Bible Doctrine 1

BIBLE DOCTRINE 1                                                                       

                                       THE  HOLY BIBLE

God’s Word teaches:

That the Holy Bible, consisting of 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament, is the inspired Word of God. We take the Bible as final authority in all matters concerning Christian conduct and work - 2 Timothy 3:16,17; Proverbs 30:5,6; Revelation 22:18,19.

     The Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God and is the only source of knowledge of the Almighty God to all mankind. It is the contact point between finite man with the infinite God; and its prime purpose is to give mankind the revelation of God

(2  Timothy 3:15-17). The Bible is severally referred to as the Holy Scriptures (Romans 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:15), the oracles of God (Romans 3:2; Hebrews 5:12), the Book of the Lord (Isaiah 34:16), the word of God (Mark 7:13), the word of Christ (Colossians 3:16) and the word of life (Philippians 2:16). It is in two major parts: the Old and the New Testaments. It consists of 66 books: 39 of which are in the Old Testament, 27 in the New Testament. The Bible was originally written predominantly in Hebrew and Greek. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and Aramaic, while the New Testament was written in Greek language. Over 40 authors drawn from disparate generations spanning a period of over 1600 years, were used by God to write the Bible. Even though their occupations, education and social classes were divergent, their theme was the same as they were inspired by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:20). The inspiration of the authors can be attested to by some peculiar characteristics of the Bible, which are not found in any other book written by man. Such characteristics include its wonderful unity despite the fact that the authors lived at different ages; its versatility as it meets the needs of all people irrespective of race, and language (Matthew 4:4); its superiority to other books, the influence on individuals and nations; its preservation over the centuries, its fulfilled prophecies (Isaiah 7:14; Ezekiel 36:19; 2 Chronicles 7:19,20) and its perfection (Psalms 19:7; James 1:25).

     The pre-eminence of the Bible (Isaiah 8:20; Psalms 119:89) makes it indispensable to all men today. While other books have limited influence on man, because they are products of finite minds, the Bible which is God’s revelation to man has solution to every problem today. Therefore, no man’s education is complete if he is ignorant of the provisions of the Bible. No Christian can live successfully without an adequate grasp of the Bible, and no Christian minister is really qualified for the ministry of the church of Christ without a thorough knowledge of the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15). Without a ready knowledge of the Bible, the Christian worker cannot be effective.

     The central theme of the Bible is CHRIST and HIS WORK OF REDEMPTION (John 20:31; Luke 24:25-27; Revelation 1:1). He is the Old Testament concealed, and the New Testament revealed. To fully understand the Bible and to rightly interpret its messages,  we must first receive Jesus Christ as Saviour and have a clear and definite experience of conversion. Those who do not know Christ and those who have wrong conceptions about Christ cannot interpret the Bible appropriately because the carnal man cannot understand the things of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14).

     The Bible has a ministry to unbelievers as well as to believers. To unbelievers, the Bible brings conviction of sin which leads to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus. To believers, the goals of the Bible are various. It is to make believers perfect (Psalm 119:9,11), to reveal the condition of their hearts (Hebrew 4:12; Jeremiah 17:9,10); it is a light to the believers' feet or way of life (Psalms 119:105;130), food for the soul (Deuteronomy 8:3, John 21:17; Psalm 19:10; Matthew 4:4), a medicine to the body and soul (Proverbs 4:20-22; Psalm 107:20; Matthew 8:8) and the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17; Matthew 4:1-11).  It is a mirror to reflect (James 1:23); a hammer to convict, and fire to refine (Jeremiah 23:29); seed to multiply (I Peter 1:23); water to cleanse (Ephesians 5:26; John 15:3); rain to refresh (Isaiah 55:10); gold to enrich (Psalm 19:7-10); and power to create life and faith (I Peter 1:23; Romans 10:17).

