The Bible

The Bible is God’s message to you. There is a consistency in the theme of the Bible from beginning to end – it is the way God communicates with human beings to show them His way to salvation. Examples are given of men and women who have lived good and bad lives so that we can learn by their successes and failures.

The ultimate example is provided by Jesus Christ, who lived a life that was perfect before God.

The book is full of challenges and reveals the extent of the love that God has for mankind. It is meant to evoke a response from the reader and sets out to show that this world’s history is not just a random collection of events going nowhere. It is not always a comforting book to read, but it can provide enormous stimulation and interest. It is a book that is designed to change lives – indeed, that is why it was written.

Consider these claims that the Bible makes about itself:

Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.

(II Timothy 3:16-17 NET)

For everything that was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope.

(Romans 15:4 NET)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “* The righteous by faith will live.”

(Romans 1:16-17 NET)

This law scroll must not leave your lips! You must memorize it day and night so you can carefully obey all that is written in it. Then you will prosper and be successful.

(Joshua 1:8 NET)