SCRIPTURES
The term "scriptures" appears twenty-one (21) times in the Bible. Follow along as we identify all the passages which are identifying other passages as being "scriptures."
Matthew 21:42: (Psalm 118:22-23)
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: "The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes?'
Greek: G1124 (γραφαις) "graphais"
Messiah's words were spoken at a time when there was NO NEW TESTAMENT. Yeshua Himself is referring to the TaNaK (the Hebrew Old Testament). He is NOT referring to Peter; or Paul; or any of the disciples. He is referring to the written Scriptures which existed at that time. The TaNaK.
Matthew 22:29: (Sadducees)
"Jesus answered and said to them, 'You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of
God.'"
God.'"
Greek: G1124 (γραφας) "graphas"
There is no specific reference to which Messiah is referring. He is speaking to the Sadducees who historically rejected the doctrines of resurrection; immortality of the soul; eternal rewards; and the world to come. They didn't accept the Prophets; or, the Writings holding to a strict adherence to Torah only. Josephus writes of them as does the Talmud. It is clear Messiah is not; and, cannot be referring to the New Testament because it had not been written yet. I would caution you to give heavy weight to what the one whose blood covers you has to say; and, remember that Paul has no authority to forgive your sins.
Matthew 26:54: (Isaiah 53:5, 8)
“How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”
Greek: G1124 (γραφαι) "graphai"
Matthew 26:56: (Zech 13:7; Isaiah 53:8)
forsook Him and fled."
Greek: G1124 (γραφαι) "graphai"
"Jesus answered and said to them, 'Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the
Scriptures nor the power of God?'"
Greek: G1124 (γραφας) "graphas"
"Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take me? I was daily with you in
the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled. Then they all
forsooke Him and fled."
Greek: G1124 (γραφαι) "graphai"
"And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things
concerning Himself."
Greek: G1124 (γραφαις) "graphais"
*******Note*******
David was a Prophet (Acts 2:30) he was responsible for writing seventy three (73) of the Psalms. Moses
was responsibe for writing Psalm 90; Asaph wrote twelve (12) of the Psalms; the descendants of Korah
wrote ten (10) of the Psalms; Solomon wrote one or two; Ethan; and, Heman the Ezrahitesw were responsible for writing two others. The remainder of the Psalms do not contain information about
their authors.
Luke 24:32: (Moses; all the Prophets; and the Psalms)
and while He opened the Scriptures to us?'"
Greek: G1124 (γραφας) "graphas"
Again I would like to assert to you as strenuously as possible. There was NO New Testament at this time. They cannot and are not referring to anything other than the TaNaK.
Luke 24:45: (Moses; all the Prophets; and, the Psalms)
"And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures."
Greek: G1124 (γραφας) "graphas"
I would like to assert to you that Messiah was defining Moses and all the Prophets as Scripture; as He also defines the Psalms by their inclusion. He is giving us instruction so that Timothy's exhortation should be clear to us where we are to study.
"These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you that all things must be fulfilled
which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."
(Luke 24:44)
The Psalms are Scripture. Do you use the Psalms for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness? If not I assert you are not thoroughly equipped for every good work.
John 5:39: (Moses; all the prophets; and, the Psalms)
“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which
testify of Me."
Greek: G1124 (γραφας) "graphas"
Acts 17:2: (NOT THE NEW TESTAMENT IT DIDNT EXIST YET)
"Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the
Scriptures..."
Greek: (γραφων) "graphon"
Friends Paul didn't pull out his King James Bible; and, teach from the New Testament. He was teaching from the only Scriptures which existed at the time. Genesis thru Malachi also known as "The TaNaK." Had he tried to use another set of writings to prove Yeshua was who he said He was they would have stoned Paul to death for being a false teacher.
Acts 17:11: (Genesis-Malachi)
readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."
Greek: (γραφας) "graphas"
These "fair minded" people COULDN'T have searched the New Testament to see if what Paul was saying was so. They would have had to search the Scriptures; just at the text indicates. Additionally Paul would have been using the TaNaK to PROVE Messiah was the Prophet like unto Moses they were to be expecting.
Several hundred years later in 630 AD a man named Muhammad used a book that hadn't been written yet; the Qu'ran to bear witness of himself. Messiah didn't bear witness of Himself; the Scriptures bore witness hundreds; sometimes thousands of years in advance of Messiah; and, of what He would do; and, how He would do it. It foretold Messiah's death; and, He even knew how He was going to die; where He would die; and, when.
