The Bible

The message was brought by Pastor Eddie Foster on April 16, 2023.

II Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The Bible is not just a collection of stories. It’s not a collection of fables and myths. It’s not just another book written by humans. Through this book the Holy Spirit reveals God to mankind. It is God’s message to men who in turn wrote it down. The whole Bible is God’s inspired word; because of that it should be read and applied to our lives. When I read it I like to ask myself “what’s in this for me?”  The Bible is the standard for testing everything else. It’s our safeguard against false teaching. When we know the Bible we are able to detect what is not correct.

Inspired means God-breathed. The whole book is inspired by God.  Second Peter 1:21 says For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. The message is authentic and reliable. Some say the Bible is no more inspired than the writings of Shakespeare. Some think only parts of it are. My answer to that is how do you know which parts?  Think about it!  It’s all inspired by the Holy Spirit. It speaks with authority using the very words we need. It’s all we need.

The Bible is fundamental to faith. We must believe the Word of God is infallible, inerrant, inspired. Once a person begins to question the Bible, he/she is at a dangerous point. Every major denomination began believing in the infallibility of scripture. Many have moved from that; their preachers doubt it and in turn the people hearing them do. God no longer speaks to us through prophets and dreams He speaks to us through his Word. The Book is complete. If a preacher/teacher claims to have something new from God, run.

The Bible is the final authority of faith and practice. It’s not the Supreme Court, the President, a preacher, a church board, nor society:  none of these is the authority.  It’s the Bible.  Society says abortion is okay; the Bible condemns it. Society says homesexual lifestyles are okay; the Bible condemns it. Society says divorce for any reason is okay; the Bible says it’s only allowed in the case of adultery.  If the Bible says something is wrong, it is wrong:  final authority.

Looking at these verses we see the Bible is profitable. It shows us how to become a Christian. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. It’s profitable for doctrine. This is not what a denomination says. The Bible gives us a set of rules and principles that govern us. It’s for reproof, showing us our wrong, convicting us when we sin. I didn’t like whippings from my parents growing up. I don’t like whippings from God. But he corrects his children too.  The Bible shows us how to adjust our lives to it to be pleasing to God; we don’t adjust it to fit our lives. It is profitable for corrections, showing us how to improve.   (profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness).  

What’s the end result that God wants? Verse 17 tells us:  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. God wants us to be mature Christians. He wants us to grow in our walk with him.  So, the questions from all this:  are you saved?  Do you believe in the Bible as the inspired and infallible Word of God?  And are you growing and maturing in your Christian walk?