The Bible

I want to present eight facets that help us understand the Bible’s foundational importance in the life that God has provided for us.

Our modern interpretation of the word “Bible” is “the Holy Scripture.” The original meaning of the word was ‘book.’ In ancient times the word was used to describe any written material that was compiled into a unit. Every book was a ‘bible’ or ‘biblos.’ One dictionary definition of the word “Bible” is: “The Bible is the Sacred Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as received by the Christian Church as a Divine Revelation.”

There are eight facets or ideas about the Bible as ‘Holy Writings.’

1.) What is the Bible? It is claimed to be ‘inspired of God.’ In 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 – “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
The Greek word translated as ‘inspired of God’ is theopneustos. This is word is derived from Theos (God) and pneo which is ‘to breath’ or ‘to blow hard.’ Pneo is used in the Gospel of John 3:8 as ‘blow’ and in the Book of Acts 27:40 as ‘wind.’ We can see that the deeper meaning of this passage is “All Scripture is the divine breath of God.”

We can realize that the Holy Bible or Holy Word of God is the Divine Breath of God. He has breathed into this collection of Scriptures and we breathe in His Divine Breath when we study His Holy Word. The word ‘breath’ in the biblical Hebrew (rouach) can be translated ‘spirit.’ Thus we can understand that God has imparted His Divine Spirit (Breath) into His Holy Scripture in the same manner that He breathed His Spirit into man. The Holy Bible breathes life into the spirit of man and love (His Divine Nature) into the soul of man. His breathe ignites understanding in the mind and determination into the will of man. He breathes grace into man’s hearts and beauty and harmony into his very being.

2.) Who inspired the Bible Scriptures? 2 Peter 1:21 says “for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” The Holy Spirit of God is the Author and the Interpreter of the Bible, every word of it. The men who were ‘moved’ were human beings. They were human beings but not simply ‘men’; they were ‘holy men of God’, separated for that purpose.

When we look at this passage, we see that these men were moved or ‘borne along’ as a ship is ‘driven’ by the wind. We see this same thought in Acts 27:17, Luke 5:18 and John 21:18. Having been written by men, holy men, separated by God and ‘driven’ by the Holy Spirit, distinguishes the book as The Book, The Bible.

3.) Who were the ‘Instruments’ used to write the Scriptures? In 1 Peter 1:10 tells us that “As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries,” Our modern interpretation of the word ‘prophet’ is one who foretells or forecasts the events of the future. However, the word ‘prophet’ actually means ‘seer,’ one who sees. He can be one who openly proclaims a Divine message from God. He sees not only future events but also sees the meaning of present and past events. Often, people today, confuse a fortune teller and a prophet. They are very different in purpose and motivation.

In the Book of Numbers chapter 11 and verses 17, 25, 26, and 29, we see clearly that a prophet is one on whom the Spirit of God rested. It is caused by a manifestation of the Spirit of God in communion with someone right now in the present – one to whom and through whom God speaks (Numbers 7:2), one to whom God makes know His mysteries (Amos 3:7.8.) This means that a prophet is one to whom God reveals His truth and through who He speaks to men. In the Old Testament we can see that the prophets was prophesying of a future salvation and the purposes of grace and the glory that were to be accomplished. In the New Testament the prophets preached of prophesies or purposes of grace that had already been accomplished and the foretelling of the glory that was still to be accomplished in the future.

4.) What was the purpose of the Bible’s Revelation? In the Gospel of John 5:39 Jesus Christ answers this question explicitly. “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;” He is the light in the beacon that shows us the way. He is the life that fills every living thing that God created. He is the kernel of grain that gives life worth and beauty. He is the glory that fills the temple and makes it beautiful. He fills the heart of mankind that gives life. He is the power that fills everything that works. He keystone that cause the building to stand.

He was exemplified by many of the characters in the Old Testament. He is the last Adam who completes the cycle. He is the Able who offers the proper sacrifice for us. He is the fruit bearing Abram who has separated believers into a generation of holy men. He is Isaac, the one offered in our place. He is Jacob who secures the lineage of God’s chosen. He is the resourceful Joseph who prepares for future times.. He is the leader Moses who guides us through the wilderness of this life. He is priest Aaron who represents God on earth and intercedes for believers. He is the warrior Joshua who subdues our enemy. He is the David who conquers and the Wisdom of Solomon. He is our Savior who offers us redemption through the sacrifice of His Holy Blood.

