What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 4 / No. 13”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. IV - No. 13 / November 21, 2021
WHY YOU SHOULD BELIEVE THE BIBLE
If you already believe the Bible, let this serve to reinforce your belief. If you do not believe the Bible, please consider carefully and seriously the evidence that is about to be set forth.
The foremost reason to believe the Bible is because IT IS THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,…”. To realize 40 inspired men wrote the Bible during a 1500 year period without a single contradiction is a feat that is totally unexplainable outside of divine guidance.
We need to believe the Bible because IT IS TRUE. “In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1) is the truth concerning the existence of earth and sky and the human race. Evolution would have us believe something came from nothing. The truth of the matter is nothing could be more absurd. The reproductive laws God set in motion in Genesis 1:11,21,24, and 28 still stand the test of time. Many scientific discoveries of the past few hundred years have been made, in part, because of the Bible’s reference to them. For instance, the ocean’s navigational currents were discovered because of Job 28:7.
We need to believe the Bible because it, like nothing else, MAKES FOR HUMAN BETTERMENT. It turns us from sin (Romans 6:17-18; 1 Peter 1:13-16). It teaches us to have concern for others (Mark 12:28-31; Matthew 7:12). It teaches honesty with all (Romans 12:17; 1 Peter 2:11-12). It will improve us as parents and children (Ephesians 6:1-4). It makes us better citizens in society (Romans13:1,7; 1 Peter 2:13-14). Mankind, left on their own, could never attain such high principles. What one worthwhile contribution has atheism ever made?
We should believe the Bible because IT BRINGS JOY AND PEACE. It does this by teaching us to be spiritually minded (Romans 8:1) and thus to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25). True and lasting peace comes only through Jesus (John 14:27) and this results in peace with God (Romans 5:1). Our joy will be unspeakable (1 Peter 1:8). We can learn how to live peaceably (Romans 12:18) and have the “peace that passeth understanding” (Philippines 4:7). Pleasures, lusts, and material riches do not bring true or lasting peace and joy!
Let’s believe the Bible for it alone OFFERS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. It offers a “lively (living) hope” (1 Peter 1:3-5). It is the hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2; 3:7) that serves to anchor our soul (Hebrews 6:17-20). It is a hope we can have confidence in (2 Timothy 1:12; Philippines 1:21-24). To remain in unbelief is to have no hope. To be without hope is to be miserable (1 Corinthians 15:19).
What more reasons do we need to convince us to believe in the Bible? What is there we can turn to that will be better than God’s inspired Word? —E.R. Hall, Jr.
UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE
Problems in understanding the Bible must be blamed on ourselves and not God as so often is the case. If God, in His infinite power and wisdom, created all things, mankind included, could He not also know us well enough to give us His Word in such a way that we could understand? Certainly He could! Thus to blame God for a Bible that cannot be understood is to cast serious reflection on the very power of God. Instead, let us admit that confusion over what the Bible teaches is the product of mankind and not God. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 14:33). More often than not, the confusion on our part is in failing to properly observe some simple rules when we study the Bible. Let’s remind ourselves of them:
OBSERVE THE CONTEXT! We make grave mistakes when we read one verse and do not also read and take into consideration the verses surrounding that one verse. The verses immediately before and after the verse we are looking at can give great insight into its meaning. We know what happens when we take what someone says ‘out of context’. We can have that person saying a number of different things than what he originally meant. The same is true of the Bible. A verse used out of context can be made to say almost anything we want it to say but does that constitute the truth on the matter?
OBSERVE WHO THE SPEAKER IS! It’s always important to understand who is doing the speaking. The Bible definitely says, “THERE IS NO GOD”! (Psalms 14:1). It then becomes important to ask, “Who says there is no God?” The answer is: “THE FOOL”. It makes a great deal of difference when we know who is doing the talking.
OBSERVE WHO IS BEING SPOKEN TO! This can made a great deal of difference. Is it for us or was it for Noah to build an ark? Obviously, in Genesis 6:13-16 God is speaking to Noah. What Jesus said in Mark 16:17-18, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”, was spoken to “the eleven” (verse 14) which means the apostles. Yet, there are those today who take these verses and try to make application to themselves.
OBSERVE ALL THAT IS SAID ON A SUBJECT! Failure to observe this simple rules has lead so many to believe all a person has to do to be saved is just have faith. Yet when it comes to the subject of salvation we must consider ALL the Bible has to say on the subject. We must not just take Romans 5:1 and stop there but we must also consider Acts 15:11; Matthew 26:28; James 1:21; Matthew 7:21; James 2:24, and 1 Peter 3:21 to see we are also saved by the GRACE of God, the BLOOD of Christ, GOD’S WORD, OBEDIENCE, WORKS, and BAPTISM. It takes them ALL! —E.R. Hall, Jr.
NOTHING TO HIDE
Consider this:
- If a man has some printed money but is not willing to have it examined, people think it is counterfeit.
- If a man is afraid to take a lie detector test, people think he is guilty of crime.
- If a man conducts a business but is unwilling to let anyone investigate it, folks think he is running a crooked business.
Yet many preachers teach doctrines that under no circumstances will they test or allow to be tested by the Bible. However, millions of people will accept them as upright, honest teachers of the truth, and will risk their salvation upon them. What makes the difference? The Bible instructs us to try the teachers (I John 4:1). The truth never fears investigation! It has nothing to hide. —Bill Crews
SENTENCE SERMONS
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When it comes to giving, some people stop at nothing.
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The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.
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"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
Website: www. EastAlbertville.org
