The Bible is the book that had it's writing inspired by the Holy Spirit working through man as the one who would pen the record. 1 Peter 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
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: 17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works.
Scripture by definition of it's Latin origin simply means: Written things.
By another definition it means: the sacred writings of Christianity both Old Testament and New.
Other religions can call their books scripture but the difference resounds in the word Holy when used to describe the Bible. The words Holy Scriptures can only be applied to the Bible. Some may argue this but their arguments are feeble because there is only one Holy God and that is God the Father-God the Son-God the Holy Spirit. I purposely did not separate the 3 names of God with commas because they are one. One in Being, one in purpose, and one Spirit. One. Three manifestations of God to the believers of man so we can understand who we were "created" in the image and likeness of, who we are being "conformed" to the image and likeness of, and who's gifts, promises, and ministrations will manifest His glory and Unconditional Love to the whole world as His revelation grows in us.
Lets look at the simplicity of Scripture taking the whole of God's Word as clearly presented in the Bible.
It is a book of history about God's chosen people in the Old Testament and shows the application of "God with man" beginning with creation, Adam and Eve, man's worship of God, laws pertaining to life/society, prophesy's of the coming Messiah, and warnings of judgement right up to the start of the New Testament. In that record "it is written" all the meaningful facts, events, occurrences, and practices that took place to "reveal" unto the readers there of, (both then and now), the God given system for man to enter into a relationship with Him. Although these writings were only a type and shadow of things to come they are the beginning introductions to the relationship that God desired to have with man, the later things to come with the fulfillment of all His desires in Christ. Try to keep in mind that not one dot or one tittle of the written Word could be missed in it's reproduction at any time once Moses brought back the Ten Commandments and wrote the "Law's of God" down to establish the beginning of the "written Word". But it is not just a "book of history" of a people or time, though it includes genealogies and the habits, laws and practices of the time, it is also a book of prophesy, healing, dreams and visions, raising the dead, miracles with signs and wonders, and the "power of prayer". Every incident of God providing for, protecting, and prevailing with man is included so we can clearly see that there is no success in life, disastrous situations, or good times without a relationship with Him. He clearly showed Himself to be the only one who can "complete" our lives and make us whole. It is clear by it's writing that even the richest man is but a mere shell and without hope without Him, who's end cannot be influenced by the riches left behind.
In short the Old Testament is a pre-Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ "Emanuel, God with us." Not just a history book but a beginning book of "how to worship/fellowship with the God of heaven". Every dot and every tittle plays a part and has immense importance. The "first ordinances" that will wax old.
The New Testament starts out not so much as a historic book, (which of course it is but that is not what its main intent was), as it is a completing of the greatest prophesy of all time, with the application that one can finally have an intimate relationship with God, aside from works, by grace through faith. Emanuel "God with us" perfected through Christ by faith. The conclusion of a plan that was set in place before time, and creation, God knowing about the fall of Adam and Eve, still actuating "the plan" to redeem man before that we even existed or sinned. It is hard for many people to understand that God is omnipresent, omniscient, and all omnipotent. Some don't realize that He was all the above, always. Without days.
Take a read at what this means put in perspective:
God, before creation, knew you and every being that will ever exist, every animal, every insect, every plant, every invention over all ages, all ages, everywhere. There was no "I never thought of that" with God. It is only possible for us to understand this by faith because of the magnanimity of the concept of total knowledge, of all creation, for all time. Every thought, word, deed, attitude and motive for all creation and all mankind, Adam till beyond Armageddon. And have the power to intervene, making a difference, and manifesting the Truth that He is, and Loves us, wanting to make us and our relationship complete with Him. This is at best a feeble attempt to give a written picture of what the Holy Spirit has given as The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
If we put God under the same limitations as we are beset with than God will not be who He is but just a figment of our imaginations, and we will never "experience" His promises, ministrations and gifts that He guaranteed through Christ. Not only that but we have not pleased Him by "faithlessly" eliminating those manifestations He promised to glorify Himself with through us. Well said Jesus to His disciples in Matthew 17: 16-18
16And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him. 17Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him here to me. 18And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
If this doesn't ring a bell let me spell it out to you:
These were Christ's disciples, walked with Him, talked with Him, ate with Him, all under His instruction, given power and sent out to heal the sick, work miracles and cast out devils. When they failed to do that which they were sent to do Jesus called them a "faithless and perverse generation", and asked "how long shall I be with you? how long will I suffer you?" Now does this ring a bell? Maybe the hearts of believers today. Maybe the tainted teachings of some church"s today. Didn't Jesus say in Luke 18: 8b "Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?" Was this just for those days? I think not. He wasn't returning to that generation. He is returning to us. He will speak this epic rebuke to those who are called by His name when He returns.
