The Bible - The Word of God?

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“The Holy Scriptures are the inspired Word of God, the faithful testimony of the Gospel, and the true and accurate reproduction of God's revelation to man. In this respect, the Holy Scriptures are infallible and fundamental for the Church in all doctrinal and life questions ”(2. Timothy 3,15-17; 2. Petrus 1,20-21; John 17,17).

The author of Hebrews says the following about the way God has spoken through the centuries of human existence: “After God had spoken to the fathers to the prophets many times and in many ways in the past, he has spoken to us in these last days through the Son" (Hebrews 1,1-2).

The Old Testament

The concept of "many and in many ways" is important. The written word was not always available, and from time to time God revealed His thoughts to patriarchs like Abraham, Noah, etc. through miraculous events 1. The Book of Moses revealed many of these early encounters between God and man. As time went on, God used various methods to get man's attention (like the burning bush in 2. Mose 3,2), and he sent messengers like Moses, Joshua, Debora etc. to give his word to the people.

It seems that with the development of Scripture, God began to use this medium to keep his message to us for posterity. He inspired prophets and teachers to record what he wanted to tell humanity.

Unlike much of the scriptures of other popular religions, the collection of books called the "Old Testament," which consists of the writings before the birth of Christ, consistently claims to be the Word of God. Jeremiah 1,9; amos 1,3.6.9; 11 and 13; Micha 1,1 and many other passages indicate that the prophets understood their recorded messages as if God Himself were speaking. In this way, "men moved by the Holy Spirit have spoken in the name of God" (2. Petrus 1,21). Paul refers to the Old Testament as "the scriptures" which are "given [inspired] of God" (2. Timothy 3,15-16). 

The new Testament

This concept of inspiration is taken up by the New Testament writers. The New Testament is a collection of writings that claimed authority as Scripture primarily through association with those recognized as apostles before [the time of] Acts 15. Note that the apostle Peter classified Paul's epistles, which were written "according to the wisdom which was given unto him," among "the other [holy] scriptures (2. Petrus 3,15-16). After the death of these early apostles, no book was written that was later accepted as part of what we now call the Bible.

The apostles like John and Peter who went about with Christ recorded the high points of Jesus' ministry and teaching for us (1. John 1,1-4; John 21,24.25). They "had seen his glory themselves" and "had the prophecy all the more firmly" and "made known to us the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2. Petrus 1,16-19). Luke, a physician and also considered a historian, collected stories from "eyewitnesses and ministers of the word" and wrote an "ordered record" so that we might "know the sure ground of the doctrine in which we were taught" (Luke 1,1-4).

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would remind the apostles of the things he said (John 1 Cor4,26). Just as he inspired the writers of the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit would inspire the apostles to write their books and scriptures for us, and he would guide them in all truth5,26; 16,13). We see the scriptures as a faithful testimony to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Holy Scripture is the inspired word of God

Hence, the biblical claim that Scripture is the inspired word of God is a truthful and accurate record of God's revelation to mankind. She speaks with God's authority. We can see that the Bible is divided into two parts: the Old Testament, which, as the Letter to the Hebrews says, shows what God spoke through the prophets; and also the New Testament, which is again referring to Hebrews 1,1-2 reveals what God has spoken to us through the Son (through the apostolic writings). Therefore, according to the words of Scripture, the members of God's household are "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus himself as the cornerstone" (Ephesians 2,19-20).

What is the value of Scripture for the believer?

Scripture leads us to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Both the Old and New Testaments describe the value of Scripture to the believer. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" proclaims the Psalmist (Psalm 119,105). But which way does the word point us? This is taken up by Paul when he writes to Timothy the evangelist. Let's pay close attention to what he's in 2. Timothy 3,15 (reproduced in three different Bible translations) says:

  • "...know the [holy] Scriptures, which can teach you to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (Luther 1984).
  • "... know the Holy Scriptures, which can make you wise to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (Schlachter translation).
  • “You have also been familiar with the Holy Scriptures since early childhood. It shows you the only way to salvation, which is faith in Jesus Christ" (hope for all).

This key passage emphasizes that Scripture leads us to salvation through faith in Christ. Jesus himself declared that the Scriptures testified of him. He said that "everything must be fulfilled that is written of me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms" (Luke 2 Cor4,44). These scriptures referred to Christ as the Messiah. In the same chapter, Luke records that Jesus met two disciples while they were hiking to a village called Emmaus, and "beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them what was said about him in all the Scriptures" (Luke 24,27).

In another passage, when persecuted by the Jews who thought that observing the law was the way to eternal life, he corrected them by saying, "You search the Scriptures, for you think you have it eternal life in it; and it is she that testifies of me; but you would not come to me that you might have life" (John 5,39-40).

Scripture sanctifies and equips us too

Scripture guides us to salvation in Christ, and by the work of the Holy Spirit we are sanctified through the scriptures (John 17,17). Living according to the truth of Scripture sets us apart.
Paul explains in 2. Timothy 3,16-17 next:

"For all Scripture, inspired by God, is useful for teaching, for correction, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, fit for every good work."

The scriptures, which point us to Christ for salvation, also teach us the teachings of Christ so that we can grow in His image. 2. John 9 declares that "whoever goes beyond and abides not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God," and Paul insists that we assent to the "sound words" of Jesus Christ (1. Timothy 6,3). Jesus affirmed that believers who obey his words are like wise people who build their houses on a rock (Matthew 7,24).

Therefore Scripture not only wisely makes us salvation, but leads the believer to spiritual maturity and equips him / her for the work of the Gospel. The Bible makes no empty promises in all these things. The Scriptures are infallible and the foundation of the Church in all matters of doctrine and divine life.

The study of the Bible - a Christian discipline

Studying the Bible is a fundamental Christian discipline well presented in the New Testament accounts. The righteous Bereans "receptively received the word, and searched the Scriptures daily to see if it were so" to confirm their faith in Christ (Acts 1 Cor7,11). Queen Kandake's eunuch of Ethiopia was reading the book of Isaiah when Philip was preaching Jesus to him (Acts 8,26-39). Timothy, who knew the Scriptures from childhood through the faith of his mother and grandmother (2. Timothy 1,5; 3,15), was reminded by Paul to properly distribute the word of truth (2. Timothy 2,15), and "to preach the word" (2. Timothy 4,2).

The epistle of Titus directs that every elder "keep the word of truth which is certain" (Titus 1,9). Paul reminds the Romans that "through patience and the comfort of the Scriptures we have hope" (Romans 1 Cor5,4).

The Bible also warns us not to rely on our own interpretation of biblical passages (2. Petrus 1,20) to twist the scriptures to our own damnation (2. Petrus 3,16), and engaging in debates and struggles over the meaning of words and gender registers (Titus 3,9; 2. Timothy 2,14.23). The word of God is not bound by our preconceived notions and manipulations (2. Timothy 2,9), rather, it is "living and vigorous" and "is a judge of the thoughts and senses of the heart" (Hebrews 4,12).

Conclusion

The Bible is relevant to the Christian because. , ,

  • she is the inspired Word of God.
  • it leads believers to salvation through faith in Christ.
  • it sanctifies the faithful through the work of the Holy Spirit.
  • it leads the believers to spiritual maturity.
  • they prepare the faithful for the work of the gospel.

James Henderson