Is the Bible (word of God) Man's Instruction Manuel?

[Bro.T]

This parable gives zero instruction on how to train the child. Neither does the proverb that you quoted.

Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The Bible is written in a way it teaches you how to love God and love your neighbor. This is why Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind; and loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:35-40). These two commandments are the foundation of the entire law.

When you have a child you take that knowledge and teach the child. Most people who read the Bible and really understand what they reading start with the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20: 1-17, then the lord's Statues and Judgement. If you under the Roman Christianity doctrine you will train your child under that doctrine. When the child grow up in most cases they will stick to how you train them, even if they get off track, they will come back. That's what the story shows you.

My son, forget not my law; But let thine heart keep my commandments:
For length of days, and long life, And peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: Bind them about thy neck; Write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding In the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him,
And he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Honour the LORD with thy substance, And with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy presses shall burst out with new wine. (Proverbs 3: 1-10)

Learn these things and more and train a child the same way.

 

[Bro.T]

The Sabbath Day: and the LORD spake unto Moses, saying "Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.”Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” (Exodus 31:12-17) Let’s take a look and see what Jesus did when he came in the flesh, And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. (Luke 4:14-16)

 

[jonojim1337]

I understand the prophesy of Christ, but what law you referring to?

What the hell? What Law? Seriously?

Matthew 11:13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.​

 

[jonojim1337]

This parable gives zero instruction on how to train the child. Neither does the proverb that you quoted.

Actually it does. But remember that solid food is not for the children.

That being said, what is the proper way to instruct your child? I have several children of my own. This is a great question for me.

So far, they have received no instruction. I have received the instruction however, as the family head, that they are protected by my Faith.

Has the lack of Faith burdened my family? Undoubtebly, clear as day. Thus we can see that it is a lot more important that the parents receive their portion than the child.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I agree we want are names written in the book of life, but we should read on the line, not between. The Bible says "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 perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) In the scriptures it's written in Proverbs 1: 2 To know wisdom and instruction; To perceive the words of understanding;
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, and judgment, and equity; 4 To give subtilty to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion. 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; And a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; The words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

It seems this discussion will not end, and I have since lost interest. bye.

 

[jonojim1337]

The Sabbath Day: and the LORD spake unto Moses, saying "Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.”Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” (Exodus 31:12-17) Let’s take a look and see what Jesus did when he came in the flesh, And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. (Luke 4:14-16)

You can only enter the Sabbath day through Christ. Otherwise you are in the days of man. Working in the sweat of thy brow.

 

[Bro.T]

You can only enter the Sabbath day through Christ. Otherwise you are in the days of man. Working in the sweat of thy brow.

The Sabbath Day of the Lord -God of the Bible. (Gen.2:2-5) (v.2) And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. (v.3) And God blessed the seventh day (every seventh day of the week is a blessed and holy day) and sanctified it (it is a day that is separated (sanctified) for a purpose) because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. (v.5) “and there was not a man to till the ground.” There was not a Jew, Catholic, Baptist, or Seventh Day Adventist; in fact, there was not a Christian when He constituted the Sabbath Day! So where you get that from?

 

[Bro.T]

It seems this discussion will not end, and I have since lost interest. bye.

In the scriptures it's written in Proverbs 1: 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning;
And a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

 

[Bro.T]

What the hell? What Law? Seriously?

Matthew 11:13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.​

Don't get upset, Paul talks about two different laws and one of them is nail to the cross. These two laws go back to the days of Moses. Paul explained this in; (Hebrews 10: (v.1) For the law (what law, the law of animal sacrifice?) having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. (v.9) Then said he, (Jesus) Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first that he may establish the second. (v.10) By which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

The point that is not understood is that we all have sin, but until Jesus came, there was no way of getting out from under your sins. So God institute a Priesthood and laws that went with the priesthood to control the sinning, and so the Lord use animal Sacrificial laws, even though it could not remove sins.