It is said that, if you were to cut the pages of the Holy Bible, Christ’s Blood would flow from the wound. His God’s Wisdom that has been given to us so that we can live the life eternal and the life here in abundance. He is the symbol of all of the biblical offerings. He is the Passover Lamb whose blood protects us from death. He is the burnt offering that pleases God. He is the Sin offering who pays the debt that we cannot pay. He is the Trespass offering who releases us from the curses brought on by our transgressions. He is the Drink offering who gives us a reason to rejoice. He is the Red Heifer offering whose blood cleanses us. He is the Peace offering who reconciles man to God. All Scripture testifies of Him. The Holy Scripture is our certificate of ownership for all of His promises.

5.) What are the Fundamental Themes of the Bible? When we look at Luke 24: 26-27, 36, we see the answer that Christ offers us to this question. “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. “ He spoke of the suffering of Christ and His glory. The conjunction of the suffering of Christ and His entering His glory are the focus of God, that idea that joins God to man, His creation. Christ’s viewpoint is both at Calvary and Olivet. He demonstrates His beginning and the resulting sacrifice He made; His status as Alpha and Omega in Revelations, His Cross and His Crown. The Lamb and the Throne are the fulcrum of God’s purpose in Him the Passover and the Lamb are His starting point and His goal. The Altar and His Shekinah glory are the Genesis and the Revelation of everything that exists.

6.) What does the Bible impart? The essence of what the Bible imparts is demonstrated with the seed. 1 Peter 1:23 tells us, “for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.” A seed contains life and produces like to its kind. A seed duplicates the plant which produced it and thus produces more of itself. We can say that a seeds imparts its own characteristics. The Bible is full of the life and breath of Christ. The Bible contains the life and breath of Christ and imparts those qualities to those who read and believe it. The Written Word produces Faith in The Living Word. When the Living Word operates in the living soul of man, the character of the Living Word is reproduced.

The Holy Bible is the Living Word of God. The Holy Living Word of God is Holy in order to sanctify the one who studies it. It is a Righteous Word to rectify the wrongs in the diligent student’s life. It is a Living Word which helps the student bear fruit. The Holy Word of God is a Wise Word which edifies the student. It is a Word of Peace to pacify even the most rebellious student. It is a Powerful Word which energizes the student and it is a Loving Word that can intensify the life of anyone who is willing to diligently study it.

7.) What does the Bible do? Someone once said of the Bible, “Every hour I read you, it kills a sin or lets a virtue in to fight against it.”

It would be impossible to list everything that the Bible does for the diligent student. Following is a short list of important things that the Holy Word of God does:

a.) It lets us know the theme of the Gospel. 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4 says “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” The Salvation offered us by the sacrifice of Christ for our redemption is of first importance.

b.) It blesses us when we obey its precepts. Psalms 119:2 tells us “How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart.” When we diligently study the Holy Wisdom of God and focus all of our attention on His Word, we are blessed in ways that we cannot imagine.

c.) It consecrates us (sets us apart) when we follow His Laws. Numbers 6:1-7 affirms this. “1 Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to dedicate himself to the LORD, 3 he shall abstain from wine and strong drink; he shall drink no vinegar, whether made from wine or strong drink, nor shall he drink any grape juice nor eat fresh or dried grapes. 4 ‘All the days of his separation he shall not eat anything that is produced by the grape vine, from the seeds even to the skin. 5 ‘All the days of his vow of separation no razor shall pass over his head. He shall be holy until the days are fulfilled for which he separated himself to the LORD; he shall let the locks of hair on his head grow long. 6 ‘All the days of his separation to the LORD he shall not go near to a dead person. 7 ‘He shall not make himself unclean for his father or for his mother, for his brother or for his sister, when they die, because his separation to God is on his head.”

d.) It provides us a means to defeat the enemy as we use it. Matthew 4:4, 7, 10 tells us, 4 “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” “7Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’” And “10Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’” Each time the enemy came against Jesus while in the wilderness, Jesus simply quoted Scripture in answer to hi. He was demonstrating a serious principle to us. We must only answer the enemy with Scripture and he will have to leave us alone.

e.) It edifies (builds) our lives as we use it. Acts 20:32 tells us, “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” It builds us up on a firm foundation. As we heed His Commandments, we live in His Grace.

