Highlight
Winter 2004/2005

From the Editor

Features
Salvation Begins w/the Word of God

True Repentance

God’s Patience & You

Baptism, Are You Ready?

Real Salvation

Heaven & Hell

Will Non-Christians be Saved?

Infused at the Feast of Tabernacles

Highlights
Is the Bible Real?

What’s Your Seed

My Memories From the Feast of Tabernacles

What Does Baptism Mean?

What’s Wrong With Counting?

Q&A

By You: Poetry

Finding Financial Peace and Freedom


Is The Bible Real?
By Brian Christensen

I once took a Biology and Botany class in High School. I found it fascinating to learn of the delicate design of a plant or tree and the unbelievable anatomy of animals and human life. The existence of life is truly wonderful and amazing. I don’t understand how anyone can look up at the sky or see the beauty of life, and think it all happened by chance (Psalm 19:1-14).
Flower
The existence of God and His ways have been questioned since the temptation in the Garden of Eden. How can something so obvious to God’s people, be so confusing to others? This is a very deep and passionate subject as it is the very foundation of our faith. It could be the topic of many sermons and Bible study, however, we will explore the basics of this subject to build that foundation.

Most who reject the Bible, believe God does not exist. Some have said the Bible is a collection of “cute” stories, but has no spiritual meaning. Others say the stories depicted in the Bible are far-fetched and impossible to occur. The Bible is a wonderful collection of events and information about our Father and Savior in Heaven. It tells the story of their creation of life and desire for all their children to grow, mature, and become like them. The Bible is full of examples on both good and bad behavior. It is our guide to salvation and shows how we can repent from bad behavior to be forgiven in our maturation process (2 Timothy 3:14-17). This is similar to a parent or elder that has experienced an event and wants to share the wisdom with others to help them in some way.

Many have also never read or studied the Bible. When you begin to look at and study the Bible, you start to understand the perfection of God and His reasoning. I have always been amazed at the difficulty of creating the Bible. Each account carefully recalled and recorded, spanning numerous years and authors. This was all during a time when writing was not easily done. Each story and chapter fit so perfectly together, it is impossible to accept the creation of the Bible without divine intervention.

If you were accused of a crime today, I think it is fair to say your defense attorney would be pleased if you had one or two witnesses to support your argument. What if your witness list included; Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jonah, David, Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ruth, Mary, Joseph, Lazarus, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, Stephen, Timothy, Philip, James, and hundreds more? The prosecutor or judge would drop the case and say to you “have a nice day”. Yet Satan has managed to twist this world around so that we as Christians are made to feel doubtful and prove our belief. How many witnesses can support the non-believers? All I see are “experts” with some background on a particular subject matter, not an actual testimony.

Mainstream Christianity seems compelled to eliminate, alter, add, or create changes to the Bible. These, of course, substantiate their position. Some believe in God, but not the Bible. Others believe solely in the Old Testament or the New Testament. Organizations have even created their own books or testimony. The Bible, however, is not multiple choice, it is a way of life (Revelation 22:18,19).

Even though others may not believe or agree, we must be careful that our actions, or fruits, do not contradict our belief. Matthew 7:13-20 tells us to judge others by their fruits. Look carefully at people and their words to measure the fruits. Are they better off or fulfilled because of their view? What would life be like if everyone had their view? How do they conduct their lives? Is the fruit ripe on the outside and rotten on the inside? We must also understand God’s way as others view or judge us. Pray for those who do not believe and give thanks to God that you have been blessed with the peace-of-mind in his truth.