham (the stars in the sky, the sands on the seashore), would be those who believe God, and who also because of their faith are counted to them God’s righteousness.
God’s People Live by Faith (v. 17)
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Paul is referencing Habakkuk 2:4, “. . . the righteous shall live by his faith.”[8] The Old Testament and the New Testament both define faith the same way. God makes a promise, and the people believe God’s promise.
“How can a sinful man be made right before a perfect God? Paul is declaring in verse 17 that in Christ, God gives His own righteousness and thus meets all His demands for perfection.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 describes it this way, “For our sake he made him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” God transferred your sin to Jesus upon the cross, and God transferred Jesus’ sinless righteousness, “a God kind of righteousness”[9] to you.
How does this transfer happen? Paul explains, by faith alone. It is an openness to the gospel, but it is a gift from God (not something you do). It is the “human response of surrender to the judgement and unmerited mercy of God which God Himself brings about – God who not only directs the message to the hearer but also Himself lays open the hearer’s heart to the message. And yet this faith, as God’s work in a man, is in a real sense more truly and fully the man’s own personal decision than anything which he himself does of himself; for it is the expression of freedom which God has restored to him —the freedom to obey God.”[10]
To helps us get a definition of the word faith, lets’ go to Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation” (and the whole chapter). Each of the people listed in Hebrews 11, were told to do something, or that something was going to happen – and they believed it and acted accordingly (Noah built and ark, Abraham moved his family, etc.).
A proper understanding of faith is helpful then for us to see if someone says they receive Christ but use His grace and mercy as an excuse to sin in what theologians call antinomianism, “In some Christian belief systems, an antinomian is one who takes the principle of salvation by faith and divine grace to the point of asserting that the saved are not bound to follow the moral law contained in the Ten Commandments. Antinomians believe that faith alone guarantees eternal security in heaven, regardless of one’s actions.”[11] As if faith in Jesus allows them to disregard the teachings of Scripture.
In Paul’s life there was a radical change on the road to Damascus. He went from hunting down Christians and persecuting the church to planting churches and being one of their primary leaders. No one can remain unchanged who has received the grace of God in the gospel, and walks “from faith for faith.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
And then on the opposite side of lawlessness is the legalistic religious person – who also claims to be a follower of Jesus, but in reality they are not reliant upon God’s righteousness being revealed, and they are not living by faith. Instead, they are reliant upon their careful keeping of their own personal law, and what they think earns God’s favor toward them.[12] (this is what frustrated Martin Luther).
Both the lawless person and the legalistic person don’t understand faith. The lawless lacks faith because true faith leads to life change, not continued sinfulness. The legalistic person lacks genuine faith because they are trusting in themselves to earn God’s favor.
Paul uses this phrase, “from faith for faith,” and another way to say this is “faith from start to finish.”[13] (v.17) “the righteousness of God is revealed . . .“The righteous shall live by faith – Faith is revealed or given by God to people who then receive salvation, who then live out their lives by continuing to live by faith. We start our walk with God in faith, and we walk in faith all the way through until the end. “It is not a one-time act, but a way of life. . . Theologians have called this “the perseverance of the saints.”[14]
Genuine faith will lead to a heart change.
(v. 17) “The righteous shall live by faith.” This is a passage Paul quotes from Habakkuk, and that prophet who at his wits end. First, wickedness was rampant in Israel and God seemed oblivious to it, moving Habakkuk to rail against God in a series of complaints (Hab. 1:2-4). Second when God said that He was going to use a nation more wicked than Israel (the Babylonians) to punish Israel, this produced cries and complaints of injustice from the prophet (Hab. 1:12-2:1).
So Habakkuk was frustrated and didn’t understand why God was doing what He did. God responds to the prophet by saying that He was going to reveal His righteousness, and will put all of Habakkuk’s concerns to rest. But until God shows His plan, “the righteous shall live by faith” – to trust him. When things don’t make sense, and life seems to be going in the wrong direction – trust Him.
Before Paul’s reference of the Habakkuk passage he says, “as it is written,” “Whenever ecclesiastical teachings begin to compromise with the pagan notion that righteousness can be earned, there needs to be a clear reaffirmation that God’s righteousness comes from faith, not works. “As it is written” – the Greek work for this emphasizes the permanence and authoritative nature of Scripture.”[15] It has always been faith, and as secure as God’s Word stands, it will always be faith, faith alone.
We want to change the world; it is dark, at times it feels hopeless, and things don’t always go the way we think it should go. So, God gives us a supernatural power to change to world around us, to change families, even whole communities – we have “the power of God for salvation” – the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Bellevue Baptist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
The discipleship process begins with the gospel.
