The B-I-B-L-E, Yes, That's the Book for Me!

By Edd Sterchi

 

    The Bible is the most amazing document known to mankind. Consider that it is a compilation of 66 different books written by 40 different individuals over the course of 1,600 years, and yet it is perfect in harmony, history, accuracy, and advice.

    Notice what 2 Timothy 3:16-17 has to say about the Bible: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God(1), and is profitable for doctrine(2)...for instruction in righteousness (3), that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work(4).”

1. The Bible is from God. It is not a document containing man’s opinion – it is God’s Holy Word. Like the Psalmist said, “The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times” (Psalms 12:6). Being from God, let us be reminded that the Bible is pure and perfect and all we need.

2. The Bible contains religious doctrine. How the church is to go about conducting proper worship and work is found within its sacred pages. Paul wrote God-inspired words to Timothy so that he and others would know “how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church” (1 Timothy 3:15). Since the church is from God, it makes sense to follow only the guidelines He established for it, which is only in the Bible – it is all we need.

3. Everything pertaining to salvation matters and godly living is clearly revealed to us in the Bible. Men may devise many plans of salvation, but the Word of God reveals only one. The first century Christians obeyed the “word of truth, the gospel of...salvation” (Ephesians 1:13). The word of God was all they needed, and it is all we need today, as well.

4. Men can be made complete and productive through following Biblical precepts. In the Holy Writ we find our highest calling. In Ephesians, we Christians are reminded that we were “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (2:10) and that we are blessed with “every spiritual blessing” (1:3). The Bible guides us toward every good thing to be and do – it is all we need.

    Wouldn’t it be great if everyone would shed their denominational dogmas, man-made creeds, and diverse opinions and doctrines, and simply follow the Bible only? Truly we would then be doing what God desires. The Bible – it’s truly all we need.

    The song we learned long ago still rings true today:

The B-I-B-L-E, yes, that's the Book for me!

I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E.

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/