APO:The Bible  by Tony Capoccia

   The Bible is the most popular book in the World. Each year it tops
the "best sellers" list (even though they won't list it). It has been
estimated that billions of Bibles have been produced in the past 375
years. Some say that the number of Bibles printed over time would
provide one for each man, woman, and child that lives on the earth.
What is the one characteristic about the Bible that makes it so
popular? Simply answered, "It is the Word of God!"

   The Bible is God's message to mankind. Some call it God's
"loveletter" to the human race. Christians say it is infallible,
without error in the original text. Its critics, of course, don't agree
saying the Bible was written by men, that it has errors, and it is not
completely true. But let me give you some thoughts on why I believe the
Bible to be the "very words from the mouth of God."

   I. There Must Be A Bible. God has declared the that those who obey
Him will go into Heaven, but those who choose not to obey will be
thrown into Hell; therefore, there must be a Bible. Since God has
declared that those who keep His righteous standard will be blessed,
then He must provide man with the "Standard." Because God has a burning
Hell for those who disobey, then He must provide the Book of the Law,
declaring when man has wronged God. The Bible must exist because God
holds man accountable.

   II. The Bible Must Be Without Error. Since God is responsible to
provide man with the "perfect standard, " by which to live, He must be
sure it is without error. A standard that has errors in it is not a
standard at all. Can you imagine trying to measure with a ruler that is
less than or greater than 12 inches? If the Bible has errors then how
is man supposed to know what God truly wants him to do? No, the
expected standard from God must also be perfect in order to be
effective.

   III. The Bible Must Be Easy to Understand. Can you imagine your boss
giving you an order to carry out, but he tells you in Russian or
Chinese? How could you be expected to obey him? It wouldn't make any
difference if it was a 100% true statement; if you can't understand it,
then it is meaningless as a directive. No, the Bible has to be readily
understood in order for God to hold us accountable. Now this doesn't
mean that we must understand every little detail about the Battle of
Armageddon, or know the exact meaning of the number "666." But it does
mean that in the areas essential to daily living and the fundamental
truths of the Christian Faith, the Bible must be readily understood by
all who seek truth in their hearts. There is only one interpretation of
every passage of Scripture, but often times many applications.

   A Bible that is open for various interpretations is no standard at
all, and again God would not expect man to obey it. The Word of God is
clearly written and simple to understand. I use one basic assumption
whenever I read the Bible, "If the literal meaning of the verse makes
sense, then stop right there." However, if the literal meaning does not
appear to match up with what we can understand, then I assume God is
using a "picture" of something else to make it more clear to me.

   The greatest proof of the truth of the Bible in my life is the
simple fact that "it works!" I remember back to the days before my
salvation and realize that the new life I now live has been the direct
result of reading the Bible and trying to do what it says to by God's
strength. My life is completely changed and it has been transformed by
the Living Word of God--The Bible.

   Tony Capoccia Bible Bulletin Board June 2, 1986
