Biblical Theology, Acts 20:17-38

Introduction

Text: Acts 20:17-38

The “whole counsel of God” refers to the entirety of God’s redemptive plan unfolded in Scripture…In refusing to pass over teachings that might have offended some, Paul gave a courageous example that is a model for all those who would teach God’s word after him. –John Polhill

What is Biblical Theology?

Summary of Mark Dever: our doctrine and teaching is derived from the Word of God alone and is understood in light of the overarching metanarrative of Scripture.

• Biblical Theology is driven by a high view of revelation.
• Biblical Theology traces the historical development of doctrine.
• Biblical Theology is concerned with “what it meant” to the author and to the original audience. It seeks to understand the theological purposes of each writer.
• Biblical Theology is concerned with how all of the individual parts relate to the whole.

Biblical Theology Matters Because:

• God wrote the Bible – it is his revelation of himself.
• It prioritizes what the text meant and what it means over cultural distortions.
• It roots our doctrine in something bigger than ourselves and our immediate culture and helps me keep the big picture in view.
• It drives me to ultimate authority in a world that is increasingly relativistic.
• It helps me understand my place in his story
• It gives us a deeper and fuller example understanding of God. We don’t get topick and choose what we want to believe about God.
  • The God of the Bible is a Creating God
  • The God of the Bible is a Holy God
  • The God of the Bible is a Faithful God
  • The God of the Bible is a Loving God
  • The God of the Bible is a Sovereign God
• It protects us from isegesis and and taking things out of context.
• It gives us a foundation and underpinnings that will enable us to discern truth, navigate the minefields of this world, and endure in our faith in spite of opposition.
• It equips us to accurately teach others.
• It changes me and makes me more like Christ.

Media

Listen to the Podcast

Sermon series: The Marks of a Healthy Church. See all sermons in this series »

Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rykneethling/4542432287