The African impala can jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a distance of greater than 30 feet. Yet these magnificent creatures can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a 3-foot wall. The animals will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall. Faith is the ability to trust what we cannot see, and with faith we are freed from the flimsy enclosures of life that only fear allows to entrap us.[16]
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[1] Kenneth Boa & William Kruidenier, Holman New Testament Commentary, Romans (Nashville, Tennessee; Holman Reference, 2000) 36.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Kenneth Boa & William Kruidenier, 30.
[4] 1 Corinthians 1:23
[5] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Romans 1-8 (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Press, 1991) 51.
[6] Jason K. Allen, General Editor, SOLA. How the Five Solas Are Still Reforming the Church (Chicago, Illinois; Moddy Publishers, 2019) 59.
[7] C.E.B. Cranfield, The International Critical Commentary, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, Volume I (Edinburgh, Scotland; T&T Clark LTD) 88.
[8] Quoted also in Galatians 3:11
[9] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Volume IV (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1931) 327.
[10] Cranfield, 90.
[11] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antinomianism
[12] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legalism_(theology)
[13] George Arthur Buttrick, The Interpreter’s Bible, Volume IX (Nashville, Tennessee; Abingdon Press, 1954) 394.
[14] MacArthur, 57. Col. 1:22-23; Heb. 3:12-14
[15] Robert Mounce, The American Commentary, Romans (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman & Holman Publishing, 1995) 74.
[16] https://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/f/faith.htm
“Scripture Alone” 2 Timothy 3:14-17
A Sermon Series
The Five Solas
“Sola Scriptura; God’s Word Alone”
2 Timothy 3:14-17
Introduction
“500 ago, on October 31st, a very special thing took place in Church history. A Catholic priest named Martin Luther nailed a challenge to the Catholic Church on a Church door Wittenberg, Germany. It was called the “95 Theses” (or 95 criticisms) of the Roman Catholic Church’s practice of selling indulgences – which were essentially legal papers that “sold forgiveness.” The Catholic church taught that people who bought these papers were assured that they would not suffer for their sins in a fictitious place called Purgatory. Purgatory was a place where “good Catholics” had to go to work off the guilt of sins they already been forgiven of.
Luther rejected that false teaching and the Church became so angry with him that they intended to have him executed … but they just couldn’t get it done. But Luther wasn’t the first to challenge Catholic teachings.
About 200 years before Martin Luther, a Catholic priest in England named John Wycliffe had the audacity to declare that the pope and the church were second in authority to Scripture. The Catholic Church believe that they wrote the Bible, therefore they have authority interpret it or alter it as they see fit); Wycliffe denied that the church had the authority to sell forgiveness (indulgences) and he began a translation of the Bible into English. This English translation wasn’t finished until after he died a natural death 64, but the Catholic Church wasn’t pleased that he was doing that. They condemned Wycliffe with these words:
“By this translation, the Scriptures have become vulgar, and they are more available to lay, and even to women who can read, than they were to learned scholars, who have a high intelligence. So the pearl of the gospel is scattered and trodden underfoot by swine.”
For this reason, the followers of Wycliffe’s teachings were often designated by Catholic officials as “Bible men.” About 30 years later, Catholic officials dug up Wycliffe’s body, burned his remains, and scattered his ashes over the river Swift to show their disdain for his efforts.
About 30 years after Wycliffe died, a man named John Hus also rejected indulgences and taught that we don’t have to pay for or work off our sins (essentially what Luther did 100 years later). The Church arrested him and burned him to death at the stake for his teachings.
These were brave men who faced the threat of death because they stood up for Scripture, but it was only when Martin Luther came along that things began to change. From the 1500s on, about 250 other brave men stepped up to join him, and they began what we call the Protestant Reformation. They built their theology around something they eventually called the “5 Solas.” The 5 Solas were doctrines that they believed would be the 5 foundational truths of their belief system.”[1]
Over the next five weeks we will look at these Five Solas beginning with Sola Scriptura.
Sola Scriptura means that “only Scripture, because it is God’s inspired Word, is our inerrant, sufficient, and final authority for the church.”[2]
I have this morning several books that have greatly influenced the history of civilization. I have Homer’s Odyssey, I have Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, and I have God’s Bible. They are all typed pages of paper, but is there any difference?
The difference is summed up in the word “unique.” Webster defines unique as “1. One and only, single; sole 2. Different from all others; having no like or equal.”
