- Does The Bible Have Authority?
Introduction
The Bible in its self is not one book but a library of books. Whereas a book is usually one kind of writing by one author, a library is written by a number of authors who lived at various times in history and had many points of view. A library also comprises a variety of literary writing that includes, myth, legends, history and biography, just to name a few. The Bible to Christians is not just any book, but it is a set of books that were written by God-inspired authors through the holy spirit, therefore making God the ultimate author of the Bible. The church also affirms that the Bible is inerrant as it contains revelations from God that teaches the truth on the subjects that it is addressing. The inspired authors teach the truth about who God is, how humanity is in relation to God and the rest of the creation, and what God would have people do to cooperate with the coming of his Kingdom. God’s word in the Bible therefore has authority, because it is his will to his ”children” who are Christians.
We as Christians believe that the scriptures are God’s self-revelation and that they teach the truth regarding salvation, they also believe that there is no higher authority on earth than the scriptures. Any teaching derives its authority from that inherent in its source, and as identified in(2 Tim. 3:15-17), apostle Paul identifies God as the source of all scripture, and in that way, the whole Bible, and the Bible alone, is of great authority for doctrine and practice. Acknowledging this basic truth regarding the authority of the scripture does not mean that the scripture will actually function as the authority for a Christian or a group of Christians, but its main purpose is to lead to salvation and to equip the Christian for life and service. In doing so, the Bible propels the daily life of a Christian by teaching what to believe and what not to believe, how not to behave and how to behave. It is also quite possible to swear allegiance with great favor to the Bible as one’s final authority while believing and behaving contrary to the teachings of the Bible. The Bible authority represents God’s desires on a particular issue or topic, and are usually quoted through direct commands such, ”thou shalt” or ”thou shall not”, in (Rom 13:8), and can also be seen throughout the New Testament. Jesus Christ, the son of God also did not judge the scripture; instead, by word and deed he endorsed, obeyed it and fulfilled it throughout the New Testament. Surely, Christ is the final authority for Christians to emulate and that is precisely why we as Christians are bound to acknowledge the authority of the scripture, as Christ himself teaches us to do so.
Analysis
The Bible has authority and meaning to us as Christians because its words are were written and inspired by God. The authority proclaimed in the Bible shows God’s good intentions for us and that is why he sets forth guidelines to be followed and respected in the daily life of Christian. The Bible authority was also followed and respected by Christ Jesus, the son of God, who saw it as fulfilling the will God.
Conclusion
The Bible authority in my life and to the lives of many Christians stems from its story of God’s invitation to participation in the restoration of wholeness, peace and justice in the world. The Bible authority also makes sense to us as Christians as it speaks about the meaning and purpose of our humanity in Jesus Christ, in spite of its ancient and patriarchal worldviews.
- Did Jesus Need To Be Born Of A Virgin?
Generally, it is widely accepted that Jesus Christ was truly a man who walked in Israel 2000 years ago. Although scientists can today place the seed man in a woman, enabling her to give birth, the Major difference is that the birth of Jesus through Mary was through a divine intervention and No scientist can emulate that. In (Acts 4:12, Matthew tells us that the birth of Jesus Christ fulfilled this ancient prophecy, something that no man has ever done in the history of this world or ever will do.
The scripture of the virgin birth of Jesus is crucially important, in response to Mary’s question, ”How will this be?” (Luke 1:34), angel Gabriel says, ”The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35). Joseph who was intending to marry Mary was encouraged by angel Gabriel, not to fear marrying her, with these words, ”What I conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18). So from these scripture verses, it is clear that Jesus’ birth was as a result of the Holy Spirit working within Mary’s body. This therefore means that Jesus was not born in a sin nature that is passed down from generation to generation though the father (Rom 5:12, 17, 19). the Virgin Birth circumvented the transmission of the sin nature and allowed the eternal God to become a perfect man.
Analysis
If Jesus had a human father, He would have inherited a sin nature and in that case, He would be unable to save Himself and be the sinless substitute for the sins of the world. Also if Jesus had human parents, it would be impossible for Him to be the son of God.
Conclusion
The Virgin birth of Jesus has cemented our faith as Christians that Jesus is the Messiah who was prophesied to come, according to the Old Testament. These prophecies concerning the Messiah was given by God so that we would discern beyond doubt that Jesus was the real Messiah. The Virgin birth of Jesus has also cemented my believe in Miracles because it is not normally possible for a Virgin to conceive.
- Why are Personal Testimonies Important in Sharing the Gospel?
In the book of John, Jesus went to Samaria to witness to a Samaritan woman. The woman did not come to him. Jesus is therefore teaching us to get up from the pews and get out into the world where the majority of the sinners are situated. The person I’m talking to needs to hear the story of my life before coming to Jesus, how I came to have faith in Jesus, and how Jesus has transformed my life decisions since then. The lord needs believers who are willing to put their faith into action by going to the people and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them
This pattern of sharing the gospel is used by Paul the apostle when speaking to King Agrippa, recorded in Acts 26. Although some might deny the gospel message, most will not reject my personal story. Today, people want to hear about real life experiences, especially those related to the supernatural. Paul at one point shares what kind of a person he was before he met Christ in Philippians, Chapter 3, and in Galatians, Chapter 1, and again in 1 Timothy 1:12-17. In all these examples, Paul makes a quick reference to his past and then goes to his main point, that what God has done in his life has no power to save someone, but it might let us know that Jesus can and will save us no matter how bad we may think we are. He also states of how far Jesus is willing to go, to save us and that no one is beyond help. He also insists that as much as our personal testimonies are significant, we should not diverge away from the pure gospel. My personal testimony can also help in changing one attitude towards Christianity and acts as a comforting message to brethren who might be undergoing through a tough situation, that since God did it for me, He can also do it for them.
Analysis
First and foremost, we were given that authority by Jesus to share personal testimonies as written throughout the New Testament. We can also use the power of personal testimony to open a dialog with someone and can be very useful in sharing what God has done for me in order to start a conversation, but we are also reminded that it is the gospel that makes an eternal change in someone’s life.
Conclusion
My Christian thought and life has changed dramatically through the gospel of Christ Jesus, and also changed the company of friends whom I was keeping, but I’m encouraged through the words of Jesus that, this world will not embrace me, if we love him. I have also turned to the Bible for comfort and direction rather than seeking the ways of this world, because I believe that what is written in the Bible is the true living word of God.
The Bible as a whole is acts as a testimony through the lives of different authors and people mentioned. It gives me the hope that God can change and use me despite of my guilt and past, just as he did with some of His great servants in the Bible. God calls us to represent Christ to the nations and to those in our neighborhoods and schools, so before we master an organized plan to share the gospel, we must make sure that our lives is a positive testimony of the love of Christ, and let our actions speak loud and clear.
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