The Bible
God's Revelation To Us
2 Peter 1:20-21
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture
is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will
of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
NKJV
God has set forth His plan for all of creation. This plan involves the redemption of fallen man through the love of God the Father and the saving grace of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 13:13-14).
In revelation we have the vertical reception of God's truth while in inspiration we have the horizontal communication of that revelation accurately to others. This is the premise behind the study of the Bible. Scholars use several terms to describe the preparation of the original manuscripts, their truth, and the method by which the Holy Spirit uses these truths.
God has shown His plan through His revelation – this revelation comes in two forms –
General Revelation of nature ...
- Psalm 19:1-6
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. - Romans 1:18-21
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
...and of conscience
- Romans 2:14-15
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.
But this is not enough
- Romans 1:18
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
So God has provided His special revelation through the living Word, Jesus Christ ...
- Hebrews 1:1-4
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. - John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
...and through His written Word, the Holy Scriptures, the Bible.
This has been done so that men through the ages who do not know Jesus Christ personally can know of Him, learn about Him, and come to accept Him by faith
- John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. - Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. - Romans
10:9-10
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
We learn about Jesus through accepting Him as Lord and Savior, studying His Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate God's message in our hearts.