Mohammad supposedly a prophet; didn't have a clue when; where; or, how he would die. According to the Hadith (Sahih Bukhari 3:47:786) a Jewessh who had prepared a dish of poisoned sheep was responsible for the death of Mohammad.
Friends the False teaching about Paul contributes to the Jewish rejection of Messiah. That False Doctrine actually widens the Gap between Christian and Jews.
Acts 18:24: (Genesis-Malachi. New Testament did't exist)
"Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures,
came to Ephesus."
Greek: (γραφαις) "graphais"
Acts 18:28: (Genesis-Malachi. New Testament didn't exist)
"...for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ."
Greek: (γραφων) "graphon"
Friends ANY time you see the terms "Scripture;" or, "Scriptures" appearing in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John); or, in the book of Acts it is not honest to apply the terms to them. They hadn't been written yet. If the New Testament writers intended you to see Paul as Scripture; if Messiah intended you to see Paul as Scripture; if (יהוה) wanted you to see Paul as Scripture; (יהוה) would have spoken to Paul the SAME way He spoke to the Prophets of Old; and, Paul would have written the same way they did. We should not apply a label to them that the Bible doesn't apply.
Romans 1:2: (Notice it says BEFORE and through whom)
"...which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures..."
Greek: G1124 (γραφαις) "graphais"
This passage indicates that the writings of the Prophets ARE Scripture. The Prophets are located Between Genesis-Malachi. Matthew; Mark; Luke; and John are NOT PROPHETS. Yeshua Was a Prophet. These four men simply gave an orderly account of what they saw; and, heard from THE PROPHET LIKE UNTO MOSES which was spoken of in Deuteronomy. They are Testimony to all Israel; to include Judah; Benjamin; and the other twelve (12) tribes which were scattered abroad (See James 1:1). I remind you there were a total of 14 Tribes in Israel not 12 as is commonly asserted. do not forget about Ephriam and Manassah who were to be like firstborn sons according to Jacob. They wrote an account of what they saw and heard come from Yeshua; HE IS THE PROPHET. If I had been present and wrote an account of what I saw it doesn't mean I'm a prophet. Now if (יהוה) speaks to me in visions; and, in dreams as He did to the prophets of old; or, face to face as He did to Moses then you MIGHT be able to make an argument that I was a prophet. However a prophet is subject to the prophets. Therefore if He is bringing a message that is different; or, that contradicts the former prophets; or, the instruction of (יהוה); then he; or, she is to be considered a FALSE PROPHET. Unfortunately many Christians are ignorant of what is contained in the Prophets and are content drinking only from the shallow wading pool of the New Testament; missing vital information about the identity and mission of the one they claim to serve as they walk in a way contrary to Him because of the MANY false teachers who have infintrated the very congregations who trust them to give them truth.
Romans 15:4: (CANNOT be referring to the New Testament)
"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience
and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."
Greek: G1124 (γραφων) "graphon"
Friends Paul wrote Romans. Does it really make sense for Paul to bear witness of himself that what HE writes is scripture; or, that his OWN writings are the source of hope? Does it make sense that Paul would call himself a Prophet? If Messiah knows that the Scriptures must bear witness of Him instead of Himself bearing witness for Himself surely Paul knows not to make such a mistake. Why then has no other writer borne witness that Paul is Scripture? Because he isn't that's why. Paul's writings are LETTERS. When we read them we must remember we are reading someone else's mail. It is a one sided conversation because we lack the "rest of the story" as Paul Harvey used to say.
Romans 16:26: (TaNaK Genesis-Malachi)
"...but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to
the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—"
Greek: (γραφων) "graphon"
Notice that the Scripture(s) are made known to all nations; for, what? For OBEDIENCE. So that we might OBEY. Obey What? The Instructions of (יהוה).
1 Corinthians 15:3: (Isaiah 53:5 & 53:8)
"For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to
the Scriptures..."
Greek: G1124 (γραφας) "graphas"
Paul and Sosthenes quote the TaNaK throughout their letter (epistle) they do not quote Matthew; Mark; Luke; or John. Surely if they were Scripture Paul would quote them also as he did the TaNaK and its prophets.
1 Corinthians 15:4: (Psalm 16:10; 49:15; 86:13; Jonah 2:10; & Isaiah 53:10-12; 52:13)
"...and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures..."