So what does this have to do with the completeness of the Bible?
Remember every dot and every tittle? John 1: 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. The Word of God was made flesh, all the OT and the NT from Gen 1 :1 to Rev 22:21 took on the physical form of man as Christ, every word, dot, and tittle. This is why OT or NT there is no conflict but all is Christ and made complete in Christ. Christ is the promise of better things to come negating the law set up by virtue of the pre law promise to Abraham.
To me this is one of the greatest miracles aside from salvation. The Word you and I read became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus was the exact image of what the Bible would look like in its entirety as God/man.
So the question begs to be asked: If Christ is the Word become flesh what part does your practice of faith eliminate of His bodily form? If we eliminate His healing touch are we eliminating His compassion? If we eliminate Prophets are we eliminating His voice? If we eliminate Apostles are we eliminating the powerful leadership with manifestation? I find it humorous that we embrace Pastors, Teachers, and Evangelists but ignore working of miracles, gift of healing, in some places tongues and interpretation of tongues. Get the picture. See what a natural transition there is from a whole Christ to a non functioning or weak representation.
Here is a clue as to why the Holy Scriptures are written:
If writings are guarded as the Scriptures were, (every dot and tittle), then they are timeless and cannot be changed by future generations. They become, Christ, unchanging, bearing the same promises "as in the beginning" when they were written.
What part of Christ/the Bible doesn't function in your faith? What part because of preference or lack of faith doesn't "manifest" itself in your Christian experience. And if anything has been eliminated from your practice of Scripture is your salvation still sure? Rev 22:19 18For I testify to every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add to these things, God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book: 19And 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.
The Holy Bible is Christ in body form by God's Word nothing added and nothing to be eliminated.
Even Jesus when given a "generation" generated question answered "it was not always so, in the beginning". He, being the Word, went back to the beginning of the Word to answer questions that time had twisted the "natural application of".
To some it may seem out of date to practice or believe but I will take the "unchanging Word of God" over today's secular humanistic philosophy and go back to the same practice Jesus had of "in the beginning".
Love in Christ
J&E in Tn
Lets look at the simplicity of Scripture taking the whole of God's Word as clearly presented in the Bible.
It is a book of history about God's chosen people in the Old Testament and shows the application of "God with man" beginning with creation, Adam and Eve, man's worship of God, laws pertaining to life/society, prophesy's of the coming Messiah, and warnings of judgement right up to the start of the New Testament. In that record "it is written" all the meaningful facts, events, occurrences, and practices that took place to "reveal" unto the readers there of, (both then and now), the God given system for man to enter into a relationship with Him. Although these writings were only a type and shadow of things to come they are the beginning introductions to the relationship that God desired to have with man, the later things to come with the fulfillment of all His desires in Christ. Try to keep in mind that not one dot or one tittle of the written Word could be missed in it's reproduction at any time once Moses brought back the Ten Commandments and wrote the "Law's of God" down to establish the beginning of the "written Word". But it is not just a "book of history" of a people or time, though it includes genealogies and the habits, laws and practices of the time, it is also a book of prophesy, healing, dreams and visions, raising the dead, miracles with signs and wonders, and the "power of prayer". Every incident of God providing for, protecting, and prevailing with man is included so we can clearly see that there is no success in life, disastrous situations, or good times without a relationship with Him. He clearly showed Himself to be the only one who can "complete" our lives and make us whole. It is clear by it's writing that even the richest man is but a mere shell and without hope without Him, who's end cannot be influenced by the riches left behind.
In short the Old Testament is a pre-Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ "Emanuel, God with us." Not just a history book but a beginning book of "how to worship/fellowship with the God of heaven". Every dot and every tittle plays a part and has immense importance. The "first ordinances" that will wax old.