     The Bible is God’s inspired revelation of the origin and destiny of all things.  It is the power of God unto eternal salvation and it is the source of present help for the body, soul and spirit (Romans 1:16; John 15:7).  It is God’s will and testament to man in all ages, revealing the plan of God for man here and now, and in the next life.  It is the record of God’s dealing with men; past, present and future.  It contains God’s message of eternal salvation to all who believe in Christ and of eternal damnation to those who rebel against the gospel (John 3:18,36).

     The purpose of the Bible then is to reveal God to man, reveal man’s need of God and show man the way to God. Man, by searching, cannot find God except God makes Himself known to him (Job 11:7). The Bible also reveals to man how to live, and through the fulfillment of its prophecies, all human needs are met. We receive salvation, sanctification, Holy Ghost baptism, healing, deliverance, protection, etc.

     To profit maximally from the study of the Bible, we must remove all hindrances to spiritual receptivity, such as hardened heart (Matthew 13:3-6, 18-21), double mindedness (James 1:8; Mark 4:15-17), pride (Deuteronomy 8:11-14; Psalm 101:5; Proverbs 18:12), carnality (I Corinthians 3:1-5), and unbelief (Matthew 13:58).

     Every believer in the church today can benefit from the hidden treasures in the Bible. But this would require sacrifices on our part.  Treasures are not found except by searching or digging earnestly.  Likewise, deep Bible truths need  be sought for, and in doing this, we will discover Christ the more (Colossians 2:3; John 5:39).  Certain spiritual preparations are required from believers in order to discover these treasures that would make them develop into the fullness of the stature of Christ.  There must be earnest love for the truth for its own sake (Psalm 119:40,47,54,72,103); supreme love for God  (Matthew 22:37; Deuteronomy 30:6; Psalm 73:25); and an intense desire to know more of Him (Psalm 42:1,2; 63:1).  Also, there should be a strong desire to make Him known to others (Proverbs 11:24-26; Romans 9:1-3), willingness to make personal sacrifice to study (Matthew 13:44-46; 12:42), a fixed purpose to know, and a willingness to practice the whole truth you have learnt (Psalm 119:60,101,106; James 1:22-25; Ezra 7:10; Psalms 119:63; 57:7: 108:1), and cultivating a state of mind that will not be diverted to make provision for the flesh (Romans 13:14; Matthew 26:41).

          Above all, you need too, a regular habit of prayer, resignation to the whole will of God and His word that will make you discover the treasures hidden in the Bible.

Bible Doctrines

  BIBLE DOCTRINES

INTRODUCTION TO BIBLE DOCTRINES

2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17

     Doctrine to the church is what a foundation is to a building. It is the article of faith on which a believer’s faith is anchored. A building with a weak foundation will collapse under intense unfavorable weather and environmental conditions while a building with solid foundation will weather through storms (Matthew 7:24-27). A believer’s steadfastness and stability in the Lord is dependent on a firm grasp of the Truth revealed in the Bible (Ephesians 4:13, 14).  Whereas, lack of knowledge leads to backsliding and destruction (Hosea 4:6). In a world of error and deceit engineered by Satan and his hosts (John 8:44), a believer needs to be well grounded in the truth in order to frontally attack every lie of Satan if he is to remain in faith (Matthew 4:3,4).

     The early believers understood perfectly the need to be grounded in the doctrines. Both old and young engaged in spiritual activities that built up their Christian character and convictions.  They studied the doctrines, prayed and celebrated the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41-47). It should be observed that, the study of the doctrines took a place of pre-eminence in their ministry. These Spirit-directed activities of the early saints led to the phenomenal growth of the early Church. Apart from this, it brought about boldness, steadfastness, and growth (Daniel 11:32; Acts 4:19, 20), to the extent that the whole of Jerusalem was filled with Christ’s doctrine (Act 5:28).

     Paul understood the centrality of Bible doctrines to Christian maturity, hence he counseled the Ephesians Christians that spiritual gifts were endowed them in order to teach doctrines that will bring about Christian perfection (Ephesians 4:11-14). His counseling to Timothy, his son in the Lord was: “Take heed unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shall both save thyself and them that hear thee” (I Timothy 4:16). Paul’s counsel to Titus who was left in Crete to set things that are wanting in order was that he should hold “fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9).

