The Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word of God through which He communicates with His people (2 Peter 1:20-21; John 5:39; 2 Timothy 3:16), and the infallible rule of faith and conduct that guides us safely to heaven (Psalms 119:11, 105; John 5:24; John 20:31). Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. 2 Peter 1:20-21
John 5:39
2 Timothy 3:16
Psalms 119:11, 105
John 5:24
John 20:31
Nothing may be added to or taken away from the Bible (1 Peter 1:25; Revelation 22:18-19). But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 1 Peter 1:25
Revelation 22:18-19
The new life the Christian has received must be nourished, and that nourishment is the Word of God (Matthew 4:4; Matthew 4:3-11; Ephesians 6:17). But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Matthew 4:4
Matthew 4:3-11
Ephesians 6:17
The Bible teaches us how to live (Psalms 119:105, 130; James 1:22-25). Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. Psalms 119:105, 130
James 1:22-25
The Word of God is unchangeable; it does not change (Matthew 24:35; Isaiah 40:8), and we have already seen that no one can change it (Revelation 22:18-19). Therefore, its teachings, precepts, and doctrines do not change. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Matthew 24:35
Isaiah 40:8
Revelation 22:18-19
The forces of hell led by Satan and composed of demons, atheists, unbelievers, skeptics, supposed believers, and so-called theologians have attacked the authenticity, truthfulness, inspiration, and divine origin of the Bible, but all of them have passed and will pass; yet "the Word of God endures forever."
Questions
1. What is the Bible?
2. Is the Bible complete?
3. What place should the Bible occupy in the believer's life?
4. What is the duration of the Word of God?