This Sunday we’re launching into a five-week, post-Easter series titled The Rule of Faith: Being Human in God’s World.

It is no exaggeration to say that the current cultural climate of the Western world is one of confusion and chaos, with respect to the very nature of what it means to be human. Abortion, medical assistance in dying, sexuality, and matters of gender have pushed the limits of our understanding, while directly impacting our conduct and relationships in everyday life. As a society, we have gotten so far ahead of ourselves in practice, without truly contemplating the implications — or even the principles — undergirding these beliefs and actions.

Being human in God’s world begins with understanding the necessary biblical principles of Creation, the image of God, his Kingdom, human society, and belief. Simply put, the rule of faith is an acknowledgement of the God of the Scriptures, and of five essential affirmations that define that belief. Only when we embrace this rule of faith will the issues be settled — not necessarily for the whole world, but for those who are courageous enough to confront confusion and chaos in the only way that allows for true human flourishing.

We are developing a list of resources for this new series, for those who would like to dig a little deeper into the five affirmations. We will be adding to it week by week, as we move through the series. For this week's topic of Authority, check out:

Series: The Rule of Faith: Being Human in God’s World

Message: Affirmation 1: Authority

Text: Various Scriptures

Todd Dugard

Harvest Bible Chapel

April 27, 2025

Regula Fidei – The Rule of Faith – A set of established beliefs that clarify what it means to be in Christ.

This is the creed which you are to rehearse and to repeat in answer. These words which you have heard are in the Holy Scriptures scattered up and down: but then gathered and reduced into one creed, so that the memory might not fail and that every person may be able to say, with all confidence, what he or she believes.

Augustine

The truth itself is the standard by which teaching and practise are to be judged.

Irenaeus

If I live by the rule of faith, I am under the authority of God’s Word alone…

…acknowledging its standard of truth. (Mark 11:27–33; Genesis 3:1; John 18:38)

John 18:37

…accepting what it says about itself. (2 Timothy 3:16a; 2 Peter 1:20–21)

2 Peter 3:15-16

Hebrews 4:12

…seeing Christ on every page. (John 5:30–46)

John 5:18b

You cannot separate Jesus, the incarnate Word, from Jesus as the fulfillment and ultimate point of the written Word.

Jordan Coros

The apostles viewed the essence of Christianity to be the Person and Work of Christ made alive in the hearts of repentant sinners awakened by the Spirit of God through the preaching of the Word of God.

Charles T. Buntin

…applying it to all of life. (2 Timothy 3:16b–17)

Job 38:1-4

Job 40:1-2

Job 40:4-5

Job 42:2-6

…teaching it to others. (2 Timothy 2:2; 3:14–15)

Jeremiah 20:9

…cherishing its very words. (Psalm 19:7–11)

John 6:67b-69

Series Resources:

Authority -

Sola Scriptura - The Protestant Position on the Bible

https://store.ligonier.org/sola-scriptura-the-protestant-position-on-the-bible-paperback

Taking God At His Word: Why the Bible Is Knowable, Necessary, and Enough, and What That Means for You and Me Kevin DeYoung

https://a.co/d/dq6nAlJ