What is the Bible?

by Daryl Wingerd

The Bible is God's Special Revelation

Mankind is dependent upon God for all things, even for the knowledge that God exists. Though God is under no obligation to reveal Himself, He chose to reveal Himself to mankind through creation. God reveals Himself as eternal, powerful, glorious, creative, orderly, loving, all-knowing, sovereign, and worthy of worship. By creating man in His own image, by giving him a soul, self-consciousness, the ability to reason, and a general knowledge of right and wrong, God reveals Himself as personal, holy, wise, righteous, and just. This is known as general revelation.

General revelation leaves every human being without excuse, since all are given enough knowledge to know that God exists and that He is to be loved and worshiped. In Romans 1:18-23, however, we are told that every person who has ever lived, despite their knowledge of God, has rejected Him. They refuse to acknowledge and worship Him. Instead their minds become darkened with sin and ignorance; they come up with their own ideas, turning to the foolishness of human wisdom and to idols made in the image of earthly creatures. Having rejected the knowledge of God, every person is justly condemned. To put it in simple terms, general revelation provides enough knowledge of God to get rebellious people like you and me into trouble, but not enough to get us out of it. We need something more.

This is where special revelation becomes important. Special revelation is what we have in the Bible. God was not obligated to save any of our rebellious race. He would have been perfectly just if He had decided to destroy all of us. But He did determine to save people, and the Bible tells us about His plan of salvation. From beginning to end—from Genesis through Revelation—the Bible reveals God's redemptive plan for His people.

The Bible is Perfect

Although we often see error resulting from the misuse of Scripture, we must never assign the blame to the Bible itself. To do this would be to blame God—to accuse Him of giving us a less-than-perfect source of truth (a clear contradiction in terms). When the study of Scripture results in wrong thinking, the source of the error is always human.

We do not possess the original writings of any biblical author. But modern translations of the Bible are taken from manuscripts that were carefully, meticulously copied from these flawless originals. When we find the near-perfect agreement between these thousands of preserved manuscripts, despite their being copied and re-copied over hundreds of years and in a variety of countries and languages, we can rest assured that what we have today is a faithful representation of the actual words of God.

The Bible is Inspired

The Bible was written by ordinary men. They had their own thoughts, ideas, and opinions which they recorded in both the Old and New Testaments. God did not reach down and take hold of their pens, causing them to write things which they would have never thought to write. And except for the instances where His audible words were recorded, God did not dictate the words of Scripture. Rather, He worked in these men, through their unique personalities, experiences, emotions, and intellects, causing them to record His words.

The Bible is the Final Authority

The Bible claims for itself a singular and final authority concerning all matters it addresses. No other instructions, written or verbal, represent a higher or even equal authority. This authority was not granted to God at one of the historical councils of the church; God does not need men to agree with Him or determine the extent of His authority. The Scriptures carry ultimate authority for one reason: They are the words of the sovereign Ruler of the universe.

The Bible is All We Need

The Bible is a sufficient source of truth and direction for salvation and for all significant aspects of life. A person should not search the Scriptures in hopes of learning the best way to poach an egg or repair an automobile. But when it comes to issues of sin, salvation, the church, the worship of God, evangelism, marriage, the education and discipline of children, relating to an immoral society, or any other aspect of Christian living, the Bible stands alone as sufficient. God's Word does not need to be supplemented by human wisdom, ingenuity, philosophy, or psychology.

Copyright © 2004 Daryl Wingerd. Permission granted for reproduction in exact form. All other uses require writen permission. Find more free articles at www.BulletinInserts.org, a ministry of Christian Communicators Worldwide: www.CCWtoday.org

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Churches on Fire: What Goes Up and What Comes Down

by Jim Elliff

"I'm of John Piper!" "I'm of John MacArthur!" "I'm of R. C. Sproul!" "I'm of Allistair Begg!"

It wasn't so bad that the Corinthian people appreciated the leaders that had come through their city (Apollos, Cephas, and even Paul himself), but that their affections moved their church to an ugly and deforming exclusiveness, or sectarianism. Ever seen that?

Needless to say, Paul disliked their attitude. He attempted to show them (1 Cor. 3) that these leaders, himself included, were completely united in their purpose and were just the various means God used to bring them salvation and grow them up in Christ. "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth," he assured them.

Then Paul painted a picture of the church as a building, the temple of God. It's a powerful metaphor. He had already laid the right foundation for the building, Jesus Christ. The various workers are laboring together on that foundation using those materials that were characteristic of any religious edifice of that day: gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw.

Incendiary Revelations

Then comes the disturbing part.

"Each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work."

Paul is telling us that the quality of our labors will one day be fully known, and evaluated—with consequences!

If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (vv. 14-15)

What's the Meaning?

Paul is saying that some leaders will be saved, but singed, escaping only with their lives. These will be true believers who otherwise have the fruits of a true Christian found in all believers. It is the quality of the works done for others that will be judged.

