<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Why Study the Bible?
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Why Study The Bible

By William R. Cunningham

"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."    (Matthew 4:4 KJV)

"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."    (John 6:63 KJV)

The word quickeneth is an old English word that means to bring alive or give life to.  Therefore, the words that Jesus spoke (which are from God) bring life.

 (John 8:31-32 KJV)  "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; {32} And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Our Prayer life is dependent on the word (which is his will) of God:

(1 John 5:14-15 KJV)  "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: {15} And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."

The word of God also brings liberty.  The Bible also teach us:

(1 John 2:27 KJV)  "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."

The realization of our desires is dependent on the word of God:

(John 15:7 NIV)  "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you."

This scripture is very important because it encourages us to depend on God for revelation of His word and not other people.  Know that the Holy Spirit can teach you.

Why study the Bible? - There are at least eight reasons why we should study the Bible, which I will list below1.

  1. To gain spiritual food (1 Peter 2:2, Hebrews 5:12-14)
  2. To gain cleansing (Ephesians 5:25-26)
  3. To gain wisdom (2 Timothy 3:14-16, Titus 1:9-11)
  4. To gain guidance (Psalms 119:99,105)
  5. To increase faith (Romans 10:17, John 4:39-42, Acts 17:10-12)
  6. To be transformed into Christ's image (2 Corinthians 3:18, Acts 4:13)
  7. To gain a knowledge of God (Genesis 4:1, Matthew 1:24-25, Hosea 4:1,6:6, Jeremiah 9:23-24)
  8. To impart to others the blessing of the Word (1 Peter 3:5, 2 Timothy 4:2, 2 Corinthians 5:20, Deuteronomy 17:18‑20, 2 Timothy 4:13).

The Bible is the foundation of the Christian faith and the Kingdom of God.  The standards of the Christian Life and the Godly life are within the pages of the Holy scripture.  There is no one that can add to what the Bible says or take away from it.  All that you need to know about the ultimate plan of God, which is salvation through Jesus Christ, are within the pages of the Bible.

Yes there are other books and resources that you can use to enhance your understanding of the scripture.  However, there is nothing outside of the Bible that is or ever will be a standard for the Christian life.

Why study the Bible?  We study the Bible to learn more how to live so that you can life.  The Bible contains the word of God, which is our spiritual food.  Upon eating and digesting God's word, we become more capable of dealing with life situations.  Upon acquainting ourselves with God's word, we become more equipped to stand up to all types of temptations and situations and we are more able to help others who need life.