Back to Basics: Roots of Scripture — True Biblical Doctrine

Opening Scriptures

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”2 Timothy 3:16 KJV

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”2 Peter 1:20–21 KJV

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”Galatians 1:8–9 KJV

Introduction

True Biblical doctrine must begin with the Word of God.

The Bible does not merely contain the Word of God. The Bible is the Word of God. Every true doctrine must be measured by Scripture, tested by Scripture, and brought back to Scripture. If doctrine does not agree with the Word of God, then it cannot be received as truth.

Jesus said:

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”Matthew 4:4 KJV

This shows the importance of every word God has given. The Believer is not called to live by opinion, tradition, religious sayings, or personal interpretation. The Believer is called to live by the Word of God.

That is why the study of Scripture must be handled carefully. Doctrine is not something that should be built on feelings, assumptions, or isolated verses taken out of context. True Biblical doctrine must come from the whole counsel of God’s Word, comparing Scripture with Scripture, and allowing the Holy Spirit to bring understanding.

The Bible as the Word of God

The Word of God stands above every other writing, book, teaching, and religious work. It is not one truth among many. It is the revealed Truth of God.

Because the Bible is the Word of God, it is inexhaustible. A person can read it again and again, study it for a lifetime, and still continue to receive greater clarity and understanding as the Holy Spirit opens the Word.

The Bible is not a man-made religious book. Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. This means the origin of Scripture is not human imagination, human philosophy, or human reasoning. The message came from God.

This is why doctrine must be rooted in Scripture alone. The Word of God is the foundation. It is the authority. It is the standard by which everything else must be examined.

The Importance of the King James Bible

When studying the Word of God in English, the King James Bible holds an important place. It has been trusted, used, read, preached, and studied for centuries. It was completed in 1611 by learned men who labored to translate the Hebrew of the Old Testament and the Greek of the New Testament into English with great care.

The goal of faithful translation is not to favor a private interpretation, but to carry the meaning of the original text as accurately as possible into another language. This is why a word-for-word translation matters. A thought-for-thought rendering may give the translator’s understanding of the text, but a word-for-word translation seeks to stay closer to the actual wording of Scripture.

The King James Bible has also gone through updates in spelling, printing, and language usage since 1611. This is important to understand because the English language itself has changed over time. The original 1611 printing used forms of English that would be difficult for many modern readers to read today. Those updates did not change the purpose of keeping the translation close to the original text; rather, they helped preserve readability while maintaining the wording.

At the same time, it is important to understand the difference between inspiration and translation. The Scriptures, as given by the Holy Spirit through the original writers, were inspired by God. The work of translation must be handled carefully because translators are carrying the words of one language into another.

This is one reason why studying the roots of Scripture is so important. It helps us better understand what is being said in the text and why word choice matters.

The Original Manuscripts and the Witness of Scripture

The original manuscripts of the Bible are no longer in existence because of age and antiquity. The earliest books of Scripture were written many centuries ago, and the last book, Revelation, was written much later by John.

Even though the original manuscripts are no longer physically present, the Bible has been preserved through copies, manuscript witnesses, and the careful transmission of the text. There are many manuscript copies and fragments of the books of the Bible, far more than what exists for many other ancient writings.

This is important because it shows the strong historical witness to the text of Scripture. The Word of God has not been lost. God has preserved His Word through time.

The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Roots of Scripture

One of the most important discoveries connected to the study of Scripture is the Dead Sea Scrolls.

These scrolls were discovered in the region near the Dead Sea, beginning in 1947. Over time, caves near Qumran produced manuscripts and fragments that helped expand knowledge of ancient biblical texts and Jewish writings from the period before and around the time of the New Testament.

Among the most important finds was the Isaiah Scroll. The fact that a copy of Isaiah was found among these ancient manuscripts is significant because it gives another powerful witness to the preservation of the Old Testament text.

The Qumran community is commonly connected with the Essenes, a Jewish sect known for its separation from the wider society, devotion to religious discipline, and copying of sacred writings. While not every detail of their identity and practice is without scholarly discussion, the materials found in the caves provide important historical insight into Jewish life, Scripture copying, and religious thought during that period.

The Dead Sea Scrolls help us see that the Scriptures were being copied, preserved, and valued long before modern printing. They also remind us that the Bible has a real historical setting. The Word of God was given in real time, through real languages, to real people, and preserved through history.

The Canon of Scripture

The word “canon” refers to the recognized collection of books received as Scripture.

The Old Testament canon contains the books recognized in the Hebrew Scriptures. The five books of Moses — Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy — were never in doubt as foundational. The prophetic writings were also received, and the remaining writings were recognized over time.

The New Testament canon consists of the twenty-seven books received by the early Church as authoritative Scripture. These writings were not accepted merely because they were old or religious. They were received because they bore the marks of Divine authority, apostolic witness, spiritual truth, and agreement with the doctrine already given.

The Canon of Scripture matters because nothing is to be added to the Word of God. Scripture is complete. God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation is sufficient.

This is why Galatians 1:8–9 is so serious. Paul warned that even if another gospel were preached, it must be rejected. The true Gospel is not to be altered, added to, or replaced.

Understanding the Apocrypha

There are ancient writings known as the Apocrypha. Some of these writings contain historical or religious material, but they were not received by the broader Church as inspired Scripture in the same way as the books of the Old and New Testaments.

This does not mean that every ancient writing outside the canon is without historical interest. It simply means those writings are not to be placed on the same level as inspired Scripture.

The Word of God must remain distinct from every other writing. Other writings may be studied historically, but they do not carry the same authority as Scripture. Doctrine cannot be built on writings that God did not place within the Canon of Scripture.

True Biblical doctrine must rest upon the inspired Word of God.