When Jesus died on the cross that was the end of the first covenant, which consisted of the blood of animals and the keeping of God’s commandments. And his death also brought in the second covenant, which consist of the blood of Jesus and the keeping of God’s commandments. (v.18) Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. In other words, no more animals are going to die for your sins. (20) by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (21) and having an high priest over the house of God; (v.26) For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.

Now do we understand what’s being said here? If you sin willfully after you have knowledge of what the truth is, no more animals are going to die for you. (v.27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Now if you are being deceived into believing that once you are under God’s grace you no longer have to keep his commandments, all you have to look forward to is the day of judgement and the lake of fire (fiery indignation).

 

[Bro.T]

The Dietary Law: Read the whole 11th chapter of Leviticus. I'll only put up a few verses. "And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them, "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, these are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth." Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat. Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven-footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.

These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat. And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.” (Leviticus 11:1-10, & 46-47)

 

[Bro.T]

Manners and Righteousness: and the LORD spake unto Moses saying, "Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy." Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God. Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God. And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field; neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger:

I am the LORD your God. Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times. Ye shall not round the corners of your heads; neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD. Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a harlot; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness. Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD. Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:1-4, 9-18, & 26-32)

 

[Bro.T]

God's Holy Days: "And the LORD spake unto Moses saying, "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts." Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.

In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest unto the priest: And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh Sabbath shall ye numberfifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD. And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying, "Speak unto the children of Israel saying, in the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a Sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation." Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a Day of Atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a Sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying, "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, the fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD."

On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein. These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day.” (Leviticus 23:1-7, 9-11, 15-16, 21, & 23-37)

 

[Hugo B]

Does a father present himself to his kids through an "instruction manuel" ?
"And he [Jesus] said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me." (Luke 24:44)

It makes me think of Abra(ha)m, who listened a Voice. Or that the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.
Men of faith who, at the time, did not have any Scripture, but believed in the Lord. He gave a Promise to Abram, and Abram believed in the One who made him the Promise; contrary to all the people in the desert of Sinai, who wanted to do all that the Lord hath spoken.

The Word of God is the truth, as you well said. And God is Spirit, says Jesus to the woman of Samaria, "and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)
"...for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life..." said Paul to the corinthians. It is the Spirit of God who gives life...but to who ? The letter ! Because it is dead in itself, if it does not have in it the Spirit of the one it is talking about.

Normally, "ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake". (Hebrews 12:18-21)

That is not how Jesus came into the world.

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:22-24)

This mount is in favour of those of faith. The same faith of Abram, who believed that the Lord Himself will accomplish His Promise, bless him, and all the families of the world. And He did, through Jesus-Christ.
Everything is free in Him. It is all free, or nothing. You have nothing to do with faith, it is an Other who take care of you, and everything, for free.

In this regard, Jesus says : "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath [already] everlasting life." (John 6:47)
Because through this direct link that is faith, we are bonded to Him, to what He is, what He said, what He does.

Hugo

 

[Bro.T]

Does a father present himself to his kids through an "instruction manuel" ?
"And he [Jesus] said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me." (Luke 24:44)

It makes me think of Abra(ha)m, who listened a Voice. Or that the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.
Men of faith who, at the time, did not have any Scripture, but believed in the Lord. He gave a Promise to Abram, and Abram believed in the One who made him the Promise; contrary to all the people in the desert of Sinai, who wanted to do all that the Lord hath spoken.

The Word of God is the truth, as you well said. And God is Spirit, says Jesus to the woman of Samaria, "and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)
"...for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life..." said Paul to the corinthians. It is the Spirit of God who gives life...but to who ? The letter ! Because it is dead in itself, if it does not have in it the Spirit of the one it is talking about.

Normally, "ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake". (Hebrews 12:18-21)

That is not how Jesus came into the world.

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:22-24)

This mount is in favour of those of faith. The same faith of Abram, who believed that the Lord Himself will accomplish His Promise, bless him, and all the families of the world. And He did, through Jesus-Christ.
Everything is free in Him. It is all free, or nothing. You have nothing to do with faith, it is an Other who take care of you, and everything, for free.

