Wesleyan Readings (#5): The Holy Bible

WORSHIP LEADER: We believe that the books of the Old and New Testaments constitute the Holy Scriptures. They are the inspired and infallibly written Word of God, fully inerrant in their original manuscripts and superior to all human authority, and have been transmitted to the present without corruption of any essential doctrine.[1]

CONGREGATION: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

WORSHIP LEADER: We believe that they contain all things necessary to salvation; so that whatever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man or woman that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.[2]

CONGREGATION: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Heb. 4:12)

WORSHIP LEADER: Both in the Old and New Testaments life is offered ultimately through Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and humanity.[3]

CONGREGATION: So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Rom. 10:17)

WORSHIP LEADER: Continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim. 3:14-15)

CONGREGATION: For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Rom. 15:4)

WORSHIP LEADER: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Col. 3:16)

CONGREGATION:Thanks be to God.

[1] Wesleyan Discipline, Articles of Religion, Article 5, Paragraph 218.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.