Posted March 31, 2006
It would seem that, for those who claim to be Christians, much would depend on their faith in the accuracy and authority of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.. Yet many professing Christians today view the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). as just another collection of human documents, innately fallible and often fallacious.
It would seem that, for those who claim to be Christians, much would depend on their faith in the accuracy and authority of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.. Yet many professing Christians today view the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). as just another collection of human documents, innately fallible and often fallacious. One observer was so bold as to describe the services of many churches today as "meaningless, self-centered, feel-good motivational sessions."
The head dean of a conservative BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. college, after attending a conference of biblical scholars, theologians and pastors, lamented: "It had been disappointing enough to learn from one research project that virtually no one ever preached on the Old TestamentThose books that make up the Hebrew Bible generally accepted by Christians, Jews and to some extent Muslims. It contains a threefold division: the Law (the five books of Moses), the Prophets and the Writings....But worse was to come."
They claimed, he explains, "It was a book ... that justified, even advocated, violence against women, child abuse, cruelty to animals, repressive attitudes toward law and order, holy war, patriarchy and male chauvinism." Some of the attendees even declared dogmatically that the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. was of no use in their ministries.
This was not the same BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. that dean knew and loved.
Let's now take a brief look into the pages of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. and see what the apostles of Jesus Christ actually said about those ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18).. Peter clearly stated that we should be "mindful of the words which were spoken before by the Holy Prophets and of the commandments of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior [Jesus Christ]" (2 Peter 3:2). The apostle Paul adds that the New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation. Church is built on the foundation of these apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20).
Moses, an outstanding early prophet, was the author of the PentateuchThe Greek term for the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), the five books of Moses (penta means "five"). This term came into use when the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament ) began to be translated into Greek about 300 B.C. , the first five books of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.. He recorded the life of the patriarch Abraham in the book of Genesis.
Also, being very familiar with Moses' account since childhood, Paul wrote, " Abraham believed God , and it was accounted to Him for righteousness" (Romans 4:3, emphasis added throughout). Abraham's living, trusting faith was reflected in his obedience to God. So of him it is written, "By works faith was made perfect" (James 2:22).
Many centuries later Paul affirmed his own unwavering belief in the validity of the Hebrew ScripturesThe books of the Old Testament.. While defending his ministry before the authorities, he stated: "But this I confess to you, that according to the way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets " (Acts 24:14).
The apostle Peter also confirmed his belief in the Old TestamentThose books that make up the Hebrew Bible generally accepted by Christians, Jews and to some extent Muslims. It contains a threefold division: the Law (the five books of Moses), the Prophets and the Writings. ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18).. He wrote in his last letter: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man , but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:20-21).
To round out the overall picture we interject Paul's classic statement. "All ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). is given by inspiration of God ..." (2 Timothy 3:16). The Greek word theopneustos, translated "inspiration," literally means 'breathed out from God.'
The ancient King Jehoshaphat offers some very good advice to all Christians as well as to those who are just becoming acquainted with the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.. "Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets and you shall prosper " (2 Chronicles 20:20). A truly abundant life depends upon a right approach to the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18)..
From a fourth to a third of the whole BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. is composed of prophecy. Many of the prophets describe severely difficult conditions of their time as a prelude to heralding passages about the fabulous world to come—the millennial rule of Jesus Christ. Sometimes they interspersed the good newsThe good news of God's everlasting kingdom to be established on earth after Christ's return and how we may be a part of that kingdom. This message was central to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The term is used about 100 times in the New Testament . of that coming utopian age with the bad news of their world. The publications of the United Church of God do the same today.
Do you believe God? Do you believe the prophecies of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.? Do you take them at their face value as an accurate description of the world we shall face in the future? Or have you, without really looking into it for yourself, gone along with the increasingly prevailing views of those who regard the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. as just another classic collection of historic books?
Jesus said: "The ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). cannot be broken" (John 10:35). Many proofs of the authenticity and predictive authority of the Holy ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). are set out in two of our free booklets. Both are readily available to you upon request. You cannot afford to remain in ignorance of this vital knowledge. I recommend that you now request, download or read online: Is the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. True? and How to Understand the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. .
