"The Bible Is the Word of God" – Basic Building Block #3

Date: Feb 03, 2009    Posted By: Rick Warzywak
www.muiczone.com

THE BIBLE IS THE  WORD OF GOD!

 

Observation: The Bible is the Word of God, and it is called the bread of life. Just as our physical bodies need sustenance from food, our spiritual man is strengthened through the Word. Our faith increases because of it. It is literally God's message of hope through a love letter to mankind.
 


Point to Ponder: "If you deny man food, he will gobble poison." ? CS Lewis
 


Scripture Study Reference #1

"But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 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 3:14-17)."
 


"But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding (Job 32:8)."
 


"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 1:21)."
 


Key Application Point:  All scripture is inspired by God!


    If the Bible is God's message to mankind, why aren?t more people interested in it? Why do people so callously let the Word of God stay on shelves collecting dust in their homes? Most certainly one of the answers would be that people don't believe it is the Word of God, nor inspired by Him. Many believe it is a book written by men that has contradictions and mistakes in it. Later on in this publication we will prove that is not the case. We will provide historical, mathematical, archaeological, scientific, and various other empirical proofs, answers to various supposed contradictions, and a perfect moral code that will undeniably show that the Bible is the Word of God.
 


    If God is all powerful, He certainly could make us a grease spot on the ground where we are standing. Why then is it so hard to believe He could not preserve a work throughout the ages that would be a representation of His will to mankind? If God is all powerful, why couldn't He inspire somebody to write what He wanted them to write? God has inspired many individual, for over 1,500 years to convey a message to mankind. He is God and can preserve His Word in such a way so it would be untainted by man.
 


    The Bible was written by 40 different God-inspired authors, which consisted of kings, peasants, fishermen, philosophers, poets, scholars, statesman, herdsmen, a tax collector, a doctor, a military general, a rabbi, and a prime minister. It was written over 40 generations on three different continents, in a variety of languages. And the books - from Genesis to Revelation - are intricately connected.
 


    The Bible has been continually attacked through the ages. Voltaire, a noted French philosopher, once stated that within 100 years of his lifetime Christianity would be swept from existence and passed into history. He was an atheist who denigrated God throughout his life. But what happened? Only 50 years after Voltaire's death, the Geneva Bible Society used his press in his house to produce stacks of Bibles.  On his death bed Voltaire stated, "Oh God and man has abandoned me, I shall now suffer the pangs of hell."  This was quite a change in his disposition.
 


Point to Ponder:  "Man will believe anything as long as it's not in the Bible." ? Napoleon Bonaparte

 

CAMPUS REALITY SHOW:

I was invited in to speak in a particular classroom of approximately 50 students at a public university. The professor was admittedly a liberal, but was fair and balanced enough to invite outside speakers in to give the opposing point of view. After a brief introduction, the floor was opened up for questions. Common points of discussion were homosexuality, abortion, and if Jesus Christ was the only way to God. I would purposely quote scripture because I knew the Word never goes out void. It wasn't long before the topic of homosexuality came up. I indicated that God's Word said it was a choice and not genetic. I also said it was a sin and that homosexuals were morally accountable for their actions.

Immediately an individual got offended and he began to question the validity of God's Word. He said it was a book written by men, and it was not culturally relevant today. This attack upon God's Word is very common on university campuses. I began to cite various examples of how the Bible is the Word of God, remains true, and is culturally relevant. A few individuals in the classroom got visibly upset, began some name-calling, and incited others to follow their lead. I asked the student what evidence he was willing to accept to prove the authenticity of God's Word. He evaded my question and became very argumentative. His mind was fixed on homosexuality being acceptable and not a sin. Yet I believe that providing proof of the Bible being the Word of God, and true, is necessary to help the many students who are weak in their faith.



What about Contradictions in the Bible?

   There are none!  What initially appears to be a contradiction usually results from taking things out of context while isolating a few scripture passages. More importantly, they come as a result of not having all the information on the subject matter at hand.  There has been nothing presented which has not been answered.  The skeptics will always try to discredit God, but his Word remains infallible! A mind biased against God will often jump to supposed contradictions to justify rebellion against Him. Unfortunately, many individuals in schools are shaken in any faith they may have when seeds of doubt are planted by some teacher or professor who has an agenda to discredit God.
 


