Bible in the first place #3/3

Following a Master teacher or human scholar?

Men’s words

Archaeologist Sir Charles Marston in his book ‘The Bible Is True’  said, we are too quick to “accept without a murmur many of the speculations of modern writers” who attacked the integrity of the Bible. This is still be true today. It would be foolish​—if not fatal—​to ignore God‘s Wisdom and to go on the so called wisdom of men. The extent to which you let the many biblical writings be a real influence in guiding your actions and forming your beliefs will be greatly diminished if you view it simply as the words of men rather than the Word of God.​

A presentation edition of a GOD’S WORD bible (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you received \@it\@ not \@as\@ the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJBPNV)

People would be better off to take some more time to consider the evidence that supports the Bible’s claim to be “inspired of God.” Instead of only reading lots of theological or Christian magazines, they’ll better also should take some time to read the Real Book of Books, the Bible.

Looking at all the works on Christianity and faith we must consider that they always are products of many minds and many generations.

Honest scholarship

We are indebted, for example, to honest scholarship that has helped us to identify the original text of the Bible. Clearly, minor mistakes did creep into the text of the Bible as it was copied and recopied over the centuries. Remember, though: There is a big difference between recognizing that minor mistakes crept into copies of  the Bible text and dismissing the whole Bible as a human fabrication.

Clearly, also the works of many sincere human scholars can help us to study the Bible. Concordances are beyond of  question of indisputable value for the study of God’s Word.

Also very important is to have some dictionaries at hand, so that as you study and you encounter words (in a bible translation) that you don’t understand or of which you have doubts of the meaning, your dictionary will help you find the literal meaning of each word,that would help you understand the text,you are reading.

God also still uses humans to deliver His word. There may be many writers who are willing to let God’s Word shine in glory. God still delivers His Word to humans. Human minds hear and understand the word from God, and then another set of human minds receive it from those human mouths and again hear and understand it. That is the evangelism of which the Bible speaks.

True scholars try to make sense out of what they read and hear. We can only hope that God shall enabled those who really want to discover the Truth about God, to see who is who and what happened in the past and shall happen in the future.

Reproof

As the Bible is profitable for teaching, for reproof or convincing we should give our ears and eyes to that evidence the Word of God gives. Only by giving ourself in the hands of Jehovah God, accepting His Word for correction, we can find correction of error, re-setting the direction of our life, and training in doing what is right.

English: The Bible (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Studying the Bible can give us proof or evidence of the things happening. It should by studying it give us the confidence in the things we hope for. It means being certain of things we cannot see.

Let us follow the instruction in righteousness and share this discipline that is in righteousness,  informing each other of our findings, but always proving it by the Word of God.

Reliability

There is nothing, no one in this world more reliable than God or his Word. You can trust Him any time, any day and you will not regret it.

“Good and upright \@is\@ Yahweh: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.” (Psalms 25:8 KJBPNV)
“And Yahshua said to him, Why call you me good? \@there is\@ none good but one, \@that is,\@ God.” (Mark 10:18 KJBPNV)

“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: has he said, and shall he not do it? or has he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19 KJBPNV)

God’s Word is the only perfect word in the world. We best trust Him the most. So whenever you hear people talking about faith matters or the Bible, do take your Bible with you and compare that what they are saying with what is written in the Holy Scriptures.

To Remember

“9 Remember the former things of old: for I \@am\@ God, and \@there is\@ none else; \@I am\@ God, and \@there is\@ none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times \@the things\@ that are not \@yet\@ done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:” (Isaiah 46:9-10 KJBPNV)

“Now all these things happened to them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world have come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11 KJBPNV)

“For 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 Peter 1:21 KJBPNV)

“26 For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, \@are called\@: 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, \@yes,\@ and things which are not, to bring to nothing things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are you in the Messiah Yahshua, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord [Yahweh].” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31 KJBPNV)

“And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Yahshua the Messiah, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3 KJBPNV)

“6 And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart: 7 And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7 KJBPNV)

“The grass withers, the flower fades: but the word of our God shall stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:8 KJBPNV)

“Therefore be you not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord \@is\@.” (Ephesians 5:17 KJBPNV)

“6 The words of Yahweh \@are\@ pure words: \@as\@ silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 You shall keep them, O Yahweh, you shall preserve them from this generation forever.” (Psalms 12:6-7 KJBPNV)

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Dutch version / Nederlandse versie: Bijbel op de eerste plaats #3/3

Previous: Bible in the first place #2/3

Find additional reading:

1. Bible basic intro
2. Plain necessary food of the Gospel
3. Loving the Word
4. Fixing our attention
5. Bible Word of God,inspired and infallible
6. The Importance Of Scripture
7. Bible guide
8. The importance of Reading the Scriptures
9. Bible power to change
10. When reading your Bible be aware of changing language
11. Knowing old sayings to understand the Bible
12. Another way looking at a language #1 New Year, Books and Words
13. Another way looking at a language #2 Meanings
14. Another way looking at a language #4 Ancient times
15. Another way looking at a language #5 Aramic, Hebrew and Greek
16. Another way looking at a language #7 Lingua Franca
17. Pluralis Majestatis in the Holy Scriptures
18. The Bible and names in it
19. Position of the Bible researcher
20. Listening and Praying to the Father
21. Written to recognise the Promissed One
22. Holiness and expression of worship coming from inside
23. Only worhsip the Creator of all things
24. Concerning gospelfaith
25. Faith
26. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God
27. Leaving the Old World to find better pastures
28. יהוה , YHWH and Love: Four-letter words
29. Self inflicted misery #8 Pruning to strengthen us
30. Self inflicted misery #9 Subject to worldly things
31. Worship and worshipping
32. Religious Practices around the world
33. Many churches
34. Childish or reasonable ways
35. Listening and praying to the Father
36. Full authority belongs to God
37. Sayings around God

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