Sunday, December 6, 2009

Is The Bible From God or Men (Conclusion)

EXTERNAL EVIDENCES:


Influence: My friends, the teaching of the Bible "Always" Enobles, Elevates, and Purifies. There is a universally accepted principle stated by Christ which can be applied to the Scriptures: "By their fruits ye shall know them" (Matt: 7:16). Think of the fruit the Bible has borne and is bearing today. Whever this Book has gone, civilization has been lifted to a higher plane. It has made better husbands and wives, better sons and daughters, better employees and employers, better neighbors and nations.

Its "Truth" sweetens the home, exalts womanhood, sanctifies childhood, and redeems man. The spirit of this Book is the spirit of Love, Kindness, and Goodwill. Without the Bible's influence for good, our world would be a tragic place in which to live. Surely this influence does not come from a source which is itself a collection of false claims and fables.

My frineds, some have claimed, and still do, even today, that human culture, philosophy, and science are better for man than the Bible.. If so, the map of the world should show it. But when one looks at the history of the nations, he sees that "Human Wisdom" Fails, to purify and build up the morals of the people. Look where the Word of God has gone, been loved and "Obeyed", and there we find the noblest men, the purest women, the greatest liberty, and the best government. Especially, do we see woman, so often the degraded beast of burden, or loved and honored as mother, wife, sister, or daughter.

My friends, lets name the nations of the earth that have been more advanced than others, such as America and Great Britain. There one would fine an open Bible and a ministry that upheld the Christ in all of His glory and excellence of character.

Now name the countries of the world where the people have long been "Half Enlightened", such as China, North Korea, India, South Africa, and Russia. There one will find that the Bible is being either not read, or understood, or even mis-applied, or even in some cases not allowed. Think of the large portions of the earth now in darkness of sin and paganism. There the Word of God is not being read, loved or "Obeyed" and often times misapplied, thus teaching "Error" by the people. Which The Lord warned Man, against such practices.

However as we've seen thru out the world, Man being Made full of Pride, and being "Puffed Up" and too, being foolish, continues to try to "Add To" and "Take Away" From the Word of God! And Man does so, at there own eternal peril, along with all those that follow such false and foolish ways.

The Bible contains the only teaching that can lead mankind to the highest forms of conduct. No height of worldly wisdom and culture can purify the heart and make people what they ought to be. The Bible is worth more to man's spiritual progress and the happiness of the human family than all other books that have ever been written; it has done more to change man's nature for good than all the philosophies of men.

My Friends, every "Baby Step" away from the moral teaching of this Book is in essence a "Baby Step", not forward, but backwards, to materialism, animalism, and barbarism. For he who tries to lessen the influence of the Bible over the nations and of families, are an "Enemy" of God, in this writers subjective view!

Further, any nation on the face of God's earth that neglects teaching the Bible to her children, or who foolishly chooses to "Add To" or "Take Away" from what God haith said, (As is largely being done in America today) will sooner or later reap the horrible results of it. (Eternal punishment).

Example: My Freinds, Is Sin, now legal, in America?(homosexuality).
Is it now illegal in America to point out sin? Are your children being Forced to accept sin as thee Norm? Do you know any parents in America, that now encourages Sin, to there Children and GrandChildren? And choose to turn their backs to what God hath said!?(Live with those of thee opposite sex outside of marriage).

Hence, the very teaching itself is proof of the Bible's divine origin, and we dont hesitate to say that we believe the Bible "IS THE WORD OF GOD" because of the great good it has done and continues to do thru out the world, when read and "Obeyed"!


INDESTRUCTIBILITY:


My friends, the Bible has been in the world in its complete form now for almost two thousand years, yet it is unlike all other books in that it has not become obsolete. It is today more highly respected and more widely printed and sold than any book in all the world. It has been translated into more languages than any other book.. Books, like men, are born, have their day, die, and are soon forgotten. They were once useful, but better books have taken their place and they have become outdated. Not so with the Bible. Age has failed to affect its power; as always, it vibrates with life. (Hebrews 4:12; Romans 1:16).

The Bible has always been fiercely attacked by those foolish men who do not wish to obey it, but it has withstood its furious foes and false friends. Never has there been a book like the Bible that has incurred the hatred of man. It has been the anvil on which many a hammer has been worn out. It has passed through many fiery trials in its course of history as foolish men have attempt to destroy, and "Add To", and "Take Away" from what it says.

For there are now over 1500 Man Made denominational churches thru out the world, None, mind You, are to be found in the Word Of God. Christ built One Church, His! Period! (Matt 16:18, Romans 16:16:)

For Example, the Roman Emperor Diocletian in A.D. 303 issued an edict to destroy the Bible. He thought he had accomplished his goal! But twenty five years later Constantine, the new emperor, commissioned fifty copies of the Bible to be prepared at government expense. Voltaire, the French infidel, in 1776 predicted that in one hundred years the Bible would be lost. But about twenty five years after his death the British and Foreighn Bible Society was founded, and this one Society alone has given to the world millions of copies of the Bible in several hundred different languages. One hundread years later, Voltaire's own printing press, on which his infidelic literature had been printed, was used to print Bibles. The very house in which he had lived was use as a storage room for the Word of God ! Thomas Jefferson, in his book on "Western Virginia", published about the time of Voltaire's death, predicted that fifty years from then there would not be a Bible in America unless found in some curiosity shop.

