How important is the Bible?

Why do we make it the central part of our church services? And build our lives upon such an ancient book?

 Boice answers, “Jesus intended that we should recognize God’s existence and power through nature. But nature is not enough. For one thing, no one has ever come to an obedient faith in the God of creation through nature. For another, the revelation of God in nature is not specific in terms of God’s plans, and it is not personal…Men may recognize the power of God, but if they would know His plans, they must consult the Bible.” (The Gospel of John, pg. 35)

 The central theme of the Bible is one of redemption, that is, revealing the way of salvation to sinful man. The Bible is not a scientific book although it contains truths oriented to science. The Bible is not an economics book although it provides excellent advice oriented to finance and materialism. The Bible is not a medical book either although it contains many healthy instructions.

 But ask the Bible, “Show me a passage about redemption,” and the Bible will answer, “Which page would you like to see?” “The Scarlet Thread of Redemption” weaves itself from the Garden of Eden through the Old Testament historical section, through the Poetry books and into the Prophets’ chamber, through the Gospels and the writings of the apostles, and finishes in the glorious Apocalypse with the saints singing around the throne about what? The blood of the Lamb which secured their salvation!

 Spurgeon said, “I can take any text, but I then make a beeline for the cross!”

 When Henry Blunt was dying, the doctor said to him, “Sir, you are drawing near the grave, and I think if you have any accounts to settle, you had better settle them now.”

 Blunt replied, “I have no accounts to settle; I owe nothing to man, and my Savior has paid all my debts to God!” Amen! “My Savior has paid all my debts to God!” What a blessing to know!

 Make the cross the center point of your ministry. After all, it is the center point of the Bible, too.

 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22 NIV

Tom Swartzwelder was born again at the age of nine in an old-fashioned revival meeting. Tom received his B.A. from Tennessee Temple University and his M. Div from Luther Rice Seminary. He has pastored for nearly forty years in both bi-vocational and full-time roles. He provides practical how-to-do-ministry resources for the disciples of Jesus Christ at http://www.godsgreenhouse.net. Tom’s latest book is “God Speaks–Today!”