The Truth of Baptism

COMING SOON! Biblical basis, Historical context, Symbolism/Significance, practices

What the Bible is Not

First, let’s start with what the Bible isn’t — The Bible is not a Magic 8-ball with all the answers. It’s not a cheat sheet for every question you have in life! On top of that, the Bible is not a science book. While it does touch on the topic of creation, its purpose isn’t to explain the mechanics of how the universe came to be. For instance, the Bible is not meant to be a complete and comprehensive account of scientific and natural phenomena, such as the origins of the universe or the earth’s complete geological and biological history.

Rather, the Bible is how God chooses to reveal His character, nature, and attributes to us. Through the stories, teachings, and prophecies in the Bible, we learn about God’s holiness,  love,  justice,  mercy,  and faithfulness.  The Bible focuses on answering the deeper questions of why things exist  and what our purpose is in God’s grand scheme of things.  The Bible focuses on spiritual truths,  moral guidance,  and the relationship between God and humanity. 

Most importantly, the Bible reveals God’s plan of salvation, telling the story of humanity’s fall into sin  and our need for redemption through Jesus as the only way to find true peace,  purpose,  and fulfillment.  It serves as a roadmap for how we can be reconciled with God  and come to understand God’s love,  sovereignty,  grace,  and mercy,  as we are equipped to live a life that honors Him  and fulfills His purposes for us. 

The Composition of the Bible

The Bible is made up of two collections of books – the Old Testament books and the New Testament books and letters. The Old Testament contains 39 books and dates back to 2000 BC to 400 BC. The New Testament contains 27 books and letters written between AD 50-100. While there are other books and letters that are sometimes referred to as “non-canonical” or “hidden,” only the books included in the Old and New Testaments are the true Word of God.

The Purpose of the Bible

The Bible is not an ordinary book, rather it is the God-breathed, written revelation of God to humankind — The words in the Bible come directly from God. 

One of the main overall themes found within the Bible is the separation of humankind from God because of sin.  This separation has created a gap between us and our loving Creator, leaving us lost and in need of reconciliation.  The Bible tells the story of God’s love for His creation,  the fall of man into sin , and God’s plan to redeem humanity and reconcile us to Himself through God the Son, Jesus. 

The primary purpose of the Bible is to glorify God and to point people to salvation through Jesus Christ.  The Bible teaches us about the character and nature of God,  and it shows us how to live a life that honors and pleases Him.  The Bible points us to the only way to be reconciled with God — Through faith in Jesus Christ.  It’s through the death and resurrection of Jesus  that we can be forgiven of our sins and restored to a right relationship with God through reconciliation. 

The Inspiration of the Bible

The various books that make up the Bible were written by different people, but each of the 66 books were 100% inspired by God.  This means that God chose each writer, illuminated their minds, and guided their hands to write exactly what He wanted to be written.

The writers of the Bible came from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Each had their own unique perspectives and writing styles. Yet, despite these differences, the Bible is a cohesive and unified book, teaching a consistent message of salvation through Jesus Christ. This is because God the Holy Spirit was at work in each writer, inspiring and guiding them to write what God wanted to be written. 

When we read the Bible, we can have confidence that we are reading the very words of God, written for our benefit and guidance.  It is through the inspiration of the Bible that we are able to gain a deeper understanding of God and His plan for our lives. 

The Bible is not just a collection of words on a page, but rather it is the living and active word of God.  It is through the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit that the writers were able to write God’s Word,  and it is only through the Holy Spirit that the Bible continues to speak to us today.  When we read the Bible,  we are not simply gaining knowledge, but rather we are interacting with the very presence of God and His revealed standard, principles, and truths.

The Bible is not meant to be a one-time read, but rather a lifelong companion, guiding us and transforming us as we submit to its teachings.  As we seek to align our hearts and minds with the truth of God’s word,  we are empowered to live out our purpose and fulfill the plans He has for us. 

The Inerrancy & Infallibility of the Bible

The Bible is a unique book in many ways, but we believe one of the most remarkable things about it is its inerrancy and infallibility. What does that mean? Inerrancy means that the original manuscripts of the Bible (known as the autographs) are, as a whole, without error or mistake in its teachings and message.  Infallibility means that the Bible is always reliable and trustworthy in what it teaches and that it is incapable of leading someone astray. 

To elaborate further, the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible refer to its overall perfect trustworthiness and perfect reliability as a whole, and not to its perfection in every detail based on our own limited and Imperfect human understanding. The Bible contains a variety of literary genres and historical contexts, including accounts from different author’s perspectives, and descriptions that may vary depending on the perspective of the observer, such as the appearance of a sunset from the surface of the earth versus the perspective from the rotation of the earth.

