The Clarity of Scripture

I'd like to take just a moment and talk about the doctrine of the clarity of Scripture, the doctrine of the clarity of Scripture. The theological word is perspicuity, the doctrine of perspicuity. Now, this presumes that people can clearly understand what is said in Scripture, especially the message of salvation. And so this formula, the Holy Spirit says in Hebrews 3, 7, this formula is akin to 2 Timothy 3, 16, where there's reprove and there's rebuke and correction, this authoritative tone. They're akin. And as well, it verifies what Peter said in 2 Peter, chapter 1, verse 21, that this is not of men, okay? It's of the Spirit. And so what is being said is of the Spirit. Now, as we continue to dig into here, I really want you to be able to follow along and listen. It's important that you learn this because this is a serious warning.

The soberness of today's message should impact the way that you live. And it starts with knowing that this is clearly communicated to you, okay? The doctrine of perspicuity not only means God's word is clear and understandable, but it also asserts that common people can understand the Word of God. Common people can understand. You don't need a Catholic priest, and you don't need a rabbi to be able to understand. Every person can understand scriptural passages. The unlearned can learn. The unlearned peoples, wherever they are around the world, where they can read or write, they can understand. They can understand. You know, the Ethiopian asked the evangelist Philip while he was reading Isaiah 53, "How can I understand unless someone teaches me or shows me?" And so Acts chapter 8, verses 30 and 31 proves that God works through people to help understanding. And so you can understand the Scriptures. The normal and plain meaning of Scripture is not hidden, and it doesn't take someone like Dan Brown to introduce the Da Vinci Code to unravel the meanings in Scripture. It's plain for you to understand. Rabbinic Judaism is reliant upon the interpretation of today's rabbis to be able to interpret the Torah. Rabbis teach that the law of Moses cannot be understood without the deep analysis of rabbis and their oral explanation.

They would think and project that common people cannot understand God's Scriptures. Rabbinic Judaism and Catholicism reject this doctrine of perspicuity. But John chapter 14 and verse

26 says, "He will teach you." The Holy Spirit of God, one of His roles, this paraclete, this partner in Christianity, this helper, He will teach you.

John 14, 26 says, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you." And then as well you see it driven home through Luke chapter 24 and verse 45, He opened their minds to understand the Scripture.

And then in 2 Timothy 2, 6, "The Lord will give you understanding." And then in Jeremiah 30 verse 24, "You will understand." I like John 1, 9, where it says this, "There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man." You know, in Luke chapter 16, the matters of life and death for eternity were addressed by Jesus when He said that the law and the prophets is enough. That presumes that people can understand the law and the prophets and what they said in Scripture to be saved. They are able to be eternally secure in Christ based upon their ability to understand the Scriptures. And so Hebrews 3, 7 says, "The Holy Spirit says," and this is no different from when Jesus said, "It is written, it is written, it is written three times in Matthew chapter 4, verse 4, verse 7, and verse 10." And so this doctrine of perspicuity is very true for you and for me. And it's a hopeful doctrine. And so this clear warning is for us to be able to know who God is and how not to anger Him.