This page below will explain: a] how the Bible demonstrates its authenticity; b] the importance of our having faith in God's Word.
The Bible certifies itself as the Word of God in two main ways:
1.
by God convicting us of its truth as we read it (and, importantly, do what it says); and
2.
by its prophetic and historic accuracy.
Thus, the Bible testifies to its truth via both supernatural and natural means. And both testimonies are important. For putting one's faith is something that is obviously irrational is not necessarily a wise move, whilst thinking one can come to know God through one's intellect alone seems unrealistic (and is in fact untrue). So, if you want to find out whether the Bible is God's word or not, we recommend that you:
1.
read it for yourself and obey what you read; for God has promised to be "a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6); and
2.
take a look at some of the many articles that discuss the Bible's more "natural" qualifications, either on crgh.org.uk or elsewhere.
One of the things that makes the Bible unique is that its claims are both ambitious and testable. If, for instance, Jesus had been born even five years later, many of the prophecies of his coming (in the Old Testament) could never have been fulfilled. If Hitler had succeeded in wiping out the Jews, God's promise to preserve His earthly people would have been broken. If no record could be found of the many places and people mentioned in, say, the gospels, we would probably have to question their historicity. However, the fact of the matter is that, just as God has promised, His Word has stood the test of time (Isaiah 40:8).
However Christianity isn't just a case of making a correct evaluation of the evidence. It's a case of seeking and following God. And it is a decision no-one is forced to make. And, in order for such a decision to be possible, any proofs God gives us of His existence need to be sufficiently persuasive so as to satisfy the genuine seeker, yet sufficiently vague so as not to compel the hardened sceptic. Seeking God is an exercise of the heart not the intellect. Take Jesus, for example. His miracles may have won Him the people's attention, but they didn't win Him their hearts, for the very same crowds that welcomed Him into Jerusalem as their King (Matthew 21) were, four days later, pleading for Him to be crucified (Matthew 27).
Before opening the Bible, it's therefore worth asking yourself some serious questions: Firstly, 'Do I really want to know the truth about God's Word?'. Secondly, 'What will it take to convince me that the Bible is what it claims to be?'. Once you've got your answers, dive right in, for Jesus has promised that,
"he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, [the door] will be opened." (Matthew 7:7)
Blaise Pascale, a well-known French philosopher, explains things like this:
"God has regulated the revelation of His existence by giving signs which are visible to those who seek Him, yet invisible to those who seek Him not...providing sufficient light for those who desire to see, and yet sufficient darkness for those who do not...that God might test not the intellect and certitude of men's minds, but the love and faithfulness of their hearts."
...the importance of the bible...
As human beings, we need not just physical nourishment, but spiritual nourishment (1 Peter 2:2). Just as the body will perish without food, so the soul will perish without God's Word (Mt 4:4).
The Bible is a "lamp to our feet" (Ps 119:105). It is able "to equip us for every good work" (2 Tim 3:17); "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing to the division of soul and of spirit" (He 4:12). It is the means by which we distinguish truth from error. Without it, we would be "children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine" (Eph 4:14).
At Collier Row Gospel Hall, we meet on Tuesday evenings to study God's Word and to pray together. The teaching is led by either a local or an external speaker, and the prayer is led by the congregation.
We love having the children with us in all our meetings. However we also provide teaching that is more tailored to their age in our Sunday School and Bible Class.
