The Incredible Book / A Summary of the Bible Message

Articles

Ken Craig
07/28/24 - The Zephyrhills Beacon

(From Ken Craig’s “The Big Picture of the Bible”)

The Bible is one of the most widely read books in history. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Much of the confusion results from a failure to grasp the overall message or central theme of the Bible. It is a “forest for the trees” problem. Often so much time is spent in the “trees” of different Bible doctrines that we miss the “forest” or big picture. Sometimes we need to step back to see this big picture. Grasping the overall theme of the Bible provides direction for deeper study as well as unity in the understanding and application of its teachings. Consider a few amazing facts about the Bible:

It is not just one book, but a collection of 66 books of law, poetry, history, narrative, and prophecy (39 Old Testament, 27 New Testament).
It was authored by more than 40 men with varying degrees of education, different nationalities, and diverse cultures from 3 continents (Africa, Europe, and Asia).
It was written in 3 languages – Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
It was produced over a period of about 1,500 years.

There are many strong evidences for the inspiration of the Bible that one could consider in the fields of archeology, prophecy, or even science. One of the most intriguing and convincing evidences of the Bible is the internal evidence of the unified message it contains: God’s amazing plan to redeem His fallen creatures. Each book reflects a unity of facts, teaching, and purpose supporting this theme. All history unfolded to accomplish God’s purpose, and each book of the Bible is a single thread woven into this incredible tapestry. Ordinary men could never have created this book – time, history, and human nature would have prevented its existence and unity unless it was supernaturally directed by God. Its documents have been more critically examined and investigated than any others. The statements of these 40 different authors are reliable and trustworthy.

If we fail to understand the theme of the Bible, it will not matter what we choose to believe or practice in religion. God’s plan of redemption, anchored in the writings of the Old Testament, was fulfilled in the New Testament. Here it is called the “gospel,” literally meaning “good news.” If it is our desire to understand the big picture of the Bible, we must consider and comprehend the importance of this gospel message. (Edited by Kevin Heaton)

A Summary of the Bible Message

(From Ken Craig’s “The Big Picture of the Bible”)

The overarching purpose of the Bible is not to teach facts of science or history. It is a message from God to communicate to His creation the facts of salvation. Through carefully orchestrated events, all of history unfolds to reveal the divine plan of redemption: God is Holy. You are created as a free will spirit to love and serve God. Sin separates you from a holy God. Death is the judicial price required to pay for your sins and it is on the head of every sinner. Jesus came to be the Lamb of God, God’s sacrifice, to pay the price for your sins by the sacrifice of Himself. Christ proved He was from God by being raised from the dead and appearing to many witnesses. When you understand and believe this and are willing to confess Christ’s name and repent (turn away from) of your sins, you can be baptized into Christ and into His death. You are thus united with His death, your sins are removed, and your spiritual relationship with a holy God is restored. He then adds you to His kingdom, His church. In His kingdom you accept the headship of Christ and commit to a life of loving faithfulness to Christ’s authority and commands as delivered by His apostles once for all. Jesus will return one day and then you will be judged according to your actions in this life. If found faithful, you will join with God in heaven, an eternal life of glory.

Once you are in Christ you can have great confidence of your salvation. Those that are committed to Christ have this promise: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). If you further sin as a Christian, you can repent and ask God’s forgiveness (1 John 2:1). Jesus came to provide you with an abundant life (John 10:10). Not a life filled with an abundance of things, but a life filled with an abundance of hope. An abundance of hope based on the truth of the gospel and strength of faith in the promises of God (Colossians 1:23). An abundance of joy and fulfillment that can be found only in living a life of purpose focused on eternal life with a holy God (Matthew 6:33).

The Old Testament taught us about God’s grace and mercy, demonstrated by animal sacrifice paying the judicial price for sin. Against the Old Testament revelation is set God’s Son, Jesus Christ, who is the climax of the drama, since through Him God’s work and revelation was brought to perfection. This message is unique to Christianity. No other system, ideology, or religion proclaims a free forgiveness and a new life to those who have done nothing to deserve it but everything to deserve condemnation instead. On the contrary, all other systems teach some form of self-salvation through good works of religion, superstition, or self-enlightenment. The Bible, by contrast, teaches a gospel, the gospel, good news that God’s grace has turned away His deserved wrath, that His Son has paid our price of death, that God has shown mercy on the undeserving. We have, and cannot contribute anything to His grace. Faith’s function is to accept the free gift that God’s grace offers and live our lives accordingly.

Gospels of every hue and description darken the landscape like a cloud of hungry locusts that indiscriminately devour everything in their path. Yet a single ray of objective truth pierces through the darkness offering hope to all who embrace it. This gospel reflects the unity and time tested truth of the Bible. This gospel and this gospel alone will accomplish all that the Creator has purposed for His creation. It is a beacon of hope offered by a loving Father to His children – a light that bathes the cross of the Lamb of God.

To receive the gift you must: Confess your belief, Matthew 10:32-33; Repent of your sins, Acts 2:38, 2 Peter 3:9; Be Baptized for the remission of your sins, Acts 2:38; Live Faithfully until death, Revelation 2:10, 2 Peter 3:17. (Edited by Kevin Heaton)