Greek: (γραφας) "graphas"
2 Timothy 3:15: (Genesis-Malachi)
"...and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise
for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
Greek: G1121 (γραμματα) "grammata"
This particular use is troubling; because it doesn't match the same use of "Holy Scriptures" in
Romans 1:2 G1124 (γραφαις) "graphais." Paul is credited with writing many of the New Testament
books; however, many of them indicate another author as if Paul was dictating; and, the writer wrote FOR Paul. For example Romans 16:22 states the following:
"I Tertius, who wrote this Epistle, greet you in the LORD."
Corinthians appears to have been co written by Sosthenes according to Corinthians 1:1. Then we have Corinthians 2:1 which lists Timothy as greeting the brethren reading the letter. Galatians gives no clue as to a co-author or "writer" besides Paul. Ephesians indicates no other writer except in chapter 6 verse 21 Tychicus is being sent to the Ephesians; most likely to deliver the letter and oversee what is occurring there and pass along word from Paul. Could he have been the "writer?" It would be foolish to assert strenuously such a speculation; but, is not outside the realm of possibility given the ample evidence other letters were dictated by Paul and penned by another. Philippians also indicates a co-writer in verse one (1) naming Timothy as also greeting the Philippians; as does Colossians; 1st and 2nd Thessalonians list Paul; Silvanus and Timothy. 1st and 2nd Timothy list no other co-author; nor, does Titus. Philemon list Timothy as co-writer. Hebrews does not specify a writer. It is speculated that Paul may have been the author. There is also strong speculation Paul suffered from some sort of ocular problem stemming from the rather intense encounter he had with Yeshua on the road to Damascus. If these books were dictated by Paul but physically WRITTEN by different authors it would explain the discrepancies between the letters which were both credited with being written by Paul. *
This is the ONLY New Testament Passage where we find the Greek word "grammata" used to define the Scriptures. What is so troubling is that it appears eighteen (18) times in the Greek translation of the Old Testament (LXX) and is NEVER used to refer to the Scriptures. It does however have the same ROOT G1125 (γράφω) "grapho" as several of the other terms used.
Here in Timothy we find Paul exhorting Timothy. Paul is the writer; not Timothy as people often neglect to recognize. What is so intriguing is that Paul indicates that Timothy has known the Scriptures from the time he was a CHILD. Paul's language asserts that Timothy already knows what Scripture is; and, that it CANNOT be something which sprang up later in Timothy's life as an adult. It was already in force and Paul goes on to indicate that it makes one WISE for salvation through faith in Messiah. Are you studying the Scripture(s) to learn how to become wise for salvation? If not perhaps it's time you started.
2 Peter 3:16: (Genesis-Malachi)
"...as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to
understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the
rest of the Scriptures."
Greek: (γραφας) "graphas"
This term here used for the term "rest" is G3062: (λοιπας) loipoi pronounced "loi-poi"
meaning "remaining ones; which remain; remnant; residue; rest."
If the scriptures of which he speaks are the ones which "remain;" then, there must have been others. Friends were you aware that the Bible speaks of Books for which we have no record? Books that have been lost? Prophecies which may have been long since fulfilled. Books such as:
- The Book of Shemaiah (2 Chr 12:15)
- Iddo the Seer (2 Chronicles 9:29)
- The Acts of Solomon (2 Chronicles 9:29)
- Gad the Seer (2 Sam 24:11; 1 Chr 21:9; 1 Chr 29:29; 2 Chr 29:25)
- Hanani the Seer (2 Chronicles 16:7)
- The Book of Jehu (2 Chr 20:34)
- Sayings of the Seers (2 Chr 33:19)
- The Book of the Wars of the LORD
- Book of Jasher (Jos 10:13; 2 Sam 1:18)
- The Manner (Statutes) of the Kingdom (1 Sam 10:25)
- Nathan the Prophet (1 Chr 29:29; 2 Chr 9:29; 2 Chr 29:25)
- The Book of Enoch (Jude 1:14 a direct quote)
We cannot know what was in these Books; however, the Bible speaks of them; and in some cases quotes from them. Peter is saying that those who are "untaught" and "untrained" are twisting the REMAINING SCRIPTURES that existed at that time; which we still have record of today. He is NOT calling Paul Scripture. Of all the passages available to assert Paul is Scripture this one is the very passage men hang their hat on. As we examine the usage and appearance of the term "epistles" you will discover the assertion that Paul is "scripture" cannot be proven from a clear Biblical understanding of what "scripture" is; and what "epistles" are. Once we have properly labeled what is Scripture and what are only "letters" we have a context to begin applying Scriptural definition which should have been done all along. If you are struggling with what I am asserting don't worry I freaked out too when I came to the conclusion you will at the end. Bear with me now as we press on and test the idea that Paul is Scripture.
