Why the Bible?
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If you wanted many people to know you, not only in the present but far into the future, how would you go about it? You could speak to as many people as possible, but would they tell others and would they get everything right? You could post a lot on Facebook, but how many would just scroll by without reading it? If you have a lot of money maybe you’d film your life story and buy air time on TV to show it, but even for those people who watch it how long would they remember it, and how often would it need to be replayed?
Why do we have the Bible?
Why do we have the Bible?
God desires to be known by all people, and has acted to be revealed to us in a number of ways. We can know some things simply through creation: that God exists, that God is powerful, and some other things about God’s nature, but this knowledge is quite limited. God is also revealed through His actions, but these usually require interpretation in order to be understood.
We also believe that God has spoken to many people, and communicated through dreams, visions, and activity in this world. Ultimately, we believe that God is most fully revealed in and through Jesus Christ. God ensured that all the information about these things would be recorded and preserved by having them written down in what we call the Bible, our Scripture. Paul sums up the reason for and role of Scripture in our reading for today:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
All Scripture
All Scripture
Not parts – can’t pick and choose what we like
God-breathed
God-breathed
The Bible is unique in that it claims to be not just inspiring, like great writings, but inspired.
God-breathed – inspired, the product of the creative breath of God
and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus—
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Written down by humans, each with their own individual styles, personalities, purposes
Written down by humans, each with their own individual styles, personalities, purposes
Used by God, through the Holy Spirit to write down exactly what God wanted said
Why the Bible and not some other writing?
Why the Bible and not some other writing?
Of course, any book can claim to be inspired. Why do we believe the Bible is?
Single thread running throughout – although written by over 40 people, from different backgrounds, , over 1400 years, in 3 languages, from beginning to end, there’s one unfolding story of God’s plan of salvation.
Fulfilled prophecy
Other religions have sacred books. Not one of them contains any predictions concerning the future. There were more than 300 prophecies concerning Jesus Christ’s first coming
Archaeological confirmation
So far, the findings of archaeology have verified, and in no case disputed, historical points of the biblical record.
Truthful portrayals
Sins of great heroes recorded, disciples misunderstandings and lack of faith
Jesus’ testimony
He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,
Jesus speaks of David writing “inspired by the Spirit”
, Jesus speaks of David writing “inspired by the Spirit”
Purpose of the Bible
Purpose of the Bible
Useful
God gave us the Scripture as a way for all generations to have knowledge of God, who God is and what God wants of us, faithfully handed down.
The Scripture is the standard for faith and practice
It teaches - instructing believers in God’s truths
Rebukes – pointing out what is wrong
Corrects – telling what is right
Trains - guiding new believers in God’s ways
Points to Jesus
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,
ou diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,