The
Canon of the Bible is something that has intrigued many since the time of its
conception. Many people desire to debate
the Canon, claiming that books were left out, claiming that the inspired Word
of God isn’t divinely orchestrated by God and other claims towards why it’s not
possible for it to be the authoritative Word of God. However, “the word “canon” comes from the
Hebrew word qaneh and the Greek word kanon.”1 The Canon has been the topic of
heated debate and personal comfort for people over the years and it will still
remain in those two categories, but God is far beyond the Canon, God is the
Author of the Bible.
Many people debate and criticize
people for believing in the Word of God and having faith that God not only had
it written, but that it works and makes an impact on the person and the lives connected
to the person. “The authority of the
Bible is established by its own claims. It is the Word of God. Such
declarations as “this is what The LORD says,” or its equivalent, occur so
frequently in the OT that it can confidently be asserted that the whole account
is dominated by the claim.”2 The Bible is God’s message to us, it describes how
receive God, which is by Jesus Christ and His sacrifice and it describes how to
maintain an intimate relationship with God. “The Gospel is in its
central content and many aspects through the action of the Holy Spirit, is
brought into written form by Christ’s appointees as God’s authoritative word
for the church and in the world.”3
Inspiration
is a subject that is normally the heat of the debate, because it has claims
that only one with true faith could understand. Inspiration is something that
is spoken of in the Word of God. It has
everything to do with faith and absolutely nothing to do with historical
facts. God’s Word states that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God”4 “Clearly
this verse affirms God as the ultimate Author of all Scripture.”5 Elmer L.
Towns says “Inspiration is the supernatural guidance of the writers of
Scripture by the Spirit of God whereby they wrote the divine Word of God,
transcribed accurately and reliably.”6 In the times of the New Testament Jesus
often quoted biblical scripture which gives us a greater assurance that it is
indeed the Word of God. The fact that
Jesus Christ began to speak on the Scriptures proves that they are needed,
relevant and inerrant. Jesus told us to
“Search the scriptures for in
them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”7 Both
the Old Testament and the New Testament state “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is
written of me,) to do thy will,
O God.”8 Jesus Christ is the focus all throughout the Bible from the beginning
even to the end in the book of Revelation.
Throughout
history we can research and come to the conclusion that the records written of
in the Word of God are accurate historically. We cannot begin to notice other
people’s actions and claim the Bible is wrong based upon what they did or
didn’t do when they claimed Jesus Christ, which is often a common excuse for
other people not to come to Jesus for their soul salvation. The Bible is needed
because it gives us a foundation on solid Biblical sound doctrine, which is
needed to pursue God in all aspects of life. The question still remains, will
we believe by faith?
The
definition of inerrancy to me would be the fact that Jesus Christ was
prophesied in the Word of God and all of the prophecies have been fulfilled
except those that will come to fruition at His second coming. The Bible has played a great part in my life,
leading me to not only believe, but to desire a greater knowledge of God
through the Bible. The evidence I would give is the capability and ability that
God has worked in my life, thus proving that “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”9
God
desires for us to live a holy life, a life that is not perfect, but rather
striving for Christ in a pursuit that is never ending. Jesus Christ has His lifestyle written for us
for the purpose of “leaving us an example,
that ye should follow his steps”10 and desires for us to “be thou an example of the believers, in word, in
conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”11 The truth of the
matter is, regardless of what one believes towards the authenticity of the
Bible it comes down to the question, do I have the faith to believe in Jesus
Christ.
Bibliography
[1]
Bill T. Arnold, Bryan E. Beyer. Encountering
the Old Testament: A Christian Survey 2nd Edition. Grand Rapids,
MI. 2008. Print. (p. 22)
[2] Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of
Theology 2nd Edition, Grand Rapids, MI. 2001. Print. (p. 154)
[3]
Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology 2nd Edition, Grand
Rapids, MI. 2001. Print. (p. 154)
[4]
2 Timothy 3:16. The Holy Bible. King
James Version.
