Is the Bible really that important?
- Thread starter selenah2
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because those who are sincere about what they believe want to understand God better and the Bible is a simple way of hearing the Word of God.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV).
If we did not study the word of God, how could we know anything that God is communicating with us. In the book of Revelation for example, the very first verse says, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to Him to show His servants the things which must take place in quickness." Therefore, how could know what those things (events) were if we did not read the book of Revelation? In addition to this in verse 3 it says, "Blessed are those who read the words of this prophecy and those who hear it and take to heart the things that are written in it." How could anyone be blessed if they didn't read it?
The reason that we are to preach to others, is because there are currently unbelievers who were foreknown and predestined and whose names were written in the book of life before the world began. When they hear the good news, then the Father draws them to His Son and inbirths faith into them and they respond having faith in what they heard and believe.
Understanding the Bible is important because the Bible is God’s Word. When we open the Bible, we read God’s message to us. What could be more important than understanding what the Creator of the universe has to say?
We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason a man seeks to understand a love letter from his sweetheart. God loves us and desires to restore our relationship with Him (Matthew 23:37). God communicates His love to us in the Bible (John 3:16; 1 John 3:1; 4:10).
We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason a soldier seeks to understand a dispatch from his commander. Obeying God’s commands brings honor to Him and guides us in the way of life (Psalm 119). Those commands are found in the Bible (John 14:15).
We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason a mechanic seeks to understand a repair manual. Things go wrong in this world, and the Bible not only diagnoses the problem (sin) but also points out the solution (faith in Christ). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason a driver seeks to understand traffic signals. The Bible gives us guidance through life, showing us the road of safety and wisdom (Psalm 119:11, 105).
We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason someone in the path of a storm seeks to understand the weather report. The Bible predicts what the end times will be like, sounding a clear warning of impending judgment (Matthew 24-25) and how to avoid it (Romans 8:1).
We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason an avid reader seeks to understand his favorite author’s books. The Bible reveals to us the person and glory of God, as expressed in His Son, Jesus Christ (John 1:1-18). The more we read and understand the Bible, the more intimately we know the Author.
As Philip was traveling to Gaza, the Holy Spirit led him to a man who was reading a portion of Isaiah. Philip approached the man, saw what he was reading, and asked this very important question: “Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8:30). Philip knew that understanding was the starting point for faith. Without understanding the Bible, we cannot apply it, obey it, or believe it. source
We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason a man seeks to understand a love letter from his sweetheart. God loves us and desires to restore our relationship with Him (Matthew 23:37). God communicates His love to us in the Bible (John 3:16; 1 John 3:1; 4:10).
We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason a soldier seeks to understand a dispatch from his commander. Obeying God’s commands brings honor to Him and guides us in the way of life (Psalm 119). Those commands are found in the Bible (John 14:15).
We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason a mechanic seeks to understand a repair manual. Things go wrong in this world, and the Bible not only diagnoses the problem (sin) but also points out the solution (faith in Christ). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason a driver seeks to understand traffic signals. The Bible gives us guidance through life, showing us the road of safety and wisdom (Psalm 119:11, 105).
We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason someone in the path of a storm seeks to understand the weather report. The Bible predicts what the end times will be like, sounding a clear warning of impending judgment (Matthew 24-25) and how to avoid it (Romans 8:1).
We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason an avid reader seeks to understand his favorite author’s books. The Bible reveals to us the person and glory of God, as expressed in His Son, Jesus Christ (John 1:1-18). The more we read and understand the Bible, the more intimately we know the Author.
As Philip was traveling to Gaza, the Holy Spirit led him to a man who was reading a portion of Isaiah. Philip approached the man, saw what he was reading, and asked this very important question: “Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8:30). Philip knew that understanding was the starting point for faith. Without understanding the Bible, we cannot apply it, obey it, or believe it. source
T
TheIndianGirl
Guest
I think it is important to read the Bible to understand the characteristics of God and to know His promises. Some things are better understood when read rather than listened through a sermon. There are many genres in the Bible (historical, wisdom, poetry, etc.). Many books in the Bible are beautifully written with many great stories. One of my pastors also described the Bible as the greatest adventure book. But, I do believe that salvation does not depend on reading/knowing the Bible. Some people do not like to read, or they are too tired from a long day, or not disciplined enough to wake up early for a devotional. However, they still pray and have a relationship with God.
Not everybody knows God exists.
Knowing God exists does not equate to knowing God personally.
How would you form closeness with someone if they weren't speaking to you?
