The Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God, the repository of His plan of salvation and the record of His participation in history. The Bible is God's revelation of knowledge that man cannot discover for himself. It is the foundation of knowledge and the guidebook to life. The Old and New Testament comprise God's written Word, which forms the basis of Christianity.
The Bible is God's written revelation to mankind. It contains God's instructions to man and the record of God's interaction with mankind. The Bible provides the answers to mankind's fundamental questions of life. It is the revelation of an omniscient, omnipotent and loving God; it reveals who God is, and what His plan and purpose for human beings is.
The Bible exists to provide man with essential knowledge, which he could not learn apart from divine revelation. Thus, the Bible includes the fundamental principles of how man should live, how he should govern his own life to generate success and happiness, and how to work with his fellow man to achieve peace and harmony. But at its foundational core, the Bible provides the indispensable knowledge of how man may gain salvation and eternal life, knowledge that he is incapable of discovering for himself (I Cor. 2:7-11). As the repository of this vital information, the Bible is God's basic handbook for mankind.
The Church of God believes the Bible to be divinely inspired (II Tim. 3:16), the revelation of the missing dimension in man's knowledge, by the Supreme Authority of the universe. The Church regards the Holy Bible as the receptacle of God's essential theological knowledge, basic, accurate, and complete in its original form. Whatever shortcomings therefore may be present in contemporary biblical TRANSLATIONS because of human instruments all together have not substantially concealed the intent nor overshadowed the direct inspiration of the basic biblical message as we have it today.
Jesus' reference to "the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms" [or writings] gives credence to the Old Testament]. The New Testament gives credibility to the Old Testament. Christ himself says the Old Testament is inspired. The Old Testament was the written authority quoted by the New Testament writers. The Old Testament was the foundation of the Theology taught in New Testament times. Much of the New Testament quotes or paraphrases the Old Testament. Read the following scriptures in your own Bible. (Matt 16:14 , Luke 3:4, Luke 11:29 ,Luke 24:44, John 12:38, Acts 2:16, Acts 8:30, Acts 15:15-17, 21, Acts 24:14, Acts 26:22, Acts 28:23-25, Ro1:2)
The New Testament rests on the foundation of the Old Testament. The two parts of God’s word fit together. The New Testament expands and clarifies certain newer applications of the Old Testament (IITim 1:5, 2:15) such as circumcision of adult gentiles. See Acts 15.
Essential to the teaching of the Church is the fact that the Bible can be proved to be the written Word of God. Note some scientific proof in the book of Isaiah. Isaiah thousands of years before modern telescopes knew that the world was round (Isa. 40:22). Job also knew that our earth was suspended on nothing (Job 26:7).
It was thousands of years until science learned that the world was not flat and floating on nothing in outer space. Bible writers could not have known these facts apart from the inspiration of the creator God. The Bible was clearly correct when mankind was wrong. Further note the historical accuracy of Daniel 11 centuries ahead of the events. Commentaries are amazed at the accuracy and details revealed about the Greek Empire 331-146 B.C. several centuries before the events. Daniel also predicted the coming united European Empire of the end time thousands of years in advance. This will be the last revival of the Holy Roman Empire. The prediction of a uniting of Europe in the end time is amazing. European nations have been fighting among each other for many centuries.
The foremost proof that God's Word is precisely what it claims to be is that it works in one's life. The proof of obedience is the Bible's best stamp of divine authorship. Adherence to its principles, laws and concepts bring about success and happiness in one's own life, which is ultimately the most critical ratification of its divine inspiration. Only one who sincerely seeks to apply the biblical way to his own life will eventually learn that the practical instructions, timeless wisdom, spiritual depth and living laws come from a Supreme Being, and not merely from fallible, mortal men. Once a person has accepted the concept of the Bible containing the inspired word of God, he is able, by appreciating the intricate yet harmonious interaction of all parts of the Bible, to conclude in faith that the whole Bible, all scripture, is precisely what it claims to be—"inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (II Tim. 3:16).
