What the Elders at Tulsa Bible Church teach about the Bible

I. The Bible (Bibliology)

A. Inspiration

1. We teach that the Bible is God's supernaturally given written revelation to man concerning Himself, His being, nature, character, will, and purposes; and concerning man, his nature, need, duty, and destiny. Thus the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute the plenary (inspired equally in all parts) Word of God that is an objective (not subjective¹ ) revelation² which is verbally inspired by God in every word.³

·       2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. NKJV

2. We teach that God spoke in His written Word by a process of dual authorship. The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through their individual personalities and different styles of writing, as sunlight through stained glass windows, they composed and recorded God's Word to man without error in the whole or in the part. ¹

·       2 Peter 1.20-21 ...knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, ²¹ for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. NKJV

¹2 Peter 1.20-21 ²1 Thessalonians 2:13  ³ 2 Timothy 3:16-17  

B. Inerrancy and Authority

We teach that Scriptures are absolutely without error (inerrant),¹ misstatement, or defect of any kind in their moral and spiritual teachings and record of historical facts and science in the original documents. They are infallible² and God-breathed;³ the only rule of faith and practice for the believer and in the church.⁴

·       Matthew 5:18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. NKJV

·       Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. NKJV

¹ John 16:12-13; 17:17  ² John 10:35  ³ 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17   ⁴Matthew 5:18;   24:35;  John 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2  Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 3:16

C. Hermeneutics

1. We teach the literal, grammatical, historical (contextual) interpretation of Scripture, which for example affirms the belief that the opening chapters of Genesis present creation in six literal 24-hour days.¹ We teach a dispensational interpretation of the Scriptures, which distinguishes God's different programs for the Jew, the Church, and the Kingdom. 

·       Genesis 1:31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. NKJV

·       Exodus 31:17 It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’ ” NKJV

2. We teach that whereas there may be several applications of any given passage of Scripture, there is but one true interpretation.  The meaning of Scripture is to be found as one diligently applies the literal grammatical-historical method of interpretation under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.² It is the responsibility of believers as they grow in maturity, to ascertain carefully the true intent and meaning of Scripture, recognizing that such truth is binding on all generations.  Yet the truth of Scripture stands in judgment of men; never do men stand in judgment of Scripture.

¹ Genesis 1:31; Exodus 31:17    ² John 7:17; 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-15; 1 John 2:20