Biblical Authenticity

February 1, 2013

Saturday, January 26, 2013

 

            One fundamental foundation that all Christians share in common is the Bible. We may read different translations, we may disagree on various interpretations, and we may view the centrality of scripture in diverse ways, but the central focus remains. Scripture is our most significant binding force.

            The Bible is the singular Word of God. We generally accept that it was written by the hand of faithful believers, but fully inspired by God to be timelessly relevant, inspirational, instructional, and capable of guiding the hearts and minds of faithful believers throughout time.

Perhaps 2nd Timothy 3:16 most eloquently summarizes the fundamental role of the Bible in the life of the believer. It is the vital tool that may be used teaching, correction, spiritual guidance, and a means by which you and I may be fully equipped to do the work of God in the world.

The development of the Bible over time is a truly powerful and inspirational story. In many cases, a long-held oral tradition came long before specific pages of the Bible were ever written down. For example, consider the four Gospels of the New Testament. For several years the stories of Jesus ministry and life on this earth, the tragedy of his execution, and triumph of his resurrection were all told in sermons. The actual stories themselves where not written down in any form we know today until years after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In telling these grand and wonderful stories of God’s love for all humanity, leaders in the early church such as the apostle, John, would stand before the community of the faithful and tell the stories with great power, passion, and determination. It was the power of the spoken story that carried the true spiritual passion of God’s love. People came to believe and were instructed, corrected, and inspired by the spoken word.

In time, the gospels were eventually written down, then passed from generation to generation and we are very blessed today to have the written record of those ancient stories of faith and God’s love.

The vast availability of the Bible in so many languages and translations has many blessings to be sure. You and I can engage in personal, private, or group Bible Study at any time. We may all share in reading the same words that have been read for generations and reclaim our particular role in the rich legacy of faith that the Bible portrays.

Rarely do we hear the Gospel story told in its original form. When was the last time you heard the Gospel story recited out loud, right out of the words of scripture? When was the last time you sat back to hear a Gospel story told with grace, enthusiasm, and Spiritual power? Such is the gift that is largely lost to modern ears—but not completely!

Five local churches are partnering together on Friday, February 1, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church to present the Gospel of John just as it was first experienced by the first generation of faithful Christians.

The presenter is Michael Reardon and he has fully memorized all four Gospels as well as the book of Revelation. This is his second visit to Carlsbad, having presented the Gospel of Matthew two years ago. He is accompanied by Patrick Lane on keyboards and lights, thus making the whole presentation a powerful and inspirational experience of the Gospel.

The Gospel of John will be presented at 7:00 PM and there is no admission fee.

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