THE BIBLE
Bible. The name commonly used to designate the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament. These sixty-six books constitute a divine library that is nevertheless, in a vital sense, one Book.
It is regarded as the depository and authoritative record of God’s revelations of Himself and of His will to the fathers by the prophets and through His Son to the church of a later age (Hebrews 1:1-2). We believe that the Holy Bible is the Word of God, immutable, infallible, unchangeable, steadfast, and is authored by the Lord God.
We believe that it was written by holy men of old as they were moved upon by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; that it is the road map of belief from this wilderness to their final destination; it is the only true dictionary that defines the beginning and the destiny of human race; the lighted lamp to guide the feet of the lost world from the depths of sin and sorrow to the heights of righteousness and glory; a plumb line to make straight the life of each individual and community; a sharp two-edged sword to convict us of our sins and evil doings.
We believe it is the only true ground of Christian fellowship and unity; the corrective measure for disordered society; the distance thunder of wrath and retribution that shall overtake the stubborn; the final tribunal by which all nations, tribes creed and kingdoms will be tried; the ground for peaceful, eternal Kingdom.
The Bible is the authoritative Word of God because He settles the Word in Heaven (Ps. 119:89). The authority of the Bible is in the Bible. One of the most important evidence of authority is also the simplest because the Bible is its own proof. There is no higher authority. The teaching of Jesus is the highest authority in reference to the Bible.
These basic references explain the authority of the scriptures. Basic Scriptures: (Ps. 119; Isa. 40:6-8; Matt. 5:17-19, 19:4-5; 22:29-32; Lk. 24:25-32; Jn. 10:35; Rom. 15:4, 16:26, Gal. 3:8, 1 Tim. 5:18).
If the above definition explains the importance of the Bible, all Christians must love to study it for growth and spiritual development.