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Holy Book |
Dear Brethren,
Is the Bible the inspired
Word of God?
Can we believe the internal evidence and the mind-boggling
claims made within the Holy Bible? Is it possible to prove that
the Bible is indeed the very Word of God? The purpose of the
Bible is to reveal the Divine authority of God over mankind and
to make known His universal plan of salvation, and how it is
being achieved. The Bible reveals that Jesus Christ will soon
return to establish the Kingdom of God on this earth.
Only the Bible claims to be the Word of God. Holy Scripture is
God's direct revelation containing His complete will for man.
God, through His Holy Spirit, inspired it. Knowing this
first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation. Prophecy came not in old time by the will of
man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy
Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20-21) Therefore, the Bible is God’s
Word. Both Old and New Testaments are perfect and complete as
given by God in their original form. The true inspiration of the
Bible is Jesus Christ.
God’s Word, then, is the supreme authority in our lives, and is
entirely sufficient for salvation. The Bible is the basis of
all Godly knowledge and the source of Truth. All teaching
contrary to the intent and wisdom of the Holy Bible is a false
practice.
We go to the Holy Scriptures for inspiration because the Bible
is God’s inspired word - the unique revelation from God to
mankind. All Scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of
God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The Bible, for our time, is complete. However, God may choose
to add to it when the Kingdom of God is established at the
beginning of the millennium. The Book of Acts has no closure,
and may be enlarged, as Church history is not yet complete.
The Bible reveals the purpose for man’s existence. It is to
ultimately be like God in the Family of God! The Bible is our
only authority for God’s doctrine. Holy Scripture makes known
the complete revelation of God’s purpose and plan for us.
The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to
every one that believeth.” (Romans 1:16) It is
written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that proceeds out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4,
Deuteronomy 8:3)
At one time, the Ambassador College motto engraved in a stone
plaque in the Loma D. Armstrong Ambassador Hall read, The
Word of God Is the Foundation of Knowledge.” Without
the written Bible, men would have no sure knowledge of the
Creator God, of His Son, Jesus Christ, of His ultimate plan for
mankind, nor any spiritual wisdom.
The Bible is our Creator’s instruction manual for His creation.
Let’s understand that the Bible is the very source of man’s
foundational principles. Without Scripture, we would know
nothing of salvation, eternal life, or the spirit world. We
would not know about angels or the Kingdom of God. That
information cannot be perceived by our five senses, nor derived
from any other source. Receive with meekness the engrafted
Word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21)
The Bible provides vital answers to the big questions in our
lives that experts and universities cannot answer, and predicts
world events in the immediate future leading up to Christ’s
return. God’s prophecies are always fulfilled because He alone
has the power to bring them about! Fulfilled prophecy is a
proof of the Bible.
The Bible contains literally hundreds of fulfilled prophecies
about Jesus Christ - born of a virgin in Bethlehem, raised in
Nazareth, crucified, buried and resurrected after three days and
three nights in the grave. They pierced my hands and my
feet.” (Psalms 22:16) Declaring the end from the
beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet
done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my
pleasure.” (Isaiah 46:10)
The Bible is absolutely true. It contains the history of the
world – written in advance and preserved over the many
centuries. Archeology has never been able to disprove any
Scripture, nor will it. Some skeptics ask, How can the
Scriptures be true when so many modern nations are not mentioned
by name?” The answer is that foreign nations are mentioned only
in as much as they come into contact with Abraham and his
family, Israel.
Jesus said, This day is salvation come to this house, for
so much as he also is a son of Abraham.” (Luke 19:9)
God’s people, Israel, are central to the purpose of His plan of
salvation for all mankind. Jesus Christ inspired the prophets
of old, and He made Himself known to Israel. Ancient Israel
received God’s law, but not His Holy Spirit. The Church of God
is spiritual Israel. (Galatians 6:16)
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in
time past unto the fathers by the prophets. Has in these last
days spoken unto us by His Son [Jesus].” (Hebrews 1:1-2)
The true author of the Bible is Jesus Christ. …The Spirit
of Christ which was in [the prophets] did signify, when it
testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ.” (1Peter
1:11)
It is possible to prove for ourselves that the Bible is the Word
of God by obeying its teachings and principles. As Jesus said
in Luke 11:28, Blessed are they that hear the Word of God,
and keep it.” Study God’s Word and you will come, not only
to believe it, but also to love it! The world sees and hears
without understanding because it is necessary to have God’s
Spirit open our minds to His understanding. The natural
man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned.” (1Corinthians 2:14)
Those Christians who routinely make the Scriptures a part of
their lives have learned that the Bible is the Living
Word of God, in that the more we practice grace and
knowledge, the more God’s character is revealed to us each time
we study into His Word. When individuals have made the Bible’s
teachings a part of their lives – then they learn that the Holy
Scriptures are, most assuredly, the Word of God.
Where do we go for the knowledge of the Truth of God? Only the
Bible has the answers. Heaven and earth shall pass away,
but My Words shall not pass away.”
(Matthew 24:35) Set them [Christians] apart through thy
truth: Thy Word is Truth.” (John 17:17,
Psalm 119:160) The whole Bible fits together perfectly, without
contradiction, though it was written and compiled by multiple
authors over many centuries. … The Word of God came, and
the scripture cannot be broken.” (John 10:35)
Yes, the Bible can be proven to be the Word of God! But there
is only one sure-fire way to prove it – you must live it!
Put the Holy Bible to the test by establishing its complete
veracity for yourself. God’s Word will change your life.
The Word of God is quick, and powerful, and
sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing
asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is
a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
(Hebrews 4:12) Jesus said, Yes, rather, blessed are they
that hear the Word of God, and keep it.”
(Luke 11:28) If you know these things, happy are you if
you do them.” (John 13:17)
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Sermon: |
"Holy Book" |
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Sermon: |
"Proof of the Bible" |
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Sermon: |
"The Word of God" |
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