Christians believe that the Bible contains the inspired words of God
"These words we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches,
but which the Holy Spirit teaches..." (1 Corinthians 2:13).
Directed by the Holy Spirit, about forty men wrote the Bible over a
period of almost 1,600 years "...,holy men of God spoke as they were
moved by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:21). Despite this
lengthy time-span, the Bible remains harmonious throughout.
It points always toward the reconciliation of man and God through
Jesus Christ.The Bible contains the history of man's relationship
to God. God's truth is sometimes expressed in poetry.
There are four separate accounts of Jesus' birth, life, death, and
resurrection, each aimed at a different audience. These are
followed by the history of the beginnings of His church and letters
from the Apostles and others telling early Christians how to worship
and live.
In addition there are books of prophecy, each directed to an
audience of that time. Some are general, others are specific.
For example, Isaiah comforted the Jews with descriptions of Christ's
virgin birth and death seven hundred years before they actually
happened (Isaiah 7:14 and chapter 53). In the same book
he predicted the release of the Jews from captivity, naming King
Cyrus directly, some two hundred years before Cyrus was even born (Isaiah
44:47 - 45:1).
God commands that we not tamper with His words. Speaking
through Moses He warned the Jewish people, "You Shall not add to the
word which I commanded you, nor take from it, that you may keep the
commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." (Deuteronomy
4:2). Notice the repetition of the word "command."
Through the Spirit, Paul sternly warned the Christians in Galatia -
and said it twice, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach
any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him
be accursed. ... so say I again, if any one preaches any other
gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
(Galatians 1:8-9).
The "gospel" is the "Good News" of Christ, Gud Spiel in Old
English. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).
Who are "the lost?" Each human of accountable age has sinned
and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 10:17). Jesus'
plan of salvation is easy to understand - just six simple steps:
1. Hear and learn about God and Jesus (Romans 10:17);
2. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God as God said He
was.
"This is my beloved Son" (Mathew 3:17);
3. Say to others that you believe this (Acts 8:37)
4. Be sorry for those things that you have done that are
contrary to God's
commandments and determine not to continue to do wrong
(Acts 2:38);
5. Be baptized for the forgiveness of those past wrongs
(Acts 2:38)
6. Follow Him the remainder of your life "Fight the good
fight of faith, lay hold on
eternal life" (1 Timothy 6:12).
Christians believe the Bible to God's Word and try to follow it
as closely as possible, knowing that He is both anxious and quick to
forgive us - and wants to reward us with eternal life with Him.
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