Text Proofing
In the practice of text proofing, I look for a thread of the idea I think I am seeing in other places of Scripture. Scripture will always support itself.
For Instance, the idea of grace and righteousness by faith has a thread throughout Scripture. When Paul brings this idea forward in his letters to the churches and speaks of hidden mysteries, he is not saying it was absent from the pages of Scripture to start with. He is saying it was there all the time, but many were blinded to its existence.
The concept of grace and righteousness by faith is not a recent revelation. Its presence can be traced all the way back to Abram, and some might argue, even to Noah. Noah found favor with God, took God at His word about the coming judgment, and made preparations. Abram was counted righteous because he simply took God at His word about his descendants and future heir. Even King David, despite his mishaps, was favored by God because He believed God and took Him at His word. This evidence of grace and righteousness by faith is not confined to the New Testament but is present throughout Scripture, both Old and New Testaments.
Paul, as an apostle, used this principle of text proofing when all he had to call Scripture was the Old Testament Scriptures.
Here’s something to consider: Abram was made righteous by believing God about something that had nothing to do with Jesus and His sacrifice. It simply involved believing in the promise God made to him.
Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” 2 But Abram said, “Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!” 4 And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” 5 Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6 And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
This interpretation of the truth of grace and righteousness by faith has a thread of appearance in the New Testament Scriptures.
Romans 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
Galatians 3:6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
James 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
God has spoken clearly throughout human history. He has even moved men to write down what He spoke. There is a clear record of His consistency in communication, revealing His intentions and promises. What the apostles preached was not a brand-new concept from God’s point of view. Jesus, Peter, Paul, and others used text proofing when they preached the good news and demonstrated how it was God’s plan from the beginning. If it cannot be text-proofed by the Scriptures, it shouldn’t be preached. The true gospel is text-proven!
