What We Believe about The Bible

No other single book in history has impacted more lives in a positive way than the Bible.

The Bible is described accurately as the greatest book in the world. It deserves the recognition as “greatest book” because it is the greatest in subject matter; it is the greatest in influence on lives and nations; and it answers our greatest need – every person’s need for salvation.

As Christians, it is important to know what we believe about the Bible and what the Bible teaches concerning other important areas of life.

When the Bible refers to itself, it usually does so in the context of one of eight themes. Evangelical Bible teachers have designated certain words rich with meaning to describe these themes. These words include…

revelation,
inspiration,
inerrancy,
preservation,
canonicity,
illumination,
interpretation,
and application.

As we understand what these eight words teach us about the Bible, we will come to know what we believe about the Bible.

The Bible: God’s Message to Us

The reason we have a Bible at all is because God has chosen to reveal certain truths about Himself to us. The Bible is God’s self-revelation of Himself to His people. The word “revelation” refers to the act of God which gave people knowledge about Himself and His creation, including knowledge which they could not have otherwise known.

Moses reminded the people of Israel, “the secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29

Our understanding of God’s revelation through the Bible implies several things….

First, revelation is an act of God, “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21
Second, God gives this revelation about Himself to people (1 Corinthians 10:6; Romans 1:19).
Third, revelation involves the communication of truth we could not otherwise know apart from God. The apostle Paul described his ability to write Scripture in the context of the Holy Spirit revealing a mystery which was hidden to previous generations (Ephesians 3:3-5).
Fourth, the revelation which God has given us in Scripture is both partial and complete. It is partial in the sense that God did reveal some things to the apostles which He chose not to include in Scripture (Revelation 10:4; 2 Corinthians 12:4). It is complete in the sense that nothing should be added or removed from the Scriptures (Revelation 22:18).

God reveals Himself to us in different ways. He reveals Himself in a general way through history (1 Corinthians 10:1-6), our conscience (Romans 2:14-16), and nature (Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:18-21). He also reveals Himself in a fuller way in the Bible (Deuteronomy 29:29; 2 Peter 1:20-21) and through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ (John 1:14, 18).

God reveals His Word for a purpose. In fact, several things are accomplished through the Scriptures. Scriptures reveal our sin (Romans 3:9-20). They reveal Christ (John 5:39; Revelation 1:1). They reveal how we can obtain eternal life (John 20:31; 1 John 5:13).

Scriptures also reveal God’s expectations in our life (2 Timothy 3:17).

Further, Scriptures reveal the keys to both wisdom (Proverbs 1:2, 5; Psalm 19:7) and spiritual victory (Psalm 119:9-11; Ephesians 6:16-17).

Dr. Elmer Towns is Vice President of Liberty University, which he co-founded in 1971 with Dr. Jerry Falwell. Dr. Towns has been a popular Sunday school teacher and college and seminary professor for decades.

This article is excerpted and condensed from Dr. Towns’ 60-page eBook Foundational Doctrines of the Faith. Read it NOW, eBook instant PDF Download, $11 value only $4.99, More…

Here is a summary article of the 8 Foundational Doctrines of the Christian Faith

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Want to Follow Jesus?

To grow as a Christian, you need to…

Pray, worship God and read The Bible each day,
Join a small group with other Christians to encourage each other’s Christian growth,
Each week, join in worship at a good Church that preaches The Bible as God’s Word,
And minister to others in the name of God.

Discover more about how God has given to you spiritual Gifts for your own personal ministry and for ministry with others using the links and resources shown below.