Truth in Reality

The Mind of God – YouTube

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Top 10 Greatest Things About Studying the Bible

1. The Bible is not just God’s way of speaking to you, but also His way of blessing you with every gift He wants you to have.
2. You learn what the Christian life is all about, what it looks like, and how you can practically live it out in every day and in every way.
3. When you read the Bible, you are reading the words and messages of God Himself.
4. It is something God encourages — even commands — His people to do.
5. It enables you to tell others about your faith because now you have a better idea of what you’re talking about.
6. You hear and interact with God as you read His words.
7. You get all the things you’re really seeking from God — love, comfort, forgiveness, wisdom, hope, security, and so on.
8. You learn the details of stories you may know the basics about now — for example, Noah and the ark, Jonah and the whale.
9. You can fully understand the Good News of the salvation message — that Jesus died for your sins and will give you eternal life.
10. There are hundreds of promises from God to you that you can count on if you believe and obey His Word.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”  (2 Tim 3:16-17) “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”  (Joshua 1:8)

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11) Psalm 138:2: I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Psalm 119: 1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the  LORD. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with  the whole heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.  4 Thou hast  commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.  5 O that my ways were  directed to keep thy statutes!  6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have  respect unto all thy commandments.  7 I will praise thee with uprightness of  heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.  8 I will keep thy  statutes: O forsake me not utterly.  9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man  cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.  10 With my  whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy  commandments.   11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against  thee.  12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.  13 With my lips  have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.  14 I have rejoiced in the way  of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.  15 I will meditate in thy precepts,  and have respect unto thy ways.  16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will  not forget thy word.  17 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may  live, and keep thy word.  18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold  wondrous things out of thy law.  19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy  commandments from me.  20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it  hath unto thy judgments at all times.  21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that  are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.  22 Remove from me  reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.  23 Princes also did  sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.  24 Thy  testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.   25 DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy  word.  26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy  statutes.  27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of  thy wondrous works.  28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me  according unto thy word.  29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me  thy law graciously.  30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I  laid before me.  31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to  shame.  32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge  my heart.   33 HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep  it unto the end.  34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I  shall observe it with my whole heart.  35 Make me to go in the path of thy  commandments; for therein do I delight.  36 Incline my heart unto thy  testimonies, and not to covetousness.  37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding  vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.  38 Stablish thy word unto thy  servant, who is devoted to thy fear.  39 Turn away my reproach which I fear:  for thy judgments are good.  40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts:  quicken me in thy righteousness.   41 VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation,  according to thy word.  42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that  reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.  43 And take not the word of truth  utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.  44 So shall I  keep thy law continually for ever and ever.  45 And I will walk at liberty: for I  seek thy precepts.  46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and  will not be ashamed.  47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which  I have loved.  48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I  have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.  49 ZAIN. Remember the word  unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.  51 The  proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.   52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.   53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy  law.  54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.  55 I  have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.   56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.  57 CHETH. Thou art my portion, O  LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.  58 I entreated thy favour  with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.  59 I thought  on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.  60 I made haste, and  delayed not to keep thy commandments.  61 The bands of the wicked have  robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.  62 At midnight I will rise to give  thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments. 63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy  precepts.  64 The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.   65 TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy  word.  66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy  commandments.  67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept  thy word.  68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.  69 The  proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts  with my whole heart.  70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy  law.  71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy  statutes.  72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold  and silver.  73 JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me  understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.  74 They that fear thee  will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.  75 I know,  O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast  afflicted me.  76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort,  according to thy word unto thy servant.  77 Let thy tender mercies come unto  me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.  78 Let the proud be ashamed;  for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy  precepts.  79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have  known thy testimonies.   80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.  