Why Was The Bible Written? The 2 Main Reasons

Why Was the Bible Written? Two Main Reasons

Welcome to Original Pentecostal Sermons and Bible Studiesby Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D.

These sermons & Bible teachings, personally written by Dr. Jim Feeney, are drawn from 50+ years of Spirit-filled ministryin the Pentecostal tradition.Pastor Feeney has served as achurch planter, senior pastor,Bible college teacher & Dean,and as a trainer of ministers._______________________

Introduction to Reasons Why the Bible Was Written

Why did God give us the Bible? Certainly for a multitude of excellent reasons. For example: to give us a historical record of God’s dealings with man … to reveal to us much about God Himself and the will of God … to teach about living a holy, God-centered life … to tell the inspiring stories of great heroes of faith … and much, much more.

However, as I have studied the Scriptures for 50+ years now, I have come to the opinion that there are two related, all-important reasons God has inspired and given us His written word, the Bible. And those two central reasons — essentially answering the question: Why was the Bible written? — are revealed in the verse just below.

The Bible Was Written for Many Reasons, But There Are Two All-Important Ones:

(1) So That People Come to Faith in Jesus Christ, and...

(2) That They May Find Eternal Life in Jesus' Name

John 20:31, NASB …these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

In the very last verse of His Gospel, the apostle John declares His twofold purpose in writing the book: (1) so that people might believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God; and (2) that by that faith they might receive eternal life in His name.

John’s two stated motivations in writing are really one — that we might receive eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. In other words, John wrote His Gospel to reveal Jesus Christ as the Savior and author of eternal life for all who will believe.

Let’s look at another Scripture portion that affirms this central truth.

Jesus Said that the Scriptures of the Bible Testify About Him

John 5:39 [Jesus said] You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.

Some Jewish leaders (vs. 16) were opposing Jesus. He replied to them that they were indeed studying the Scriptures seeking the key(s) to eternal life. That is certainly a good thing to do. However, they entirely missed the whole point of seeking the Scriptures’ truths about eternal life. The Jewish leaders failed to grasp the central point, and Jesus made it very clear to them: “These [Jesus said] are the very Scriptures that testify about me.”

The Jews of Christ’s time were well instructed in the Scriptures of the Old Testament (the New Testament, of course, had not yet been written during Jesus’ time on earth). The religious leaders especially were well versed in the Scriptures. They were properly looking into them seeking the pathway to eternal life. But they missed it entirely!

The Jewish Leaders Failed to Receive Salvation Because They Rejected the Christ (Jesus) Promised in Their Very Own Hebrew Scriptures

Jesus told them (my paraphrase): “Oh, you’re searching the Scriptures, yes. But you’re missing the reason why the Bible was written and given to you. The Scriptures of the Bible were written to testify about me.” If the antagonistic Jewish leaders had only set aside all their biases and allowed the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Hebrew (Old Testament) Scriptures to them, they could have fulfilled the apostle John’s motivation in writing down God’s Word in His later Gospel — (1) they could have believed that Jesus is the promised Christ, the Son of God; and (2) they could have found in Him the eternal life they were seeking in the Scriptures.

Today, As 2,000 Years Ago, Read the Bible to Come to Faith in Jesus and Receive Eternal Life in His Name

And that is just as true today. I encourage you, each time you open your Bibles, in both the Old Testament and the New, to look for Jesus. Throughout the 66 books of the word of God there is an ongoing revelation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of all who will believe. As Jesus said, the Scriptures testify about Him. And as the apostle John declared, the Scriptures will lead people to faith in Jesus and to eternal life in His name.

In sum, why was the Bible written? Why did God give us His magnificent written revelation, the Bible? It was to (1) reveal to us Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to earth, lived and ministered, died on a cross to take away our sins, then rose again from the grave and ascended back to heaven, having made a way for us to become born-again children of the Lord God Almighty. Believe in Jesus, receive Him, repent of your sins, and (2) inherit the eternal life that He sacrificially bought for you in His death on the cross, His burial, and His resurrection.

Will YOU Receive Jesus in Faith and Inherit Eternal Life Through Him?

A personal note in closing: I myself came to saving faith in Jesus Christ in 1969, primarily by reading the Bible night after night after coming home from work. The Word of God showed me the loving Savior Jesus, and faith arose in my heart. I turned my life to Him in faith and repentance (Acts 20:21) and began to follow Him, and I still do joyfully as I approach my 75th birthday this month. As I walk in these later years of my life on earth, it is a daily joy to know that the Savior Jesus, whom I discovered in the Scriptures in 1969, is awaiting my arrival at the gates of heaven when that time comes. And you will find the same Jesus revealed to you in His Word the Bible. Read it, devour it, believe it, receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and enter into your inheritance of the eternal life Jesus bought for you at the cross. May God bless you as you serve Him and His Son Jesus. And keep seeking more revelation of Him every day in your study of the Bible.

If, as happened to me, you find Jesus in the Bible and want to receive Him into your life personally as your Lord and Savior, let me refer you to the late, respected evangelist Billy Graham's brief message to help you receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. You'll be eternally glad that you did. Find the path to salvation at 4 Steps to Peace with God.

------------------

Check out our collection of sermons on The Word of God

You might also enjoy our related sermon: Whose Report Will You Believe? Scripture's Truth? or Man's Opinions?

------------------

Subscribe (always free)

Shortcuts to Major Topics:

Christian LivingDoctrine & TheologyEvangelismFaithGifts of the Holy SpiritHealingHearing from GodHoly Spirit | Pentecostal TopicsJesus ChristMinistryPower of GodPrayerSalvationThe ChurchVarious Topics Not Listed ElsewhereVictory over the DevilWord of God

Sharing is great!If you've enjoyed our Bible verses & sermon on Why Was the Bible Created & Written?please share it with your friends. It might be life-changing for them.Email them the browser link. Oryou can post the link on your socialmedia (Facebook, Twitter/X, etc.).Thank you for sharing God's Word!

©2018, James H. Feeney.Copyright statement.

Pentecostal Sermons and Bible Studiesby Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D.