     As believers, workers, preachers, missionaries, and leaders like Paul, Timothy and Titus, our steadfastness to the end is dependent on the understanding of the doctrines (I Timothy 4:16) Also, the salvation of our congregation depends on their understanding of the doctrines. A thorough understanding of the doctrines then is indispensable to all members of the church. The strength or weakness of the church depends to a large extent on the members attitude to the doctrines (I Peter 3:15; 2 Timothy 2:15; Colossians 3:16; John 5:39; Deuteronomy 4:4-9).

The doctrines which the church stands upon are not mere dogmas or the opinions of men. They are inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:15,16).

     The Bible clearly teaches on Repentance, Restitution, Marriage, New Heaven and Hell among others. These Bible doctrines explicitly reveal treasures that a Christian cannot do without. The reason and hope of our faith are embedded in these doctrines (I Peter 3:15).

     Every believer today in the church, old or young needs to benefit from the doctrines of Christ. This can only come about through in-depth study, prayerful meditation and internalization of truths studied and a faithful practice of these teachings (2 Timothy 2:15).

     Neglect of doctrines and the pursuit of superficiality have done incalculable damage to the church in our generation. Emphasis on activities with the attendant neglect of personal Bible study has ruined many lives. Thus, superficial Christian living, backsliding, lukewarmness, worldliness and entertainment of false teaching are rampant in Christendom (Hosea 4:6).

     We are in perilous times (2 Timothy 3:1-5); and to be able to hold our heads above the water, we must earnestly contend for the faith. Believers are on the battlefield and we must do violence with Satan and his hosts before we can have entrance into heaven (Matthew 11:12). Our chief weapon of warfare is the truth which is embedded in the doctrines. Knowledge of the truth will set us free from the lies of Satan, and it will also guarantee our true freedom in Christ (John 8:32). In order to counteract Satan’s strategies, we need to dig deep into the doctrines.

     The mission of the church as light to the world (Matthew 5:16) is only achievable with a grasp of the foundational truth or God's word. A church that is ignorant cannot teach the world, as the blind cannot lead the blind.  Clearly stated, the unchanging mission of the church is   to evangelize and teach the world (Matthew 28:19, 20). This responsibility falls on individual believers within the fold today. It is the aggregate that makes the whole; and without a well informed congregation, the church would be unable to fulfill this goal. Knowledge of the basic foundational truths greatly helped the early church to fulfill its mission. They were able to establish new converts, confront the errors of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and endure the persecution of their op-posers.

          The time has come to accomplish Christ’s mission to the world. But the battle for truth can only be fought by the enlightened believer. As individual members of the church, we ought to arise today and fill the gap left by the saints of old.

                        To be continued...  

Prayer

And it came to pass, that as He was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, Lord teach us how to pray, as John also taught his disciples. Luke chapter 11 v 1

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rayer is the key; this is a common language in Christendom. It will be a good idea to know actually what prayer is. Is it a spiritual phenomenon or just a word in the Holy Bible that fascinates people? Of a truth, prayer is more a less a spiritual interaction with the Supreme Being; God. Jesus prayed and this will clarify every known and unknown doubt about what prayer is. It is a supernatural way to communicate with God. In the Old Testament, prophets prayed, kings prayed the people of God prayed, even the pagans prayed to their dead gods and they did not get an answer to their prayers. The people of God in the Old Testament received answers to their prayers. Also prayer can have different form; it is not always asking for blessing, it is used in confrontation with principalities. An example of such prayer can be found in the first book of Kings Chapter 18; this is about the confrontation between Prophet Elijah and the Baal Prophets. A lot of examples can be sited from the Bible about people that prayed, Hannah prayed (1Samue Chapter 1) and in our contemporary Christianity men and women of faith in Jesus had prayed and wondrous things happened. No body on his knees calling upon God will be defeated. Have you prayed today. please make prayer a companion.  God bless you richly as you pray now. Amen!!