Scripture and the Knowledge of God

Q1. What is the chief and highest end of man?

Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.

Proof texts

Rom. 11:36 — [36] For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
1 Cor. 10:31 — [31] So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Ps. 73:24-28 — [24] You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. [25] Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. [26] My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. [27] For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. [28] But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Rom. 11:36 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
3 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q2 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q3 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q2 · WSC Q3 · HC Q1 · HC Q2 · BC 1.1 · BC 1.2 · BC 1.3 · BC 1.4 · BC 1.5 · BC 1.6 · BC 1.7

Leader's notes

A Body of Divinity (Thomas Ridgley): Quest. I. QUEST. I. What is the chief and highest end of man? ANSW. Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him for ever. 1. It is supposed, in this answer, that every intelligent creature, acting as such, designs some end, which excites endeavours to attain it. 2. The ends for which we act, if warrantable, may be considered as to their degree of excellency, and, in proportion to it, are to be pursued by proper means conducing thereto. 3. There is one that may be termed the chief and highest end, as having an excellency and tendency to make us blessed above all others: this consists, as it is observed in this answer…

Q2. How doth it appear that there is a God?

The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but his word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation.

Proof texts

Rom. 1:19-20 — [19] For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. [20] For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Ps. 19:1-3 — [1] The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. [2] Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. [3] There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.
Acts 17:28 — [28] for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
1 Cor. 2:9-10 — [9] But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” — [10] these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
2 Tim. 3:15-17 — [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. [16] All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Isa. 59:21 — [21] “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring,” says the LORD, “from this time forth and forevermore.”

For discussion

The Assembly cited Rom. 1:19-20 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
6 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q2 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q1 · WSC Q2 · WSC Q3 · HC Q1 · HC Q2 · BC 1.1 · BC 1.2 · BC 1.3 · BC 1.4 · BC 1.5 · BC 1.6 · BC 1.7

Leader's notes

A Body of Divinity (Thomas Ridgley): Quest. II. QUEST. II. How doth it appear that there is a God? ANSW. The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare that there is a God; but his word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation. Before we enter on the proof of this important doctrine, let it be premised, that we ought to be able to prove by arguments, or give a reason of our belief that there is a God. 1. Because it is the foundation of all natural and revealed religion; and therefore it must not be received merely by tradition, as though there were no other reason why we believe it, but because…

Q3. What is the word of God?

The holy scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience.

Proof texts

2 Tim. 3:16 — [16] All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2 Pet. 1:19-21 — [19] And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, [20] knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. [21] For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Eph. 2:20 — [20] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
Rev. 22:18-19 — [18] I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, [19] and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
Isa. 8:20 — [20] To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.
Luke 16:29,31 — [29] But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ [31] He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
Gal. 1:8-9 — [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. [9] As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
2 Tim. 3:15-16 — [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. [16] All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

For discussion

The Assembly cited 2 Tim. 3:16 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
8 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q3 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q1 · WSC Q3 · HC Q1 · HC Q2 · BC 1.1 · BC 1.2 · BC 1.3 · BC 1.4 · BC 1.5 · BC 1.6 · BC 1.7

Leader's notes

A Body of Divinity (Thomas Ridgley): Quest. III. QUEST. III. What is the Word of God? ANSW. The holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. In speaking to this answer, we shall consider the several names by which the scripture is set forth with the import thereof, and more particularly that by which it is most known; to wit, the Old and New Testament, and then speak of it as a rule of faith and obedience. I. There are several names given to the word of God, in Psalm cxix. one of which is found in almost every verse thereof. It is sometimes called his law, statutes, precepts, commandments, or ordinances,[15] to signify…

Q4. How doth it appear that the scriptures are the word of God?

The scriptures manifest themselves to be the word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very word of God.

Proof texts

Hos. 8:12 — [12] Were I to write for him my laws by the ten thousands, they would be regarded as a strange thing.
1 Cor. 2:6-7,13 — [6] Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. [7] But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. [13] And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
Ps. 119:18,129 — [18] Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. [129] Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.
Ps. 12:6 — [6] The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
Ps. 119:140 — [140] Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.
Acts 10:43 — [43] To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Acts 26:22 — [22] To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass:
Rom. 3:19,27 — [19] Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. [27] Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.
Acts 23:28 — [28] And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council.
Heb. 4:12 — [12] 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.
Jas. 1:18 — [18] Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Ps. 19:7-9 — [7] The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; [8] the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; [9] the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
Rom. 15:4 — [4] For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Acts 20:32 — [32] And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
John 16:13-14 — [13] When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. [14] He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
John 20:31 — [31] but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
1 John 2:20,27 — [20] But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. [27] But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie — just as it has taught you, abide in him.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Hos. 8:12 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
17 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q3 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q1 · WSC Q3 · HC Q1 · HC Q2 · BC 1.1 · BC 1.2 · BC 1.3 · BC 1.4 · BC 1.5 · BC 1.6 · BC 1.7

Leader's notes

A Body of Divinity (Thomas Ridgley): Quest. IV. QUEST. IV. How doth it appear that the scriptures are the word of God? Answ. The scriptures manifest themselves to be the word of God by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers to salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it, that they are the word of God. Before we proceed to consider the arguments here brought to prove the scriptures to be the word of…

Q5. What do the scriptures principally teach?

The scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.

Proof texts

2 Tim. 1:13 — [13] Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

For discussion

The Assembly cited 2 Tim. 1:13 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
WSC Q1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
HC Q1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
The Assembly divided over this: The Canon and the Apocrypha. The Assembly drew a sharper line against the Apocrypha than Article VI of the Thirty-Nine Articles. What turns on the answer?

Read alongside

WSC Q1 · HC Q1 · HC Q2 · BC 1.1 · BC 1.2 · BC 1.3 · BC 1.4 · BC 1.5 · BC 1.6 · BC 1.7

Leader's notes

A Body of Divinity (Thomas Ridgley): Quest. V. QUEST. V. What do the scriptures principally teach? ANSW. The scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.[46] Having, in the foregoing answer, proved the scriptures to be the word of God, there is in this a general account of the contents thereof; there are many great doctrines contained therein, all which may be reduced to two heads, to wit, what we are to believe, and what we are to do. All religion is contained in these two things, and so we may apply the words of the apostle to this case, Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum, Heb. viii. 1. and accordingly…