81 CAPH. My  soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.  82 Mine eyes fail for thy  word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?  83 For I am become like a bottle in  the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.  84 How many are the days of thy  servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?   85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.  86 All thy  commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.   87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.   88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy  mouth.  89 LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.  90 Thy  faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it  abideth.  91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for  all are thy servants.  92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then  have perished in mine affliction.   93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.   94 I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.  95 The wicked have  waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.  96 I have  seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.   97 MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.  98 Thou through  thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for  they are ever with me.  99 I have more understanding than all my teachers:  for thy testimonies are my meditation.  100 I understand more than the  ancients, because I keep thy precepts.  101 I have refrained my feet from  every evil way, that I might keep thy word.  102 I have not departed from thy  judgments: for thou hast taught me.  103 How sweet are thy words unto my  taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  104 Through thy precepts I get  understanding: therefore I hate every false way.  105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp  unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  106 I have sworn, and I will  perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.  107 I am afflicted very  much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.   108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and  teach me thy judgments.  109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not  forget thy law.  110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from  thy precepts.  111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for  they are the rejoicing of my heart.  112 I have inclined mine heart to perform  thy statutes alway, even unto the end.  113 SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but  thy law do I love.  114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy  word.  115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of  my God.  116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me  not be ashamed of my hope.  117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I  will have respect unto thy statutes continually.   118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their  deceit is falsehood.  119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the  earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.  120 My flesh trembleth for  fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.  121 AIN. I have done  judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.  122 Be surety for thy  servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.  123 Mine eyes fail for thy  salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.  124 Deal with thy servant  according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.  125 I am thy servant;  give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.  126 It is time  for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.  127 Therefore I  love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.  128 Therefore I  esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every  false way.  129 PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep  them.  130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto  the simple.  131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy  commandments.  132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou  usest to do unto those that love thy name.  133 Order my steps in thy word:  and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.  134 Deliver me from the  oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.  135 Make thy face to shine  upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.  136 Rivers of waters run down  mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.  137 TZADDI. Righteous art thou, O  LORD, and upright are thy judgments.  138 Thy testimonies that thou hast  commanded are righteous and very faithful.  139 My zeal hath consumed me,  because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.  140 Thy word is very pure:  therefore thy servant loveth it.  141 I am small and despised: yet do not I  forget thy precepts.  142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,  and thy law is the truth.  143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on  me: yet thy commandments are my delights.  144 The righteousness of thy  testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.  145 KOPH.  I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.  146 I  cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.  147 I prevented  the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.  148 Mine eyes  prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.  149 Hear my  voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to  thy judgment.  150 They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from  thy law.  151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.   152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded  them for ever.  153 RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not  forget thy law.  154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to  thy word.  155 Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.   156 Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy  judgments.  157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not  decline from thy testimonies.  158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved;  because they kept not thy word.  159 Consider how I love thy precepts:  quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.  160 Thy  word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous  judgments endureth for ever.  161 SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without  a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.  162 I rejoice at thy word,  as one that findeth great spoil.  163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I  love.  164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous  judgments.  165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall  offend them.  166 LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy  commandments.  167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them  exceedingly.  168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my  ways are before thee.  169 TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD:  give me understanding according to thy word.  170 Let my supplication come  before thee: deliver me according to thy word.  171 My lips shall utter praise,  when thou hast taught me thy statutes.  172 My tongue shall speak of thy  word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.  173 Let thine hand help  me; for I have chosen thy precepts.  174 I have longed for thy salvation, O  LORD; and thy law is my delight.  175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.  176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