In this regard, Jesus says : "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath [already] everlasting life." (John 6:47)
Because through this direct link that is faith, we are bonded to Him, to what He is, what He said, what He does.

Hugo

Let's look and see what the writings in the Bible are good for. "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 perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Words are what man uses to communicate with, one to another. Words are powerful, and Jesus is called the Word of God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men".(St. John 1:1-4) "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.” (Revelation 19:11-13)

The Bible contains the truth, and the truth is the Word of God, which is the real life of man. "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (St. John 17:6, 8, &17) And Jesus answered him saying, "It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." (St. Luke4: 4) "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (St. John 6:63)

 

[Bro.T]

Women not permitted to teach in the Pulpit: "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety". (1Timothy 2:11-15) "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” (1Corinthians 14:33-35)

 

[ViaCrucis]

The Bible is first and foremost about Jesus Christ; and the Bible is for His Church. When early Christians began referring to the older Scriptures as "The Old Testament" and the neweer as "The New Testament" it refers to the idea that the Scriptures are witness-bearing, they testify of something. Specifically they bear witness, they testify, to Jesus Christ.

One of the earliest to use this demarcation of language was St. Augustine, who would say that all of Scripture contains "one Utterance", that "one Utterance" is Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus, the Word of God Himself, is made present and available to us in Holy Scripture, in every page, in every book. Jesus Himself taught this, "You search the Scriptures because in them you believe you have eternal life, it is these which bear witness to Me."

The Bible isn't an instruction manual for mankind; it is the Christ-bearing word of God for the Church, that we might hear the Good Shepherd's voice, be strengthened in our faith.

As a Lutheran I would add also the importance of rightly dividing the word, that there is Law and there is Gospel. Or, to put it in plain language: There is what God commands, and there is what God promises. What God commands (Law) is there to teach us right from wrong, but also to act as a mirror that we might know that we are "sinful beyond measure" (Romans 7:13), that "there is no one righteous, not even one" that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:10 and 23). But the Gospel, the promises of God which are ours because of Christ, "But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the Law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it--the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. ... and [all] are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as the atonement by His blood, to be received by faith." (Romans 3:21-22, 24-25)

We are to know, therefore, that we in our sin are condemned, that our flesh is mortified and the deeds of the flesh put to death by repentance; and we are to know of the great compassion and love of God which is ours in Christ who suffered and died, that the new man might rise through faith, and endure by the Holy Spirit in the hope that is set before us in Christ.

In all this, the Scriptures contain Christ for us, they bear witness to Christ. The Law mortifying us and driving us to our knees in repentance; and the Gospel displaying the crucified Savior who saves us sinners.

To reduce all this to "instruction manual" would miss the whole point of Scripture, and render the word of God as less than the word of God. It is the word of God because here in the Bible is Jesus Christ, THE Word of God, who is for us. Who died for us sinners. Who is Lord over His Church, and King of His kingdom, and who calls us in Himself, as children of God adopted by grace and filled with the Holy Spirit to lives of new obedience in love. That we, as redeemed sinners, the Church here on earth, should bear witness and testify of this Jesus Christ, and live as His disciples in the midst of the world.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Bro.T]

The Bible is first and foremost about Jesus Christ; and the Bible is for His Church. When early Christians began referring to the older Scriptures as "The Old Testament" and the neweer as "The New Testament" it refers to the idea that the Scriptures are witness-bearing, they testify of something. Specifically they bear witness, they testify, to Jesus Christ.

One of the earliest to use this demarcation of language was St. Augustine, who would say that all of Scripture contains "one Utterance", that "one Utterance" is Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus, the Word of God Himself, is made present and available to us in Holy Scripture, in every page, in every book. Jesus Himself taught this, "You search the Scriptures because in them you believe you have eternal life, it is these which bear witness to Me."

