In our quest to understand how we can achieve our ultimate reason for existence, to glorify God and to enjoy him forever, we have uncovered an important reality. That reality is that although the creation and man’s conscience point us to the Creator, God is only effectually revealed to us, for our salvation, by the Word of God and the Spirit. In this post we will look at the Word.
What is the Word of God?
The Word of God is the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, given by divine inspiration, and the Word is the only infallible rule of faith (doctrine) and practice (obedience). As Paul reminds Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by God, and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). Paul also reminds us that we are “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20). Here Paul is referencing the message of Christ revealed through the apostles and prophets.
Thus, when we speak of the Word of God we mean the 66 books now commonly known as the Protestant Bible. Although, calling it the “Protestant” Bible is a bit of a misnomer. These 66 books are the same that Athanasius listed as the official canon in the fourth century. These books our only “infallible,” that is, it is our only sure and trustworthy guide for doctrine and practice. But how do we the Bible is the Word of God?
How do we know the Bible is the Word of God?
The Bible evidence itself to be God’s word by the heavenliness of its doctrine, the unity of its parts, and its power to covert sinners and edify saints. But only the Spirit of God can make us willing to agree and submit to the Bible as the Word of God. The Bible says of itself, “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are you true, and righteous altogether” (Ps. 19:7-9, ESV). It is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions” (Heb. 4:12, ESV).
Paul warns, “The natural [unconverted] person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14, ESV). Thus, not everyone who reads the Bible will “get it.” Although all of us suffer spiritual blindness before we come to know Christ, the Spirit can give us spiritual eyes. Does that mean only believers can read the Bible?
May all men make use of the Holy Scripture?
All men are not only permitted, but commanded and encouraged to read, hear, and understand the Holy Scripture. The Bible is to be read and enjoyed by all. Why are we expected to read it?
What do the Scriptures mainly teach?
The Scriptures teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. Solomon concluded, “The end of the matter, all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13, ESV). Paul adds, “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:13, ESV).
Conclusion
The Word of God teaches us about God and how to please him. The Bible gives us the pattern by which we are to live in order to please the Lord. Next Monday we will look at what the Bible teaches us about God.
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