If You Wonder if the Bible Is Truly the Word of God

These words are the sentiments of every true lover of God and of His Son Jesus Christ.

The history of the church is full of accounts of men, women, and even children, who rather than deny what was written in "that Book," chose instead to face death, many times in the most cruel fashion. Why? What is it about that Book that causes people to express such strong love for it?

The Bible Is Unique

Of all the holy books of the world, no book matches the beauty and harmonious construction of the Bible. Written by 40 men from all walks of life in a time span of about 2,000 years, the 66 books of the Bible show a unity that is absolutely remarkable.

One sees a progressive revelation that reaches its climax in the last book of the Bible called "The Revelation of Jesus Christ." The gloominess of the Hindu Vedas and the fatalism of the Koran of Islam are in sharp contrast to the hope and triumph of the Word of God. "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city" (Revelation 22:14).

The Bible Is Incorruptible

Some people assert that the Bible no longer has the original wording. They claim the Bible has been tampered with through rewriting. Others contend that the Bible is too spiritual and difficult to decipher.

Let us examine the alleged tampering first. Read the Old Testament quotations of Jesus, His apostles, and Jewish rabbis before and after Christ. One would be hard pressed to find any corruption that would alter the original intent of the text. Moreover, the Christian leaders of the first three centuries, known as the church fathers, quoted so many Scripture verses that the Bible can almost be reconstructed from their quotes alone!

The Dead Sea Scrolls, found in 1947, likewise testify to the accuracy of the Bible we enjoy today. God truly has been faithful in preserving His Word as it was written. "The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever" (Psalm 12:6, 7).

As to the Bible being too spiritual to understand, it is true there are places where God gave His message in a parable or with spiritual significance. But except where the context makes this intention clear, God intended His words to be understood literally as given. The Bible confirms this numerous times.

The prophets, for example, foretold that a child would be born who would be God: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given ... and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

This prophecy was fulfilled literally, for the Apostle John, writing about Jesus, says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).

Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension demonstrate repeatedly the exact language of the Bible, and show us how to interpret God's Word. God foretold details and events, and they came to pass exactly. When God speaks, He means what He says. "I have not spoken in secret ... I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right" (Isaiah 45:19).

God's Word Is Sure

In looking at the clear, exact language of the Bible, we have already referred to its certainty. But let's look at yet another example: the nation of Israel.

Scattered in two great dispersions, first by the Roman General Titus in 70 A.D. and then by Emperor Hadrian in 135 A.D., the Jews' national identity lay shattered for centuries, and by all appearances, for good. But defying the laws of probability, the Jews formed again as a nation in 1948. Listen to what God had said more than 500 years before the time of Christ.

"Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land" (Ezekiel 36:22, 24).

You Can Believe the Bible

Recognizing that God means what He says when He prophesies the future, we must conclude that He also means what He says when He gives direction. God's laws are clear and they are right. His guidance is not obscure. Neither is it to be questioned.

The Bible is God's signpost, accurately pointing the way to heaven. Will you follow it?

IF YOU HAVE NEVER SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED BECOMING A CHRISTIAN

What the Bible says about YOU.

"The way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6).

"There is none righteous, no, not one. They are all gone out of the way" (Romans 3:10, 12).

ACKNOWLEDGE

What the Bible says about JESUS.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved " (Acts 4:12).

CONSIDER

The consequences of your CHOICE.

"And I saw a great white throne.... And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.... And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:11-15).

© Copyright, Christian Light Publications

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