Why Original Language Study Matters

Some passages may appear difficult or even contradictory when read only in English. But when the original languages are examined, the meaning often becomes clearer.

One example involves the word translated “fool.”

In Matthew 5:22, Jesus warns against calling someone a fool in a way that carries serious judgment. Yet in other passages, Jesus uses words translated into English as “fool” or “fools.” At first, this may seem confusing. But the Greek words behind the English translation are not always the same.

One Greek word is moros, which can carry the idea of foolishness, dullness, or a morally serious kind of foolishness depending on context. Another Greek word is aphron, which carries the idea of being without understanding, senseless, or lacking wisdom.

In English, both may be translated as “fool,” but the Greek wording shows that the meaning and context are not identical.

This is why word study matters. A careful word study does not replace faith in Scripture. It helps clarify what Scripture is actually saying. It allows the reader to see distinctions that may not be immediately visible in English.

The same principle applies to passages about seeing God.

John 1:18 says:

“No man hath seen God at any time...”John 1:18 KJV

Exodus 33:20 says:

“And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.”Exodus 33:20 KJV

Yet Genesis 32:30 says:

“And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”Genesis 32:30 KJV

And Exodus 33:11 says:

“And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend...”Exodus 33:11 KJV

These passages are not contradictions. They must be understood by context and by the way language is being used. To “see” can involve more than physical sight. It can involve perception, revelation, understanding, encounter, or beholding something in a particular manner.

Moses and Jacob had real encounters with God, yet no man has fully beheld God in the fullness of His unveiled Glory. First Timothy speaks of God:

“Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see...”1 Timothy 6:16 KJV

When Scripture is compared with Scripture, the meaning becomes clear. The Bible does not contradict itself. The difficulty is often in our limited understanding, our translation limitations, or our failure to compare Scripture with Scripture.

Revelation, Inspiration, and Illumination

To properly understand the Word of God, three important truths must be considered: Revelation, Inspiration, and Illumination.

Revelation is God making known what man could not know by natural means.

Paul wrote:

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”1 Corinthians 2:9–10 KJV

The things of God cannot be discovered by human wisdom alone. God must reveal Himself. The Holy Spirit made known the Truth of God to the writers of Scripture, and He continues to bring understanding to the Believer through the Word.

Inspiration refers to the way God gave His Word through the writers of Scripture.

Paul wrote:

“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”1 Corinthians 2:13 KJV

The writers of Scripture were not writing from human wisdom. They were moved by the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit used their vocabulary, personality, background, and writing style, yet guided them so that what was written was the Word of God.

This is why every word matters. The words of Scripture are not accidental. The Holy Spirit gave the Word of God with purpose and precision.

Illumination is the work of the Holy Spirit enabling the Believer to understand the Truth of God’s Word.

Paul wrote:

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.”1 Corinthians 2:14–15 KJV

The natural man, no matter how educated, cannot understand the things of God by natural ability alone. Spiritual truth must be spiritually discerned. This does not mean a person ignores careful study. It means careful study must be joined with dependence upon the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit does not lead the Believer away from Scripture. He brings understanding through Scripture.

The Cross of Christ and True Doctrine

All true Biblical doctrine must lead back to what Jesus has done at Calvary through The Finished Work of the Cross.

Paul’s message was centered on the Cross of Christ. He wrote:

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”1 Corinthians 2:1–2 KJV

Paul did not build his message on philosophy, human wisdom, or religious performance. His message was Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.

The Cross is not only the starting point of Salvation. It is also the foundation for understanding Sanctification, victory, doctrine, and the plan of God. If the Cross is ignored, misunderstood, or removed, doctrine becomes unstable.

Paul also wrote:

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV

The preaching of the Cross is the Power of God. This is where true doctrine must remain anchored. Every study of Scripture, every word study, every doctrine, every historical examination, and every look at the roots of Scripture must lead us back to Jesus Christ and The Finished Work of the Cross.

The Bible as the Lamp of Truth

Psalm 119:105 says:

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”Psalm 119:105 KJV

The Word of God gives light. It shows the way. It corrects error. It reveals Christ. It teaches doctrine. It leads the Believer into truth by the Holy Spirit.

In a world filled with confusion, competing voices, religious opinions, and false doctrine, the Bible remains the only true spiritual light. It is the road map for life and the truth God has given to His people.

This is why the Word of God must not be diluted. It must not be added to. It must not be replaced by man’s ideas. It must not be reduced to opinion or tradition.

True Biblical doctrine comes from Scripture.

Closing Reflection

True Biblical doctrine begins and ends with the Word of God.

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. It was given by the Holy Spirit. It has been preserved through history. It is to be studied carefully, compared faithfully, and understood through the illumination of the Holy Spirit.

The study of the roots of Scripture helps us see the importance of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek. It reminds us why word-for-word translation matters. It shows us why the Canon of Scripture must remain closed. It helps us understand difficult passages by comparing Scripture with Scripture.

But most of all, true Biblical doctrine must always bring us back to Jesus Christ and what He has done at Calvary through The Finished Work of the Cross.

The Word of God reveals Him.

The Holy Spirit points to Him.

The Cross declares the Power of God.

And Scripture remains the lamp that gives light to the path of every Believer who will receive it by faith.

Reflection Question

Am I allowing the Word of God to be the final authority for what I believe, or am I allowing opinion, tradition, or human understanding to shape doctrine apart from Scripture?

Prayer

Lord, help me to honor Your Word as truth. Lead me by the Holy Spirit into a deeper understanding of Scripture. Teach me to compare Scripture with Scripture, to rightly value the words You have given, and to keep my faith anchored in Jesus Christ and The Finished Work of the Cross. Let Your Word be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.