Exploring The History and Purpose of the Bible
The Bible is the written revelation of God’s perfect will. It is an inspired book written by about forty authors (some say between thirty five to forty authors) over the space of one thousand five hundred years. Men from different backgrounds wrote under the inspiration and the influence of the Holy Spirit. See 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21. The Bible has a common theme because it has one main author who expressed Himself through several writers. That main author is the Holy Spirit.
The word Bible is from the word “Biblos” which means “The book.” Originally it was called “Biblia” means “The Books.” It is a collection of sixty six books apportioned into two sections. One is called “The Old Testament” or “Old Covenant” consisting of thirty nine books and the second part is called “The New Testament” or “New Covenant” comprising of twenty seven books.
The Old Testament is called the Tanakh comprises of three sectors namely: The Law (The Torah) consisting of the first five Books written by Moses, The Prophets (Nevi’im) comprising of all the prophetic writings (Major Prophets and Minor Prophets) and the Writings (Ketuvm) consisting of the poetic and the historical books of the Old Testament. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew.
The New Testament is called ha Kaine Diatheke consisting of four canonical gospels, the Acts of Apostles, thirteen epistles written by the Apostle Paul, eight general epistles and the book of Revelation. The New Testament was written in Greek.
The Bible has outlasted those who were bent on eradicating it. It has transformed nations, built civilizations, preserved the dignity of human life, healed diseases and cured sicknesses, saved marriages, changed lives and defined generations. See Psalm 107:17-20; John 17:17-19; Hebrews 4:12-13; James 1:21-25;
The Bible is the RULE BOOK for all matters of faith and practice. Therefore, all visions, revelations and prophecies MUST be TESTED with God's Word because the Holy Spirit never violates the truth of God's Word. He confirms the Word.
The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth which means He never violates the Word but affirms it. The Bible says, "It is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth." (1 John 5:6c) The Bible also says that the Word is truth. (John 17:17b).
Therefore, if it is not consistent with God’s Word it is not truth because the Scripture is the standard of truth. See Daniel 10:21; Deuteronomy 32:4 NKJV; Psalm 31:5; Isaiah 65:16
The Holy Spirit will only guide you into all truth. This shows that the Holy Spirit will never lead us away from the Word of God. See John 16:13. All Scripture was given by the inspiration of God. 2 Timothy 3:16. Holy men of old spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. See 2 Peter 1:20-21.
The Bible is the voice of the Spirit in print form. Remember what Peter the Apostle said in Acts 1:16, "And said, “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus."
The writings of Scripture are the thoughts and Words of the Spirit captured in print form. The next time you study the Word of God approach it differently. E. W. Kenyon put it this way, he said, "The Bible is God speaking to us."
The Bible is a Living Book. It is alive and active. It is full of power to change, transform or alter the situation or condition of any life when believed and acted upon.
The Bible is the written documentation of God's redemptive plan for humanity. It shows us the road to redemption. We can call it the written revelation of God’s redemptive plan. It is the documentation of the story of our redemption.
The Bible is also our written guide. It teaches us God's ways. It shows us how God thinks because it is God's thoughts captured on paper. Read it, Study it, MedItate it, Confess or Declare it, Live it. Let it guide your life and actions.
Let the Bible govern your speech. Make it final authority for all matters of faith and practice and you will open the door to a world of limitless possibilities and endless adventures of faith and exploits. See Hebrews 10:5-9; 2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 40:9-10; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 1 Samuel 10:25; Deuteronomy 17:14-20
In His Majesty’s Service,
DWF
Preserving the Faith of the Fathers For Future Generations
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