It is possible that your favorite leader could end up with nothing to show for years of labor! It is also possible that he could be rewarded beyond imagination.

A once well-known old-fashioned radio preacher, J. Harold Smith, told me that he lived with a vision in his mind related to this passage. One authority said that this man had preached more than any man who had ever lived. He had a lot to think about when he considered a passage of Scripture like the one we are looking at. He envisioned a conveyor belt upon which all his labors over all those years were carried through a huge furnace. And on the other side he saw only ashes and soot. He kept this thought before his mind as he ministered. It helped him to make sure he worked at giving his best by faith to those who received his labors.

Destroying the Temple

But there is more.

When the crusty old deacon of one southern church led his fellow deacons to oust the pastor and divide the church, God was watching. He had nothing reasonable to accuse his pastor of, who had only attempted to the best of his ability to follow God and to lead the church in a more biblical direction. But this deacon didn't like the new way. No pastor is perfect, granted, and sometimes this young leader did not make the best of decisions, but he was not immoral, heretical, or unbiblical. He was a genuine man of God, whose ways the deacon did not like. The deacon's foolish actions destroyed the church, splintering it into several pieces.

God sees such men and women who undermine the unity of the church for surface and ungodly reasons.

Paul addressed destructive members with these striking words as he finished up his thoughts on the church:

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you [that is, in the church]. If any man destroys the temple, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. (vv. 16-17)

The church is precious to God. He protects it. Never forget that. And what is precious to God should be precious to you, deserving the best you can give. When you leaders invest in others, do it with all the quality you can muster. If it is a true church, seek its edification. Do not promote divisions, nor seek its demise.

There is a Day coming when God will burn up the works of shoddy workmen, saving them "so as through fire," and destroy those who destroy his church, casting them into eternal flames.

Copyright © 2009 Jim Elliff Jim Elliff. Permission granted for reproduction in exact form. All other uses require writen permission. Find more free articles at www.BulletinInserts.org, a ministry of Christian Communicators Worldwide: www.CCWtoday.org

Introducing: Selamab Assefa

CCW's newest communicator, Selamab Assefa, is from Ethiopia. He desires to preach in the States and in Africa, and he is already translating books and other materials for an Ethiopian context. Click here to read his full biography.

How to Ascertain the Will of God (by George Muller)

[From George Muller's Narratives]

1. I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever that may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.

2. Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.

3. I seek the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.

4. Next, I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit.

5. I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.

6. Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge; and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving the most important issues, I have found this method always effective.

____________________

Copied from Answers to Prayer, compiled by A.E.C. Brooks. George Muller (1805-1898) believed he had seen over 50,000 specific answers to prayer. He fed 10,024 orphans in Bristol, England, without asking anyone but God for help.

Copyright © 2010 George Muller. Permission granted for reproduction in exact form. All other uses require writen permission. Find more free articles at www.BulletinInserts.org, a ministry of Christian Communicators Worldwide: www.CCWtoday.org.

Christ's Headship in the Church: The Neglected First Principle of Decision-making

by Jim Elliff

I may seem naïve and overly simplistic when I say that Christ is the Head of the church and that this one fact, properly understood, will do more to clear up confusion over decision-making in the church than any other consideration.

From this truth we are able to deduce that elders and members have one goal in decision-making—to find out what the Head of the church wills for His church. I don’t think most church leaders think this way. Starting from themselves they attempt to arrive at what would be the most pragmatic course of action, disregarding a conscious pursuit of Christ’s will in the decision process.

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Are You Your Favorite Subject?

by Daryl Wingerd

In a popular song, the singer goes on and on about how much he likes to talk about another person. But then the main point of the song comes when he says emphatically, "I wanna talk about me!" We laugh, but this song reveals something that we should all think about. The truth is, some of us like to talk about ourselves all the time!

We all know someone like this—the person who always has the "bigger fish" story on the tip of his tongue. The accident he saw was more shocking than the one you saw. The injustice she experienced was worse than your experience of injustice. The funniest things their children do are funnier than what your children do. In short, whatever the topic of conversation, it always seems to turn around and focus on them.

Most of us have acted this way at one time or another, and we have probably annoyed others in the process. But I must also admit that this sort of communicative one-upmanship is not always bad. There are times when the sharing of like experiences is helpful, informative, or really, really funny, even if your "fish" happens to be bigger than everyone else's. Then there are times when speaking about yourself is thoughtless, self-centered, and rude.

For example, perhaps someone you know has experienced a tragic loss. In the midst of her grief, when you should be consoling her with your presence, weeping with her in silence, you find yourself saying, "I know how you feel. When such and such happened to me. . . ." For the next ten minutes, the person who should be the focus of your attention is forced to focus her attention politely on you.

The Bible tells us that there is "a time to be silent and a time to speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:7). I have given one example of a time when silence would be preferable, and we can all think of many others. In fact, James seems to say that we should lean toward silence—"everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak . . ." (James 1:19). Now it is true that God gave us lungs, tongues, and vocal cords for a reason. Verbal communication is a necessary part of life. The question is, when should we speak up about ourselves?

