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| Volume 17 Number 1 January 2015 | Page 8 |
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| Volume 17 Number 1 January 2015 | Page 8 |
Mark N. Posey
The origin, accuracy and inerrancy of the Bible must be established before it can benefit the soul. Once established as a Divine message, then the soul can be addressed. Thus, how do we know and on what basis do we say that the Bible is the Word of God? The reasons are important and as follows.
First, the Old Testament writers affirmed that they were speaking the Word of God and not the words of men. The phrase “Thus says the Lord” or an equivalent is found more than 2,000 times in the Old Testament (cf. 2 Samuel 23:1-3; Isaiah 8:1, 11; Jeremiah 1:9; 5:14; 7:27; 13:12; Ezekiel 3:4; Micah 5:10; Habakkuk 2:2; etc.). Consequently, the Old Testament speaks from the perspective of divine inspiration. Should we do any less?
Secondly, the apostles regarded the whole of Scripture as the infallible Word of God (1 Corinthians 14:37; Galatians 1:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21). Notice the word “all” in 2 Timothy 3:16. Second Peter 1:20-21 informs us that the Holy Spirit did not provide an imperfect revelation!
In the third place, Jesus without reservation endorsed the Scriptures as the inspired Word of God (Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; 12:48). Jesus taught that the whole of Scripture is inspired.
Fourthly, fulfilled predictive prophecy unmistakably demonstrates the authoritativeness of Scripture (Deuteronomy 28:37, 63-65; Isaiah 13:19-22; Jeremiah 46:19-20; 51:37; Ezekiel 29:15; 30:6; Nahum 3:1, 4-6; Zephaniah 2:13-14; Luke 21:24). Fulfilled prophecy is evidence that God is the Author of the Bible.
Fifthly, biblical archaeology confirms the accuracy of Scripture. From the discovery of the Cyrus Cylinder in 1879, to the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947, to the Pool of Siloam in 2004, archaeology has provided an independent witness to the truth of God’s Word.
The pragmatic test shows the Bible to be the Word of God (i.e., it performs what it promises). The principles and precepts of God’s Word work in actual human experience in response to faith. Paul characterized the transformed life of a sinner as one that “proves” the will of God for others to see (Romans 12:2). Therefore, it can and must be said, “It works!” (cf. Psalm 34:8; John 7:17).
The Wonderful Word of God
Mark N. Posey
The Bible is an amazing book, a living book. It provides information that can be found in no other book. President Ronald Reagan pointed to that Amazing Book and said, “Indeed, it is an indisputable fact that all the complex and horrendous questions confronting us at home and worldwide have their answer in that single book.” Newsweek magazine (Dec. 27, 1982) on its cover wrote about that Amazing Book, “How one book unites us, divides us, and still defines us.” The Bible: Learn it, live it and love it!
The Nature of the Bible
(2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:9-11; 1 Peter 1:20-21)
The attributes that make the Bible a unique book include its Author, authority, accuracy, adequacy, appeal and agenda. It contains the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as given through prophets of God, and it can help us become like God to the extent we believe, love, obey and follow its teachings. The Scriptures are sufficient to inform the ignorant, to confute the erroneous, to reform the wicked and to guide and direct, support and comfort the godly.
The Need for the Bible
(1 Peter 1:23-25; James 1:18; John 5:24)
The Bible addresses all the needs of the human being. It is essential for life, likeness, liberty, light and labor. It is the single most important book ever written.
The Nourishment from the Bible (1 Peter 2:2)
The Bible reveals and regulates the development God planned, the diet God provided, the disposition God prescribed and the diadem God promised. Read Matthew 4:4; when Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, He showed that every word that proceeds from the mouth of God should be more precious to us than food itself. Go to the Bible for your protection, correction and direction.
The Neglect of the Bible (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)
Neglect of the Bible leads to dullness, drifting, disobedience, despising, denouncing and departing from the Lord. Unfortunately, many do not study for themselves as the Bereans did, who “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11; cf. 1 John 4:1-2).
Conclusion
Christians must peruse, ponder and pray over the Scriptures. This takes time, thought, toil and tenacity. We need to pray, “Father help me hear, heed, hold, honor and herald the Word of God.” The Bible is relevant because it is revealed. It is always a return to reality. AMEN!