    There are many fine publications available which can take care of any apparent contradiction that would be presented. This website section's purpose was not designed to address supposed contradictions.  This publication below would be helpful to any honest seeker of truth.


NOTE: When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties, by Norman L. Geisler and Thomas Howe, (Victor Books 1994) is a good resource to handle any Bible difficulties).
 


Scripture Study Reference #2

"The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8-9)."
 


"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away (Matthew 24:35)."
 


"But the word of the LORD endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you (1 Peter 1:25)."
 


Key Application Point: His words are forever and they will never pass away!


    God's Word will never fade away. It has withstood the persecution of the ages, as well as time and criticism. God will preserve His Word for every generation to come as He is interested in the well-being of mankind and wants to save them. An all-powerful God will protect His Word.


Point to Ponder:  "There are things in the old book which I may not be able to explain, but I fully accept it as the infallible Word of God, and receive its teachings as inspired by the Holy Spirit." ? General Robert E. Lee, Civil War General.
 


Scripture Study Reference #3

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (John 1:1-5)."
 


"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14-15)."


"And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst (John 6:35)."
 


Key Applicaiont Point:  Jesus is the Word of God and the bread of life!


    Jesus was the Son of God (deity), the Son of Man (Flesh), and the Son of David (king). He was born of a virgin in Bethlehem, which means "house of bread." Jesus Christ was the prime living example of the Word. He is literally food for our spiritual man.
 


    Our spiritual inner man needs "manna" or bread (food) to feed ourselves. God's Word is the sustainer of life. It helps us to come into alignment with how we were created spiritually. Our heart attitudes and beliefs are changed by it as we come into agreement with God's purposes to fulfill a destiny we each have been called to. I believe it is essential for any Christian to be put on a steady, daily diet of God's Word.  It is to combat the onslaught of the worlds pressure, influences, and temptations.
 


Scripture Study Reference #4

"And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me (John 5:37-39)."
 


Key Application Point:  Jesus said the Bible was true and authentic!


    Jesus authenticated the Old Testament scriptures by making continual reference to them. He was God in the flesh (John 1:1).  The verses below are quotes by Jesus Christ where He validated the Word of God.  He was challenged many times regarding who He was and what the scriptures really meant.  The Bible has many characteristics.

1. Authority - Matthew 22:43
2. Reliability - Matthew 26:54
3. Finality - Matthew 4:4 -10
4. Sufficiency - Luke 16:31
5. Indestructibility - Matthew 5:17-18
6. Unity - Luke 24:27, 44
7. Clarity - Luke 24:27
8. Historical accounts - Matthew 12:40
9. Inerrancy of the Word - Matthew 22:29; John 3:12
10. Infallibility - John 10:35


    The Old Testament God was concealed as the New Testament God revealed Himself. Jesus Christ came as God in the flesh and affirmed that the Word of God left in written form (O.T.) was true. As the New Testament was written by Holy Spirit inspired men of God, it is a testimonial love letter and wedding invitation given to man. It is relevant to all ages and generations where God wants to offer us a place in eternity with Him because God is love.
 


Point to Ponder:  Try to find 12 people who are from the same cultural background, the same city, speaking the same language, and have similar educational training. Have them write a paper on the purpose of life. They must be separated and not be able to converse with one another. Of course, the thread of unity of thought would be missing as many views would converge. The Bible, however, had 40 authors and was written over 1,500 years, yet maintains a central theme!
 


Being Set Free Using the Word of God

    God's Word is our GPS (God Positioning System) and can be considered an instruction manual or even a road map. Jesus indicated that there is a narrow path of life to embark on and few find it (Matthew 7:13). Below is a guide to help us walk on the pathway of life and be set free from all hindrances that keep us from our true destiny and purpose.
 


    We are in a day where many pastors have their lives consumed with counseling people who have a multitude of problems. One pastor said, "there are so many problems because people do not apply a devotional life in their daily walk." Do you have a devotional life? If individuals were to follow the prescribed plan below the need for counseling would plummet in the church!
 


Leading a Devotional Life

  • Read the Word daily - it is your spiritual food!
     
  • Study the Word daily - it will transform your mind, spirit, soul, and body.
     
  • Pray the Word daily - the Word is life and health to your whole being.
     
  • Obey the Word daily - obedience brings God's blessing and favor!
     
  • Speak the Word daily - it gives you dominion over the area of influence you occupy.