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The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to mankind. God took the initiative to disclose Himself to man in many ways. The Bible is the only revelation that shows man’s sinfulness and God’s provision to atone for man’s sin through the work of Jesus Christ. The Bible makes known to us what we need to know about God and how our relationship with God is established and maintained. Through the Bible we are given an invitation to enter a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
The Bible, as God’s divinely inspired instrument is of immense value to Christians. It provides unalterable spiritual principles we need to know in order to live victoriously for Christ. The Bible says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17. Because the Bible is divinely inspired it is protected from human error by the original record by the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
The doctrinal statement below is held by Baptists.
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men being divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction protected in its original record by the ministry of the Holy Spirit; that it has God for its author, chosen men as it’s scribes, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which we enter and maintain relationship with God, also by which God will judge us, and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried.
The Word of God is worthy of examination and memorization, as the following verses reflect:
· Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (God’s commands are to permeate our lives.)
· Psalm 1:2-3 (We flourish when we delight in God’s Word.)
· Romans 1:16 (God’s Word reveals his salvation plan.)
· 2 Timothy 2:15 (God’s Word is to be rightly handled.)
· 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (God’s Word thoroughly equips us for life.)
· Hebrews 4:12 (God’s Word judges our thoughts and attitudes.)
· James 1:22 (We are not only to listen to God’s Word; we are to obey it.)
· 2 Peter 1:21 (God’s Word is inspired by the Holy Spirit.)
As you may already know, there are many versions of the Holy Bible. The word version indicates that that particular Bible has been translated into a modern language like English using slight variations and modern interpretations of certain words and phrases. For example, in the gospel according to John 14:16 some versions, when referring to the Holy Spirit, interpret the Greek word parakletos which means one who comes along side, as Comforter, others use the word Counselor while still others use the word Helper. The meaning does not change. The spiritual truth does not change; scholars simply give more clarity to the words which have been translated from the Greek language. So, we don’t get upset about the various versions of the Holy Bible.
The most common version used is the Authorized King James Version. King James did not write the Bible, he authorized it’s translation from Greek to the English language in 1611 A.D. Therefore, the King James Version was written using old English language. The language in which the King James Version was written is no longer used, and in many cases is difficult to understand. There are, however, modern language Bibles such as The New King James Version (NKJV), Revised Standard Version (RSV) and The New International Version (NIV). Although there are times when the Pastor does refer to the King James Version as well as other versions of the Bible, at Union Baptist Church the New International Version is used primarily.
The reason we use the NIV is two-fold. First, the language is easy to understand. It is written in modern language, without all the thous and thees and peradventures. Secondly, since 1611, the year the King James Version was commissioned, biblical scholarship has improved. Certain archeological discoveries and a better understanding of the ancient biblical languages have increased the accuracy of language translators. The Bible is nevertheless, God’s complete written record of self-revelation. Regardless of the version used, the truth of God’s love and the method of humankind’s salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ come shining through.
It’s Makeup
The Bible is made up of sixty-six books. There are thirty-nine Old Testament books and twenty-seven New Testament books.
The Old Testament
The New Testament
Summing it up
God intended His Word to abide forever. Therefore His written propositional self-disclosure was protected from error in its original writing and collected in 66 books of the Old and New Testaments (canonicity). The book which we read, study, obey and preach deserves to unreservedly be called the Bible or “The Book without peer,” since its author is God and it bears the qualities of total truth.
Review Exercise:
1. There are four (4) characteristics outlined in this paper which define the Bible. List them below.
2. We know that the Bible is written by men divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit. We also know that all men are human, and as such, make mistakes. How does this principle apply to the Bible? Support your answer below.
3. True or False. Because there are so many different versions of the Bible, it is best to use the New International Version for clarity and understanding. Defend your answer.
4. The Bible is sometimes called “The Book Without Peer”. Why?
5. The Bible contains 66 books; list the categories into which they are grouped.
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