GOD AS REVEALED IN THE BIBLE

The Bible is God’s Word through which He has revealed Himself to mankind. God chose to reveal Himself by His own initiative because He is transcendent and unfathomable. He can not be known by human wisdom or effort.  God is Spirit and no one has seen Him. This unique sovereign God of revelation has made known all that He wants people to know about Him. The Bible is His full and final revelation.  

God is revealed in the Bible as ‘Trinity’. This term is not found in the Bible but the fact is clearly taught. Some prefer the term ‘Tri-unity’ in speaking of this truth about God in the Bible. God is one Being eternally existing as three Persons, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The Son is a Messianic title and implies a metaphorical, unique, spiritual relationship Christ has with the Father.   

The God of the Bible is described as being omnipresent (present everywhere), omniscient (all knowing) and omnipotent (all powerful). This is true of each Person of the Godhead. There is no difference in their worth or rank among them.

The Bible does not speak of three Gods as in polytheism, where the gods are different in their being. They have influence over different realms, have different degrees of power and have different characteristics. What is taught about the Triune God in the Bible is very different. All three are of the same essence and are co-equal. God who is spirit has no form. As one having personhood, God exists in three Persons for fellowship. The Bible does not try to explain this great mystery but it is to be received by faith.    

There are references to ‘The Angel of the Lord’ in the Old Testament called--    ‘Theophanies’. (Genesis 22:11-15; Exodus 3:2-4; Numbers 22:22-38; Judges 6:11-23) They are understood as appearances of the pre-incarnate Messiah/Christ.    

Christ who is God became a man and He is ‘The Incarnation’. The eternal God became Jesus of history in order to die as a substitute for sinners. He did not cease to be God but laid aside His Divine prerogatives. As true man, He became hungry, thirsty, tired and did not know the times that God the Father knew.  

The OLD TESTAMENT Scriptures supporting Trinity:

Deuteronomy 6:4 says, “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!” Interestingly, the Hebrew word for one here means, one, as in a cluster or a group.

In Genesis 1:26 we see, “Then God said, “Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…..”. First person plural pronoun is used.

 

In Genesis 1:1 where it says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The word used for God here is ‘Elohim’, a word unique to Hebrew thinking. It is the masculine plural for “El” which means God. It does not mean gods, when it is used for the God of Israel. But it allows for plurality within the Godhead. 

Isaiah 6:8 says, “Then I heard the voice of the LORD, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” First person plural pronoun is used.

The NEW TESTAMENT Scriptures teaching Trinity:

Matthew 3:16-17, “After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting upon Him, and behold a voice out of heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Jesus says in Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Paul writes in II Corinthians 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

Jude says in Jude 20, 21, “……praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.”

APPLICATION:

This doctrine though is a mystery ought to be accepted in faith and humility. 

Beware of teachings that exalt one Person of the Godhead over the other in the Bible, as there is no rivalry or competition among them.

Reject all cults which deny the existence of Trinity as found in the Bible and teach that God is just one Person.

As there are many subtle false teachings, here is a helpful test. Does the teaching under question accept the identity of the three Persons of the Godhead and the fact that they are co-equal and are of the same essence?  

THE BIBLE IS PROFITABLE

The Bible being God’s word is truth. As authoritative word of wisdom, it has commands, principles and lessons from history for one’s learning. The Bible speaks of ways in which it benefits those who believe and obey. 

The Bible teaches how anyone can be saved from sin, the doctrines for believers to know and principles for spiritual growth and productivity. Here are a few verses which highlight the usefulness of the Scripture:

John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”

Acts 20:24 “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Romans 10:17 “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

I Timothy 4: “…..constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.”

II Timothy 3:15-17 “And that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in

Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

I Peter 2:2 “Like new born babes, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow with respect to salvation.”

1. God’s Word explains His provision for salvation:

The Bible shows that all people are sinners, lost with no hope. God declares that no human merit or effort is adequate to bring anyone into a right relationship with Him. As holy God, He hates sin. As a loving God, who understands human helplessness, He sent His Son the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior. Christ, the sinless one, paid for the sins of the world by His voluntary death on the cross. Having fully met God’s demands on behalf of the sinners, He victoriously rose from the dead on the third day. Those who repent toward God and believe in Christ as Savior are forgiven of all sins and given new life for time and eternity.

