(Article for publication week of 9-2-2009 AD)
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39).
It is apparent that our Lord Jesus Christ believed in the authenticity of the scriptures. He urges us to search the scriptures, for they have the message of salvation that comes through Himself. The doctrine of scripture and the doctrine of Christ cannot be separated.
We know the Bible to be the word of God for many reasons. Its majestic style, unique message, influence for good on communities, and its power to convert sinners all prove the scriptures to be the authentic word of God. We further note the agreement of all its parts and the perfect fulfillment of its prophecies as evidence for the Bible.
Added to all this is the Bible’s self-authentication. The Bible is its own witness. When we read the Bible we are aware that we are reading a very unique Book. There are no other writings that compare with the Bible. For example, I have a copy of the Koran, the supposed “holy’ book of the poor deluded Moslems. The Koran reads like a comic book compared to the word of God. When you read the Koran you can tell that your are reading the ranting of a madman, not the word of God. And this is true of every other writing of men. Men can think and write no higher than the power of their own brains, and their writings reveal themselves to be the production of fallible men. But not so with the Bible. It is evident that the Bible sprang from a Mind infinitely larger than a human mind.
Now, this is what our Lord was talking about in our text. “Search the scriptures” for it is evident they are the word of God. It is interesting that our Lord never presented a long drawn out argument for the authenticity of scriptures. He simply says if you believe in me you must of necessity believe the word of God for they testify of me and show you the way of salvation. Nor did the apostles ever make such apologies for the Bible. They simply preached the Word. Nor did the Old Testament prophets enter into such debates. They simply declared “thus saith the Lord.”
What it comes down to is, we either believe God or not .God has magnified His Word above all His Name (Psalm 138:2). God has been pleased to reveal Himself to us by His Holy Word. And if we reject that word, we reject Him. All men know there is a God. His creation and the conscience that he has given all men are undeniable evidence that He is. And since all men know there is a God, when they read His word they have all the evidence they need for its authenticity. To deny the Bible is to go against all reason in the same way as to deny God goes against all reason.
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39).
It is apparent that our Lord Jesus Christ believed in the authenticity of the scriptures. He urges us to search the scriptures, for they have the message of salvation that comes through Himself. The doctrine of scripture and the doctrine of Christ cannot be separated.
We know the Bible to be the word of God for many reasons. Its majestic style, unique message, influence for good on communities, and its power to convert sinners all prove the scriptures to be the authentic word of God. We further note the agreement of all its parts and the perfect fulfillment of its prophecies as evidence for the Bible.
Added to all this is the Bible’s self-authentication. The Bible is its own witness. When we read the Bible we are aware that we are reading a very unique Book. There are no other writings that compare with the Bible. For example, I have a copy of the Koran, the supposed “holy’ book of the poor deluded Moslems. The Koran reads like a comic book compared to the word of God. When you read the Koran you can tell that your are reading the ranting of a madman, not the word of God. And this is true of every other writing of men. Men can think and write no higher than the power of their own brains, and their writings reveal themselves to be the production of fallible men. But not so with the Bible. It is evident that the Bible sprang from a Mind infinitely larger than a human mind.
Now, this is what our Lord was talking about in our text. “Search the scriptures” for it is evident they are the word of God. It is interesting that our Lord never presented a long drawn out argument for the authenticity of scriptures. He simply says if you believe in me you must of necessity believe the word of God for they testify of me and show you the way of salvation. Nor did the apostles ever make such apologies for the Bible. They simply preached the Word. Nor did the Old Testament prophets enter into such debates. They simply declared “thus saith the Lord.”
What it comes down to is, we either believe God or not .God has magnified His Word above all His Name (Psalm 138:2). God has been pleased to reveal Himself to us by His Holy Word. And if we reject that word, we reject Him. All men know there is a God. His creation and the conscience that he has given all men are undeniable evidence that He is. And since all men know there is a God, when they read His word they have all the evidence they need for its authenticity. To deny the Bible is to go against all reason in the same way as to deny God goes against all reason.
So why do so many not believe the Bible? One simple answer- they are not born again. Until the Lord regenerates them and gives them faith they will never believe the Bible. And if they persist in their unbelief they will end up in eternal hell. Do you believe the Bible?
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