The New Testament starts out not so much as a historic book, (which of course it is but that is not what its main intent was), as it is a completing of the greatest prophesy of all time, with the application that one can finally have an intimate relationship with God, aside from works, by grace through faith. Emanuel "God with us" perfected through Christ by faith. The conclusion of a plan that was set in place before time, and creation, God knowing about the fall of Adam and Eve, still actuating "the plan" to redeem man before that we even existed or sinned. It is hard for many people to understand that God is omnipresent, omniscient, and all omnipotent. Some don't realize that He was all the above, always. Without days.
Take a read at what this means put in perspective:
God, before creation, knew you and every being that will ever exist, every animal, every insect, every plant, every invention over all ages, all ages, everywhere. There was no "I never thought of that" with God. It is only possible for us to understand this by faith because of the magnanimity of the concept of total knowledge, of all creation, for all time. Every thought, word, deed, attitude and motive for all creation and all mankind, Adam till beyond Armageddon. And have the power to intervene, making a difference, and manifesting the Truth that He is, and Loves us, wanting to make us and our relationship complete with Him. This is at best a feeble attempt to give a written picture of what the Holy Spirit has given as The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
If we put God under the same limitations as we are beset with than God will not be who He is but just a figment of our imaginations, and we will never "experience" His promises, ministrations and gifts that He guaranteed through Christ. Not only that but we have not pleased Him by "faithlessly" eliminating those manifestations He promised to glorify Himself with through us. Well said Jesus to His disciples in Matthew 17: 16-18
16And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him. 17Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him here to me. 18And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
If this doesn't ring a bell let me spell it out to you:
These were Christ's disciples, walked with Him, talked with Him, ate with Him, all under His instruction, given power and sent out to heal the sick, work miracles and cast out devils. When they failed to do that which they were sent to do Jesus called them a "faithless and perverse generation", and asked "how long shall I be with you? how long will I suffer you?" Now does this ring a bell? Maybe the hearts of believers today. Maybe the tainted teachings of some church"s today. Didn't Jesus say in Luke 18: 8b "Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?" Was this just for those days? I think not. He wasn't returning to that generation. He is returning to us. He will speak this epic rebuke to those who are called by His name when He returns.
So what does this have to do with the completeness of the Bible?
Remember every dot and every tittle? John 1: 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. The Word of God was made flesh, all the OT and the NT from Gen 1 :1 to Rev 22:21 took on the physical form of man as Christ, every word, dot, and tittle. This is why OT or NT there is no conflict but all is Christ and made complete in Christ. Christ is the promise of better things to come negating the law set up by virtue of the pre law promise to Abraham.
To me this is one of the greatest miracles aside from salvation. The Word you and I read became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus was the exact image of what the Bible would look like in its entirety as God/man.
So the question begs to be asked: If Christ is the Word become flesh what part does your practice of faith eliminate of His bodily form? If we eliminate His healing touch are we eliminating His compassion? If we eliminate Prophets are we eliminating His voice? If we eliminate Apostles are we eliminating the powerful leadership with manifestation? I find it humorous that we embrace Pastors, Teachers, and Evangelists but ignore working of miracles, gift of healing, in some places tongues and interpretation of tongues. Get the picture. See what a natural transition there is from a whole Christ to a non functioning or weak representation.
Here is a clue as to why the Holy Scriptures are written:
If writings are guarded as the Scriptures were, (every dot and tittle), then they are timeless and cannot be changed by future generations. They become, Christ, unchanging, bearing the same promises "as in the beginning" when they were written.
What part of Christ/the Bible doesn't function in your faith? What part because of preference or lack of faith doesn't "manifest" itself in your Christian experience. And if anything has been eliminated from your practice of Scripture is your salvation still sure? Rev 22:19 18For I testify to every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add to these things, God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book: 19And 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.
The Holy Bible is Christ in body form by God's Word nothing added and nothing to be eliminated.
Even Jesus when given a "generation" generated question answered "it was not always so, in the beginning". He, being the Word, went back to the beginning of the Word to answer questions that time had twisted the "natural application of".
To some it may seem out of date to practice or believe but I will take the "unchanging Word of God" over today's secular humanistic philosophy and go back to the same practice Jesus had of "in the beginning".
Love in Christ
J&E in Tn
No comments:
Post a Comment