bible

Does the Bible have one Message?

Many people claim that the Bible is a confusing book. You can make it mean whatever you want, they say. They are wrong.

It is true that people are dishonest and will tell lies about God's Book. But any honest reader will be able to see the main points. Peter admitted that there are some deep things in Paul's writings that uneducated people sometimes misunderstand. But not everything in the Bible is tricky!

As Paul wrote to Timothy, the Holy Scriptures are clear enough that a child, taught only by his mother and grandmother at home, can learn from the Bible how to be saved. (2 Timothy 1:5, 2:15-17)

God did not give His Word in Latin to Popes and prelates, but in ordinary Hebrew and Greek to be read by all. Please get a Bible and read it for yourself!

What does the Bible say?

According to the Bible, there is only One True God. He made the universe and men, who rebelled against Him. Seperated from God by our sins, we are foolish and lost. We need God to tell us how to be forgiven and how to please Him.

The Bible tells us how God chose one nation, the Israelites, to be His People. These people often disobeyed Him, and He would punish them. And God always promised them that a Savior would come some day.

The only Savior of sinners according to the Bible is Jesus Christ. He lived a sinless life and died on a cross to save God's people. Those who repent and trust in Christ alone will be with God in heaven forever. Those who do not, will burn in hell for their sins.

The following synopses are given to help you as you read the Bible. But do please read it for yourself!

Genesis - creation, flood, election

Moses has three lessons for us in the book of Genesis. First, we learn that the whole universe was created by God. People were put here on earth to enjoy God's wonderful creations, and to praise Him for His many gifts. The first man, Adam, was made a noble being, yet he chose to disobey God. Yet God was merciful. He forgave manking and promised that one day Christ (the seed of the woman) would come to defeat Satan (the snake). Evolution is not true.

Second, we learn from Genesis that most men were wicked and ignored their God. They refused to thank Him for His blessings, and kept sinning worse all the time. This made God so angry that He destroyed the whole earth with a flood. God will punish sin.

Third, Genesis teaches us that God will always take care of His chosen people, the Church. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were protected and comforted by God through many troubles. Only God gives true success. Men like Cain, Ishmael and Esau look like strong, natural leaders. Yet they are set aside and God uses Abel, Isaac and Jacob. We see how often there are few true believers, while the majority are united in error. Democracy is no way to get the truth!

Exodus - prolific childbearing, freedom, law and pure worship

Jacob obeyed God by taking his family into Egypt, where they satyed for 400 years. The Israelites obeyed God's command to be fruitful and multiply, and they grew from seventy people into a huge nation. The King of Egypt distrusted the Israelites and oppressed them with cruel slavery. Exodus shows us how God kept his promise to deliver them.

When Pharoah refused to set the Israelites free, God plagued Egypt with unusual curses. The more the tyrant hated God's people, the more God increased His heavy judgements. The Red Sea parted miraculously to let God's children through; but the waters closed to drown Pharoah and his army. God will destroy pagan tyrants.

Sadly, the Israelites quickly forgot God's rescue. People are hopelessly ungrateful! God gave them the Passover to remind them of His deliverence, but they complained anyway. Motivated by hunger, thirst and ambition, they distrusted God, grumbled against His ministers, and turned to idols. We must not worship "gods" of gold or stone!

Exodus also shows us how God disciplined His people with strict punishments. He had to force them to repent. Yet God always loves His true Church, and has mercy on them. They deserved death, but God gave them His law. God gave us moral, civil and ceremonial laws. the moral laws (10 commandments) are eternal principles. They show us our sinfulness and need of a savior. The ceremonial laws teach us to worship God only as He has specifically commanded. And the civil laws show us wise ways to deal with crime.

on to Leviticus...