What is, "The Bible" ?
The Bible is the greatest book ever written. In it God Himself speaks to men. It is the Book of divine Instruction. It offers comfort in sorrow, guidance in perplexity, advice for our problems, rebuke for our sins, and daily inspiration for our every need.
The Bible is an entire library of books covering the whole range of literature that is divinely inspired from the mind of God. It includes history, poetry, drama, biography, prophecy, philosophy, science, and inspirational reading. The Bible has been translated into over 2000 languages.
The Bible alone truly answers the greatest questions that men of all ages have asked: “Where have I come from?” “Where am I going?” “Why am I here?” “How can I know the truth?” For the Bible reveals the truth about God, explains the origin of man, points out the only way to salvation and eternal life, and explains the age-old problem of sin and suffering.
The great theme of the Bible is the Lord Jesus Christ and His work of redemption for mankind. The person and work of Jesus Christ are promised, prophesized, and pictured in the types and symbols of the Old Testament. In all His truth and beauty the Lord Jesus Christ is revealed in the Gospels; and the full meanings of His life, His death, and His resurrection are explained in the Epistles. His glorious coming again to earth in the future is unmistakably foretold in the book of the Revelation. The great purpose of the written Word of God, the Bible, is to reveal the living Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
1.The Bible discovers sin and convicts us.
2. The Bible helps cleanse us from the pollutions of sin.
3. The Bible imparts strength; in a similar way one does physical exercise for the body, instead providing spiritual strength, spiritual wisdom and power over sin.
4. The Bible instructs us in what we are to do.
5. The Bible provides us with a sword for the path to have victory over sin and acquire eternal life through Jesus Christ.
6. The Bible makes our lives fruitful and provides food for wisdom and knowledge to continue in that maturity. The Bible gives us power to pray and hope to delivery us in our prayer.
You do not need a whole library of books to study the Bible. The Bible is its own best commentator and interpreter. The Bible provides a whole lifetime of Bible study.
The Bible is not an end in itself, but is a means to the end of knowing God and doing His will. Paul said, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” ( 2 Tim 2:15).
God has given us the Bible in order that we might know Him and that we might do His will here on earth.
In conclusion:
“We also have the prophetic word made more sure , which you do well to heed as a light shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
(2 Peter 1:19-21).
And finally:
“ 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work”. ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