So many people spend a great  part of their lives believing that the Bible doesn’t have the answers.  So many people who had been willing to search carefully anywhere but there and to readily accept other things which actually had far less credibility.  People do not understand the extent of mind-control we are subjected to from infancy, at school, in  society, through the media and all forms of entertainment, through our peers, friends and even our own families.  So often we think it is ‘cool’ not to respect the Bible and/or to think that we have searched the Bible properly and know what is in it even, when actually we haven’t even adequately looked through it

Often there is also an element of pride that we have in thinking that somehow the Bible is just too ordinary and we need something more special, something different from everyone else.  If we would take the time to find out the real truth for ourselves without being influenced by any random beliefs we have acquired along the way, and try out what we discover, we would find out that Bible is more than adequate to give us all the guidance we need.

[For a free online KJV Audio Bible please see the links at the foot of the home page under "Bible Resources".]

Throughout this life’s journey we live with countless kinds of advice, counsel and teaching. We remember our parents’ thoughtful counsel, and beneficial advice from friends and neighbours.

Though the words of wisdom and counsel were based on their loving concern for us, they were still very limited. Our God who created the heavens and earth, loves us so infinitely. He sent Jesus to the cross where He died to save us, and now He continues to show His great love by counselling us. God’s counsel in His Word has become a beacon of light revealing His directions to all believers for eternal life, and in all areas of everyday living. For this reason it is important to know His counsel and live by it. Then we will glorify God through a successful Christian walk. Those who do not, live in uncertainty and confusion with their lives ending finally in misery.

God counsels us in Romans 12:1 to: ”…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” The sacrifices in the Old Testament involved killing animals, shedding their blood, placing the blood on the altar of God, to be consumed by fire. But, here God tells us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, to totally dedicate our bodies to God.

Even after becoming a Christian by accepting Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, unless one determines to give himself to God as ”a living sacrifice”, he will still be captivated by the sins of the body and continue to live in pursuit of sin and worldly greediness (2 Peter 2:22). Since Jesus shed His Blood and died on the cross as our sin sacrifice, we no longer have to be slaves of sin. So, we must shake off the old habit of committing sin.

If we earnestly seek the help of our Lord in prayer, the power of the Holy Spirit will quicken our conscience so that amazing will-power and determination will arise from our inner person. Then we will be able to live boldly with the power of the Holy Spirit and be able to exercise our personal will-power to walk rightly.

For us to offer a ”sweet smelling sacrifice” to God we must know that the ”old man” was crucified, buried and is now resurrected with Christ, enabling us to truly worship God and praise Him. Our praise and worship has become a sweet smelling sacrifice, we have become an acceptable offering to God. We are His children. We need to mortify the wrong desires of our body… becoming a living sacrifice every day, as we behold Jesus’ cross.

Worship to God by those who have not crucified their sinful desires on the cross, but are still carrying old habits of sin, cannot be true worship. It may follow a form of worship, but it has not been accepted by God. They are hypocrites and religionists. Because a few Christians have not totally consecrated themselves to Christ, society has often falsely accused all Christians of being the same.

We must staunchly choose to live by the counsel of God in the Word. We must offer our bodies as a ”living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God”.

By our own human ability or effort, we cannot overcome the sinful desires of our flesh. The apostle Paul confessed: “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24).

To overcome the lust of the flesh, we must totally cling unto Jesus Christ every moment of every day. When we humbly come to Him on our knees and seek His help, the Holy Spirit will empower us to overcome the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Our effort is powerless. His effort is powerful and gives us strong will-power and divine enablement.

God’s children must believe in God, who not only saves their souls from hell, but who gives them power and authority to fight against sin; so that they are not afraid of any challenge of sin, but are confident they will overcome and glorify God through their daily battles. We must offer our bodies to Him as clean vessels that live in His righteousness.

God admonishes us to: ”…be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (ROMANS 12:2). Originally, God gave the dominion and authority of the earth to Adam and Eve. But when they fell, they surrendered it to Satan, and evil has increased in the world since that day. However, we should not be conformed to the world. We should not be conformed to a humanistic kingdom.

We must resolutely turn toward God and walk in Christ’s number one living principle. We must staunchly forsake atheistic secularism and not even drift toward such a trend.

We are living in a wicked world, so we should renew our hearts and minds daily. We must educate ourselves in the Word of God instead of obeying the humanistic guidelines of the world. We must fear God and absolutely follow His will regarding all the issues of life.

Believers should learn at the foot of the cross, in prayer, that they became righteous because their sins were forgiven at Calvary and they were reconciled to God through Jesus’ death on the cross. They were healed when Jesus took their infirmities on the cross. Their curse was broken and removed when Jesus Himself became the curse on the cross. Believers must remember they are in Christ Who overcame the power of death and now, because He lives, they too can live victoriously every day.

As believers, dwell on these truths, and you will be transformed, enjoy the peace that Jesus has given, and live by faith. The more knowledge we learn and retain of the kingdom of God, the deeper our hearts will be renewed. We should continually study the Word of God, and then live it out in our daily lives.

Some Christians obey God’s will only when it is profitable to them. They immediately turn back when God’s will seems to contradict their personal views for gain. Such people are really selfish people and are not men and women of faith. Our Christian attitude should be: “Even if this should bring some personal loss to me I will choose to obey God’s counsel.”

