What is the Purpose of the Bible?

What is the Purpose of the Bible?
Brad Reiches
Sep 20 2007 11:15PM

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Friday, September 21, 2007

GodThoughtsWired!

"What is the Purpose of the Bible?"

"All scripture is inspired by God and profitable

for teaching, reproof, correction, training in righteousness."

2 Timothy 3:16

A recent GodThoughtsWired! subscriber declares, 

"If you read it, the bible itself says it is not to be used as an authority for anything.

The only authority and guide is the Spirit of Christ, not a book."

At first I thought he was kidding however, subsequent comments let me know that he was very, VERY serious.  So, "What does the Bible say about itself, regarding its "authority?"

"That which was written in earlier times (the Bible),

was written for our instruction."

Romans 15:4; see also 1 Corinthians 10:11

Literally, from Deuteronomy (12:32) to Revelation (22:18-19), the Bible says of itself that IT IS! to be used as an "authority"...FOR EVERYTHING! (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  A very partial list of examples include:

-The Bible is to be used as an authority for "instruction" (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11).

-The Bible is to be used as an authority for "teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

-The Bible is to be used as an authority for "guidance and direction" (Psalm 119:105).

Further, the Bible itself says that it is to be used as an ULTIMATE AUTHORITY, not to be added to or taken away from (Deuteronomy 12:32, Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19).

"If you read it, the bible itself says it is not

to be used as an authority for anything?"

Actually, IF YOU READ IT, the Bible itself says IT IS TO BE USED AS AN AUTHORITY FOR EVERYTHING!

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