2. God’s Word teaches the essentials of faith:

The Bible teaches doctrine about God, who is Father, Son and Spirit and their ministries. It also teaches about man, sin, salvation, church, ordinances, sanctification, the Spirit filled holy life which God wants His people to live, the hope of resurrection, the return of the Lord Jesus Christ for His own and the judgment of unbelievers. The Bible teaches all the doctrines God desires Christians to know and believe for their good. Doctrines are teachings which determine how one should live

3. God’s Word helps believers grow spiritually:

A believer is born into God’s family and the Bible is the nourishment. As found in Hebrews 5:13, 14, it is like milk for new believers and solid food for the mature. God’s Word points to sin in life and reproves. Along with reproving, it corrects and changes lives. It is like setting upright a pole that is tilted to one side. Not only does it deals with failures but also positively trains believers in practical righteousness. Christ offers not just life but abundant life. Progressive growth or sanctification is God’s will for His children and the Word is His appointed means. John 17:17  

4. God’s Word informs and motivates believers to be productive:

Christ chose His disciples to bear fruit. John 15:16. They are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand. Ephesians 2:10. Their good works are to cause men to glorify God. Matthew 5:16. The believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit and equipped with His gifts for service. I Peter 4:10, 11. Being enriched with God’s Word enables believers to serve God and man meaningfully. Colossians 3:16. Christians are motivated to serve faithfully by the truth that their labor is not in vain. I Corinthians 15:58.

APPLICATION:

We need to honestly evaluate our lives to see if God’s Word has its rightful place and confess any failure in this regard.

Make a heart commitment right now to read, study and understand the Bible regularly, for the purpose of obeying.

Be disciplined in setting aside daily time to effectively learn from God’s Word.  

Be mindful always that blessing is in obeying.  Jesus said, “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” John 13:17

Endeavour to study the Bible alone, be part of a meaningful study group and sit under sound expository preaching/teaching.

AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE

                            

The authority of the Bible is most crucial to Christian faith. As it is rightly said, the Bible is the sole authority for all Christian faith and conduct. It is true that different denominations have various views on this matter. But the Evangelical Christian faith is totally committed to the Bible alone being authoritative. The Roman Catholics claim to believe in Bible's authority, but they also believe that the church has equal authority. They say the Bible needs to be understood only as interpreted by the Roman Catholic Church.  Then, there are cults which profess to accept the Bible, but treat books written by their leaders to be on par with or higher than the Bible in authority. Some churches give equal authority even to their established traditions. Commitment to the authority of the Bible alone is a good test for genuine orthodoxy or evangelical faith.  

How do we know the Bible is authoritative?

1. God who is the ultimate authority is Himself the author of the Bible. So, His authority is invested in the Scripture. Everything that God has said in His Word He does and He never fails. 

The following verses highlight the fact that the God of the Bible is absolutely sovereign and does what He wills. There is none like Him. His will, plan and purposes are fulfilled in all creation and even in the lives of individuals. He does all things for His glory alone. No one can counsel or question Him. 

Psalm 103:19 "The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all".

Psalm 135: 6 "Whatever the LORD please He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all the deeps."

Psalm 139:16 "Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.”

Isaiah 46:9-10 "....For I am God and there is no other; I am God and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient days things which have not been done, saying, ' my purpose will be established, and I will establish all My good pleasure.”

Romans 11:36 “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things, To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

 
2.  The Bible being the Word of God has the character of God. It is inerrant and infallible even as God can not err or lie. He does not misinform or misguide anyone. His attributes are wholly perfect and so is His Word. 

3. God never changes and so does His Word. His unchanging Word continues to be relevant and authoritative in this changing world.

4. God had created all things in the universe by His authoritative Word for His purposes. Proverbs 16:4 says, "The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil."

5. God's Word is totally reliable in that, through the history of mankind the prophecies of the Bible are being fulfilled to the minutest detail. He has predicted everything accurately because it is He who has by His own authority ordained all things according to His own counsel.

