--- title: "Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scripture | RP Testimony" description: "Chapter 1 of the RP Testimony: Of the Holy Scripture. Read the 2026 RPCNA Constitution text, Scripture proofs, and the corresponding Westminster Confession chapter." canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/" source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=13" --- # Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scripture | RP Testimony 1. God has revealed Himself in His works, called natural or general revelation, and His Word, called special revelation. This self-revelation contains all that man needs to know about God. The revelation of God in His works is clear, but it does not make known the covenant purposes of God. Hence, God began, from the creation of man, to make known the covenant relationship He had established between Himself and man. These matters could not have become known to man except by special (verbal) revelation. 1 Cor. 2:9; Gen. 1:28; Gen. 2:16-17; Rom. 1:19-20. 2. These two forms of revelation, His works and His Word, are complementary. Any apparent obscurity of either of them, or alleged confusion or contradiction between them, arises from the natural limitations of man, and especially from his sinful state of rebellion against God, and the resultant curse of God upon him and the whole creation. The Scripture reveals that both the works of God and the written Word of God have been spoken into being by the Son, the living Word of God, the Creator, who also, as the incarnate Mediator and risen Savior continues to uphold the universe by His powerful Word. Ps. 19; Job 38-41; Ps. 139:6; Rom. 1: 19-32; John 1:1-3; Heb. 1:1-3. 3. The revelation of God’s works can be rightly understood only in the light of the written Word. 1 Cor. 1:21. 4. The living Word became man, Jesus Christ. In His life, death and resurrection He fulfilled the covenant broken by man’s disobedience and did most completely reveal God and His purpose for man. The Son makes the Father known to man; yet the Son is not known by man except by the Spirit through the Scripture. Hence, the Scripture is the final word of God to man for faith and life. Matt. 11:27; John 1:18; John 14:24-26; 1 Cor. 2:10-13. 5. God gave His written revelation progressively by holy men whom He chose, and inspired and infallibly guided to write inerrantly and completely the revelation of His will. No further such revelation is to be received. The human authors with differing skills expressed themselves in the peculiar idioms and a variety of literary forms common to their times. They used human sources of historical information and they recorded interpretations of those events and prophecies concerning the future that God revealed to them. In all they wrote, however, they were guided by the Holy Spirit as to matter and manner so that their writings are indeed the Word of God. Gen. 2:4; Gen. 5:1; Gen. 6:9; 1 Kings 11:41; 1 Kings 14:29; 2 Sam. 23:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21; Jer. 36:32. 6. We reject any view of Scripture that denies the objective truth of the Bible by making the authority of its message dependent on the circumstances or the subjective experience of the reader. 7. We reject the notion that the process of revelation was a mechanical one in which the writers were reduced to mere stenographers. 8. We also reject all theories of composition that make the writers mere editors or collectors of human tradition and liturgy, so that their writings are but human accounts or interpretations of religious development under God. 9. We reject the teaching that prophecy is history written after the event. 10. The Old Testament is the word of Christ and is of equal authority with the New Testament. Nor are the earthly words of Christ quoted in the Scriptures in any way of greater authority or of greater significance to the Church than the rest of God’s Word. It is the triune God who speaks with equal and absolute authority in and through every part of Scripture. 11. The truthfulness of God, and not the reasonableness of any doctrine, is the ground of our faith. It is the work of the Gospel to cast down reasonings against the knowledge of God, and to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 1 Cor. 2:15; 2 Cor. 10:5. 12. We reject the view that the Bible sets forth truth in the form of myth. 13. We reject the view that the Bible is only partially inspired, that inspiration pertains only to “revelational” matters, or “saving” truth, or that the Bible as originally given contains any inaccuracy in fact or history. 14. We reject the view that the Holy Spirit gives personal revelations or that He leads men apart from the general principles of the Word or contrary to its teachings. 15. We reject the concept that there is continuing revelation of God in the actions, decisions or decrees of the Church. 16. There are in the Scripture doctrines which unassisted reason could never have discovered; and yet, when revealed, are perfectly intelligible by the human mind. Other doctrines are taught in Scripture which human reason cannot fully comprehend and which must be received on the authority of God. Isa. 40:13; 1 Cor. 1:20; Ps. 119:130; 1 Cor. 2:6-16. 17. We reject any suggestion that God uses human reason on a level with Scripture to reveal His truth. 18. Bible translations must combine faithfulness to the original text with the idiom of the native language, and thus will always be imperfect. The Church is responsible to examine the documents available to determine as far as possible what was originally written, and to study the translations as to their accuracy in conveying the meaning of the original, and to advise the public concerning them. Paraphrases, which interpret rather than translate, must be used with great caution. 