It is the only book that was:
Written over a 1500 year span. Written by more than 40 authors from every walk of life, including kings, military leaders, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, tax collectors, poets, musicians, statesmen, scholars, and shepherds. Written in different places: By Moses in the wilderness, Jeremiah in a dungeon, Daniel on a hillside and in a palace, Paul inside prison, Luke while traveling, John while in exile on the isle of Patmos. Written during different moods: joy, depths of sorrow and despair, times of certainty and conviction, others from times of confusion and doubt. Written on three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe. Written in three languages: Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic
Written in a wide variety of literary styles, including: poetry, historical narrative, song, romance, didactical treatise, personal correspondence, memoirs, satire, biography, autobiography, law, prophecy, parable, and allegory. It addresses hundreds of controversial issues and while scanning several centuries it is completely harmonious.
In its’ uniqueness, the leading character is the known throughout the whole book. God is the one, true, living, God known through Jesus Christ. Compared with other ancient writings, the Bible has more manuscript evidence to support it than any ten pieces of classical literature combined. The Bible has stood the world’s persecution and criticism. These are but a few things that can be given to show how the Bible is different from a worldly perspective. But what does it say about itself?
Prayer
The Word of God is Precious (3:14-15)
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
We should continue in it (v. 14)
Because it tells us who God is, what He does, and What He is like (His Personality). It is the only way to accurately know what God’s will is for our lives. The Bible can be read and reread hundreds of times and it will never cease to provide new discoveries and increased depth. As we continue to read and study it, our lives are changed by its contents.
Our spiritual growth is dependant upon our staying in the Word. We must continue in it because it is like a river or stream that we come to in times of thirst. It is like meat and bread that we need for nourishment.
This morning, if you are returning to the same sin, if your spiritual walk has grown cold, if you feel distanced from God, are you continuing in the Word?
We should have confidence in it (v. 14)
The Bible is not just a book of doctrines, or teachings, about God; it is the story of history as seen from God’s perspective. It is God’s recounting of history as seen from God’s perspective. It is given from the very beginning.
We can have confidence in it for two reasons: first, is the life of the ones that taught us “knowing from whom you learned it.” Paul’s point is that we can observe the life of more mature Christian’s and see the difference it has made in their lives. Can the world look at you as an example of the truth of the Bible?
Luke 6:40 says “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” If the teacher believes in the Bible it will be shown in his own life and how he or she teaches it to others. This is why those who teach the Word of God will have a harsher judgment, because their own lives will be observed to see if what the have taught is really true (James 3:1).
Second, is that we have been raised “from childhood” in the teachings of Scripture and you can look at how it has changed your own life. This infancy can refer to your spiritual new birth, or in the case of Timothy was taught the things of God from a very young age.
Paul says “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” (2 Timothy 1:5) And because of his grandmother’s and mother’s teachings and obedience, he knows his life is different because of it. You can have confidence in the Bible because of how it has already worked in your own life.
It is a source of comfort (Ps. 139:1-12) in times of despair, it is a tool of correction when we get off the path, it is a balm that opens our eyes to the truth, it is a source of hope when surrounded by a world of disappointment, it is a guide for our marriages and parenting, it is everything we need (it is all sufficient).
The Word of God is precious because if children are exposed to it and know the Scriptures, it will make them wise, not as the world knows wisdom, but a godly wisdom based on the truth.
We are converted by it (v. 15)
It is only through the gospel laid out in Scripture that a person can be saved. It makes one “wise for salvation.” It shows us how we truly are and shows us what God has done about it. The Bible is one continuous story of how God created man and man rebelled, which meant separation, but God in His love provided a way for their sin to be done away with forever.
No other book is able to make one wise unto salvation. It is only Scripture that cuts to the heart of the matter. Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
The Word of God is Perfect (3:16)
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, . . .”
It is completely inspired
Inerrancy is a word that refers to the Bible having no mistakes, at all in the original manuscripts (not translations). All of the Bible is true, even the parts that make us uncomfortable and convict us of weakness in our lives.
The Bible is the Word of God, and God does not make mistakes (Heb. 6:18; Titus 1:12). To deny the inerrancy of Scripture is to suggest either the integrity of God or to the identity of the Bible as God’s Word. Either it is God’s Word in its’ entirety or none of it can be counted on as truth. One cannot pick and choose what they believe to be true or not, or what they will obey and not obey. God’s Word is above us, not us above it – we don’t sit in judgement above it.
He has a message that he wants the whole world to hear. Sadly, often times in Israel’s history they chose not to tell others of what God had done for them. In fact many times, just because they were the chosen race as the holders of this message, they became prideful and didn’t want anyone else to even know the message. We can also become apathetic with this special message. Since we are saved, we forget that there are many who have not heard the “good news” of the Bible.