As we live in tune with God’s Word we are easily led by the Holy Spirit. If one truly wants to walk with the Holy Spirit he must live with integrity and joy, discerning what is God’s good, acceptable and perfect will, and then totally follow it.

If we truly want a peaceful and good life, we must not follow the trend of the world, but daily behold the cross of Calvary, through the help of the Holy Spirit, and renewal of our hearts and minds in His grace, obeying His will. God wants us to live and follow His will all through this life.

God counsels us to live according to the gift He bestowed upon each of us and according to the degree of faith apportioned by God. God does not have any unwanted children. He loves and needs each of us. Because of this He gave each of us a particular measure of faith to use in His Kingdom.

Some are given the gift of prophecy, which proclaims the good news of God to His people. God admonishes these to minister according to their degree of faith.

Some are given the gift of serving, so they should serve faithfully, looking to God instead of being affected by people’s comments. Being recognised, or not, they should work according to the degree of their faith. God will recognise them and reward them accordingly.

Some are given the gift of exhortation. These are believers who are good at encouraging people in despair. These gifted people visit and pray for people when they are passing through trials, comfort them, and share the Word of God, so that the suffering can repent, be comforted and strengthened. If you are a person who feels urged to encourage those fallen or discouraged Christians you have the gift of exhortation. You must sincerely practise your gift according to your degree of faith. We find many such Christians among the deacons and elders in our church.

Some believers have received the gift of almsgiving. They have a fervent desire to give something to the hungry, the forsaken, or those in need. These people should sincerely practise their gift and God will bless them abundantly. Koreans were helped greatly by foreigners who sent tons of goods when we were suffering in the aftermath of the Korean Conflict. Now it is our turn to help the needy of our global town. I pray many more Korean Christians will receive this gift of almsgiving and benefit the kingdom of Christ.

Some are given the gift of administration. With this leadership quality they manage and organise well. Through the loyalty of these people, God’s kingdom is continually being expanded.

Some are given the gift of mercy. Wounded hearts can only be healed by Christians who minister to others with mercy. Believers with this gift visit and console Christians who are hurting.

When we minister to people in our gifted area, we should minister voluntarily, not expecting any repayment from the recipient. We are to exercise our gift with a pure motive and glad heart for the glory of God. Our heavenly Father apportioned His gifts to us according to His measure. We, as God’s children should consider, “What gift did I receive from God?” Then we should minister to one another accordingly. If we say it is enough that we attended church faithfully, then we must ask ourselves what does the work of God mean to us? An indifferent attitude is simply a rejection of God’s will and place of ministry for us in the body. God expands His kingdom through His children. What gift do you have? Do not bury it in the tomb of laziness. For the glory of God, find your gift, develop it, practise it and you will grow as an obedient child of God.

The purpose of God’s counsel is to assure overflowing life and benefit to every believer. By faith, we must receive His counsel, live rightly and return the glory to God through our maturity. God wants each of us to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable.

by Paul Cho

The Bible is holy! It is inspired by God and it is the oldest book in existence. The five books of Moses were written in approximately 1675 B.C. The religious manuscripts of the Eastern Religions were not written until centuries later. For example, the Zend-Avesta of Zoroaster (holy scriptures of the Parsee (Persians) in the old Iranian language) was written about 1200 B.C.; the Veda of the Indians about 1100 B.C.; the books of Confucius (Chinese philosopher) about 1100 B.C.; the writings of Buddha (Indian founder of Buddhism) approximately 600 B.C.; and the Koran of Mohammed (Islam) about 600 A.D.

Prof. Montiero Williams, a well-known professor of Sanskrit, the native language of India and the language of the Vedas, studied Eastern books for 42 years and compared them with the Bible. He said: “Stack them (the Eastern books) on the left-hand side of your desk, put your own Holy Bible on the right-hand side, and create a wide space in between, because there is a gulf between the so-called holy scriptures of the East and the Holy scriptures of the Bible, a gulf which cannot be bridged. Their light seems like a flicker compared to the light of the Bible!”

