The Bible is magnificent. It has no literary peer. It shares an accurate record of history—the history that really matters. It offers significant insights into the future and speaks truth to our present time.
The real issues, as well as the purpose and meaning of life, are addressed. Most importantly, it reveals the loving Creator God and how we receive eternal life.
Jesus Christ is the theme of the Bible, and there’s no better theme, but it is a mistake to limit Jesus to just a theme. Creator, Seed, Messiah, Lion, Lamb, Shepherd, Sacrifice, Saviour, Servant, Immanuel, Lord of lords and King of kings are a few of the characterizations of Jesus in Scripture. He’s the greatest Teacher of people, respected and trusted, yet a Friend of sinners (Luke 7:34). And we know of these attributes only through the Bible.
The numerous fulfilled prophecies of the Bible support its validity and confirm our faith. It’s so reassuring to know that the true God of the Bible has the power to reveal and determine the future of the universe (Dan 2:47).
Your Bible contains faithful records of inspiring miraculous stories. There’s the story of the Hebrew people being rescued, by God’s outstretched mighty hand, from slavery. He spectacularly parted the Red Sea and for forty years provided manna. There’s not enough space to recall all the biblical miracles, so here are just a few: the widow of Zarephath’s unending supply of flour and oil during a famine and even the raising of her deceased son (1 Kgs 17:8–24); Elijah being taken up into heaven with chariots and horses of fire in a whirlwind (2 Kgs 2:1–12); the healing of Naaman by dipping seven times in the Jordan River (2 Kgs 5:1–14); the resurrection of the dead and decaying Lazarus (John 11:1–53); and the blind, lame, and lepers who were healed by Jesus. God compassionately intervening to change the circumstances of desperate, helpless people is a wonderful revelation of His grace and love.
When I read these miraculous events in the Bible, I don’t sense any exaggeration or embellishment. What makes the Bible so believable?
One reason is its honesty. The Scriptures demonstrate an accurate awareness of the true nature of humanity. Elite patriarchs like Abraham and Jacob and monarchs such as Saul and David are shown with vivid clarity—their desirable traits as well as their detestable acts. Readers can almost smell their body odor—the text is so real. There is no “spin” to protect reputations. Qualities and imperfections are revealed as life lessons. If modern-day church leaders emulated the appalling behavior of Abraham or Jacob, they would be banished from office. Current monarchs would be dethroned and imprisoned if they replicated the massacre of Nob or the murder of Uriah the Hittite.
It is this searing honesty that makes the miraculous stories so believable. Honesty equates to truthfulness, and truthfulness to trustworthiness. Yes, the Bible is worthy of your trust.
John 1:29 describes Jesus as “the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”1 John 1:14 describes Jesus as being “full of grace and truth.” Each person must have this Jesus, His atoning sacrificial death, His grace and truth, to receive eternal life. Jesus is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). There’s no other alternative. Forgiveness, acceptance, redemption, hope, comfort, salvation, and eternal life shine from Jesus.
What a privilege we have as elders, deacons, and deaconesses to share the Bible and the Jesus it reveals with our children, friends, relatives, Sabbath School classes, youth groups, evangelistic audiences, congregations, and even strangers. Sharing the Truth, so that people receive eternal life through Jesus. What a joy!
1 All Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version.
ANTHONY R. KENT | General Conference Associate Ministerial Secretary
