Psalms 119:18 (NKJV)
Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.
Ecclesiastes 11:5 (NKJV)
As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
As we begin the process of knowing, there are several things that must be considered. These are the facts that we must rely upon. This is the basis for our faith.
First; the Bible is the Word of God. Just about every major protestant religion in the list of their confession or articles of faith recognize that the Bible is God's revealed word and is suitable for the task to which God gave it. We will discuss this task in this section.
Second; since the Bible is God's word, we must be able to rely upon it and use it as a source of authority. The Bible teaches us that God does not lie. Therefore when we base our faith upon biblical scripture and principles, we are safe in our faith.
Third; our salvation is totally dependent upon God's word. We will discuss how it is dependent upon God, and in the process will refute many false doctrines concerning the grace of God, and how we are saved.
Fourth; our salvation is totally within our control to accept God's word and do it, or to reject either all or part of it. We can add, subtract, or change by our free-will choice.
This study hopes to guide all into making the right decision in light of what the Bible teaches, and not have to rely upon feelings or emotions to support our faith.
This study is of no value to the person who does not accept the Bible as the authorized word of God. If one cannot accept the infallibility of scripture, then this study is useless. We know we must use guidelines. We must keep within certain parameters. We must follow the right blueprint or plans. We must use the same rules.
Another point that needs to be made is that the Bible is actually God speaking to us individually or collectivly. God speaks to people and He speaks to nations. God speaks to the human race.
It has been said that the Bible is the "greatest book ever written". This is true. Though there have been many works of literature that have given the world's population's enjoyment, pleasure, and instruction; none have had the impact upon mankind as this Holy Bible.
The Bible is unique in many ways. It is actually a collection of many other books. Our bible currently has sixty-six books. In times past, some of the books were kept together as one. Both books of Samuel were combined. The Kings were combined. In some manuscripts, all the minor prophets were kept together. When you get down to it, the dividing of scripture into chapters and verses did not happen until well into the second millinium (1652-The Geneva Bible).
We have a much greater advantage today than those of the past. The Bible is the all-time best selling book year after year. Many homes have a bible for each member of the family along with the Family Bible as an heirloom. Many bible students have more than one bible. These are used in study to learn. These bibles might be different translations. They might have marginal references. They might have notes to explain some language differences.
The hard thing to really understand, is that we have the word of God available to us; and it appears that we do not care. People died in times past in order to preserve the Bible. We do not seem to value this book as much as we should.
This is what this study is designed to do. To give us a love and respect for the word of God that we may have confidence and hope in it.
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The Revelation Of God
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Grow in Grace and Knowledge