The Purpose of the Bible

[Bob Estey]

How would you even know God or Jesus if you didn't read your Bible?
The Bible is either all true, or it isn't. If part of it isn't, none of us will have a problem on Judgement Day, because we can argue that we weren't sure of anything.
Jesus told us to Search the Scriptures. @ Tim 3:16 says:"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

Why would someone not believe 100% its veracity? Is there something objectionable to you that Paul writes about?

The Bible is a faithful witness. I don't consider it God.

 

[Bob Estey]

We know Moses, David, and Jonah weren't perfect, but they are all prophets through whom Scripture is communicated and preserved for our edification.

Act 1:16 "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;

We can learn a lot from all the good guys in the Bible. They aren't perfect, though, except God and Jesus. My pastor isn't perfect. Does that mean I stop listening to him? No.

 

[Bob Estey]

i agree we ought to be in much prayer . As says also the scriptures .
So remain in the bible as well .

Not just much prayer - constant prayer.

 

[Bob Estey]

No man is on the same plane as GOD or Christ . But all things they wrote are good for us . And those letters were Spirit inspired .
Peter , paul , jude , james , john , those are very important that we learn those writings as well .
We should stay grounded in all of it .

I don't think every word of it is inspired. We need to obey all the things God and Jesus are quoted as saying, though.

 

[Cassandra]

I don't think every word of it is inspired. We need to obey all the things God and Jesus are quoted as saying, though.

Once more with feeling!

2 Tim 3:16 " All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
You can say it is not all inspired, but it says it is.. I believe in prayer too, but one of the ways God speaks to you is through His Word. That is a sure fire way to know His will.
.

 

[GEN2REV]

No, it isn't a trick question. The Bible and God are two different things - God is not a book.

He's not a book, but His Words ARE His Spirit; and that is also how we eat His flesh and drink His blood - by reading (ingesting) His Words.

He IS the Words of Eternal Life.

All laid out in John chapter 6.

 

[GEN2REV]

The Bible is a tool that can help us find God, but the purpose isn't to obey the Bible - the purpose is to find God.

The Bible is used to learn who God is and what He's all about after He has chosen to call you to His Word (Jesus).

Nobody can find God by any means without first being called by God to His Word (Jesus).

"No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him: ..."
John 6:44
" ... no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."
John 14:6

Once all that is in motion, then, actually, the Bible IS to be obeyed ... as God's Sacred Word.

No man can come to Jesus (The Word) unless the Father calls/draws him, and no man can get to The Father but by/through Jesus (The Word).

 

[GEN2REV]

For me, either the True and Living God was able to establish through the early church what was truly the word of God or He wasn't.

And He was able to protect that written Word down through the ages by His supernatural power and will.

If somebody doesn't hold to, or develop, that, I believe they're in great danger in this day and age.

The power and sacredness of God's Holy Word is being attacked and diminished daily like never before now. If you don't hold fast to the faith that you were given from the beginning, and embrace scripture as Holy Writ, you will have nothing to hold onto as things get darker and darker and the night comes.

Psalms 12:6
Hebrews 3:6
Hebrews 10:23
John 9:4

 

[GEN2REV]

We need to reduce our dependency on scripture and increase our dependency on the Lord.

This sentiment is the entire problem with Christendom right now.

It is a shame professed Christians put so little reverence into His Word anymore, but it damages their spiritual walk more than anything.

If the Bible has no inherent power to somebody, then quoting scripture, and Biblical prayers like the Lord's Prayer, have no power as a defense against the enemy. But for those who do hold a reverence for God's written Word, and sense great power and significance in the Bible, their recitations and prayers hold great power over the enemy. Rest assured.

That is the sad Truth of today's state of modern Christianity. And it is why so many professed Christians will not be able to stand in the day of their darkest hour.

 

[GEN2REV]

As time goes by, more God, less Bible.

[39] You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me;
[40] yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:39-40 RSV

Jesus is speaking to unbelieving Pharisees and Sadducees in these verses. He is speaking to complete frauds. The Bible does not contain these verses directed at Bible-believing Christians.

