Able to Save (4)

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son… Hebrews 1.1, 2

Why should we bother?
It begins to be clear that having the Word of God become implanted in our souls, so that we might know more of its power to unpack the Lord’s salvation in our lives, is not like a picnic in the park. We’re going to have to work at this, both at being willing to lay aside the lifestyle of the Lie, and at applying ourselves daily to reading and learning the Word of God.

But why should we bother? Can we really count on the Bible to open the way of life to us? Do joy and rejoicing really await us, as we overcome the famine of truth in which we have lived, and feed daily on the Word of God? Or is the Bible just there for us when we need it – a guide to doctrine, a source of counsel or comfort, or a compendium of moral instruction to help us keep our noses clean before the Lord?

Is the Bible more than this? And how did we get the Bible, anyway?

Let’s look more closely at that last question: How did we get the Bible? How has this Book, which is able to save your soul, come to us in the first place?

God’s book given through faithful men
Most of us know that the Bible claims to be the Word of God, as we have seen throughout this series. But all the words which God spoke or gave were written down in the Bible by men. Beginning with Moses, who compiled or wrote the first five books of the Bible, and various spokesmen of God called prophets – some whose names we know, others not – the entire Old Testament came into being over a period of some 1200 years. It was written in two different languages – Hebrew and Aramaic – and on two continents (Asia and Africa), by a wide range of authors.

But all those authors were uniquely chosen and empowered by God, and were carried along in their writing by the Spirit of God, as Peter explained (2 Pet. 1.21), so that the words they recorded in the various books of the Old Testament came directly from God; told a single story, following consistent threads and themes; and have been regarded as the Word of God by all who read them with faith. Even before the coming of Christ the Old Testament was already revered as the “oracles” of God, His very Word (Rom. 3.1, 2).

The New Testament was written by those who knew the Lord Jesus personally, or who were closely associated with those who did. From early on in church history their writings were recognized as being in line with and fulfilling the promises and prophecies of Moses and the prophets, and consistent with the teaching of Jesus Christ. In addition, like the books of the Old Testament, New Testament writers made claims about their works indicating they were given by the inspiration of God (cf. 2 Tim. 3.15-17; 2 Pt. 3.15; 1 Jn. 4.6).

Over several generations following the death of the Apostles, other writings began to circulate, claiming some authority related to Christ and the Gospel. Some of these writings were not very reliable, when compared with the teaching of Scripture and the growing understanding of the Church; and it soon became necessary to sort our which writings could be relied upon and which could not. For this to be done, however, Church leaders first had to determine which books were of final authority in evaluating other books and teachings and in guiding believers into the life of faith.

Which books, that is, were Scripture.

As it turned out, by the end of the second century, churches in leading ecclesiastical cities and regions had already begun to recognize the hand of God and the voice of Jesus Christ in certain writings. Collections of apostolic writings had been gathered in various places throughout the Roman world, and these collections, compared and discussed, were found to include, with a few exceptions, the same books. These books came to be acknowledged as the authoritative books of Scripture, the Word of God, the Bible.

It is evidence of the preserving and illuminating power of the Holy Spirit, working in churches throughout the Roman Empire, that this canon of books came to be recognized as the Word of God. Church leaders used these books to evaluate the claims and teachings not only of other similar books, but of all theological writing, preaching and teaching. The 66 books of the Old and New Testament thus demonstrated in a convincing way their divine provenance and pedigree, and have continued to do so to the present.

For 2,000 years the Church has stood on this canon of Scripture and, in so doing, has been the greatest force for good human history has ever known.

A reliable Word
We can trust the Scriptures when they claim to be the Word of God. Though He gave them through the auspices of prophets, shepherds, kings, and even a tax-collector, this Word has proven reliable in its power to become implanted in human souls, bringing joy and rejoicing, righteousness and hope, and transforming power in ways that bring the reality of Christ’s resurrection life into everyday situations.

The Word of God, given through men, can be trusted. But we must daily receive and read the Word, planting it over and over, deeper and deeper in our souls, before it can do its saving work in our lives.

For reflection
1.  Do unbelievers think the Word of God can be trusted? Why or why not?

2.  What evidence would you cite to back up the claim that the Bible has been a source of great good throughout human history?

3.  What’s the difference between the Church “recognizing” the canon of Scripture, and the Church “determining” the canon of Scripture?

Next steps – Conversation: Meditate on John 5.39 and 6.63. Jesus insisted that the Scriptures – in His day, the Old Testament – were all about Him. How can you see that this is true, both of the Old Testament and the New? Talk about this question with some Christian friends.

T. M. Moore

To learn more about understanding and using the Bible, enroll in the course, Introduction to Biblical Theology. It’s free and online, and you can study at your own pace or with friends. To learn more and to register, click here. This week’s study is Part 5 of a series on The Word of God, and is available as a free download by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.