THE BIBLE, GOD'S HOLY WORD

Charles E. Burch

The Bible, God's Holy Word, is possibly the most abused book in print today. Multitudes never read it, and many of those who do, deny its inspiration and what it teaches. God has given man a road map to heaven, but many have no desire to learn the way.

When one seriously considers how the Bible came to be, it will convince any honest person that it is God's word. The Bible was written by approximately forty men over a period of about sixteen hundred years. Yet, there are no contradictions through out the Book. These writers lived at different times and in different places, yet, the Bible is correct in every aspect. Symmetrical beauty run through out its pages.

Many of the prophecies cannot be understood as they are stated, but when the fulfillment is recorded also, everything falls beautifully in place. An example of this: "...Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son..." (Isaiah 7:14). There is no way to understand this statement on physical or scientific grounds. It must have staggered the most reverent students of prophecy for seven hundred years. Then in God's own time it was verified to the letter.  “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,  To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.  And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee:...  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS”  (Luke 1:26-31). This prophecy and many others plainly reveal the fact that a Super Natural Being was behind the writing of the Bible.

The apostle Paul was guided by the Holy Spirit to state the fact that the Bible is indeed inspired of God. "All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (II Timothy 3:16-17). When Paul said  "all scripture is given by the inspiration of God", he included all of the Old Testament and all of the New Testament. If either were lacking in inspiration, one could not prove anything by the Bible. But God inspired both, for the writers were guided in every book which makes up the complete Bible.

The Bible is truly the living word of God. "For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12 ASV). The one who denies it to be, only shows his ignorance of what is contained within its pages. Let us study this great Book daily, that our faith may continue to grow.  "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).