The Bible does not claim to be a textbook of comprehensive world history, science and technology, medicine or any other non-theological discipline. Nonetheless, the Bible is the Word of God, and as such, is the foundation of all knowledge, as well as being the storehouse of salvation.
Fulfilled prophecy is likewise an important aspect of God's Holy Word. Only God can predict and bring to pass events of the future (Isa. 41:21-24). Only the Creator God could predict the name and actions of Cyrus long before his birth (Is. 45:1). Only He could tell the intricate and accurate events outlined in Daniel 11 or foretell in detail about the coming of His Son as Savior of the world (Isa. 9:53, and many other scriptures). Many of the details of Christ life and death were written by Old Testament prophets many centuries in advance. The Bible is the most esteemed book in the world and challenges all mankind by its claims of purity (Ps. 12:6; Prov. 30:5), scope and completeness (Rev. 22:18-19). The challenges of the God of the Bible (Is. 41:21-23) are powerful and direct. Its prophecies for the future return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the world-ruling Kingdom of God are straightforward and unmistakable.
The Bible is also great literature, with many literary forms and devices—poetry, prose, allegory, epic, parable, history, even humor. It is often open and frank, and yet at other times it is discreet and obscure. The Bible exposes the weaknesses of its heroes, but calls them the friends of God. It shows the glory and power of the Creator through His many miracles but it shows Him to be intimately concerned with the smallest details of human lives.
The Bible not only shows the common heritage of human nature, but enables us to understand the process whereby we may overcome the destructive elements within us and attain our God-given potential. The Bible is many books yet one. This remarkable unity of design is one of the unique characteristics of the Bible.
The authors of the various biblical books came from differing backgrounds, lived in disparate environments and were diverse in their personalities, education and professions. They wrote in different styles, from different standpoints, to different audiences and at different times. Yet the continuing themes God inspired are the same. God used all their various and contrasting perspectives to shape and to emphasize the same basic truth. From Genesis to Revelation we read of the same God, the same massive plan being unfolded and developed, with each book augmenting, supporting and complementing that which has gone before. This unitary focus is due to the God who initiated, organized and inspired the entire Holy Scriptures. Although many different men played their part as they were moved by His Spirit (II Pet. 1:20), the Bible is in reality God's Word and not man's.
Dozens of writers spanning a period of over 1500 years from Moses to John of such dissimilar traits and characteristics could never have achieved that unity as a result of human effort alone. Yet the unity is there, not as the product of numerous human minds, but of one mind—the mind of God—interacting with, and directing, the grand sweep of biblical authors in many unlikely forms, but always in such a way that their own personal emotions, feelings, personality and individual writing styles were employed. God inspired the message, but it was conveyed through language and vocabulary that was peculiar and natural to each man. The Bible is thus a human vehicle through which God has chosen to convey His revelation to mankind. Seldom can one biblical teaching be fully understood in isolation. It is “here a little and their a little.” Read Isa 28:9-10. There is an essential interdependence between nearly all biblical doctrines. Each must be understood in light of all the other parts of the Bible.
One of the ways to begin to comprehend the unifying flow of the whole Bible is to follow its primary themes all the way through. Of all these, surely the most consistent, decisive and relevant is Jesus Christ. He, in essence, is the focal point of the entire Bible. He is the personality around whom everything revolves. Jesus Christ was the Creator of all things (Col. 1:16); the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the Rock of Israel as Messiah (Is. 9:53) and Lawgiver (Isa. 33:22), and exemplified throughout the New Testament as Savior and King. He is the Redeemer of all mankind, the supreme Lawgiver and consummate Teacher. He was the firstborn from the dead and is the Captain of our salvation, our constant intercessor and merciful High Priest. Jesus Christ is now the active head of God's Church and is prophesied throughout the entire Bible to return to earth as King of kings and Lord of lords to set up the Kingdom of God for all eternity.
Perhaps one of the most basic statements of how God has revealed Himself to man is found in Hebrews 1:1-2: "In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days He has spoken to us by a Son." Jesus Christ, the divine Son, was Himself in the flesh when He gave many of His teachings; furthermore, those teachings were not written down by Him but by His human followers.
