What Is the Bible?

Question:

Hi,

I would like some answers to my doubts. I know you can help me with this because of everything I have read on your site. I'm happy that your teachings are exactly the same as our non-denominational church. I find them right too. Praise the Lord!

My questions:

  1. What exactly is the Bible? Please give me solid answers other than "Word Of God" and such. An aunt from our church said that it's a history. A history in which God lost against the world and the Bible was provided to us, so that we, His children would not share the fate of losing. Is it really true? Please do help.
  2. Do prophets and other miracle workers exist during these times? I read somewhere on your site (or did I?) that they don't because of what Matthew 7:21-23 says. I think they still do, because my family has witnessed it and also when Jesus says "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" refers to those who prophesy and perform miracles in His Name but do not truly follow the Lord's commandments.

Please clarify this for me.

Thanks in advance.

Answer:

Your aunt clearly worships a god of her own imagination since the Bible doesn't support her claims. God always gets His way. "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure'; calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it" (Isaiah 46:9-11). God has never lost.

The Bible contains the truth. "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth" (John 17:17). It teaches men how to properly live. "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (II Timothy 3:16-17). In other words, it teaches us:

  1. What is right,
  2. What is not right,
  3. How to get right, and
  4. How to stay right.

The Bible is mankind's instruction manual to living in this world and become children of God. "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust" (II Peter 1:2-4).

Regarding the miraculous gifts existing today, see: Why is it always brought up that prophecy will cease? Regarding Matthew 7:21-23, see: I don’t see how Zechariah 13:1-5 talks about the ending of prophecy and demons