Pitfalls in Solely Relying on Acts for doctrine?

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by DaveC519

Hi Mizpeh,

The answer is "yes", and here's why:

"3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Ro 15:3-4)

In verse 3, Paul is quoting Ps 69:9, which is neither one of the 613 commandments, a narrative, nor a direct didactic passage. And yet he goes on to say in verse 4 that those things written in the "scriptures" are for our learning (Gr. didaskalian, from didaskoo: "to teach").

From the sense of the Romans passage, we see Paul is not specifically referring to only the Psalms as containing didactic value, but the "scriptures" as a whole- all of God's Word.


Again, Paul in 2Tim 3:10-17 charges his protege Timothy to "continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them." (vs. 14).

What was it that Timothy had learned from Paul? Didactic teaching only? No, "But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me." (vs. 10-11).

IOW, Timothy learned from Paul's "life experience", which Paul himself catalogues along with "doctrine", etc., and which Luke records in the book of Acts.

Notice also that Paul commends Timothy's study from childhood of "the holy scriptures" (vs. 15- meaning all of God's Word, not simply specific OT didactic passages), which are able to make him "wise unto salvation". This is why Paul concludes in verse 16 that because "all scripture is given by inspiration of God", that all of it is profitable for:

1)- doctrine

2)- reproof

3)- correction

4)- instruction in righteousness

So then, "all scripture" (including narrative) works toward the end goal of making one "wise unto salvation" (vs. 15), and equipped to perform "all good works" (vs. 17).

Dan, you start a thread and then leave! How about responding to this post and the one by BishopH and El Predicador on the water from a rock?






Dave, excellent response and exposition of the word. Thank you.