How would people know what is required to he saved?
How would people know they Need to be saved?
How would people know about Jesus?
How would people know they are sinners?
What examples would people have of how to live?
How would people know about satan?
What his intention is?
Undoubtedly I could go on but you get the point.
For people who live in this world as only a fleshly beings the bible has no importance. It is a fantasy world they live in, only half alive for they have denied the spirit of man.
We are born in flesh so know only fleshly things, if we want to know about the spirit of man and to be aware of the real world, it is necessary to read about how it really is and the bible is the only source for that.
Even fleshly people have a curiosity about something they sense is more profound and go to philosophy, but it is always a bit distorted. Only the bible tells it as it actually is. That is why we must carefully wipe out of our minds anything that is added to scripture from man.
We are born in flesh so know only fleshly things, if we want to know about the spirit of man and to be aware of the real world, it is necessary to read about how it really is and the bible is the only source for that.
Even fleshly people have a curiosity about something they sense is more profound and go to philosophy, but it is always a bit distorted. Only the bible tells it as it actually is. That is why we must carefully wipe out of our minds anything that is added to scripture from man.
T
TheIndianGirl
Guest
Early Christians did not have access to the complete New Testament. Most people did not even read the Bible until it was widely published into their language as a result of the Gutenberg press (previously it was only available in Latin). For salvation purposes, I do not think one needs to know every detail or theology, some of which are complicated and there is much disagreement. Most people know who Satan and Jesus are so not much explanation is needed there. To know the basics of Christianity, listening to sermons is sufficient, which kind of reflects early Christianity with their communal gatherings. A lot of movies about Jesus already tell the full story (the King of Kings, The Passion, etc.). Most people convert to Christianity based on testimonies of Christians, what they observe of Christians, and/or work of the Holy Spirit. That said, I absolutely think we do gain by reading the Bible.
Once a soul yields to our Father in Jesus-Yeshua the Holy Spirit will lead and teach, making the text a blessing and no longer death. Having pointed dthis out, keep in mind no individual other than our Savior will ever be able to relate all of the Word, at least not in this age. Read you Word in prayer and meditation giving all glory to God with the aforementioned in mind always.
When you stop and realise that we live in a time that we are able to have the Bible so readily available for us, it is an amazing blessing. I confess that I take it for granted at times. But let's realise also, that we have the Bible because God revealed Himself to men over time and it was recorded what they experienced. It's one thing to read about His revealed Self, it's a whole other thing to actually experience it.
The answer is similar but not exactly the same as to why we have books on science and history and any other field of information. We stand on what others have learned instead of insisting that we will spend our time finding out all this on our own without any input from those who learned what we desire to know.
The Bible is written by men who knew God. They wrote, inspired by God, to communicate what decades of walking with Him taught them about Him, his ways, and man as well the record of what happened in the past, letters of encouragement and instruction and messages from God to man through prophets (in a nutshell.) We can either learn from them or go forward and make all the mistakes on our own never arriving at what they knew or we can benefit from what they learned (as in any other book) and read what they knew.
That is the dry answer. There is also the spiritual answer that God speaks to us through the Bible that cuts through our pride, on occassion. Pride is what prevents us from knowing God. It is was prevents men from believing there is a God at all. And God opposes the proud so there is a wall between us knowing God or knowing HIm better in which every stone is made up of our pride. And we, not He, must remove the stones. One way is to admit that others, the authors of the Bible at least, knew God better than we do so we admit this, humble ourselves, and read their words. It is through this admitting we DO NOT KNOW GOD well or at all that God is able to speak to us.
So we humble ourselves and read a book of the writings of men who we admit knew God better than we do and we admit we need help. That is why we cannot go it on our own. THe pride that wants to do it alone prevents Him from revealing HImself to us. As I said,
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. So humble yourselves under the hand of God and He will lift you up."
The history of man living with a knowledge of God is very checkered.
For 1,500 years most people believed idols ruled the world, a different idol for each race. There was the flood, and God started over with Noah understanding God. His sons soon forgot all about God, and a grandson thought up sun worship, establishing Sunday as the day of the sun. This went on for 500 years when God established a race of men through Abraham who knew of Him. This was about 2,000 years before Christ, and the world was divided by these people and all others who believed their idols had God power. Then Christ came, and for 2,000 years the gentiles have been the one who knew of God.
