Introduction
The Bible is a unique and extraordinary book. Unlike any other work ever written, it is not just a collection of stories or moral teachings, but the very Word of God revealed to humanity. God, in His infinite wisdom, has given us the Holy Scriptures to teach, correct, and guide us in His way. The Apostle Paul declared God’s purpose for the Holy Scriptures:
Romans 15:4 – “For whatever was written in former times was written for our instruction, that we through patience and through the encouragement of the Scriptures might have hope“
Since ancient times, God has chosen to reveal His will to His people through His Word. But what is the purpose of the Scriptures? What are they useful for? How were they divided? And on what evidence did Jesus base His messiahship? Let us explore these questions in light of the Bible itself.
The Purpose of Scripture
The purpose of Scripture is clear: to reveal God’s will and to guide human beings on the path of truth and life. The Bible was not written merely for intellectual knowledge, but for spiritual transformation. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul states:
2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness“
This means that the Bible is useful for:
- Teach – Revealing God’s truth.
- Rebuke – Showing error and warning of the dangers of sin.
- Correct – Directing the human being back to the right path.
- Educate in righteousness – Teaching how to live according to God’s will.
More than a simple rulebook, the Word of God shows us the path to eternal life and communion with Him.
God’s Design in Giving the Scriptures
God did not reveal His Word without a specific purpose. His desire is that through the Scriptures, His servants be equipped for every good work. The verse following the previous quote from Timothy tells us:
2 Timothy 3:17 – “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto every good work“
The Scriptures equip us to live in a way that pleases God. They show us how we should behave, how we should treat one another, and how we should serve the Lord. They are also spiritual food that strengthens our souls, as Job declared:
Job 23:12 – “I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have hidden within myself the words of His mouth more than my portion of meat“
Just as we need daily food to sustain our bodies, we need the Scriptures to nourish our spirits and remain steadfast in the faith.
The Three Divisions of Scripture
The Bible is organized into three main divisions:
- The Law – Also called the Torah or Pentateuch, it consists of the first five books of the Bible written by Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). These books contain the creation of the world, the history of the patriarchs, the liberation from Egypt, and the laws given by God to Israel.
- The Prophets – These include both the major prophets (such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) and the minor prophets (such as Hosea, Amos, and Micah). They brought messages from God to warn, correct, and announce the divine plan.
- The Writings – This division contains poetic and wisdom books, such as Psalms and Proverbs, as well as historical books such as Ezra and Nehemiah.
Jesus recognized this division when teaching His disciples. After His resurrection, He explained how everything written about Him in the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings would be fulfilled:
Luke 24:27 – “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself“
Luke 24:44 – “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled“
This shows us that since the Old Testament, God had already revealed His redemptive plan in Christ.
The Scriptures and the Messiahship of Jesus
Jesus did not claim to be the Messiah without proof. He based His identity on Scripture. On several occasions, Jesus pointed to the fulfillment of prophecies concerning Himself. On the road to Emmaus, for example, He explained to His disciples how everything the prophets had said pointed to Him.
This teaches us that the Christian faith is not based on human feelings or traditions, but on God’s revelation through the Scriptures. When we read the Bible, we find clear evidence that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the one who came to save humanity from sin and give us eternal life. And here, we can once again find God’s purpose in the Holy Scriptures, for in them, we find proof of who Jesus was.
What is Impossible to the Character of God?
Before we can understand the nature of God’s Word, we need to understand something essential about God Himself: He cannot lie. Unlike men, whose words are often flawed and deceptive, God is absolutely truthful. The Bible teaches us:
Titus 1:2 – “In hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began“
The impossibility of God lying is a powerful assurance to us. If God cannot lie, then everything He has revealed in His Word is absolutely trustworthy. We can rest assured that every promise, every prophecy, and every biblical teaching is true and unchanging.
The Scriptures reveal to us many names and attributes of God, each of which demonstrates His perfect and righteous character. One of the titles the Bible gives Him is “Rock“, symbolizing His steadfastness, stability, and righteousness.
Deuteronomy 32:4 – “He is the Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice. A God of truth and without injustice, just and right is He“
This verse shows us that God not only speaks the truth, but He is the truth itself. His Word reflects this same unchanging and righteous character.
If God is true, then His Word must be true as well. Jesus confirmed this in His prayer to the Father:
John 17:17 – “Sanctify them through your truth; your word is truth“
The Bible is not just a book inspired by God; it is truth itself. This means that we must trust it, study it, and apply it to our lives, because it leads us to the right path and delivers us from error.
Yet many voices today claim to teach the truth. How can we know if something really comes from God?
The Test for the Teachers of Truth
The Bible gives us a clear criterion for testing those who claim to be messengers of God. Amidst so many doctrines and teachings spread throughout the world, we must always turn to the Word to discern truth from deception:
Isaiah 8:20 – “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no dawn for them“
This verse teaches us that any teaching that does not conform to God’s Word does not come from Him. If someone preaches something contrary to Scripture, no matter how convincing or popular it is, that message cannot be accepted as truth.
The world is full of uncertainty, confusion, and spiritual darkness. But God has given us His Word to guide us. In that guidance, we find once again God’s purpose in the Holy Scriptures:
Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path“
Just as a lamp illuminates a dark path, the Bible shows us the right path to follow. Without it, we run the risk of stumbling and getting lost.
The Word of God protects us from error and guides us to eternal life. Therefore, we must value it and seek guidance in our daily lives.
David, a man after God’s own heart, had a deep love for the Scriptures. He recognized that the Word of the Lord was his greatest treasure and delight:
Psalm 19:54 – “Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage“
The Bible should not be seen as a burden or a mere religious obligation, but as a source of joy and life. When we study it and apply its teachings, we experience peace, direction, and communion with God.
Furthermore, God exalts His Word above all things:
Psalm 138:2 – “I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your name for your lovingkindness and for your truth, for you have magnified your word above all your name“
This shows how much God values and honors His Word. If He exalts it, how much more should we do the same!
The Eternity of God’s Word
Many things in the world are temporary. Nations rise and fall, philosophies change, fashions and ideas come and go. But there is one thing that will never change:
Matthew 24:35 – “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away“
The Word of God is eternal. We can find God’s purpose in the Holy Scriptures. Nothing can destroy or nullify it. Many attempts have been made throughout history to discredit or even eliminate the Bible, but they have all failed. The reason is simple: God is the author of the Scriptures, and He has guaranteed their preservation forever.
Conclusion: God’s Purpose in the Holy Scriptures
The Holy Scriptures are God’s gift to us. They reflect His true and unchanging character, serve as a lamp to our feet, and guide us on the right path.
We know that God cannot lie and that His Word stands forever. Therefore, we must test all things by the light of Scripture and reject any teaching that does not conform to it.
We must value the Scriptures and seek in them food for our souls, for they are the divine revelation that guides us on the path to eternal life. May we, like Job, consider the Word of God more precious than food itself and live according to its teachings.
May the Lord grant us wisdom to love, study, and obey the Scriptures, for they lead us to truth and eternal hope. Amen!
