Misconceptions About The Bible
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV). Additionally, in explaining the Source of his message the Apostle Paul said, “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12 NKJV).
The Bible Converts Doubters to Believers
Now brethren, an article regarding the testimony of the Bible could potentially be very long and voluminous. In this work, we will touch on scriptural occasions where God commanded people to keep a record of His Words and commands. Now before we elaborate further on our message, being Christian, how many of us ever heard at some stage a non-believer or doubter saying, ‘the Bible is not true because it was written by men’. Now being in the witnessing field, we often heard such statements of doubt and the Lord has given us great patience to gently lead such people to the Lord and to scripturally correct them in their misconceptions. From face value, the message of the Bible could be grossly misunderstood, misinterpreted and wrongly perceived because some people are in the habit of quoting the scriptures of out context to state their doctrinal position. Additionally, another contributing factor to misconceptions about the revelatory nature of the bible is that some people are not reading the bible in appreciation of its truth and the way of life it commands, instead, they opt to read what they want to believe and contextualise it accordingly.
Authority Of Scriptures Evident In Its Content
Evidentially, we know that the book of Genesis does not give an explicit command to the author (Moses) to write down what he hear or see however, in subsequent writings of the Pentateuch we read that God commanded Moses to write down what he heard what the Lord God almighty was saying (Exodus 17:14; Deuteronomy 31:24). Without resorting to an exhaustive list of such commands to various prophets and teachers of the Word of God, there were direct commands from the Lord to His messengers to write down His words (Jeremiah 30:2; Isaiah 30:8). Furthermore, we might not find similar commands to Daniel and some of the other prophets, but they had an inner witness to preserve the memory of God’s Word through their writings. They knew that God was progressively revealing Himself to us and all future generations (Psalm 102:18). Speaking from experience about the level of faith, fear for God and conviction the bible can induce; to me the Word of God delivers hope and a way out a confused life.
By reading the Bible, one immediately perceives that the authors does not express their own opinions about their knowledge of God and the way of life the Lord God commanded. In contrast, they allowed God to speak through them (2 Peter 1:21), and this experience that comes through the Holy Spirit is known and experienced by most born again Christians (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:17). It is true that the Bible was written by men but its content was dictated by God through the Holy Spirit. What the bible reader also needs to notice when reading is that the human experience of failure and sinning gives expression to God’s Holiness and His dissatisfaction with sin and human disobedience. Therefore, historically the various bible books have a large amount of witnesses who attest to its authenticity and this is clearly an indication that God Himself is the Source of this message.
Guarding Against Racializing The Scriptures
Now, a message to those who racializing the Word of God, a few months ago, I had a conversation with an intelligent young man who really wanted to know more about the Lord and he was particularly disturbed by some politically driven arguments regarding the skin colour of the Lord and because he is not reading the Bible this added to his confusion and ignorance about God. Biblically, God is neither white, nor black but He is Spirit and He has a Spiritual body (John 4:24; 1 Corinthians 15:44-45). As it is, the image of God and seen by some messengers of God is being described as ‘the sun shining in its full strength’ (Habakkuk 3:4; Revelations 1:6). However, in their expression of a subjective opinion, people would always respond to matters of faith in a culturally connected way (Matthew 15:3). Therefore, racializing and reducing God to any colour breaths divisions, racial intolerance and at best it is blasphemous. It is true, the issue of race has been an old debate and this has often led to misconceptions, quarrels, divisions and fights amongst various races even as we are witnessing such tensions in the world today. Without, going into further detail but some world leaders in the Arab and communists regions are mistakenly branding the bible as being a pro Western book. This is not true at all; it is evident from the Scriptures that the Bible is addressing individuals and how an individual’s conduct should be towards his or her fellow men and God.
In conclusion, the Lord has been inviting all men everywhere in all ages to read the Bible for themselves and learn about Him (Isaiah 55:1; Matthew 11:28). Also, it is God himself who prescribed how men should approach Him and serve Him, and this command to serve God according His standards is not a human command but a God ordained instruction (Leviticus 10:3; 22:2). Wherefore, if a person gives meaning to the Word of God in a way to cause others to stumble and mistaken the bible message to be that of a mere men such a person calls judgment upon him or herself.
If you have been doubting the Word of God and disobeyed Him, you can still repent today and reform your ways and follow the Lord faithfully and in a spirt of truth. If you still do not know the Lord we have a suggest prayer which prayed by faith should lead to your salvation. So please prayer our Prayer of Sincere Repentance. For any questions or comments on this article or our ministry, please contact us.
Blessed Peace
Brother Glenn