19. All men have the right to read the Bible, to inquire into its meaning, and to adopt the doctrines it teaches. In studying the Bible men must depend upon the illumination of the Holy Spirit. They must use God-given human faculties and search in earnest for the truth, in submission to the authority of Scripture. In interpreting the Bible consideration must be given to the historical situation in which the passage was written, to the grammatical structure, and to the literary form. The instruction and counsel of fellow believers, of teachers of the Word, and creeds and confessions of the Church should be given due consideration. When men understand the message of the Bible, they must earnestly seek to obey that message in all that they think and do. Acts 2:42; John 5:39; 2 Tim. 2:15; Acts 17:11. ## For kids — a study explanation (ages 10–13) These explanations are separate from the official text above. Words to knowInspirationGod’s work guiding the biblical writers so their writings are his truthful Word.AuthorityThe rightful power to tell us what to believe and do.InterpretationUnderstanding what a passage means in its context.CovenantA relationship God establishes with promises and responsibilities.RevelationGod making himself and his will known to us.RejectsSays that a teaching is wrong and must not be accepted. ### Testimony 1.1 Creation shows us that God exists, but his spoken and written Word tells us about his covenant promises and our relationship with him. [Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-1) ### Testimony 1.2 God’s creation and his Word agree. When they seem to conflict, the problem is our limited or sinful understanding; Christ is the source and sustainer of both. [Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-2) ### Testimony 1.3 We need Scripture to understand the meaning of God’s creation correctly. [Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-3) ### Testimony 1.4 Jesus reveals the Father and fulfills God’s covenant purposes. The Spirit makes him known through Scripture, our final authority for belief and life. [Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-4) ### Testimony 1.5 God used real human authors and their different styles to give a completely truthful written Word. The Testimony also says this kind of revelation is complete. [Read original point 5 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-5) ### Testimony 1.6 The Testimony rejects the idea that the Bible becomes true or authoritative only when a reader feels it is meaningful. Its authority does not depend on our experience. [Read original point 6 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-6) ### Testimony 1.7 The Testimony rejects the idea that the biblical writers were merely taking dictation without using their own minds, styles, or personalities. [Read original point 7 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-7) ### Testimony 1.8 The Testimony rejects treating the Bible as only a collection of human religious traditions. Its writers were guided by God, rather than simply reporting how religion developed. [Read original point 8 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-8) ### Testimony 1.9 The Testimony rejects the claim that biblical predictions were written only after the events happened and then presented as prophecy. [Read original point 9 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-9) ### Testimony 1.10 The Old and New Testaments have equal authority. Jesus’ quoted words are not more authoritative than the rest of Scripture; God speaks through all of it. [Read original point 10 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-10) ### Testimony 1.11 We believe God because he is truthful, even when his teaching challenges our reasoning. Our thoughts must submit to Christ. [Read original point 11 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-11) ### Testimony 1.12 The Testimony rejects treating the Bible’s truth as myth rather than God’s truthful revelation. [Read original point 12 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-12) ### Testimony 1.13 The Testimony rejects limiting inspiration to religious or saving ideas. The Bible as originally given is also truthful in its factual and historical statements. [Read original point 13 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-13) ### Testimony 1.14 The Testimony rejects claims of personal revelation or spiritual guidance that bypass Scripture’s principles or contradict its teaching. [Read original point 14 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-14) ### Testimony 1.15 The Testimony rejects treating church decisions or decrees as new revelation from God. [Read original point 15 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-15) ### Testimony 1.16 Some biblical truths could not be discovered by reason alone. Some remain beyond our full understanding, but we receive them because God has spoken. [Read original point 16 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-16) ### Testimony 1.17 The Testimony rejects putting human reasoning on the same level as Scripture as a source of revealed truth. [Read original point 17 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-17) ### Testimony 1.18 Translations should accurately express the original text in understandable language. The church should assess their accuracy, and readers should use paraphrases cautiously. [Read original point 18 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-18) ### Testimony 1.19 Everyone may read and study the Bible. We should seek the Spirit’s help, consider context and language, listen to sound teaching, and obey what we learn. [Read original point 19 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/#point-19) ### Talk about it Why should we test everything we believe by the Bible? ### Discuss and remember Read the chapter together, then choose a question to talk about. - Why do we need God’s Word when we have questions about Him? - What can you do when a verse is difficult to understand? #### Scripture to remember 2 Timothy 3:16–17 [Read the memory passage in our Bible reader →](https://ctkrp.org/bible/?q=2%20Timothy%203%3A16%E2%80%9317) Read the passage in context. Explain it in your own words, then practice one short phrase at a time. Review it together during the week. #### Put it into practice Read a short passage together and name one thing it teaches about God. [Find help for family worship](https://ctkrp.org/family-worship/) Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=13) ## Related reading - [What does “Reformed” mean?](https://ctkrp.org/learn/what-is-reformed/) - [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 2: What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-2-what-rule-hath-god-given-to-direct-us-how/) - [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 3: What is the Word of God?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-3-what-is-the-word-of-god/) - [Why We Worship This Way](https://ctkrp.org/worship/scripture/) - [Find teaching on scripture](https://ctkrp.org/sermons/?q=Scripture) - [Westminster Confession · Chapter 1](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-1-holy-scripture/) - [Introduction](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/introduction/) - [Chapter 2](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-2-god-and-of-the-holy-trinity/) Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-1-holy-scripture/