The Bible isn't an instruction manual for mankind; it is the Christ-bearing word of God for the Church, that we might hear the Good Shepherd's voice, be strengthened in our faith.

As a Lutheran I would add also the importance of rightly dividing the word, that there is Law and there is Gospel. Or, to put it in plain language: There is what God commands, and there is what God promises. What God commands (Law) is there to teach us right from wrong, but also to act as a mirror that we might know that we are "sinful beyond measure" (Romans 7:13), that "there is no one righteous, not even one" that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:10 and 23). But the Gospel, the promises of God which are ours because of Christ, "But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the Law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it--the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. ... and [all] are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as the atonement by His blood, to be received by faith." (Romans 3:21-22, 24-25)

We are to know, therefore, that we in our sin are condemned, that our flesh is mortified and the deeds of the flesh put to death by repentance; and we are to know of the great compassion and love of God which is ours in Christ who suffered and died, that the new man might rise through faith, and endure by the Holy Spirit in the hope that is set before us in Christ.

In all this, the Scriptures contain Christ for us, they bear witness to Christ. The Law mortifying us and driving us to our knees in repentance; and the Gospel displaying the crucified Savior who saves us sinners.

To reduce all this to "instruction manual" would miss the whole point of Scripture, and render the word of God as less than the word of God. It is the word of God because here in the Bible is Jesus Christ, THE Word of God, who is for us. Who died for us sinners. Who is Lord over His Church, and King of His kingdom, and who calls us in Himself, as children of God adopted by grace and filled with the Holy Spirit to lives of new obedience in love. That we, as redeemed sinners, the Church here on earth, should bear witness and testify of this Jesus Christ, and live as His disciples in the midst of the world.

-CryptoLutheran

I agree with something you said, but the book say "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 perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The word of God tells you about Jesus and have to serve him, without it you wouldn't know anything about him.

 

[Bro.T]

Work out your own Salvation: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling". (Philippians 2:12) Study to show thyself approved: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Timothy 2:15)

In conclusion, the Word of God contained in the Bible is the only truth that can get man salvation. This is our instruction manual. Please read it so that you can become a vessel of Honor in the house of the Lord. "The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:10, & 13-14)

 

[ViaCrucis]

I agree with something you said, but the book say "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 perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The word of God tells you about Jesus and have to serve him, without it you wouldn't know anything about him.

Right, Scripture has uses involving doctrine, rebuking, correcting, and instruction in righteousness; thus pastors are equipped with the use of the Scriptures to their pastoral vocation.

Remember that 2 Timothy is a Pastoral Epistle, from Paul to Timothy. Timothy, having been called and ordained to the sacred office of ministry is being instructed by Paul in these letters on performing his vocation as a pastor. That's the necessary context here.

All these things are true about Scripture, but in the context of 2 Timothy these are how the Scriptures are to be used in the context of the pastoral office.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Bro.T]

Right, Scripture has uses involving doctrine, rebuking, correcting, and instruction in righteousness; thus pastors are equipped with the use of the Scriptures to their pastoral vocation.

Remember that 2 Timothy is a Pastoral Epistle, from Paul to Timothy. Timothy, having been called and ordained to the sacred office of ministry is being instructed by Paul in these letters on performing his vocation as a pastor. That's the necessary context here.

All these things are true about Scripture, but in the context of 2 Timothy these are how the Scriptures are to be used in the context of the pastoral office.

-CryptoLutheran

From Genesis to Revelation the Bible as and Instruction manual, studying from the prophets an apostles. The Bible instructs us on how to get eternal life, not to brush our teeth, or ride a motorcycle, etc. The bible says, we must not only be a hearer of the word, but a doer of the word also (James 1:21-22). Even a child will obey a parent, by getting good grades in school, for the reward of a new bicycle. The child cannot earn money for the bicycle, but instead must act upon their faith to receive the free gift. We must do the same to receive eternal life. "FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD” (James 2:20).