Why so much emphasis on the Bible?
Introduction. Our question is reflective of the thinking of a number of people. Christians and faithful preachers demonstrate much respect for and dependency on the word of God. In fact, Christians are sometimes criticized for the emphasis they place on the Bible.
The word of God is both authoritative and useful. God's word is the standard to be used to determine if one is teaching the will of God (2 John 9; Acts 17: 11). If the pure truth is not being taught, fellowship must not be extended (2 John 9-11). The gospel or God's word is the means God has chosen to save the lost (Rom. 1: 16; 1 Cor. 1: 17-21). One is spiritually born by the word (1 Pet. 1: 22, 23, Luke 8: 11). The word is the source of faith and the means of reconciliation (Rom. 10: 17; 2 Cor. 5: 18, 19).
The word is vital to the Christian. The word is the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6: 17). Hence, without the word, the Christian is defenseless (cp. Matt. 4: 4, 7, 10). The word reveals what is right and wrong and strengthens the Christian (Ps. 119: 104, 105, 130; Acts 20: 32). The word is the means of spiritual growth. Peter taught, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Pet. 2: 2). The word is how the Christian inherits, "I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified," taught Paul (Acts 20: 32).
Confusion today. One reason for all the confusion and many different churches today is the lack of emphasis placed on the word. Jesus taught, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12: 48). The ones who should be criticized are those not emphasizing the Bible, not those who do respect and use it!
The word of God is both authoritative and useful. God's word is the standard to be used to determine if one is teaching the will of God (2 John 9; Acts 17: 11). If the pure truth is not being taught, fellowship must not be extended (2 John 9-11). The gospel or God's word is the means God has chosen to save the lost (Rom. 1: 16; 1 Cor. 1: 17-21). One is spiritually born by the word (1 Pet. 1: 22, 23, Luke 8: 11). The word is the source of faith and the means of reconciliation (Rom. 10: 17; 2 Cor. 5: 18, 19).
The word is vital to the Christian. The word is the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6: 17). Hence, without the word, the Christian is defenseless (cp. Matt. 4: 4, 7, 10). The word reveals what is right and wrong and strengthens the Christian (Ps. 119: 104, 105, 130; Acts 20: 32). The word is the means of spiritual growth. Peter taught, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Pet. 2: 2). The word is how the Christian inherits, "I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified," taught Paul (Acts 20: 32).
Confusion today. One reason for all the confusion and many different churches today is the lack of emphasis placed on the word. Jesus taught, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12: 48). The ones who should be criticized are those not emphasizing the Bible, not those who do respect and use it!