Jesus absolutely wants believing Christians to search and study the scriptures diligently and perpetually. None of them have "refused to come to Him."

This is exactly the problem. Without discernment of the Holy Spirit, all of scripture is like a foreign language to the reader. And, in this passage, it is simple context that is being thrown to the wind.

 

[GEN2REV]

Stay GLUED IN IT MY FRIEND . For the time has come that many no longer endure sound doctrine .
And have long heaped up teachers , having itchy ears . YOU STAY PLANTED in the BIBLE . ALL OF US MUST .
march onwards in the LORD my friend . KEEP reminding them to be planted in those scriptures .

Bullseye!

 

[BloodBought 1953]

Some people believe that.

So parts of the Bible are lies?

 

[BloodBought 1953]

Knowing him is different than reading what he said.

If you His doubt His Word, much of which was revealed by His “ chosen Vessel” Paul......the one Jesus said to follow ( “follow me as I follow Christ”.... you think Paul came up with that bold statement on his own? The Holy Spirit inspired him to say it) , yes , if you fail to believe His TOTAL revealed Word, I doubt if you know Him at All.....

 

[BloodBought 1953]

I feel I must obey God and Jesus - they are quoted frequently in the Bible. I don't consider Paul to be on the same plane as God and Jesus.

If you want to obey Jesus, do what He said.....who do you think inspired Paul to write “ FOLLOW ME, as I follow Christ “——- Paul would not have been blasphemous enough to utter such a thing unless Jesus told him to....

Of course Paul ain't on the same plain as Jesus.....nobody ever made that stupid claim....Jesus used Paul to preach the Gospel and make us aware of the changes in God’s Plan for humanity....Paul revealed the Age Of Grace, once the Age Of The Law was finished..

 

[Stumpmaster]

Here is the point I am trying to make:

[39] You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me;
[40] yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:39-40 RSV

You need verse 38 to get the full meaning and context of what Jesus is saying.
Joh 5:38-40 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. (39) You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. (40) But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

To believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son sent by the God the Father is necessary if the Word of God is to abide in us by the power of God the Holy Spirit.

 

[Bob Estey]

Once more with feeling!

2 Tim 3:16 " All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
You can say it is not all inspired, but it says it is.. I believe in prayer too, but one of the ways God speaks to you is through His Word. That is a sure fire way to know His will.
.

That is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

 

[Bob Estey]

He's not a book, but His Words ARE His Spirit; and that is also how we eat His flesh and drink His blood - by reading (ingesting) His Words.

He IS the Words of Eternal Life.

All laid out in John chapter 6.

His words are in the Bible, but it is better to get to know him than to only know the Bible.

 

[Bob Estey]

This sentiment is the entire problem with Christendom right now.

It is a shame professed Christians put so little reverence into His Word anymore, but it damages their spiritual walk more than anything.

If the Bible has no inherent power to somebody, then quoting scripture, and Biblical prayers like the Lord's Prayer, have no power as a defense against the enemy. But for those who do hold a reverence for God's written Word, and sense great power and significance in the Bible, their recitations and prayers hold great power over the enemy. Rest assured.

That is the sad Truth of today's state of modern Christianity. And it is why so many professed Christians will not be able to stand in the day of their darkest hour.

God and Jesus are quoted over and over in the Bible, and it's true we need to obey, but the purpose is to get to know God - the purpose isn't to obey the Bible.

 

[Bob Estey]

Jesus is speaking to unbelieving Pharisees and Sadducees in these verses. He is speaking to complete frauds. The Bible does not contain these verses directed at Bible-believing Christians.

Jesus absolutely wants believing Christians to search and study the scriptures diligently and perpetually. None of them have "refused to come to Him."

This is exactly the problem. Without discernment of the Holy Spirit, all of scripture is like a foreign language to the reader. And, in this passage, it is simple context that is being thrown to the wind.

Jesus is speaking to those who would rather be popular than obey the Lord, I believe.

 

[Bob Estey]

So parts of the Bible are lies?

None of the Bible is a lie. The letters attributed to Paul indeed were written by Paul. A few of Paul's beliefs might be questionable, however.