School of the Foundations of the Christian Faith “The Creator and His Creation.” Lesson 8. The Nature of the Word of God. The school consists of 22 lessons. The founder of the school is the Christian Bible Institute.
In order to grow spiritually, every Christian must continually feed on the truth of the Word of God. See what God says about this in His Word:
1 Peter 2:2 “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by feeding on it you may grow up in your salvation”
The Bible is the only source of information about salvation and how to live correctly and fruitfully.
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the company of mockers, Psalm 1:2 but delights in the Lord’s Law and meditates on His Law day and night. Psalm 1:3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever they do prospers.
The Bible is not only spiritual nourishment for a person, but also authoritatively proclaims the divine truth that people need. God has arranged it so that the Bible contains absolutely everything a Christian needs in order to please God.
1. The Unique Nature of the Word of God
The Bible says about itself that it is the Word of God
a. God speaks to people through the Bible
More than 430 times, the Bible repeats the phrase “thus says the Lord”—for example, in the book of
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a tested stone in Zion, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; ‘the one who trusts will never be shaken.’”
b. The Bible was written by people chosen by God
God chose special people to write the Bible through them. Look at what Peter says about this:
2 Peter 1:21 For prophecy was never spoken by human will, but people spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
God commanded the prophets to write down His revelations so that people would have clear guidance for life.
Exodus 34:27 The Lord said to Moses: “Write down these words—for on the basis of these words I am making a covenant with you and with Israel.”
Jeremiah 30:2 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Write in a scroll all the words I have spoken to you.”
Revelation 22:6 The angel said to me: “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show His servants what must soon take place.” Revelation 22:7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”
The Bible was written so that we would live according to its principles. Therefore, we should read the Bible daily and apply what we read throughout the day.
John 20:30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. John 20:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
2. The Word of God Is Authoritative
The Bible has the highest authority because God Himself is its author. God recorded His Word using people as instruments in the writing process. At the same time, these people were not passive transmitters of information from God, but active participants in the writing process.
Some claim that the Bible was written by compiling folk legends and folk wisdom. But this is not so. In fact, it was written by eyewitnesses and investigators:
1 John 1:1 What existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our own eyes, what we have observed and touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 1 John 1:2 The life itself appeared, and we have seen it and testify to it. We proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and appeared to us. 1 John 1:3 We proclaim to you what we ourselves have seen and heard, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:4 We write this so that our joy may be complete.
2 Peter 1:16 When we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we did not follow cleverly devised stories. We were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
Luke 1:1 Many have undertaken to compile an account of the events that have taken place among us, Luke 1:2 based on the reports passed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word of God. Luke 1:3 Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, Luke 1:4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Jesus Christ testified to the divine nature of the Bible
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
Matthew 5:18 Truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke, will disappear from the Law; everything will be fulfilled.
The apostles testified to the divine nature of the Bible
2 Timothy 3:15 From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:17 so that the servant of God may be fully equipped for every good work.
Peter speaks of the divine authority of the Bible:
2 Peter 1:21 For prophecy was never spoken by human will, but people spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Paul speaks of his letters as the Lord’s commands
1 Corinthians 14:37 Anyone who considers himself a prophet or spiritual person should acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.
After the New Testament was completed, the Word of God acquired its complete form. It contains everything necessary for our salvation and life. This means that in our time God reveals His will through the Bible.
3. The Word of God Is God-Breathed
The Bible consists of 66 books. Of these, 39 books make up the Old Testament and 27 books make up the New Testament. God used more than 40 authors to write it, living at different times—from 1,500 years before the birth of Christ (the Pentateuch) to the 90s of the first century after the birth of Christ (the Revelation of John).
“God-inspired” means “breathed out by God.” Because the Bible is God-inspired, we can be confident that:
a. The Bible is absolutely true and contains no errors
Matthew 5:18 I tell you the truth: until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke, will disappear from the Law—all will be fulfilled.
Psalm 119:138 The commandments You have given are righteous and completely true.
b. The Bible contains everything we need for practical living
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness,
Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. Psalm 19:9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are true, and all of them are righteous. Psalm 19:10 They are more desirable than gold, even much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey dripping from the comb. Psalm 19:11 By them Your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Review questions:
- Why should we read the Bible?
- Why is the Bible the Word of God?
- Who wrote the Bible?
- For what purpose did God give the Bible to people?
- Why is the Bible a God-inspired Book?
- Why Are There No Errors in the Bible?
- Why Does the Bible Answer All of Life’s Questions?
Source: Christian Bible Institute
