The following is adapted from Don Stewart’s FAQs at the Blue Letter Bible.
The Bible is not humanity’s thoughts about God; it is God revealing His truth to humanity. Because it claims to be the sole revelation of God to the human race, and because the consequences for rejecting the message are so great, it is imperative that people consider the claims that the Bible makes. The following are some of the reasons why it is important to consider the claims of Scripture.
1. It Claims To Be God’s Word
The Bible claims to be the Word of God, that is, His supernatural communication to humanity. Over three thousand times in the Old Testament alone we find such phrases as, “Thus says the Lord,” or “God said.” In addition, Scripture claims to be God’s only revelation to humanity. The Bible is the only sacred book where the One True God has revealed Himself. This one Book alone is God’s written Word to the human race. There are no other written sources of divine truth apart from the Bible. All other so-called sacred books are mere pretenders.
2. The Bible Gives Answers To Life’s Most Profound Questions
For centuries people have turned to the Bible for the answers to the basic questions of life: Where did we come from? Why are we here on Planet Earth? What will happen to us when we die? Scripture explains that a personal infinite God originally created a perfect world and how sin entered and spoiled its perfection. The Bible also shows us the way to be saved from this sinful world. Thus Scripture answers our deepest questions.
3. The Scripture Explains The Nature Of God
The Bible also tells us about the character of God. Within its pages we find out about the God who created the entire universe—and who created humankind in His image. Only the Bible tells us what God is like and what He expects from us.
4. It Shows The Only Way To Reach God
In addition, Scripture says there is only one way to reach the one God. Jesus said.
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).
The message of the Scripture is clear – there is only one God who exists and one way to have a personal relationship with Him. It is only through Jesus Christ that a person can experience the one, true God. John wrote:
No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also (1 John 2:23).
5. It Predicts Judgment For Those Who Do Not Believe
For those who reject the salvation offered by Jesus Christ, there is only judgment waiting. The Apostle Paul wrote:
He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 1:8,9).
He also wrote:
Therefore God exalted him [Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).
The claim of Scripture is that the eternal destiny of every human being is based upon how they respond to the message of forgiveness through the Person of Jesus Christ. Those who reject Christ have the judgment of God waiting for them. If the claims are true, then there is no other book more important that has ever been written or ever will be written
6. The Bible Gives A Purpose For History
The Bible also gives a purpose for history. History is not merely a series of unrelated events. As the Bible records it; history has meaning. The Bible shows a progression to an end, and promises that the world in which we live, with all its corruption, will one day be made into a perfect new world without sin.
7. It Provides The Basis For Science
Though this may surprise some, the Bible served as a basis for modern scientific pursuits. Modern science was born in the seventeenth century because of a belief in an unchanging God of order, purpose and consistency—the God portrayed in the Bible. It was from this basis that scientists could study the form and function of the universe.
8. Scripture Provides A Standard Of Right And Wrong
Many of our modern concepts of law and order are also based on the Bible. The Bible says that God has set standards of right and wrong behavior that human beings are to follow. Many of the current laws in various cultures around the world are based upon biblical morality.
9. It Tells Us How To Live Successfully
The Bible covers all areas of human conduct. This includes relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, employers and employees, and friends and enemies. However, the ethic s and morals of the Bible are unique – they are always related to a person’s belief in the existence of God and their relationship with Him. Consequently it is the motives that are judged rather than any outward obedience.
10. The Bible Meets The Daily Needs Of Believers
Millions of Christians have depended on the Bible’s promises that God would meet their daily needs. The Apostle Paul wrote:
And my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
The Book of Hebrews assures believers that God will always be with them.
For he himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
Thus the Bible is not just a building block of human society, it is a practical help to countless individuals.
11. It Promises A Blessing For Those Who Read And Obey
God commands believers to study His written Word and obey it. The Lord told Joshua:
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful (Joshua 1:8).
For those who study and meditate upon its contents God has promised to bless them.
Blessed are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night (Psalm 1:1,2).
The Bible says God delights in those who tremble at His Word.
“Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word” (Isaiah 66:2).
In the Book of Revelation we read:
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near (Revelation 1:3).
12. It Was Written To Create Belief In God Through Jesus Christ
The Bible was written for the purpose of creating belief in God through Jesus Christ. The Apostle John wrote.
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name (John 20:30,31).
Ultimately the Bible is God’s communication to humankind. It is His way of talking to us. Therefore it is crucial that we understand the Bible as a personal correspondence between the Creator and His creation. In the Bible He has personally communicated the fact that He wants a relationship between Himself and with each individual. This is the main message of Scripture.
Summary
The Bible is the most important book that has ever been written – it claims to be the very Word of God. The Bible offers answers to life’s basic questions. These include the existence and nature of God, the identity and purpose of humankind, the meaning of history, and scientific questions about the nature of the universe. It was specifically written to cause people to believe in Jesus Christ. In addition it predicts judgment for those who do not believe in Jesus. The Bible also provides a basis of right and wrong, a standard for how to live successfully, as well as a practical guide for daily needs. In short, it is the most important Book that has ever been or will ever be written.