The Koran even contains a few quotations put together from the Old and New Testaments. The so-called holy books of the heathen reveal many erroneous and superstitious ideas which are only the product of human understanding. There is little understanding of the true living God. In comparison however, the laws in the books of Moses are not a human invention – they are God’s law. The Bible is the foundation of Godly revelations to mankind. No man could have compiled such a work. Exclusively showing this are Ivan Panin’s discoveries of a system of numerical values flowing throughout the whole Bible, which form its basis like a mosaic. The tyranny and religious guile of priests in these other so-called holy scriptures are not found in the Bible. The Bible is free of mysteries, witchcraft, lascivious habits and magic, which turn the heathen scriptures into abominations before God.

The Bible’s principles point towards God’s Holiness and mankind’s sinfulness. They also demonstrate the necessity of atonement, redemption and the holy state to which the Creator promised to lift up fallen mankind. God’s punishments are just and His rewards show forth His love.

The word “bible” originates from the Greek word “biblia” – books. The modification from plural to singular took place in the 13th century. Since then the books have been called “book”, i.e. “Bible”. As an introduction thereto you can read Isaiah 34:16: ”Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.” The importance of the Bible is described in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: ”All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Its Contrast to the Heathen Scriptures can also be seen in its Construction

The Bible is unique in its continuity. It was written over a period of roughly 1,700 years by over 40 writers from different backgrounds. Moses was a leader of a nation, brought up as a prince and future Pharaoh, Amos was a shepherd, Peter a fisherman, Joshua a general, Nehemiah a governor, Ezra a high priest, Daniel a prime minister, Luke a doctor, Matthew a tax collector and Paul a rabbi.

The Bible was written at different locations – in the wilderness of the desert, in palaces and in jail. It was written on three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. It was written in three languages. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew, except for Ezra 4:8 to Ezra 6:18, Ezra 7:12-26 and Daniel 2:4-7, 28 which were written in Aramean, the so-called ‘Chaldean’ of those days. The language of the New Testament is Greek, which was the commercial and colloquial language of the whole Roman Empire at the time of Christ.

The lost paradise of creation has become a regained paradise of revelations. The Bible is not a book of ‘godly expression’ in a ‘supernatural language’ – it is the revelation of God which came in the form of a simple human language, understandable to everyone throughout all the ages. Even though the Bible was written over such a long period of time, it shows complete uniformity, considering the writers did not know of each other and did not intend to write a book. It is a book written by men whom God used to record His revelations.

The Bible does not conform to the tastes or habits of a certain people, nor is it calculated for a certain period of time, but it is suitable for all people and for all periods of time. It is God’s will – God’s testament for all mankind.

Seen as a literary work, the Bible is the most remarkable book ever written. It is a library of 66 books, some of considerable volume, others no longer than a leaflet. They contain various forms of literature, history, biography, poetry, proverbs, sayings, hymns, letters, laws, instructions, solemn adorations, parables, riddles, prophecies and all other forms of human expression. Anyone can read it to be wise; believe it to receive salvation; practise it to be holy; or to fill their mind to lead their heart. You can read it prayerfully, reverently, in continual study, and still it will always be new and full of life and power to you.

The Difference from the Heathen Scriptures is further seen in its Circulation

The Bible has been read by more people and translated into more languages than any other book. It is the first book that was printed by Gutenberg in Mainz. It is truly the Word of God! It is also the first book to have been translated into another language – from Hebrew into Greek in 250 B.C. It was translated by 70 Hebrew scholars in Alexandria, and as Greek was the world’s main language then, it was given the name “Septuaginta”, i.e. “seventy”. In 366 to 384 A.D. the Bible was translated into Latin and was called “Vulgata”, which means “the popular”.

The Bible is Unique in its Survival

Time and again the Bible was copied, centuries before the invention of the art of printing; time and again it was copied, because the material became old. There are more manuscripts and handwritings of the Bible in existence than of any other book in the world. The Bible is better preserved than Shakespeare’s literature, and he only lived about 300 years ago. His writings contain more doubtful texts than, for example, the New Testament. The Bible has survived all persecution and criticism.

The Bible is also unique in its teaching. Jesus Christ conquered millions more people than Alexander the Great, Caesar and Mohammed put together, without weapons and without science. He shed more light on human and divine things than all the philosophers put together. He spoke such words of life as had never been spoken before and have never been spoken since.