God has deliberately hidden much of His important truth from mankind so that the full progression, and eventually resolution, of human history would proceed according to God's timetable. As a result it is not man's fault that he doesn't understand the Bible. Even the prophets of old didn't always grasp the meaning of their own biblical statements (e.g. Dan. 12:8); and they surely didn't comprehend the fullness of the mystery of the purpose of human life (Matt. 13:17; Eph.3:4-5). Jesus Himself spoke in parables so that the common people would not understand what He was saying (Matt. 13:10-11); He was teaching His disciples not the masses (v. 10-1 7), since God's plan did not yet call for the vast majority of people to be called and converted.
The truth of God is now open to the masses. However God must open a person's mind in order for him or her to understand the fullness of His truth. It is, of course, possible for human beings to learn many aspects of the Bible on their own, utilizing the mechanisms of intellect and the tools of scholarship. Yet God has so designed the Bible and the human mind that even with the most intense effort men cannot fully grasp the profound spiritual depth of the scriptures without the active involvement of the Spirit of God. We should pray and ask God to open our minds and hearts to his truth. The mind of man cannot understand the things of God—the mysteries of God—without the supernatural help from the Spirit of God (I Cor. 2:7-11). The understanding of the Bible requires the direct intervention and action of the Holy Spirit "bearing witness with our spirit" (Rom. 8:16), thereby effecting a change in the mind of the individual. Only God can make this decision to open our minds through His Spirit. It makes no difference how vehemently a human being desires to understand the Bible, nor how hard he studies it. Though such study will produce much knowledge, this knowledge will remain physically oriented and bound, forever missing the vital key of spiritual enlightenment; Paul wrote, "So it depends not upon man's will or exertion, but upon God's mercy" (Rom. 9:16); so it is with true deep biblical understanding.
In summary, Christians should study the Bible diligently, respect it as the Word of God and seek its guidance through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. (Jn. 14:26; 16:13). In order to become like God, we must seek to understand the Bible, which is the clearest expression of the mind of God.
PLEASE READ THESE SCRIPTURES IN YOUR OWN BIBLE.
- ...The Bible is the inspired book of our maker. Please read IITim 3:16-17 & IIPet 1:20-21.
- ...God must open our minds so we can understand the Bible. We must have help from the Holy Spirit to understand the Bible. Please read I Cor 2:7-11, 14.
- ... The historical accuracy of Daniel chapter 11 proves the inspiration of the Bible.
- ...Job 26:7 and Isa 40:22 prove scientifically the inspiration of the Bible. How could these men have known these scientific truths before telescopes? Please read these verses.
- ...The New Testament uses the Old Testament as authority sources in many verses. Please read Math 24:15 & Acts 2:16 & Acts 13:40-41 & Mic1:5.
Please answer the following questions before proceeding to Lesson Three.
- IS THE BIBLE GOD’S INSTRUCTION BOOK FOR MANKIND FROM HIS CREATOR? YES OR NO (YES)
- DOES THE BIBLE PROVIDE MAN WITH ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE THAT HE COULD NOT LEARN APART FROM DIVINE REVELATION? YES OR NO (YES)
- CHAPTER IN DANIEL MOST CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE ACCURACY HISTORICALLY OF BIBLE PREDICTIONS? (DAN 11)
- DOES THE BIBLE CONTAIN ACCURATE SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION AT A TIME WHEN THE WORLD WAS UTTERLY IGNORANT OF SUCH INFORMATION? YES OR NO (YES)
- DOES THE NEW TESTAMENT QUOTE THE OLD TESTAMENT AS A SOURCE OF AUTHORITY AND AS A FOUNDATION? YES OR NO (YES)
- A BIBLE DOCTRINE CAN EASILY BE FULLY UNDERSTOOD IN ISOLATION FROM THE REST OF THE BIBLE? TRUE OR FALSE (FALSE)