It is divinely inspired
It is without error because it is “God-breathed.” The bottom line is that the Bible has been breathed by God. He used men to write out exactly what He wanted them to write.
He kept them free from error but at the same time used their unique personalities and styles to convey exactly what He wanted. The idea conveyed is that just as the wind controls the sails of a boat, so also the breath of God controlled the writers of the Bible.[3]
The Word of God is Profitable (3:16)
God’s Word is “profitable” or “useful” meaning it will bring a positive return. If we take the time and invest ourselves into it, there will be a great return. Often times, other things distract us that do not have much of a return (TV, internet, sleep, etc).
God has given us four ways that His Word is completely sufficient to deal with every spiritual need:
for teaching
Scripture is the operational manual of divine truth that must govern our lives. Our holiness is directly proportional to our knowledge of and obedience to God’s Word. Psalm 119:11 “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” The more complete our knowledge of Scripture is the less susceptible we are to sin and error. Hosea 4:6 says “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
Everything that we teach from the nursery to the pulpit should come from the Bible, not man’s philosophies or wisdom. The best way to avoid serious spiritual problems is to give yourself to the faithful, patient, and thorough study of Scripture with an obedient heart. Allow God’s Word to teach you truth.
for rebuking (error)
It confronts and rebukes misconduct and false teaching. Scripture convicts us of sin as we study it or in others as we direct them to it. Hebrews 4:13 says “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
The Greek word translated “exposed” in that verse was used of criminals who were being led to trial or execution. Often a soldier would hold the point of a dagger under the criminal’s chin to force him to hold his head high so everyone could see who he was. Scripture exposes us for who we really are and forces us to face the reality of our sin.
for correcting (setting right)
“Correction” literally means to “straighten up” or “lift up.” Scripture restores us to a proper spiritual posture. The Bible doesn’t just show how we have gone astray but it also gives us instruction of how to straighten our path.
This is why no other philosophy or secular psychology can help man in his lost and wayward spiritual condition. It lacks the power that comes from having a relationship with Jesus Christ and the truth and power of Scripture. The Bible is completely sufficient to meet any spiritual need we have in our lives.
for training (in righteousness)
This verse pictures God’s Word training believers as a parent or teacher would train a child. From spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity, Scripture trains and educates believers in godly living.
But we must be willing to accept the training that it has to offer. James 1:21 says “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” As we receive God’s Word with an open and humble heart it renews and transforms our thinking, attitudes, actions, and words. It is essential to spiritual health and victory over sin. Even those who know the Bible must be refreshed by its power and reminded of its truths.
The Word of God is Powerful (3:17)
“that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
It prepares for ministry
The Bible was not given to us to make us smart, the Bible was given to us to put us to work. It is designed to equip us to do the work that He has called us all to be doing. Since God created Christians for good works and calls them to do good works (Eph. 2:10; Tit. 3:1; 2 Tim. 2:21), he has given Scripture to instruct them so that they may know in principle what God expects of them and thus be equipped to do that particular “good deed” called for in each situation.[4]
God’s Word has been described as a sword (Eph. 6:11) but it’s not the two handed swords. It is a small dagger (machaira) that in order to be effective has to expertly handled with precision.
What Makes These Books Different?
It’s all about who wrote them, the author. God wrote this book (hold up Bible), men wrote these books (hold up other books). This book is alive (Heb. 4:12)
Many years ago in a Moscow theater, matinee idol Alexander Rostovzev was converted while playing the role of Jesus in a sacrilegious play entitled Christ in a Tuxedo. He was supposed to read two verses from the Sermon on the Mount, remove his gown, and cry out, “Give me my tuxedo and top hat!” But as he read the words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted,” he began to tremble. Instead of following the script, he kept reading from Matthew 5, ignoring the coughs, calls, and foot-stamping of his fellow actors. Finally, recalling a verse he had learned in his childhood in a Russian Orthodox church, he cried, “Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom!” (Luke 23:42). Before the curtain could be lowered, Rostovzev had trusted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.
This morning before the service is over won’t you give your heart to Jesus? This morning are you in the Word? Is it a part of your daily living? This morning I want to share one of my favorite verses. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
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[1] https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/sola-sola-sola-jeff-strite-sermon-on-randy-alcorn-226738
[2] Matthew Barrett, God’s Word Alone, The Authority of Scripture (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing, 2016) 23.
[3] Josh McDowell, The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishing, ) 338.
[4] George W. Knight, The Pastoral Epistles (Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing. p. 443.