• Unlike the poor timing illustrated in the above scenario, there are times when it is helpful to identify with another person's pain by letting them know you have gone through similar pain.

• It is often helpful to illustrate solutions to another person's problem by sharing how you dealt with a similar problem.

• It is often helpful to admit personal failures in order to reassure the one listening that you understand his or her struggles.

• It is often helpful to share experiences in evangelism in order to encourage others to imitate you. You are not bragging when you credit God with your knowledge and boldness.

• It is often helpful to share your personal testimony of how God saved you. The Apostle Paul shared his testimony three times in Scripture.

But still, there is a need for balance—for your sake and the sake of others. If you are one who talks about yourself too much, in thoughtless and self-centered ways, it is like having a piece of food stuck in your teeth. You can't see it until you look in the mirror, but by then, everyone else knows it's there. If you suspect that you might have this unsightly distraction in your dealings with others, ask a trusted friend to be your mirror—to tell you honestly if your self-focus is annoying.

In order to become more biblical in your communication skills, try asking yourself the following questions before you speak:

Have I listened long enough to know what to say?
He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
(Proverbs 18:13)

But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak. . . . (James 1:19)

Does anything need to be said at all?
When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. (Prov. 10:19)

Does what I am about to say reveal any sinful self focus?
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves. (Phil. 2:3)

Will my words be of spiritual profit to those who hear?
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. (Eph. 4:29)

Copyright © 2010 Daryl Wingerd. Permission granted for reproduction in exact form. All other uses require writen permission. Find more free articles at www.BulletinInserts.org, a ministry of Christian Communicators Worldwide: www.CCWtoday.org.

Bound to the Brochure: Why I'm Not a Fan of Topics for Conferences

by Jim Elliff

Perhaps the dilemma I’m expressing, one which has caused me untold agony, will not seem important to many. Yet, I must express myself. It has to do with the practice of binding speakers to set topics in conferences.

Here’s the way it happens.

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What About Your Relatives?

by Jim Elliff

In the New Testament, we find new believers confronting their own family first with the gospel. One writer calls this "oikos evangelism." The word "oikos" means "household" in the language of the New Testament.

A model for reaching our families is found in the first encounter Andrew had with Jesus. Read what it motivated him to do:

"He found first his own brother Simon [Peter], and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which translated means Christ). He brought him to Jesus" (John 1:42-42a).

It begins right at home.

What are you doing to introduce Christ to your immediate family? There are many ways to do this. For one, having times of family Bible reading and prayer has a great history in evangelism. When children are young, reading the historical sections can be most easily digested by their immature minds. Reading the lives of great Christians and evangelistic books can also be helpful.

It goes without saying that we should plant our family in a true church where the Bible is believed and where the gospel of free grace is presented clearly. Carefully chosen camps and youth activities may also help. One way to help your children know Christ is to ask them to conduct interviews with godly men and women you respect, finding out all they can about how they came to Christ and how life has gone for them.

What about the extended family?

Some friends of mine have made a long list of all their relatives. They carefully wrote out their testimony and an introductory letter (with a personalized note) and slipped it into a book we provided that explains the gospel. This was sent to parents, brothers and sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews. The resulting conversations and changes have been remarkable.

Some of you have relatives that may soon die. Do you really want to let them slip into hell without a clear explanation of the gospel? Aren't you the one to do that?

A friend's father was old, blind, and grumbling about life. He sent some literature to his brother and asked him to begin reading it to their father in the retirement home. Much to their surprise the man was converted and has become an excited believer, though he is over 90 years old!

Admittedly, some relatives are difficult to talk to. But that should not keep us from trying. One way to deal with such strong "resisters" is to be more forthcoming about arranging a time to talk it out. Instead of waiting for the opportune moment, just state, "Dad (or whoever it is), you know that I am concerned about you having a true relationship with Christ. I need to talk straight with you about it at least once. Let's plan for this and have nothing to distract us. How about this week on Tuesday night?"

It should be noted that sometimes people resist because they are under conviction about their need for Christ. Avoiding discussion is their only way to keep it at a comfortable distance. God can reach anyone if He wishes, even the person who seems the most incorrigible. Take literature with you and sincerely ask them to read it and talk with you about it. You may also tell them, if appropriate, that you wish to have this conversation about knowing Christ even if they are not interested. You are asking them to listen, even if it is only out of respect for you.

Although conversion is a sovereign act of God, He uses people to sow the seed. Until you try, you do not know what will happen. And you do not know what the gospel seed may do later if it is sown in their lives now. Don't expect that you will have all the answers for them, or that you will do a great job at speaking the truth. You will likely fumble about a bit. But God has always condescended to our imperfections when doing His work through us.

Copyright © 2010 Jim Elliff. Permission granted for reproduction in exact form. All other uses require written permission. Find more free articles at www.BulletinInserts.org, a ministry of Christian Communicators Worldwide: www.CCWtoday.org.

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