As Evangelicals, the Bible is our final authority in all matters of life and ministry -

"All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16,17)

1) Scripture functions as the "Living Word of God", that is, we "do and teach" the Word, perform the "works and words" of Jesus. Ultimately it is He who is the "Living Word" of God, but we are in a sense His apprentices.

Our approach to Scripture should be neither purely theoretical and abstract nor subjective and uninformed. This means that we are committed to going beyond just sound evangelical doctrine, to the point where we are doers of the Word. That doesn't mean we are to be caught up with every fad that comes along in "charismania" unless there is sound biblical reason to do so.

2) Scripture must be allowed to speak for itself. This means that we don't impose our own cultural or personal views on the Bible. Expository preaching is important in this respect. That is the sort of preaching that extracts the truth from the text, as opposed to proof texting (getting a subject and looking for a text to "hang it on").

3) Scripture is the basis for a living encounter with God through the presence of the Holy Spirit. The things that we do are to be firmly based Scripturally. When God speaks from Scripture, we are compelled to do what He commands. This leads us to a place of sound biblical obedience.

4) We should choose to avoid worshipping Scripture. Nor should we ignore it, rationalize or academise it. Scripture is our working manual, God himself is the author of it.

5) Scripture is completely relevant and beneficial today. We recognize that there is perfect harmony between the Bible and contemporary truth. It may be said that "all that is in Scripture is truth, but not all truth is in Scripture". For example we see no conflict between divine healing and modern medicine. We need not compromise between Scriptural truths and contemporary truth. All truth comes from God. Where some new revelation is seemingly in conflict with the Bible, then we are committed to rejecting it in favour of the infallible Word of God.

Priorities

1) Expository preaching. Systematically working through the books of the Bible.

2) Living application to the text, personal experience. Life related biblical teaching. This flows out of our conviction that the Bible is fully in tune with contemporary life.

3) Biblical teaching is to be used to "equip the saints for the works of the ministry" (Eph. 4:12). This means that we should "practice what we preach". Children learn this from a very young age, in kindergarten they have "show and tell" times. Good biblical teaching should follow this simple principle. Role modelling is also an important part of this. Mature Christians should set an example to new Christians, both in their understanding of the Word and their practice of the principles and commands of the Word.

Practices

1) Workshop type learning, where people have the opportunity to learn sound biblical truths as well as the "practice" of these truths. John Wimber calls this "doin' the stuff". This sort of learning goes beyond theory and gives a more tangible means of learning. eg. We learn about biblical healing, then we spend time praying for the sick.

2) Devotional use of Scripture as part of our everyday life.

3) Bible study in small groups allows an intimacy that is beneficial to learning, asking questions and interacting with others.

4) Scripture is the basis for being guided by God, it is the measuring stick for prophecy, and itself a source of spiritual guidance.

5) Open sharing of Scripture in corporate meetings at times of "body ministry".

6) We seek to make use of Biblical teaching in counselling.

Summary

The value of Scripture can and should be used as part of our lifestyle. In order to use it, we have a need to read it and inquire of it.