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Assurance of Salvation (part 2)

To have assurance of salvation, we must believe that the Bible is the very Word of God. How can we be certain that the bible is His Word? Have you ever tried to witness to someone who can’t accept God’s plan of salvation because he does not believe the bible? Here are a few reasons we can believe the bible. Click the reference verses to read the full text.

1. The Bible Claims to Be the Word of God
Throughout the Scriptures, we find many instances where the Bible claims to be the Word of God. Expressions such as “God said,” “God spoke,” and “the Lord commanded” are found throughout the Old Testament. (See Genesis 1:3; Exodus 20:1; Joshua 14:5; or glance through Leviticus.) In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus and His apostles testified to the fact that the Bible is God’s Word (Luke 24:27, 44; John 10:35; Acts 1:16; 17:2; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).
2. The Bible Is Proved to Be the Word of God
a. The Unity of the Bible
In the Bible, God has spoken in different ages, over a period of about 1600 years (Hebrews 1:1-2). He spoke through men of different countries and languages, of different occupations and walks of life. Yet the Bible is one Book. It presents the one theme of redemption throughout its pages. It shows that God spoke through “men … as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).
b. Fulfilled Prophecy
Hundreds of Old Testament prophecies about the coming Savior, about the Jews, and about the Gentile nations have been literally fulfilled. Only God could have known these things before they came to pass. For example, about 700 b.c. Isaiah foretold the virgin birth of Christ, and Micah prophesied that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2).
c. Archeology Confirms the Bible
Archeology confirms the Bible and silences its destructive critics. The ruins of the walls of Jericho have been found, verifying the Bible record of the destruction of that ancient city (Joshua 6); this is just one of many such proofs that the Bible record is true.
d. The Test of Centuries
The Bible has stood the test of the ages. Sword and flame, atheism and paganism, cold indifference and false prophets-all have failed to destroy the Word of God.
e. The Universal Demand for the Scriptures
The Bible is the best-selling book of all time; millions upon millions have read it through the years and millions read it still.
f. The Open Denunciation of Sin in the Bible
Evil in all of its forms is neither hidden nor overlooked in the Holy Scriptures; whereas, man often overlooks the sins and failures of men, making heroes out of tyrants or pretenders. This fact is illustrated in the sin of Moses that kept him from leading Israel into Canaan. He was perhaps the greatest of Old Testament characters, yet God faithfully portrayed his failure (Numbers 20:7-13) as well as his life of obedience (Exodus 17:5-7).
g. The Power of the Word of God to Change Lives
God’s Word has the power to transform lives utterly marred by sin. George Muller is a famous example. Saved from a life of iniquity, he founded and operated Christian orphanages in England.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 28th, 2006 at 11:24 am and is filed under Salvation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

One Response to “Assurance of Salvation (part 2)”

  1. Cathy Ladbury Says:
    May 1st, 2007 at 6:57 am

    There are so many wonderful passages of Scripture that assure us of salvation in Jesus Christ. Following are passages I have found that teach me that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ and once I have embraced that salvation; I am forever, eternally saved:

    Salvation is ONLY through Jesus Christ: John 14:6, John 10:9; Acts 4:12

    Salvation is possible for ALL people: Acts 2:21; Rom.5:18, 10:13; 1Tim.2:4; Tit.2:11; 2Pet.3:9

    Salvation is a FREE gift from God: John 3:16; Rom.6:23; Ephesians 2:8

    We can have assurance of POSSESSION of salvation: John 5:24; 1John 5:13

    We have assurance of ETERNAL LIFE with God the Father and Christ the Son: John 10:27-30; 17:2-3; 1John 2:25

    We are forever SEALED with the Holy Spirit: Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30

    We have assurance of ADOPTION as God’s children: Rom.8:15-16; John 1:12

    Our salvation is ATTESTED to by the Holy Spirit: Acts 5:32; Rom.8:16

    Salvation is ABSOLUTE: Rom.8:33-39; 2Tim.1:12

    Our HOPE and INHERITANCE are assured: 1Cor.15:20-34; 1Pet.1:3-4

    All of the above verses and statements are still compatible with:
    1. A Nature Still Subject to Sin: 1John 1:8-10; 1John 2:1

    2. The Imperfection of Life: Galatians 6:1

    3. A Limited Knowledge of God: 1st Corinthians 13:9-12

    4. Fatherly Discipline: Hebrews 12:5-11

    What great cause for rejoicing is our salvation in Christ Jesus!

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