Church of Christ Studies

The Reason For Scripture

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There is no doubt that many are unaware of what is taught in the Bible. There are also many who claim to have hope for eternal life, yet do not know scripture or simply refuse to abide by what is written in the Word of God. This is not new. The Holy Spirit had Paul write to the Roman brethren in Romans 15:4 to tell them how they might have hope. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

 

Upon reading this, many may think this is just about the New Testament scriptures.   But as Paul wrote to Timothy regarding the instruction he received from his mother and grandmother we can clearly see that this is not the case. In 2Timothy 3:15 we find that the scriptures which were available to Timothy as a youth directed him toward salvation. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Then, in 2Timothy 3:16-17 we are told the source of scripture, the method of delivery to man (inspiration), the purpose for scripture, and the benefit of scripture to all who will receive it and abide by it. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 
 

While Jesus was on earth, He also directed folks toward scripture so they would use them properly and also revealed that scripture proclaims the power of God.   In Matthew 22:23-32 we find the Sadducees tempting Christ by presenting Him with a hypothetical situation that “could” exist according to tradition under the Law of Moses.  Here we also have the response of Christ and the declaration of the power of God. The resurrection is indeed going to happen at the end of time.

NOTE: The scriptures of which Christ speaks also is that contained in the Old Testament. (Matthew 22:23-32) The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, 24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. 27 And last of all the woman died also. 28Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

 

We know Jesus was speaking of eternal life.   That is what He said in John 5:39.  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. Won’t you set aside time to read and study the scriptures so you can know what God would have you do to be saved?   Your eternal life depends upon it.

Dennis Strickland – Mooresville