Why
Accept The Bible?
While preparing for a possible study with a guy who was considering embracing Mormonism, I was utterly stunned at how flawed the supposed inspired Book of Mormon really is and how people can take seriously the “doctrine” it puts forth. While the purpose of this article isn’t meant to slam or bash the people of the Mormon faith, it did cause me to stop and consider the question, why should we accept the Bible? What makes the different than the other books in the religious world (i.e. New World Translation (J.W.’s), Book of Mormon, catechisms, manuals, etc.)? Let’s note some things the Bible does:
First, the Bible clarifies. Many people in the religious world believe they are saved simply because they “feel it” in their hearts. They have based their “religion” upon what they think should be, not upon what God has actually said, which in turn makes their faith shallow. In Heb. 11:1 the writer said, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Do the words “assurance” and “conviction” seem to be words of confusion or uncertainty? Of course not. The Bible is clear when it comes to the commandments of God (I Cor. 14:33). James said the Bible faith is one of works (James 2:14,20,24-26), not feelings or emotions. The Bible is perfectly clear when it comes to what God expects of people today.
Second, the Bible claims. The word of God is not the work of forty different men who conspired to write a book together, rather it is from the mind of God (I Cor. 2:10-13). Many people, including Christians, operate under the assumption the Apostles wrote what they felt was needed at the time, thus promoting their own agendas. However, Peter said, “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (II Pet. 1:20-21). The Bible also claims to have the answers we need for this life. In II Pet. 1:3 Peter says, “seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness….” The answer we need to the question “What must I do to be saved?” is contained in the Bible, if we will but listen and accept what it says.
Third, the Bible condemns. Most people in the religious world believe the Bible to be a completely positive book. However, we’re told of what will happen to those who implement the traditions of men instead of following the Bible. In Matt. 15:7-9, Jesus called the Pharisees (and those associated with them) hypocrites and called their worship vain because they had substituted their traditions for the pure and undefiled worship God had revealed to them. All one has to do is look around and see the different perversions that have crept into churches today. God has revealed to us through His word, how He expects us to worship Him. Paul spoke about this in I Cor. 1:10-13 where the church in Corinth had four different divisions. Today we have (the last I heard) over three thousand different “churches.” How have we gone from ONE church to over three thousand?
Finally, as a result of the above problems, the Bible calls for study. In Acts 17:10-11 we’re told of a group of people called Bereans who searched the Scriptures to make sure the things spoken of by Paul were true. In I Thess. 5:21 Paul said to, “examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.” Peter said to be prepared to give a defense for those things you believe (I Pet. 3:15). Study must be important in the lives of every Christian. Without it, we can not know the will of God and thus can not please Him, nor expect to spend eternity with Him.
Let us be sure to accept the Bible for what it is, the inspired word of God. It is not some earthly man’s idea or agenda, but God’s master plan for all mankind. May God bless you as you strive to follow His revealed word.