Realizing We Need to Use ALL of Scripture

It is a simple statement, but one that many, even in the church, do not really believe.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
2Tim 3:16 KJV

That word doctrine is the Greek word didaskalia and means a teaching, and that is the way it is translated most of the time. This means that the Bible needs to be taken as a whole in order to get what we need, for “All scripture is … profitable for doctrine.” Yes, it is true that the law of Moses has been taken out of the way (Col 2:14), nailed to the cross, and we are under the law of Christ (1Cor 9:21). Still even Moses’ law is profitable for doctrine, for teaching, and we need it to be,

“ … complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2Tim 3:17 KJV

Some do no believe all of the Bible, often
without realizing it!

Sometimes what we really believe is a human narrative about Scripture, and not really Scripture itself. So what is a “narrative”?

“a representation of a particular situation or process in such a way as to reflect or conform to an overarching set of aims or values: the coalition’s carefully constructed narrative about its sensitivity to recession victims.”
New Oxford American Dictionary

Often the “narrative” we have believed is the words of some honored men of old, or pioneers in the faith. If we are doing this, and we read a Scripture which is in accord with the narrative, then we will believe it. On the other hand, if we read a Scripture which contradicts the narratives we have been taught, then we will often openly doubt the Scripture. Often without realizing it, our standard of doctrine is a human narrative, and not Scripture. But Jesus said,

“And in vain do they worship me,
Teaching as doctrine rules made by men.”
Mtt 15:9 WEB

We need to teach “the whole counsel of God,”
Acts 20:27 WEB

A rough estimate is that 30% of Scripture is prophecy. Some want to leave prophecy out of their teaching, and that’s what they do! But you cannot leave 30% of God’s word out of out preaching and still be teaching “the whole counsel of God.”

We hear God’s plans for the future, then we
either we believe and lineup
with them or,

we disbelieve, and stand aside or oppose them.

“He who is not with me is against me, and he who doesn’t gather with me, scatters.”
Mtt 12:30 WEB

And prophecy is something to do.

 “Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Rev 22:7 WEB

Who can keep these words, if they do not understand them?

Peter says it is good to pay attention to these things.

“We have the more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the day star arises in your hearts:”
2Pe 1:19 WEB.

None of this is meant to imply that prophecy is ALL we need, but it is an important part of the whole.

KJV is the King James Version, 1611.

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901