So while the Bible contains what appears to be on a surface level, incidental errors or discrepancies in minor details from these different perspectives, each of these can be reconciled, debated, and/or explained within a sound and logical reasoning. However, even if the reader cannot reconcile these apparent discrepancies, none of these affect its inerrancy and infallibility as a whole.

The Bible was written over a period of many centuries by many different authors, from a variety of cultural backgrounds, and in different literary genres, and as a result, reflects a diversity of perspectives — Sometimes of the same events! Yet, despite all these differences, the Bible is perfectly consistent and harmonious in its teachings. 

It’s also important to note that this inerrancy and infallibility only applies to the original manuscripts of the Bible.  However, the trustworthiness of sound translations of the Bible should not be doubted. While the original manuscripts are no longer available for direct comparison, huge efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of translations through the use of various reliable methods. This includes a comprehensive understanding of the historical and cultural context, close examination of the many ancient manuscripts, and collaboration with top scholars in the field. While Bible translations are not perfect replicas of the original text, they provide a trustworthy representation.

So, when we read the Bible, we can trust that what it teaches is true, accurate, and completely reliable.  With the Bible, we have access to the truth of God,  and we can be confident that what it teaches is trustworthy. 

The Authority of the Bible

The Bible is the supreme revealed authority, meaning it is the highest authority that we must submit to in our lives. The Bible is the standard for testing and evaluating all secondary sources, including beliefs, opinions, prophecies, and teachings that may come from our own hearts or from other sources. 

The Bible is not just a collection of interesting stories and wise sayings. Rather, it is the Word of God, breathed out by Him to reveal His character,  His plan for salvation,  and His will for His people.  As such, the Bible must be given a top priority in our lives.  We must look to it as our guide, our source of truth,  and the final authority. 

In a world that is constantly changing and filled with conflicting ideas and opinions, the Bible is the firm foundation of truth that shapes our beliefs and our lives.  It is the one source of truth that can be relied upon, no matter what else may come and go.  When we embrace the Bible as our authority,  we can have confidence in the truth it teaches and the guidance it provides. 

The Sufficiency of the Bible

One of the most amazing things about the Bible is that it is perfectly sufficient to equip people for salvation.  What does that mean? It means that everything we require to know about God, His character, His plans, and His purposes for our lives is contained in the pages of the Bible.  It’s all there! We don’t need any other sources or teachings to supplement what’s already in the Bible. 

For instance, consider a person who becomes stranded on a deserted island and a Bible washes up on shore. They pick up the Bible and start reading it. They come to realize that their biggest problem isn’t their current circumstances, but rather their separation from God caused by their sins.  The Bible provides them with the knowledge of the gospel message and the way to salvation. 

This offers them the solution: faith in Jesus Christ, who died and rose again to resuce them. By turning to Jesus in faith, they are forgiven of their sins and gifted God’s grace and mercy. Even though they are still trapped on the island, they find peace and joy in their relationship with God  even in the midst of their difficult situation. 

This doesn’t mean they will be rescued from the island, but what it does mean is that they are rescued from the eternal consequences of their sins.  and have a new perspective on their situation,  filled with hope,  peace,  and joy. 

Think of the Bible as a comprehensive toolbox for life.  Just as a toolbox contains everything we need to fix a broken object, the Bible contains everything we need to know about salvation and how to live a life that pleases God.  We don’t need anything else to be saved and to live a life of faith. Everything we need to believe is in the Bible.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t seek out other sources of wisdom and knowledge.  We can read books and commentaries, listen to sermons and podcasts, and participate in small groups and Bible studies, but these resources should be viewed as supplements to the Bible, not replacements for it. The Bible is the foundation upon which all other teachings should be built,  and it’s the final authority for everything we embrace and practice as followers of Jesus. 

The Historical Context of the Bible

The Bible is a unique book in that it also contains a wide range of historical events, topics, and human behaviors that are described in detail and may be challenging for modern readers to understand. However, it is important to realize that these historical descriptions should not be taken as prescriptive mandates or that they are condoned by God. Instead, these types of elements serve as a way to help us understand the context and background of the message being conveyed.

To gain a full understanding of these elements, we believe it is important to look at them within the larger context of the chapter, book, covenant, and the entire Bible. It is through this approach that we can better understand the spiritual truths being conveyed.

