Bible: God's Life-Giving Word

The Bible: God's Life-Giving Word

My Dear Children,

The first and most important thing I can encourage you to do is to read your Bibles. I know that there are so many other things to keep you busy that finding time to read and study the Scriptures is difficult; but this is so essential to your well-being, both here in this world and hereafter in eternity! In fact, if you do this one thing and continue in it, you will learn the rest of what I intend to say to you without my letters and instruction.

St. Paul wrote to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:14-17): "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."

You see, the Bible tells us that, when we study its pages, we will learn of the salvation which is ours through faith in Christ Jesus. We also learn that the Scripture is useful and beneficial to us--indeed necessary--to teach us, reprove us, correct us, and instruct us in righteous living. When we diligently read and study our Bibles, we will learn of our salvation in Christ and be thoroughly equipped to follow Christ and live for Him. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105).

Now, the Bible is no ordinary book. While we are flooded every day with books and articles to read, coming from all sorts of different human authors and groups, the Bible is different. It is the Word of God to man! It is the revealed word and message of the Almighty God, the Creator of heaven, earth, and all things; and it is written and recorded for you and for me. Why do I say this? Because the Bible itself tells us that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16)! Peter also writes: "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 1:20-21). The Bible is God's Word because God moved men to write and guided and directed them in their choice of words. St. Paul wrote: "These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches…." (1 Corinthians 2:13). And, so we see that all of the Bible, and each and every word of the Bible, is inspired by God, or God-breathed! David, the human author of many of the psalms, also spoke of this when he said: "Thus says David the son of Jesse; thus says the man raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel: 'The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue….'" (2 Samuel 23:1,2).

Since the Bible is not man's writing but God's Word, it is not surprising that the Bible, which is made up of 66 books and was recorded over a period of about 1600 years by over 30 human authors, says and teaches the same things throughout. Nor is it surprising that even the minutest points in the Bible are accurate and true. In fact, since God cannot lie and is always faithful (cf. Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 6:18; 2 Timothy 2:13), we could simply conclude that everything in the Bible is true and accurate and without mistake. But the Scriptures themselves also clearly teach that they are in all points true and without error. Jesus said, in His high priestly prayer, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John 17:17). In another place, Jesus stated, "The Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35). Therefore, we hold not only to the inspiration of the Scriptures, but also to the truthfulness and accuracy of every word of Scripture; for it is not man's word, but God's! Furthermore, the Scriptures say: "Every word of God is pure" (Proverbs 30:5); and, "The entirety of Your word is truth" (Psalm 119:160).

Now there are many who say that the Word of God has been lost and corrupted down through the centuries and that what we have in our Bibles may not actually be the very Word of God. This too is false, for there are more copies, translations, and quotations supporting the authenticity of our Bible than for any other ancient historical book or writing. But we also have the word and promise of God to faithfully preserve His Word as a witness to all the nations down to the end of time. Jesus said, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14); and, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away" (Matthew 24:35). The Scriptures also say: "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89); "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8); and, "'The word of the LORD endures forever.' Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you" (1 Peter 1:25).

It is true that we only have copies of the original Hebrew and Greek writings, but these copies were made with the greatest of care and precision to ensure that nothing be changed or lost. The vast numbers of manuscripts which still remain and their remarkable unity and agreement testify to this care and to God's hand in preserving the Scriptures for us today. The Old Testament books were copied and preserved through the work of Hebrew scribes. Their work was preserved through the work of the Masoretes. Thus, the Hebrew Old Testament Scriptures have been preserved for us in what is known as the Masoretic Text. Thousands of manuscripts of the Greek New Testament remain, along with ancient translations, lectionaries, and citations. The vast majority of these manuscripts agree throughout. They have come to be known as the Majority or Received Text.

Since all of the Bible and each and every word of the Bible has been given to us by inspiration of God, and since God has faithfully preserved His Word for us down through the centuries, it is important for us to use great care in choosing a Bible translation which accurately translates both the thoughts and words of the original languages. In fact, God Himself warns against adding to or taking away from the Word of God in any way. The Bible says: "You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you" (Deuteronomy 4:2); "He who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully" (Jeremiah 23:28); "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot [smallest Hebrew letter] or one tittle [smallest part of a Hebrew letter] will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:18-19); and, "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" (Revelation 22:18-19). This is why we continue to use, teach from, and recommend the King James Version and the New King James Version of the Bible, for these two English translations faithfully translate the Word of God from the Hebrew Masoretic and Greek Received Texts. In contrast, many of the other modern English translations are poor translations, rely upon only a few less reliable texts, or both.

