In our last message, we considered the four characteristics of the Bible: authority, clarity, necessity and sufficiency. The Bible is God’s original message to humanity and the only infallible witness to God’s saving activity for all people. All that God wants us to know about Him are in the Bible. All that is needed for our salvation and closer walk with Him are there. The Bible is not only true when it speaks of salvation, ethical values and morality, but it is also without error on all subjects about which it speaks including history and the cosmos. This is because the Bible is God-breathed (2 Pet 1:20-21; 2 Tim 3:16-17). It is without error, absolutely true, trustworthy and infallible. God’s Word must be received, believed and obeyed as the final authority in all things pertaining to life and godliness (Mt 5:17-19; John 14:21; 15:10; 2 Tim 3:15-16). It must be used in the church as the final authority in all matters for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteous living (2 Tim 3:16-17). One cannot submit to Christ’s lordship without submitting to God and His Word as the ultimate authority (John 8:31-32, 37). It is important to note that the Bible can only be understood when we are in a right relation to the Holy Spirit.
The church has the responsibility to safeguard the true and original apostolic doctrine found in Scripture and commit unto others without compromise or corruption. It is important for believers to study the Bible for the following reasons:
1. To know, guard and teach true Biblical faith and God’s righteous standards (2 Tim 3:15; 1 Tim 4:6,11; Rom 6:17)
2. To show us the vital necessity for us to contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3) by providing the means by which to defend the faith against all false theologies (Acts 20:31).
3. To lead believers into continual growth in character through Godly teaching (Jos 1:8; Ps 1:2-3; 119:97-100; Mt 28:20; John 17:14-18).
4. To equip believers to strengthen and bring to maturity other believers so that together we may reflect Christ’s image in the home, the church and the society (Eph 4:11-16).
5. To bring believers to a deeper understanding and experience of God’s kingdom on earth and its conflict against the forces of evil (Eph 6:10-18).
6. To motivate believers through the eternal truths of the gospel to be wholeheartedly committed to evangelising and preaching the gospel to all creature (Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-20).
7. It deepens our experience of Christ’s love, personal fellowship and the exercise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (John 17:3,21,26; Eph 3:18-19).
Studying the Bible is a continuous and an un-ending training that all believers undergo while here on earth. True Biblical training emphasises true righteousness and not mere apprehension of Biblical facts and truths. The truths in the Bible are redemptive truths and not academic postulations. A personal response is required by all those who study the Bible as these are issues involving life or death (Jas 2:17; Phi 1:9).

God bless you.

oludyke: In our last message, we considered the four characteristics of the Bible: authority, clarity, necessity and sufficiency. The Bible is God’s original message to humanity and the only infallible witness to God’s saving activity for all people. All that God wants us to know about Him are in the Bible. All that is needed for our salvation and closer walk with Him are there. The Bible is not only true when it speaks of salvation, ethical values and morality, but it is also without error on all subjects about which it speaks including history and the cosmos. This is because the Bible is God-breathed (2 Pet 1:20-21; 2 Tim 3:16-17). It is without error, absolutely true, trustworthy and infallible. God’s Word must be received, believed and obeyed as the final authority in all things pertaining to life and godliness (Mt 5:17-19; John 14:21; 15:10; 2 Tim 3:15-16). It must be used in the church as the final authority in all matters for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteous living (2 Tim 3:16-17). One cannot submit to Christ’s lordship without submitting to God and His Word as the ultimate authority (John 8:31-32, 37). It is important to note that the Bible can only be understood when we are in a right relation to the Holy Spirit.
The church has the responsibility to safeguard the true and original apostolic doctrine found in Scripture and commit unto others without compromise or corruption. It is important for believers to study the Bible for the following reasons:
1. To know, guard and teach true Biblical faith and God’s righteous standards (2 Tim 3:15; 1 Tim 4:6,11; Rom 6:17)
2. To show us the vital necessity for us to contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3) by providing the means by which to defend the faith against all false theologies (Acts 20:31).
3. To lead believers into continual growth in character through Godly teaching (Jos 1:8; Ps 1:2-3; 119:97-100; Mt 28:20; John 17:14-18).
4. To equip believers to strengthen and bring to maturity other believers so that together we may reflect Christ’s image in the home, the church and the society (Eph 4:11-16).
5. To bring believers to a deeper understanding and experience of God’s kingdom on earth and its conflict against the forces of evil (Eph 6:10-18).
6. To motivate believers through the eternal truths of the gospel to be wholeheartedly committed to evangelising and preaching the gospel to all creature (Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-20).
7. It deepens our experience of Christ’s love, personal fellowship and the exercise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (John 17:3,21,26; Eph 3:18-19).
Studying the Bible is a continuous and an un-ending training that all believers undergo while here on earth. True Biblical training emphasises true righteousness and not mere apprehension of Biblical facts and truths. The truths in the Bible are redemptive truths and not academic postulations. A personal response is required by all those who study the Bible as these are issues involving life or death (Jas 2:17; Phi 1:9).

God bless you.

. True talk my brother.

oludyke:

The church has the responsibility to safeguard the true and original apostolic doctrine found in Scripture and commit unto others without compromise or corruption. It is important for believers to study the Bible for the following reasons:
1. To know, guard and teach true Biblical faith and God’s righteous standards (2 Tim 3:15; 1 Tim 4:6,11; Rom 6:17)
2. To show us the vital necessity for us to contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3) by providing the means by which to defend the faith against all false theologies (Acts 20:31).
3. To lead believers into continual growth in character through Godly teaching (Jos 1:8; Ps 1:2-3; 119:97-100; Mt 28:20; John 17:14-18).
4. To equip believers to strengthen and bring to maturity other believers so that together we may reflect Christ’s image in the home, the church and the society (Eph 4:11-16).
5. To bring believers to a deeper understanding and experience of God’s kingdom on earth and its conflict against the forces of evil (Eph 6:10-18).
6. To motivate believers through the eternal truths of the gospel to be wholeheartedly committed to evangelising and preaching the gospel to all creature (Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-20).
7. It deepens our experience of Christ’s love, personal fellowship and the exercise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (John 17:3,21,26; Eph 3:18-19).

Studying the Bible is a continuous and an un-ending training that all believers undergo while here on earth. True Biblical training emphasises true righteousness and not mere apprehension of Biblical facts and truths. The truths in the Bible are redemptive truths and not academic postulations. A personal response is required by all those who study the Bible as these are issues involving life or death (Jas 2:17; Phi 1:9).

God bless you.

GREAT ARTICLE. GOD BLESS YOU TOO. GREAT WORK.