The Bible is the Christian book; the source of everything that God has chosen to reveal to man. Its importance can’t be overstated, but despite unprecedented availability through both print and digital media, very few Christians read the Bible daily. In this post, we continue our exploration of the Bible by asking the question, Why do we need the Bible? To believers in Christ, this question may seem strange; we generally understand that the Bible is important and that we need it. But by examining several verses from Scripture, we’ll see specifically why we need the Bible and its unique function in various stages of our Christian experience.
No one is born a Christian. We’ve made this point before, but it’s worth repeating. No matter how many generations of Christian history your family can claim, and as much of a blessing as it may be, simply being born into a Christian family doesn’t make you a Christian. Regardless of who you are or where you come from, every believer in Christ begins their Christian walk with the same step: hearing the gospel, believing it, and receiving Jesus Christ into their heart.
Faith Comes Through the Word
This brings us to the first reason that we need the Bible. Romans 10:17 says, "So faith comes out of hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." This word includes not only the words which Christ spoke but also every Word of the Bible, since the Word, Who is Christ, became flesh, and because God speaks to us in the Son. (John 1:1,14; Heb. 1:1-2) The Bible, God’s Word, generates faith. Romans 10:14 says, “And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” Through the Bible, we know the revelation of Jesus Christ, and when we hear about Him and His gospel, faith is generated in us. This faith is not simply the things we choose to believe, but a power that substantiates, it makes real, things we have never seen. As Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Now faith is the substantiation of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” We need the Bible because through it we receive the faith to know and believe in Jesus Christ.
Wise Unto Salvation
Once we believe in Jesus Christ, the long journey of our Christian life lies before us. How can we walk this path, and how do we know where to go? In 2 Timothy 3:15, Paul writes, “And that from a babe you have known the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” Timothy was already a believer when he received this letter from Paul. What, then, did Paul mean when he told Timothy that the Bible was able to make him “wise unto salvation?” This verse shows us that the Bible not only helps us know how to be saved initially, by our believing in Jesus Christ, but that it also continues to make us wise so that we may stay on course throughout the entirety of our Christian journey. We need the Bible because it makes us wise unto salvation, both initially and continually.
Regenerated Through the Living Word
When we believe, repent, and confess Jesus as the Christ, we are saved once and for all. As simple as this step may seem in our experience, the Bible reveals that it’s extraordinarily rich and profound. Based on Jesus’ teaching in John chapter 3, we should realize that salvation not only includes being saved from eternal punishment, but more significantly, that it is also a spiritual birth. When we are born again, we receive a new life; we are regenerated. 1 Peter 1:23 says, “Having been regenerated not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, through the living and abiding word of God.” This verse shows us that regeneration is through the word of God. When we hear God’s word, it’s like a seed being planted in our hearts. This seed may not sprout immediately, but because God’s word is “living and abiding,” it operates and can lead toward a person being regenerated, born again. Never underestimate the power of speaking the word of God to others. We don’t need to teach, argue, or try to convince someone of the truth of God’s word or the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we are faithful to speak God’s word, we can trust that as a living and abiding seed, it has the power to grow within their hearts and eventually lead them to salvation. We need the Bible because it has the power to regenerate us and our friends and family members.
Nourished to Grow
Our final point comes from 1 Peter 2:2-3: “As newborn babes, long for the guileless milk of the word in order that by it you may grow unto salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good.” These show us that the word of God is food for new and young believers in Christ. After a baby is born and has taken its first breath, what it needs most is food. In our Christian experience, believing in Christ Jesus is like our first spiritual breath, after which, we are dependent on God’s word to nourish us and help us grow. No one expects a baby to grow by studying and learning, and likewise, our spiritual growth is not determined by knowledge of the Scriptures but by taking in God’s word through our prayer and fellowship with Him. We do need to dedicate time to study God’s word, but we should also realize that when we come to read the Word of God, our most immediate need is to be fed and nourished. These verses also indicate that God’s word is tasty. Just like with physical food, we’re not eating exclusively for nourishment but also for enjoyment. Our time spent in God’s word shouldn’t be the spiritual equivalent of choking down a tasteless protein shake. When we come to God’s word and spend the time to engage with it prayerfully, we find it to be surpassingly tasty, sweet, and enjoyable. After a good meal, we not only feel satisfied, but also refreshed, energized, and happy. We need the Bible because it is our spiritual nourishment and enjoyment.
These few items are by no means exhaustive, but we hope that by examining the Scriptures, you’ve gained a deeper understanding of why we need the Bible. And that this understanding will lead to an increased appreciation and deeper love for God’s Word that will inspire you to read the Bible more!