For example, the Bible describes the practice of slavery, which was common in the ancient world. However, this description is not intended to be a prescriptive endorsement of slavery. In fact, the Bible also contains teachings that are inconsistent with slavery, such as:

There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28, CSB

The Bible provides laws that regulated slavery, making it one of the earliest sources to grant basic rights to slaves.  These laws represent an attempt to mitigate the harsh realities of slavery and provide some protections for slaves.

However, the “Parts of the Holy Bible, selected for the use of the Negro Slaves, in the British West-India Islands,” the ‘Slave Bible’, included passages that supported the idea of obedience, while leaving out verses that related to freedom and escape from slavery such as Moses leading the Israelites to freedom.  This is one of the most extreme examples of cherry-picking the Bible to make it fit a non-Christian agenda and justify a worldly narrative. This kind of selective reading of the Bible is not unique to the “Slave Bible” and has been used throughout history to support political, social, and religious agendas.

The historical elements of the Bible should not be misunderstood as prescriptive endorsements or condoning. It is important to study the Bible in its entirety and within its historical context, taking into account the cultural norms and practices of the time period in which it was written.

The Spiritual Understanding of the Bible

Understanding the spiritual truths of the Bible requires the work of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, “But the person without the Spirit does not receive what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually.“

To the natural human intellect, the Bible is foolishness.  However, the Holy Spirit reveals the wisdom and knowledge found in the scriptures.  Just as the Holy Spirit was at work in the writers,  He must also be at work in the reader in order for the truths contained in the Bible to be properly comprehended. 

It’s important to remember that the Bible is not just a book to be read, but it is the living and active word from God. 

Translations of the Bible

The Bible is the Word of God and has been translated into many different languages for the purpose of spreading its message to people around the world. It is important to understand that while the trustworthiness of sound translations of the Bible should not be doubted, they are not infallible or divinely inspired. This means that even the most accurate translations can still contain some errors or inaccuracies due to the limitations of language and human interpretation.

When choosing a translation, it is important to consider your purpose for reading the Bible. For basic reading and simple study, a paraphrased translation, such as the New Living Translation (NLT) is considered trustworthy. These types of translations strive to make the meaning of the text more accessible and understandable to the reader.

For more in-depth study, literal word-for-word and formal equivalent translations, such as the New American Standard Bible (NASB) and the English Standard Version (ESV), are considered trustworthy. These translations prioritize the accuracy of the text over ease of understanding, making them better suited for deeper study and analysis.

One example of how translations can differ is in the case of the ESV, in Romans 12:6-8. The ESV adds the word “his” to “in his teaching” and “in his exhortation.” This change aligns with the complementarian views of the translators, even though the original Greek text does not utilize these male pronouns in this passage. This serves as a reminder that translations are not infallible, divinely inspired, or without human prejudice, and that it is important to carefully consider the motivations and perspectives of the translators.

6Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

— Romans 12:6-8 ESV

6 According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one's faith; 7 if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8 if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:6-8, CSB

We believe the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) is a good middle-ground for those who want a balanced approach to translation that strives for both accuracy and accessibility. The CSB is our goto translation on this site. Please see Why We Use the CSB for more information about The Christian Standard Bible

Regardless of the translation you choose, it is important to seek the guidance and truth of the Holy Spirit as you study the Bible.  Through the work of the Holy Spirit, you can deepen your understanding of God’s Word and come to know Him more fully. 

Studying the Bible

While reading the Bible is important, studying the Bible and meditating on God’s word is vital in equipping people to serve God and live a life pleasing to Him.

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, CSB

The Bible is for teaching. It provides us with wisdom and knowledge that is necessary to understand God’s will and His plan for our lives.  Through studying the scriptures, we gain insight into who God is and what He desires for us.  This understanding is essential in our growth as Christians,  and helps us to live out our faith in a way that is pleasing to God. 

The Bible is for rebuking. It serves as a reminder of what is right and wrong,  and helps us to recognize and correct our mistakes as it exposes our sin.  The Word of God reflects our imperfections and helps us to see where we need to make changes in our lives.  This rebuking helps us to stay on the path of righteousness and from straying from His truth. 

The Bible is for correcting. When we are wrong and cross over the line that God has set,  scripture lets us know the line and the direction to get us back on track.  The Bible provides us with a roadmap for life,  and helps us to make decisions that are in line with God’s will. 

The Bible is for training in righteousness. It teaches us how to live a righteous life,  and helps us on our path to be conformed to the image of Jesus.  The Bible gives us the tools we need. Through studying the Bible, we gain the knowledge necessary to grow into maturity and obedience in accordance with God’s will.

Without the Word of God, we are incomplete, and unable to fulfill our purpose as children of God.  It is imperative that we make the study of the Bible a priority in our lives,  so that we can be equipped for every good work.