f.) It is a guide for all who will follow its precepts diligently. Psalms 119:105 let us know this. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Christ is the Light of the World. His is the Holy Incarnate Word of the One and True Living God. His light will guide us on the path to righteousness.

g.) It heals our spirit when we apply its soothing balm. Psalms 107:20 says, “He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”

h.) It forms our minds with its wisdom. 1 Corinthians 2:9 tells us, “but just as it is written, “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” The Holy Word of God contains all of the ‘secrets’ of the universe. He has set it in front of us that we may enrich our minds and strengthen our spirits.
Isaiah 64:4, “For from of old no one has heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who works and shows Himself active on behalf of him who [earnestly] waits for Him.”

i.) It judges our conduct and makes us wise. We read in Psalms 19:9-11, “9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.”

j.) It inspires us to abide in Christ’s love. John 15:10 tells us “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” Jesus told us that if we love Him, we will follow His Commandments.

k.) It leads us to that which is true and beautiful. Proverbs 6:20-24 advises us
“20 My son, observe the commandment of your father
And do not forsake the teaching of your mother;
21 Bind them continually on your heart;
Tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk about, they will guide you;
When you sleep, they will watch over you;
And when you awake, they will talk to you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;
And reproofs for discipline are the way of life
24 To keep you from the evil woman,
From the smooth tongue of the adulteress.”

l.) It forms us into the children of God. Romans 6:17 says, “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed,”

m.) It provides nourishment for our spiritual lives. We see in 1 Peter 1:2 “Who were chosen and foreknown by God the Father and consecrated (sanctified, made holy) by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and to be sprinkled with [His] blood: May grace (spiritual blessing) and peace be given you in increasing abundance [that spiritual peace to be realized in and through Christ, freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts].”

n.) It orders the steps of our lives. Psalms 119:133 says “Establish my steps and direct them by [means of] Your word; let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” This plainly lets us know that when we fill our lives with the refreshing Word of God, He will order our steps and provide us with a means to deal with any iniquity that tries to take over our lives. Through Jesus Christ we are given dominion over our lives.

o.) It purifies our minds. The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 7:1, “THEREFORE, SINCE these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God.” Darkness and light cannot exist in the same place. When we fill our minds and our hearts with the Light that is Jesus Christ, darkness cannot exist and must leave, purifying our thoughts and our affections.

p.) It quietens our spirits and gives us rest. Isaiah 30:15 tells us “For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength.”

q.) It is the source of our reward when we keep it planted in our hearts. We read in Psalms 19:11 that “Moreover, by them is Your servant warned (reminded, illuminated, and instructed); and in keeping them there is great reward.”

r.) It separates us as God’s. John 17:17 reassures us that “Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.”

s.) It instructs those who will be lead by it. Psalms 25:4-5 tells us “4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. 5 Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.”

t.) It reconciles us to the Lord.
Psalms 86:11 tells us “Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk and live in Your truth; direct and unite my heart [solely, reverently] to fear and honor Your name.”
John 17:8 says “

u.) It verifies the experiences that it provides as true and unwavering. 2 Peter 1:19-20 says “19 And we have the prophetic word [made] firmer still. You will do well to pay close attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dismal (squalid and dark) place, until the day breaks through [the gloom] and the Morning Star rises (comes into being) in your hearts. 20 [Yet] first [you must] understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is [a matter] of any personal or private or special interpretation (loosening, solving).

v.) It gives warning to the diligent student. Again let’s look at Psalms 19:11 “Moreover, by them is Your servant warned (reminded, illuminated, and instructed); and in keeping them there is great reward.”

w.) It gives us a measure to examine our lives. Psalms 26:1-3 says “1 VINDICATE ME, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity; I have [expectantly] trusted in, leaned on, and relied on the Lord without wavering and I shall not slide. 2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; test my heart and my mind. 3 For Your loving-kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth [faithfully].

x.) Yokes us with Christ. Matthew 11:29-30 says “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

y.) It directs our ways. Psalms 119:9 tells us “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.” And

z.) It gives zeal to the soul. John 2: 17 demonstrates this “His disciples remembered that it was written, “ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.”

8.) The eighth thing that the Bible offers us is the most valuable thing that could be given to a human being. Through Jesus Christ God has given each one of us a way to be reconciled with God for this present day and for eternity. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

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