Question 4

1. Are the scriptures of the Old and New Testament the word of God? Yes.

   “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” 2 Timothy 3:16

2. Might not this revelation be imposed upon us by evil spirits? No.

   “For if Satan be divided against himself how shall his kingdom stand” Matthew 12:26

3. Might it not be intruded upon us by wicked and designing men? No.

   “Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles” Matthew 7:16

4. Might it not be the fruit of pious craft in good men? No.

   “I say the truth in Christ, I He not” Romans 9:1

1. Were holy men then moved to speak what they did? Yes.

   “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” 2 Peter 1:21

2. Were they moved to write what they spoke? Yes.

   “The Lord said, write the vision, make it plain upon the tables” Habakkuk 2:2

3. Does God own what men have thus written as his? Yes.

   “I have written to him the great things of my law” Hosea 8:12

4. Were the writings of the Old Testament inspired? Yes.

   “For the prophecy came not of old times by the will of man” 2 Peter 1:21

5. And may the same be affirmed of those of the New? Yes.

   “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God sent by his angel to his servant” Revelation 1:1

1. Were the penmen of the sacred scriptures satisfied of their own inspiration? Yes.

   “The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me” 2 Samuel 23:3

2. But might they not be deceived? No.

   “We have not followed cunningly devised fables” 2 Peter 1:16

3. Did they write what they knew? Yes.

   “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you” 1 John 1:3

4. And what others who were their contemporaries knew? Yes.

   “For this thing was not done in a corner” Acts 26:26

5. Did they take any undue methods to gain credit? No.

   “My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom” 1 Corinthians 2:4

6. Had they no secular aims? No.

   “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach” 1 Timothy 4:10

1. Were the divine writings confirmed by miracles? Yes.

   “God also bearing them witness with signs and wonders” Hebrews 2:4

2. Did the gospel gain early credit? Yes.

   “Their sound went out into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world” Romans 10:18

3. Have many confirmed and sealed it with their blood? Yes.

   “They were slain for the word of God” Revelation 6:9

4. And hath it a witness in the heart of every true christian? Yes.

   “For he that believeth hath the witness in himself” 1 John 5:10

1. Is the word of God a rule? Yes.

   “It is a light to our feet, and a lamp to our path” Psalm 119:105

2. Do we need such a rule? Yes.

   “For we all like sheep have gone astray” Isaiah 53:6

3. Is the word of God a sufficient rule? Yes.

   “The law of the Lord is perfect” Psalm 19:7

4. Is it a plain rule? Yes.

   “The words of his mouth are all plain to him that understandeth” Proverbs 8:8–9

5. Is it an extensive rule? Yes.

   “The commandment is exceeding broad” Psalm 119:96

6. Is it an abiding rule? Yes.

   “The word of the Lord endureth for ever” 1 Peter 1:23

7. And is it the only rule? Yes.

   “For if any man shall add to these things, God will add to him the plague written in this book” Revelation 22:18

1. Are not unwritten traditions a rule? No.

   “Ye have made the commandment of God of none effect by your traditions” Matthew 15:6

2. Is the authority of the church a rule? No.

   “For our faith should not stand in the wisdom of men” 1 Corinthians 2:5

3. Are the sentiments of great men a rule? No.

   “The prophet and the priest have erred” Isaiah 28:7

4. Is the light of nature a sufficient rule? No.

   “For it is said of those that were guided by it, the way of peace they have not known” Romans 3:17

5. Is the light within a certain rule? No.

   “The way of man is not in himself” Jeremiah 10:23

6. Are not the examples of many a rule? No.

   “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil” Exodus 23:2

7. Are not the examples of the good a sufficient rule? No.

   “We must be followers of them only as they are of Christ” 1 Corinthians 11:1

8. May not what angels say be depended upon as a certain rule? No.

   “Though an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you, let him be accursed” Galatians 1:8

9. Or a voice from heaven? No.

   “For we have a more sure word of prophecy” 2 Peter 1:19

1. Is it necessary then that the scriptures should be translated? Yes.

   “For if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you” 1 Corinthians 14:6

2. Should we readily receive and embrace them? Yes.

   “They received the word with all readiness of mind” Acts 17:11

3. And should we make them our rule? Yes.

   “Let us walk by the same rule” Philippians 3:16

Benjamin Beddome (1717–1795), pastor at Bourton-on-the-Water. Verses from the King James Version.