As you have learned or will learn, the world is full of differing opinions and thoughts about God and religion. How can you ever know what is true and what is false? Even among Christian churches, there are a multitude of differences in doctrinal teaching. How can you know what is right? Again, the Bible tells us the answer. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." And, Isaiah writes, "To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20). The Bible is your source and guide to truth. God's Word is truth (John 17:17). Therefore, it is to be your source and judge for what is true and what is not. As Isaiah says, "If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

This is another reason why it is so important that you read and study your Bibles regularly. If you don't, you will easily be swayed and misled by the false teachings and lies of the devil by which he seeks to lead us away from saving faith in Christ, our Savior (cf. John 8:44; Ephesians 4:11-16). As I wrote to you earlier in this letter, "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). Since the Bible is the inspired Word of God, it is to be your guide in judging all doctrine and teaching. What the Bible teaches is truth, but what is not taught in the Bible is not the true Christian doctrine! Like the Jews in Berea, you ought search and study the Scriptures daily to find out whether the things you hear and are being taught are true (cf. Acts 17:11).

People interpret the Bible in many ways. How do you know what is the correct interpretation? Again, the Bible gives us the answer: "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 2:20-21); and again, "To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20). The Bible is its own interpreter. Passages of Scripture which seem unclear and difficult to understand must be interpreted in light of other clear passages of Scripture. Sad to say, many forget this principle and interpret difficult passages, especially some of the prophetic writings, in ways which contradict the plain and clear words of other passages. The end result is misunderstanding and doctrinal error. Rather, they should begin with the plain and clear words of Scripture and interpret the difficult and hard to understand passages in light of that which is clearly revealed.

You are given the task and responsibility to judge what you are taught and believe, whether you've learned it from pastors, teachers, parents, or others. And, you are given the one standard by which you are to judge: the Holy Scriptures. What is in full accord with the Bible is true, and what is not in full accord with the Bible is error. As I said before, this is all the more reason to read and study your Bible regularly! If you don't, you won't be able to tell the difference between truth and error and you will easily be misled.

I hope all of this helps you to see the importance of reading and studying your Bibles. Remember, the Bible is the Word of God, your Maker, your Redeemer, and your Judge. He has given it to you to teach you of Him and to show you the way of life through faith in Him. Please, I plead with you, take the time to read and study its pages! Read a few verses or a chapter a day. Pray about it, apply it to yourself, and meditate upon it.

I close this letter for now, praying that our God will give you the desire and willingness to read and study His life-giving Word. God bless and keep you all!

Until next time, with all my love,

Dad

THIS WE BELIEVE

We believe that all of the Bible, and each and every word of the Bible (the 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament canonical books), was given by inspiration of God and is therefore the true and unerring Word of God (II Peter 1:21; II Timothy 3:16; I Corinthians 2:13; John 10:35; 17:17; 2 Samuel 23:1-2). We also believe that the Word of God has not been lost or corrupted, but has been faithfully preserved by God down through the centuries as a witness to all the nations, that it is still accurately recorded in the Hebrew Masoretic and Greek Majority (or Received) Texts, and that it can be read and studied in faithful Bible translations, such as Luther's German Bible and the King James Version and New King James Version of the Bible (Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:8; I Peter 1:25; Matthew 24:14,35). We reject and discourage the use of texts and translations of the Bible which are unfaithful and thus corrupt the Word of God (Deuteronomy 4:2; Jeremiah 23:28; Matthew 5:18-19; Revelation 22:18-19).

Since all of the Bible is God's true and unerring Word, we teach that the Bible is to be the source and judge of all Christian Doctrine. What is not in accord with God's Word is not to be taught as Christian Doctrine (Isaiah 8:20; Jeremiah 23:28-32; II Timothy 3:16-17; Acts 17:11). The Bible is also its own interpreter; thus, passage interpretations which are not in agreement with other clear passages of Holy Scripture are to be rejected (II Peter 1:20-21; Isaiah 8:20). We teach that the Bible is to be diligently studied and heard; for it reveals to mankind the only way of salvation, which is through faith in Christ Jesus, and it guides the Christian in living according to God's Holy will (John 5:39; 20:31; II Timothy 3:14-17; Psalm 119:105).

The Still Small Voice