The Bible is God’s holy word. It is God’s written message to us. The Bible is the most important book in all the word. It has been called “the divine library,” because it is made up of sixty-six smaller books.
The first part of the Bible is called the Old Testament. It consists of thirty-nine books which were written before Christ came to the earth. It tells us about the beginning of the world, and it records the history of God’s chosen people—the nation of Israel.
The second part of the Bible is called the New Testament, and it was written after Christ came to the earth and went back to Heaven. It tells us about Jesus Christ—who He is and what He did. It also tells us about the beginning of His church.
How Did We Get The Bible?
God Himself is the true Author of the Bible, though He used many men to write it. The Bible was written by more than forty different men over a period of about sixteen hundred years. The important thing to remember is that these men wrote under the direct control of God. The Bible says,
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but the holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” - 2 PETER 1:21
The Bible does not merely contain the word of God—it is the word of God! Every part of the Bible is inspired. The Bible says,
“ALL SCRIPTURE is given by inspiration of God...” - 2 TIMOTHY 3:16
The Bible is the only book which was written in this manner. It is the only written revelation of Himself which God has given to man. In the last chapter of the Bible, God warns men against adding to the Bible or taking away from it. (See Revelation 22:18-19)
What is the Bible About?
The Bible is the story of man’s complete ruin in sin and God’s perfect salvation in Christ. It tells how man turned away from God into sin and how God sent His Son to die for our sins. God gave us this wonderful book that we might know the truth. The Bible tells us the truth about ourselves, about sin, about Satan, about salvation and about God.
The Bible is God’s love letter to us, telling us that He loves us and that He wants us to become His children by trusting and accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior. The Bible is the most important book in the world because it tells us how we can be saved.
What is the Subject of the Bible?
The grand theme of the Bible is the Lord Jesus Christ. The Old Testament contains many predictions and prophecies concerning the Savior which God promised to the world. Jesus Christ fulfills these prophecies. He Himself said that the “things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me.”
The first four books of the New Testament are called “the Gospels.” Each of these presents the life of Christ from a different viewpoint. God has given us four “pictures” of His Son. Matthew presents Christ as “the King of the Jews,” and he quotes many passages from the Old Testament to show that Jesus Christ is indeed the Savior which God had promised to His people. Mark presents Christ as the perfect Servant, Luke presents Him as “the Son of Man,” while John presents Christ as “the Eternal Son of God “.
If you have not read the Bible, begin reading it now. Start with the Gospel of John. The key word in this Gospel is “believe.” Underline it and its different forms in the verses where it appears and notice how many times this word is used. The Gospel of John was written that we might believe on Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and have eternal life through His name. The Apostle John said,
“These are written , that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through His name.” –John 20:31
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” –John 3:16
What Does God Want Us to Do With the Bible?
Here are four things God wants us to do with the Bible: (1) Read it each day, (2) Believe it, (3) Memorize verses from it, and (4) Obey it. Let us think about each of these things.
1. Read the Bible each day
Why should we read the Bible daily? We should read the Bible each day because this is the way God speaks to us and tells us what He wants us to do.
Reading the Bible is as important to our spiritual life as eating food is to our physical life. We cannot live the Christian life without the Word of God. The Lord Jesus said,
“..Man shall not live by bread alone(food alone), but by every of word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” -Matthew 4:4
2. Believe the Bible
We cannot please God unless we have faith. The Bible says,
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is , and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” –Hebrews 11:6
What is faith? Faith is taking God at His Word. Faith is believing the Bible. If others want to doubt the Bible, let them do so, but settle in your mind that the Bible is God’s Holy Word. The Bible says,
“For ever, O Lord , thy word is settled in heaven.” –Psalm 119:89
3. Memorize verses from the Bible
The Bible is “the sword of the Spirit.” This means that it is our weapon to use against Satan.
When the Lord Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus used the Word of God. Jesus had memorized the Scriptures, and He used them to defeat Satan. Each time Satan tempted Him, the Lord Jesus said, “It is written,” and He quoted a Scripture verse. Satan was defeated!
If we want to have a victory over Satan’s temptations, we must memorize God’s word. This is “hiding God’s word in our heart.” The Bible says:
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart , that I might not sin against thee.” –Psalm 119:11
4. Obey the Bible
The Bible contains facts to be believed, promises to claimed, and commands to be obeyed. The Lord wants us to obey Him. Jesus said,
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” –Matthew 7:21
When God tells you in His word that you should do something, then do it. God blesses those who obey His word. The Lord Jesus said,
“But he said , Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep(obey) it.” –Luke 11:28
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