Abraham’s descendants know God but not Christ. However, the gentiles took a dislike to the people who had known of God for those 2,000 years and those people couldn’t get over that the gentiles hadn’t known of God and bad feelings resulted. So the gentiles changed as much as they felt they could of what they felt was wrong because the Jews believed it. Holidays changed, days of the week given false God’s names. Then the people of God decided that the Christ was not the one spoken of in the bible and rejected Him. To complicate all this, God gave a new way of communicating with people, not through the things they were to do that symbolized how our world works best, but through the Holy Spirit. So Christians said that if God stopped circumcision and special diet, God meant anything the physical body does must stop. People’s idea of God changed, God could make mistakes they felt if God needed to change things. So we are left with problems in the understanding of God.
You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
James 2:19
One can be saved without reading a Bible yes.
Although, The Bible is a record and witness to mankind of God's plan and purpose. To me that's exciting.
Do you want to be saved only to avoid hell? Or do you want to get to know God?
If you are able to read would you want to pass up very important information that will last an eternity?
When it has been made so readily available in your own generation?
Today you don't even have to pay to buy this record God has provided, it can be had free online!
20 Wisdom shouts in the street,
She lifts her voice in the square;
21 At the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings
Proverbs 1
We are capable by our natural ability to reason, know The one God Creator of all that is. We can know God that much without the bible.
The bible is the story of God revealing Himself to us. God wanted to reveal Himself to us So fully that He became one of us So He could live with us So we could know Him in as much as it is possible.
To know God as He revealed Himself, to Moses, and when He was here with us in flesh and blood, the bible is a faithfull record of His Divine Revelation to man.
We only know about salvation because God did this.
Okay, I cannot even express the importance of reading + studying Scripture. The Bible plays an essential role in building one's relationship with God. I am without a doubt one of those passionate "sola scripture" believers. Don't forget how John begins... "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" [1:1]. God IS the Word, it is who He is. If we want to KNOW Christ + understand the faith, we NEED to read Scripture + study the Word. Once we do so, the Holy Spirit will teach us. I think often about people who are persecuted or do not have access to the Bible, + it breaks my heart. Brothers + sisters who have Bibles, be grateful + thank the Lord that He has gifted you with His soul that is the Word. Many people do not have access; if you have extra or some sitting around, see if you can donate them to someone who is desperate for it. For those who cannot read the Bible [for whatever reason], I do believe that God can touch them + pursue them just as He does with those who DO have access. The message + idea of Christ, His sacrifice, repentance + salvation in Him are at the core of the Word, + if one is [somehow] being introduced to this + gives their life to Christ, that is all that matters. But, I think that reading Scripture is extremely important in connecting with Christ as best as possible. God bless, everyone! + read your Bibles!
I want to clarify that salvation is... eternal. It is forever. It is a very, VERY serious thing that none of us should take lightly. We are told that there is no greater commandment than to love our neighbor as ourselves [Mark 12:31]. I don't know about you, but I care about my own salvation + spending eternity with Christ. If I am told to love others as I do myself, I am going to care about THEIR salvation as well. This means not hesitating to share the Gospel + the nature of Christ with people. Mark 16:15 literally tells us to go out + preach the Gospel to the WHOLE creation. We see in Acts [10:42] that we are commanded by God to preach + testify to God's judgment.
As much as people say it is a "personal decision" or people should be "left alone" to make their own choice... well, no it isn't up to us what choice anyone makes; but we are vessels. We carry forth the message, + leave it to God to change + work on the heart. God Himself is the ONE + ONLY lawgiver + judge; who are we to judge our neighbors? [James 4:12] BUT that does not mean that we are to sit back + not make the effort; we are His disciples who were given the precious opportunity to share the beauty of Jesus. The disciples + life of Christ are PROOF that we are supposed to center our lives around testimony + sharing the Good News with people. Doing that isn't judging, nor is it imposing. Anyone who preaches + has the intention of trying to change a person, has the wrong mindset; we cannot change a person... it is just our responsibility to plant a simple seed, + pray for whoever it was we touched. Please read, reflect, + pray upon 1 Corinthians 3:6-9; this Scripture perfectly touches on the matter. We are told in the passage, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God gives the growth." It goes on to say we are God's fellow workers, His building. See? We play a role! We work for Him! We leave the mark, plant the seed + go out to advertise + market! But God? HE makes the sale.
God bless!
Is breathing really that important?
Can one live and not breath?
Neither can one truly LIVE and NOT read the Holy Word of God......but, shoot, now, you do as you wish......
Do you believe there are spirits?
Selenah, I just read Lucyś post...I think her response is a perfect and sufficient response to your question.