Likewise, Thomas Paine, in his book "The Age of Reason", predicted the end of the Bible. These men, too, have gone the way of all men of the flesh, but the Word of God still lives. The American Bible Society in New York City has, for many years, been printing and distributing millions of copies of the Bible and portions of God's Word all over America.

Today it would be hard to find a home in the United States where there is not at least one copy of the Scriptures. Also, Robert G. Ingersoll (1833-1899), another infidel in America, highly criticized the Bible. He gave lectures on the "Mistakes of Moses." Today we can turn to the books of Moses and learn of the "Mistakes of Ingersoll"!.

Indeed, my friends, a relentless warfare has for centuries been waged against the Bible, by foolish man. Yet in spite of what these and many others have done in their attacks to destroy it, the Bible is still here. After all the storms of persecution that have been and are hurled against it by atheists, infidels, and higher critics, it lives! God has providentially preserved His Book through all the centuries.

Jesus once said, "Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but My Words, shall NOT pass away" (Matt:24:35). Peter wrote: "The Word of God... Liveth and Abideth Forever." (1 Peter: 1: 23-25). Critics have come and gone, nations have been born and passed away since the Bible was written, but it still stands! The Bible will live to the end of time. Nothing can destroy it, though foolish man will continue to attempt to "Add to", and "Take Away" from it. All the power that could be brought to bear to blot it from the earth has benn tried, and yet it survies. The poet has beautifully expressed this truth in these words:

" Century follows century----There it stands.
Empires rise and fall and are forgotten, There it stands!
Atheists rail against it, There it stands!
Agnostics smile cynically. There it stands!
Profane prayerless punsters caricature it. There it stands!
Unbelief abandons it. There it stands!
Higher critics deny its claim to inspiration. There it stands!
The Flames are kindled against it. There it stands!
The tooth of time gnaws but makes no dent in it. There is stands!
Infidels predict its abandonment. There it stands!
THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH LIVETH AND ABIDETH FOREVER.
(A.Z. Conrad).


CONCLUSION:


These are some of the indisputable proofs that the Bible is the infallible Word, of the Living God: (I) Inerrancy, (2) Fulfilled prophecies.(3)Scientific accuracy.(4)Miracles. (5) High moral and ethical teaching.(6)Great influence for good.(7) Indestructibility.

My Friends, since the Bible is Perfect, Complete, Infallible, and an inerrant Revelation from God to man, needing no Revision, we should Love and Obey its precepts, and NOT, "Add to" or "Take Away" from it. As Foolish man, continues to do, even til today. 1500 Man Made Churches in the world, and growing, None authorized or approved by God, in His Written to to Man.

God alone knows what is right for man, and the Bible is just as relevant to people today as it was in the first century. It is a guide for all men and for all time.

The inspired Scriptures are able to furnish us completely "unto all good works." (2 Tim: 3:17; cf. 2 Peter 1:3) The Bible is our only authoritative rule of faith and conduct, the only rightful creed and book of discipline for the church, the only basis of unity which the Lord has authorized, the only Book that reveals God's plan of human redemption through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23; John 3:16), and the only Book that will judge us in the last day (John 12:48; Revelation 20: 11-13; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

My Friends, not only does the Bible reveal man's origin, nature, and duty, it is the only telescope that reveals the world beyond the grave. We all know that we face imminent departure from this life, but what then?

Scripture declares that this life is but the morning of existence. In John's apocalyptic vision we have a picture of man, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, and of Heaven, the eternal home of the soul (Revelation 7: 9-17); chapters 21 and 22).

My Friends, If our confidence in the Bible as a divine Book is destroyed, then the future we must face is all darkness; we would have no hope! For only in the words of Scripture are to be found the message of "Life and Immortality" (2 Tim: 1:10; cf. Psalm 23).

Therefore, its believe that no group of men, unaided by a higher power, could have written the Bible, for man cannot write such a perfect book. The Bible is, without exception, the world's most wonderful Book (Psalms 119:129). It is preminently the "Book of Books", the one Book forever outshining all other books in the literary firmament, as the sun outshines all planets that move in their orbits. If we my friends will respect and "Obey" its commands, some sweet day heaven will be our home.

"This old Book conatins the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its histories are true, its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the sailor's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christians's charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand object, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. My friend, I would like to encourage you, to Read it slowly, Frequently, and Prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgement, and will be remembered forever! It involves the highest responsibilities, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. (Author Unknown)

My Friends I would like to encourage you , to stay tune!

For I've been asked to share and prepare a "Food For Thought" (lesson) on the topic of "One's Feelings Are they a Safe Guide?


I Thank God Always, for His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and Brother Cotham for all that they've done, and continue to do, for all of Man.

2 comments:

  1. A Message Rec'd by a 21 y/o female. South Africa:

    Jim, I find myself thinking alot of you and what you are doing for me, and my country. I have kept my promise to pray for you. I pray you will never stop what you are doing for those of us around the world. there are such people in the world like you that really care, you are really special Jim.
    take care then.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Msg From J.Lowe

    "Great Hub matt6v33!

    As you so wonderfully laid it out in this Hub, true science always agrees with the Bible. True/genuine societal correctness does as well as opposed to man's perverted type.


    I look forward to your conclusion Hub on this series and those on your future subjects!

    ReplyDelete