6. The Bible as the authoritative and powerful Word of God saves from sins and transforms those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is God sent Savior.  

7. The Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Truth, accepted the authority of the Old Testament Scriptures in His personal life and ministry. He acknowledged that He was the fulfillment of its many prophecies. As He ministered here on this earth, the hearers were amazed by the authoritativeness of His preaching/teaching. His words in the gospels and further teaching through the apostles in the epistles form the authoritative New Testament. 

APPLICATION:

The most unique God, the creator and sovereign Lord, has authoritatively revealed His glorious self in the Bible and we should in awe worship Him.We should not disassociate God’s authority from His Word but receive it gratefully as His words of wisdom from His heart to our heart for our good.    We should read the Bible in humility in a systematic and disciplined manner, believing and obeying so as to benefit from it.  On issues, social, ethical or any other, where the popular views differ from the Bible, we need to cast our lot with the Word of God. Wherever God has spoken clearly, it is final, in matters like abortion and same sex marriage.   Soon we shall see the ways in which the Scripture is of value and help to us.

THE BIBLE IS TRUTH

The Bible is true. That means it is in accordance with the facts. The Bible is known for its truthfulness, accuracy and reliability. It is free of any falsehood. 

The Bible is uniquely true: 

The Bible being God’s Word is truth. It is rightfully self authenticating. Here are some select Bible verses which substantiate this fact. Even the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Truth Himself says, God’s Word is truth. 

Psalm 119:160 “The sum of Your word is truth.” 

John 8:31, 32 “Jesus was saying to those Jews who have believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” 

Ephesians 1:13 “In Him, you also after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation…” 

James 1:18 “In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth….” 

The Bible is God’s revelation and is inspired by Him: 

2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is inspired of God….” This is called the plenary inspiration, which means both the Old and New Testament are inspired of God. Inspired here means, the whole Bible is God breathed. 2 Peter 1:20, 21 “But know first of all that no prophecy of Scripture is of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” This speaks of the Bible as God’s REVELATION. 

 The Bible is truth because it is from God. It bears His nature since He is the source. God is the author and He used human authors. Chosen men wrote the Scriptures under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. INSPIRATION is the Holy Spirit super naturally enabling the human authors to write without any error, God’s full and final message, with all relevant details, like history and geography.

 In Psalm 19, the Psalmist talks about the Word of God being perfect, true, right, pure and righteous. So, the whole Bible testifies about its own veracity and integrity. 

The Bible is inerrant and infallible: 

The Bible is perfect because the author is God Himself. His holiness and perfection are reflected in His revelation.  The Bible being perfect means it is inerrant and infallible. INERRANCY is being free from all error. INFALLIBILITY is being totally dependable. The Bible has no mistakes and it is incapable of misguiding anyone. 

The Bible is absolute, unchanging truth: 

 God says in Revelation 22:18, 19, “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.” He has fully revealed in the Bible all that He wants us to know. In Deuteronomy 29:29 God tells us that secret things belong to Him. He makes no effort to satisfy our curiosities or answer all our questions. The Bible can not be improved. It is absolute truth and we are not to meddle with its content. 

 Being God’s final revelation, the Bible will never change but will remain forever. The Bible as timeless truth is relevant and speaks to people of all times. 

 Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of the Lord stands forever.” 

1 Peter 1:25 “But the word of the Lord endures forever and this is the word which was preached to you.” 

The Bible has stood the test of time. Many have tried to disprove it, oppose it and even destroy it. Truth remains and will prevail forever. Interestingly, over the years, archaeological findings continue to verify and support the accuracy of details in the Bible. The Biblical accounts are true to history and geography. The Bible has not changed as it can not and need not. But the truth of God’s word has changed countless lives and societies. 

APPLICATION: 

 In the light of the fact that the Bible is God’s full and final revelation, we have to be careful of those who claim to have had extra biblical revelation. We should rather give our fullest attention to what the Bible has to say. God surely has spoken in His Word, which is truth. What has been said here leads us to the authority of the Bible. We will also see the way God has meant for His Word to minister to us for our spiritual well being.