The Reliability of the Bible

We have more than 5,300 known manuscripts of the New Testament, more than 10,000 of the Latin Vulgate and more than 24,000 copies of manuscripts of the New Testament. The copies were so scrupulous and exact, that they were often considered to be originals. The Jews had great respect for the Word of God and took care not to add, correct or omit anything. This was also strictly prohibited – see Revelation 22:18-19, Deuteronomy 4:2 and other passages. This is a phenomenon, an occurrence, which is incomparable in the history of literature. Archaeological discoveries also confirm the genuineness of the Bible, e.g. that the walls of Jericho did not fall to the inside (as they would have in a military attack), but to the outside (Joshua 6:20). The Acts of the Apostles, written by Luke, are unparalleled in their historical accuracy – Luke was a perfect historian.

Modern historians start their so-called “critical, open and honest” examinations of the scriptures with suppositions like: ‘there is no God’, ‘there are no miracles (they are impossible)’, ‘we live in a closed system and there is nothing supernatural’. If they examine the life of Christ, the miracles and the resurrection, they conclude that there are no miracles and no resurrection as they believe that there is no God. These are not historical facts, but philosophical prejudices at best. History can only be based on reports. For example, no living historian has ever seen Abraham Lincoln or Frederic the Great. However, everybody believes they existed because of reports that Lincoln lived and was the President of the United States, and that Frederic the Great lived and was the founder of the State of Prussia. And what happens with the perfect reports about Jesus and His miracles? – They are being denied by many.

The Importance of the Bible

As the Bible is the Word of God, it is a book of crucial importance for man. Man’s destiny depends on his attitude towards it. It challenges him to make a decision and shows him that as he naturally is, he cannot stand before the Holy God. It shows him clearly that he is a sinner and that sin separates him from God, but it also tells him that God still loves mankind and has created a way for a relationship to be established. This was accomplished by the work of our redeemer Jesus Christ, and by His death of reconciliation on the cross at Calvary. He could say of Himself:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

It depends solely on the decision of each individual, either to accept, in faith, that the works of our redeemer Jesus Christ occurred, and thereafter to walk on the path leading to heaven, or to reject them and to be lost in everlasting darkness, separated from God. There can be no indifference towards God’s offer. He who thinks he can dismiss it with an indifferent attitude needs to know that God will one day require him to give an account.

There is power in the Word of God. In Hebrews 4:12 it is written: ”For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The Word of God also gives power – It has given thousands and thousands of people the power to leave home, house and country rather than to be without the Bible. Millions of people have given their lives for their faith.

Anybody can experience for themselves that the Bible is the Word of God. If anyone reads the Bible with a sincere desire (you should start with the Gospels in the New Testament), and asks God beforehand to open their understanding of the Holy Scriptures, then they will soon experience a change in their life to the positive. Once they realise the greatness of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, trust in Him and put their life into His almighty hands (i.e. when they no longer run away from God but go towards Him), they will receive the assurance of salvation. When they recognise the mistakes in their life and acknowledge them, they will experience a happiness and peace in their heart which can no longer be taken away by anyone. In other words, they will experience for themselves that the Bible is the Word of God and that it creates new life. They will also be able to see that the promises which are given to those who ask, have special significance for their everyday life. For example, the promise of Jesus in Matthew 7:7, ”Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”, does not only refer to spiritual things, but also to all situations in everyday life, as a help for various difficulties whatever they may be.

The peculiar thing about reading the Bible is that it keeps man from sinning (see Psalm 119:11 and John 15:3). Taking the time to read the Word of God is the way to keep sin at a distance. Then the Lord will be able to keep our thoughts occupied with the Word and so prevent a multitude of evil thoughts from arising. This leads to the cleansing of the spirit, soul and body. Nobody wants to sin, but the Bible shows the way to keep sin at a distance. This power which is in the Word of God has also caused people to be healed just by reading it. Since there is so much power in the Word of God, it has to be read with prayer, because the enemy of the soul, who wants to keep man away from God by all means possible, contends very strongly for your thoughts.

Most of the prophetic messages of the Bible have already been fulfilled and the remainder which are still to occur, are nearing fulfilment. This is why the person who knows the contents of the Bible will also know about things to come, and will be assured that God holds everything in His hands. Therefore, they can look into the future with confidence and not with fear.