Wesley on Scripture

Biblical inerrancy is the historically traditional and currently conservative evangelical doctrinal position that in its original form, the Bible is totally without error, and free from all contradiction; "referring to the complete accuracy of Scripture, including the historical and scientific parts."

The basis for Christian belief and practice is the Holy Bible. John Wesley was steeped in Scripture in Scripture from childhood. He said the final authority for belief was derived from the Bible.

He says, “All faith is founded upon divine authority, so there is now divine authority but the Scriptures…” (John Wesley, Works, Vol. X, p.91)

What Bible version was used by John Wesley? Wonder...Did he says anything about the preservation of the Bible in a single one Bible version?

He wrote in his journal: “My ground is the Bible…I follow it in all things great and small” (June 5, 1766)

“O give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God!” (John Wesley, Sermon, Vol. 1, pp 31-32)

In “The general Rules of Our Society,” he wrote, the Bible is “the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both for our faith and practice.”

He knew that no one can read Scripture without bringing to it something of his own interpretation.

He realized there would be differences in interpretation among even the most sincere and informed Christians. But most differences among Christians, Wesley believed, usually concern matters that are not essential to salvation and practical Christian living.

Wesley regarded the Biblical teaching on justification and New Birth as the two most important Christian doctrines. (Sermon, Vol. 2, pp 226-227).

The second emphasis the John Wesley made in his use of Scripture, he insisted that “inward holiness” required “outward holiness.” Simply emphasis is pay attention to “Inner life and evangelistic demands of the Gospel.”

The third emphasis is concerning the promises and blessings God gives His children when they open the Bible. One of the most important of these is “assurance,” or the witness of the Spirit. He also emphasized many other blessings which God has for His Children: victory over sin, joy, the peace of God.

He never got away from the authority of Scripture, did he preach or write, emphasis the important of the scripture until to pursue a “perfect underlying scripture text”?

Question for you to answer:

How many denominations are teaching this “Verbal Plenary Preservation” like the theologians in Nov 2008?