 |
The Word of God |
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. It reveals that Jesus Christ will soon return to
establish the Kingdom of God on this earth.
The Bible reveals the purpose for man’s existence – to ultimately be like God,
in the Family of God! The Bible is our only authority for God’s doctrine.
The Holy Scriptures make 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)
The Ambassador College motto engraved in a stone plaque in the Loma D. Armstrong Ambassador
Hall reads, “The Word of God Is the Foundation of Knowledge.” Without the
written Bible, men would have no sure knowledge of the Creator God.
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 the Scriptures 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)
“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.” (2Peter 1:21) “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 for us 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)
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.” (2Timothy 3:16-17)
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)
***
Sermon: "The Word of God"
|