[5]
Bill T. Arnold, Bryan E. Beyer. Encountering
the Old Testament: A Christian Survey 2nd Edition. Grand Rapids,
MI. 2008. Print. [p. 24]
[6]
Towns, Elmer L. Theology for Today,
Mason, OH. 2008. Print. (p. 29)
[7]
John 5:39. The Holy Bible. King James
Version.
[8]
Hebrews 10:7. The Holy Bible. King
James Version.
[9]
Hebrews 13:8. The Holy Bible. King
James Version.
[10]
1 Peter 2:21. The Holy Bible. King
James Version.
[11]
1 Timothy 4:12. The Holy Bible. King
James Version.
_____________________________________________________________
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as
your personal Lord and Savior?
If not, here’s what you are missing.
You are missing satisfaction in life. You are missing the blessings of
God in and through your life. You are missing the blessing of being able to
know God intimately and know Him for the pardoning of your sins. You are missing the blessing of being able to
serve God and impact your community and the world around you. You are missing the beauty of God revealing
Himself to you and helping you in your daily life. You are missing out on such
great things. God wants the best for you
and His best starts with you admitting you have sinned against Him and that you
need a Savior for your sins, that Savior is Jesus Christ. Like me, will you rebel against God’s plan
and will for your life? Will you submit to Gods will so He can save you and
redirect your life? God can get you off
any drugs, any habit or addiction, nothing can stop God and God will stop at
nothing to stop it from stopping you from reaching your full potential for
Christ. God loves you so much, why wait
and why reject His message. If you want
to be saved for-real, just pray this prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I have sinned, I am a sinner, I have sinned and will sin, but I
have sinned only against You. Lord, I am in need of Your forgiveness. I believe
You died for my sins and You rose from the dead. I believe You are God and that
You have the capability to forgive me of my sins and cleanse me from my
unrighteousness. Lord, please save me and draw me to You by Your grace. Fill me
with Your Spirit. Baptize me in Your power and help me to live a lifestyle that
is pleasing in Your sight. Give me victory over temptation, Lord, strengthen me
to be all who You want me to be please in Jesus Name! AMEN!”
"God loved the world this way:
He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will
have eternal life." ~ John 3:16 (God’s Word Translation)
"That
if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart
that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a
person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting
in salvation. For
the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be [disappointed.” For
there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord
of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the
name of the Lord will be saved.” ~ Romans 10:9-13 (NASB)
These links may help you in your walk with Jesus Christ. I urge you to take a look at some and
remember to draw closer to God through studying His Word and praying daily for
yourself and most importantly, others.
God Bless!
[List of Bible Promises!
http://www.intouch.org/resources/gods-promises?page480=2 ]
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
~ Romans 10:17 (King James Version)
http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/PrayerAndCounseling/index.aspx [Prayer
Request; Have someone online pray for you!]
"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces
wonderful results." ~ James 5:16 (New Living Translation)
http://www.OurPrayer.org [Prayer Request; People from all over the world can
pray for YOU, simple, fast, free and beneficial.]
http://www.Bible.cc [Great site for searching through the Bible and
comparing each version, also charts, commentaries and dictionaries]
"Don’t get drunk on wine, which leads to wild living. Instead, be
filled with the Spirit." ~ Ephesians 5:18 (Gods Word Translation)
http://www.biblegateway.com [Great site for Bibles of various kinds and
various languages]
"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the
bones." ~ Proverbs 14:30 (New International Version)
http://www.Christianword.org [Great site for prayers; affirmations,
scripture references etc.]
http://www.e-sword.net [Great site to download Bible software; commentaries,
dictionaries, maps, charts, various Bibles]
"A patient person [shows] great understanding, but a quick-tempered one
promotes foolishness." ~ Proverbs 14:29 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
http://www.twft.org [Pastor Chuck Smith's Through The Bible audio sermons]
http://www.c28.com [Christian Clothing, etc.]
http://www.intouch.org/itrn?utm_source=ITM&utm_medium=Web&utm_campaign=Home_top_slider
[In Touch Ministries 24/7 Radio Broadcast Online; Free Streaming]
http://www.intouch.org/resources/gods-promises?page480=2 [List of Bible
Promises! (Easy to Print)]
"In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children
will have refuge." ~ Proverbs 14:26 (New American Standard Bible)
http://www.wmpress.org [FREE Christian Tracts] [Shipped to your doorstep for
free.] [Pass out, leave somewhere (school, bus stop, grocery store, mall,
shopping center, etc.), send in a Birthday, Holiday or Christmas Card; Simple
ways to plant seeds of faith in people, even without speaking.]
