The Christian faith is called “The faith”, and it has its foundation on the bible, the word of God. It is the cornerstone of Christian belief and practice, shaping the doctrines and theology of the faith. As such it is the life of a believing Christian, for in Him (The Word) we live, move and have our being.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1,14 (NKJV)
For in Him we live and move and have our being… – Acts 17:28 (NKJV)
How important is the bible to our faith?
1. Creeds and Confessions:
Creed is a set of beliefs or purposes which directs a person’s actions, while confession is a declaration setting out important spiritual principles. The Christian creeds and confessions are based directly on Scripture.
For instance, the scripture says:
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NKJV)
Therefore, from this scripture, we believe and confess that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. And this is one of the bases of our Christian faith; otherwise, our faith is useless and pointless.
And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! – 1 Corinthians 15: 14,17 (NKJV)
Also, Hebrews 6: 1-2, gives us the foundational principles of Christ by which Christians abide. In these principles, our hope and victory lie.
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Hebrews 6:1-2 (NKJV)
2. Doctrinal Foundation:
The Core doctrines of Christians, such as the Trinity, salvation, and sanctification, are derived from biblical teachings. These include the teachings of Christ, the apostles and the prophets from the old Testament days. And the scriptures stated it too that the scriptures are for doctrine.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)
Also, the scriptures clearly called the teachings of Christ “Doctrines of Christ” and these had formed the basis of our Christian faith.
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Hebrews 6:1-2 (NKJV)
For instance, one of the scriptures on baptisms is from the command of Christ that we should go out, make disciples and baptize them. And Christians have since been doing this and will continue till Jesus comes.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)
3. Authority and Inerrancy
Believers uphold the Bible as the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice. This is because it is the word of God, the Creator of the universe, whose creations are still in operation as written in the scriptures.
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20-21 (NKJV)
As such every other instruction given by the Lord as stated in the scriptures are equally potent and carries the same authority as God.
Furthermore, God can’t fail, and since He cannot be separated from His word, even so His word can’t fail. As such believers believe in it even as they believe in Christ. And they see it as texts without errors.
4. Scriptural Tradition
The Bible is central to liturgy, preaching, and teaching within the church. So, there’s no true service in the church without the reading or referencing of the scriptures. This is because church is a place where you encounter God via His word. Also, the worshippers gain understanding of the scriptures as the teacher teaches using the bible, as the Spirit gives him utterance.
So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading – Nehemiah 8:8 (NKJV)
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching – 2 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV)
You can’t preach or teach the word of God without reading or making reference to the bible. This authenticates what you are saying that God said or did. Furthermore, the faith of the people is increased as they hear the word of God from the bible
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
The bible, as believers’ manual, is very much part of any church, for we are to live by it and pass down the message from generation to generation.
5. Personal Faith
Individual faith is nurtured through engagement with Scripture. And a person’s level of faith is proportional to the level of the word of God in him. This determines the believer’s exploit in the kingdom of God, for without faith no man can please God
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (NKJV).
Furthermore, you become more and more like Christ as you study, meditate and act on the scriptures. For by Him we live, move, and have our being. The scriptures you receive wash away any contrary thought within you and abide in their place. And continuous exercise of this, with time, makes you think, talk and act like Christ.
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord – 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)
For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His Offspring – Acts 17:28 (NKJV)
Therefore, every Christian with the hope of eternal life with God must love the scriptures and live by it. This is because the scriptures reveal Christ to you, show you how to live like Him and enjoy your inheritance in Him.
Conclusion
Surely, the bible is very vital for our Christian faith. This is because through it we grow our faith in God. This we do by knowing more about God and our inheritance in Christ, and how to live above sin and enjoy daily victory over the enemy.
