The Bible and The Believer

A list has been compiled showing the various functions of this authoritative Book called the Bible and how it relates on a personal and spiritual level for the Believer.

  • It upholds: Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.  Psalm 119:116
  • It orders steps:  Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.  Psalm 119:133.
  • It produces joy:  I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.  Psalm 119:162.
  • It strengthens:  My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy  word.  Psalm 119:28.
  • It gives hope:  They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.  Psalm 119:74.
  • It gives light:  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  Psalm 119:105.
  • It gives understanding:  Let my cry come near before thee,  O Lord: give me understanding according to thy word.  Psalm 119:169.
  • It shows God's will:  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.  Isaiah 55:11.
  • It builds up:  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up... Acts 20:32.
  • It produces fruit:  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7.
  • In convicts of sin:  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any tow-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12.
  • It converts the soul:  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.  James 1:18.  See also Romans 10:17.
  • It cleanses the conscience:  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.  John 15:3.
  • It consecrates life:  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.  John 17:17.
  • It corrects the wrong: Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.  Ps. 119:9
  • It confirms the right:  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him,  If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.  John 8:31
  • It comforts the heart:  This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.  Psalm 119:50.

Responding To The Authority of The Bible

The child of God is to respond to this authoritative Book in the following ways:

  • Read it:  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy... Revelation 1:3.  See also Colossians 3:16.
  • Heed it:  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.  1 Timothy 4:16.
  • Seed it:  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  Matthew 28:19,20.

The child of God is to know the Word of God, stow it in their heart,  show it in their life, and sow it in the world!    Make no mistake about it;  The Bible has NO mistakes.


Dr. Arthur Belanger

The Authority of The Bible.   Christians are blessed to be in possession of the greatest book ever deposited to humanity. Yet, many Christians are not aware of the eternal value of God's Word.  It must be acknowledged that the Bible is the ONLY authority for life in every regard.  God's Word is NOT a book of advice;  IT IS ABSOLUTE.

Perhaps the grandest and most conclusive description of the Bible was penned by the apostle Paul in a letter to a young pastor.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.  2 Timothy 3:16,17

The Bible justifiably and rightly demands absolute and sole authority over any other source in the life of a child of God!  This authority would exceed that of the following:

  • Over Human Reason including Government - God gave us our minds and desires that we should use them!  This is seen in two classic passages, one directed to the unsaved, the other to the saved.  First, the unsaved:  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as​ scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.  Isaiah 1:18.    Second, the saved:  I Beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable will of God.  Romans 12:1-2.  God commands that we submit our human reasoning to Him:  Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  Prov 3:5,6. 
  • Over the Church - The New Testament abounds with passages which declare Christ as the Head of the Church!  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.  Ephesians 4:15.  The Savior, it must be remembered, gave birth to the Church, and not the other way around.  Thus, the Christian must look to the Bible and not any earthly church for final instruction.  Even in the Bible, we find that local churches were grievously wrong.  Read Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 as an example.
  • Over Tradition - Tradition may be applicable, but not authoritative.  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiment of the world, and not after Christ.  Colossians 2:8.
  • Over Popes and Preachers - For a preacher or pope to say they have authority above the Word of God is to put themselves above God.  It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.  Matthew 4:4.  In this passage, we see man, not God, who is need of authority!
  • Over Feelings and Experiences - At times Christians fall into error because they felt led to do or say certain things.  However, we must learn that at times our feelings can be treacherous and totally untrustworthy.  Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5.  This is not only the case with our feelings, but also our experiences.  One of Job's three friends, Eliphaz, based all his advice to the suffering Job on experience (see Job 4:12-16).  He is later severely rebuked by God Himself for doing this (Job 42:7).  As valuable as personal experience may be, it is no substitute for the revealed Word of God!
  • Related Subject:  Rightly Divide The Word of Truth

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