[ORDER FORM for WMPRESS.ORG] http://www.wmpress.org/booklet_order.php [BOOKLETS/STUDY GUIDES/ GOSPEL TRACTS
AVAILABLE TO ORDER FROM WMPRESS.ORG] http://www.wmpress.org/bksavail.shtml
http://www.intouch.org/about/in-touch-messenger/messenger-downloads
[Download 35 POWERFUL sermons from Charles Stanley in less than five minutes,
compressed ZIP FILE.] [3 Languages; Pray for the Ministry of donating, giving
and supplying these handheld devices to spread the Gospel to the remote areas
of the world and throughout the 'known' world.] [Pray!]
"For, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved." ~ Romans 10:13 (American Standard Version)
http://www.thruthebible.org/site/c.irLMKXPGLsF/b.4104233/k.BFE1/MP3_Download_of_5Year_Series.htm
[Dr. J Vernon McGee's Through The Bible 5 Year Series; Free downloads]
[THREE Great Biblical Prayers Ephesians 3:14-21, Ephesians 1:16-20 &
Colossians 1:9-14, pray them for you and others!]
http://www.biblegateway.christianbook.com [Buy Christian Bibles, great
selection of Study Bibles, commentaries, audio sermons, books, clothing, music,
gifts, art; etc.]
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio [Charles Stanley's daily
radio broadcast; also clicking 'Audio Archives' can allow you to search years
back and download more of his radio broadcasts]
"I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and
peace while you trust in him. Then your hope will overflow by the power of the
Holy Spirit." ~ Romans 15:13 (New Century Version)
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/this-week-on-tv [Charles Stanleys 'This
Week on TV' site; clicking 'Video Archives' can allow you to search back and
find older Television shows; He also has sermon notes available on each
show/segment]
"And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured
into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." ~
Romans 5:5 (English Standard Version)
http://www.twft.com/?page=C2000 [Pastor Chuck Smiths c2000 Through The Bible
series; free downloads of book by book, verse by verse Bible study/commentary]
"May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your
knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord." ~ 2 Peter 1:2 (New Living
Translation)
http://twft.com/?page=Radio.Main [Pastor Chuck Smiths Radio Broadcast; 25
minutes of study on the Word of God. c3000 edition]
[Study Bibles I suggest looking at; at CBD.com] 'Life in The Spirit Study
Bible' 'Zondervan Study Bible' Nelson KJV Study Bible' and 'ESV Study Bible.'
Christian Books; "Disciplines of The Holy Spirit" by Tan/Gregg;
"How to Listen to God" by Charles Stanley; "Living Waters"
by Pastor Chuck Smith; "Handbook for Christian Living" by Charles
Stanley;
"That I may KNOW Him" ~ Philippians 3:10
Start your day off with a Word from God; Prayer and a Song of Praise/Worship
THE ROYAL PRAYER LINE
Every Wednesday Morning
6:15 a.m. - 6:30 a.m.[EASTERN USA TIME]
Dial-in# (712) 432-1001
Access Code: 491276491#
Just Listen and Be Blessed!!!
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/royal-baptist-sunday-services [PAST SERVICES
OF ROYAL MISSIONARY BAPTIST; SUNDAY SERVICES 8 AND 11 AM; Special Events and
Bible Study as well] Enjoy!
http://royalmbc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=109
[My Churches Live Streaming; Sunday's at 8 AM & 11 AM. Thursdays for Bible
Study 7 PM; Enjoy, there IS a Word from The LORD!]
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