We understand that God revealed himself to men progressively, that is, he made himself known; He made known his character, his nature, his plans and purposes to humanity in a dosed, gradual way, culminating this revelation in “The Incarnation”. He became a man so that we would know him; the record of this entire process of God revealing to us is found, to our blessing, written in the Bible.

The reason why we understand that: the New Testament is interpreted historically in the light of the Old Testament, but the Old Testament is interpreted theologically in the light of the New. The revelation contained in the New Testament is superior and that is the reason why our faith and our standard for living the Christian life are largely based on the New Testament. (2 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1: 1-3, 4:12; 1 Peter 1: 19-21).

Now, some of the practical implications of this principle are the following:

THE IDEAL OF A CHURCH

The ideal of a Baptist Church is to be the New Testament. Traditions and customs, old or new, are of secondary importance. The national culture or regional elements of the place where a church is located are not superior to the teachings of the New Testament.

Reflecting on strategies, styles, tools, and customs in order to adjust more and more to the New Testament is a demand that for the Church must be systematic.

THE BIBLE PREACHING.

This principle urges us to share the Bible on all levels. To preachers, this principle demands expository preaching (preaching that emanates from a serious and deep study of the Bible). The moralistic, philosophical, psychological, and scientific preaching surrounding the extraordinary message of the scriptures are outside the expectations that this principle presents us with.

HERMENEUTICAL TRAINING FOR THE LAITY

This principle demands that the teaching of the tools for the study and effective application of scripture be carried to the general members of the church so that the convictions of the believers are not only the submissive acceptance of the convictions of a leader, but that become convictions emanating from personal study.

This could be the best way to unite in principles and doctrines because, by studying the Bible effectively, we would come to the same conclusions.