The Doctrine of the Bible
The Bible stands apart from all human literature. The accuracy, divine authority, and power of the Scriptures remain constant, despite opposition. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, more than 40 human authors recorded God’s revelation of Himself to humanity.1 The eternal God speaks to the people He created in words they can read, hear, and understand. The Bible reveals the heart and mind of God Himself. Because God cannot lie,2 the Bible, in its original manuscripts, speaks only truth. As flawed humans, any challenges we sense in reading God’s Word reveal our limited human understanding. The Bible has stood the test of time and can be trusted.
The Bible tells one grand story of God’s redemption of humankind and His plan for eternity. Beyond recounting important facts and history, God’s Word offers truth about God, humanity, and the world. We can build our lives upon this steady foundation. The Bible contains two main sections—the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament records the creation of the world, humanity’s fall into sin, God’s work through His chosen nation of Israel, and His promise of redemption. The New Testament starts with the arrival of God’s promised Deliverer—His own Son, Jesus—who came to die as a substitute for human sin and restore what sin had damaged. John wrote his Gospel to clearly reveal Jesus as humanity’s Redeemer. We approach this great book with humility and expectancy that God will speak timeless yet timely truth into our hearts and lives.
Without the Bible as our anchor, we live through the ups and downs of life without God’s eternal perspective. When we depend on the fluctuating tide of human opinion, our lives rest on shifting sand; our deepest yearnings and most earnest questions land on this world’s limited sources for answers. If we see the Bible as an ancient and outdated book, we miss God’s current work and eternal plan. By refusing to read the Bible or ignoring its truth, we overlook the gracious and loving lifeline God has extended.
God’s words carry more weight than the flood of printed and pronounced words we hear and read every day. The Holy Spirit gives perspective on life to and through the words of the Bible. We read Scripture, but in many ways Scripture reads us. Through the Bible, the Holy Spirit reveals our sin and offers certain hope. The teaching of Scripture leads us to God and prepares us for eternity. As we study the Gospel of John this year, God intends much more than filling our heads with facts. Through every passage and glimpse of Jesus, God extends an opportunity for wonder and worship. Will you approach this study with anticipation that the God of eternity will personally reveal His great love for you? The profound truth in John’s Gospel awaits, whether this book is new or extremely familiar to you. What will God do this year through His Word?
2. God cannot lie: Numbers 23:19; 2 Samuel 22:31; Proverbs 30:5; John 17:17
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