The Bible is most commonly referred to as the word of God by Christians, while the text in the bible was written by many human authors there is only one divine author who is God. The Bible is comprised of 27 books in the New Testament and 39 books in the Old Testament that are closely related. The bible is the absolute unique book compared to all other books written in the world. The bible was written at different times and by different authors but all of them passed on the same message of God’s eternal plan. Throughout the entire word of God, it is clear that the message is consistent and unified. The New and the Old Testament are closely and deeply integrated to make the undocked word of God.
The unity and the coherence nature of the word of God are revealed through the laws and commandment of God. The New Testament upholds clearly upholds and follows the laws and commandment of God which are found in the Old Testament. The scriptures in Matt 5: 17 -18 says “Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least Old Testament commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever shall practice and teach them, this one shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven”. Laws and commandment contained in the Old Testament are supported by the New Testament. Therefore the word of God emphasizes on the laws and commandment and the importance of following them as Christians.[1]
The Bible clearly regards all the laws and Commandment given to mankind is of equal importance and hence no law is greater or smaller than the other. All laws are important and Christians should obey the laws and practice them and failure to follow them result in consequences whereby one will be considered least in the Kingdom of God. Those who abide by the laws and teaching of the word of God will inherit the kingdom of God. Therefore, His laws and commandments have implications for the humankind. In addition, it is important for Christians to obey the commandments and practice His teachings in their daily lives for them to receive the Kingdom of Heaven.[2]
In hundreds of passages in the Bible declares explicitly or implicitly that the worse spoken are nothing less than the word of God Himself. Nonetheless, more than 1900 times in the Bible, the authors claim that the message was from God. For example, Exodus 14:1 the scriptures open with the phrase ‘‘Then the Lord said…’’.[3]
Even in the New Testament the authors still mentions that phrase as in Luke 24:45. This is a clear indication in both the new and the Old Testament that the Bible is unified and the messages which were written by different authors at different times and place were inspired by God Himself.
The phrase ‘‘says the Lord’’ in the Bible the frequent number of times it has been used in the Bible represents authority from the Lord Himself and shows how the messages in the whole book are closely related. This is one of the unique qualities of the Bible as a word of God compared to other books ever written in history. The consistency of those words is necessary for Christians and believers to understand that the teachings contained in the Bible are intended to be followed by God Himself. Therefore, everything in the Book of the Lord represents God’s plan to mankind.to establish a good relationship with God, Christians should stand firmly in God’s word and positively declare the Bible as the word of God.[4]
Another instance that symbolizes the unified nature of the Bible is the Lord’s Love for humankind throughout the Bible. God’s love for mankind is evident in the Old Testament in several instances. For example, even in the creation story after creating Adam, God observed that Adam was lonely and needed a helper thus He created a companion for him, Eve. The Almighty God is compassionate and loving, even after the repeated instances of Israelites rejecting God and doing the wrong things, God continued to love them. In the New Testament, God consigned His only son Jesus Christ to perish for the sake of our sins. The Bible still teaches unconditional love, love for our neighbors as well as our enemies. Despite the sinful nature of mankind, His love for humankind still is unconditional. The Christian doctrine teaches us that God is love and He loves His creation.[5]
God’s love for His people teaches Christians and his believers about loving one another as Christ loved us. The Almighty God is the most powerful being on the planet but showed love to His people even when they rejected and wronged Him. According to the scriptures, love is kind not envious and patient. It is not proud and does not boast and is not easily angered. Moreover the teaching says that love rejoices in the truth rather than in evil. Additionally, love perseveres, protects and never fails. This scripture teaches people today to live together in love and harmony.[6]
To conclude, the scriptures in the New and the Old Testament divulges a close and a deep relationship dignifying that the Bible is a coherent and unified word of God. It is important for Christians to abide by the teachings contained both in the New and Old Testament and they remember that all laws are of equal importance. The Bible is unique and following the teachings is important for Christians to receive the kingdom of God
Bibliography
Bible, 3., and Tim Chaffey. "3. Unity Of The Bible". Answers In Genesis. Last modified 2014. Accessed April 25, 2018. https://answersingenesis.org/the-word-of-god/3-unity-of-the-bible/.
Carroll, Robert P, and Stephen Prickett. The Bible. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.
"Living Bulwark". Swordofthespirit.Net. Last modified 2013. Accessed April 25, 2018. http://www.swordofthespirit.net/bulwark/august2013p1.htm.
"The Art of Biblical Interpretation: Inspiration And Unity - Gotherefor.Com". Gotherefor.Com. Last modified 2015. Accessed April 25, 2018. http://gotherefor.com/offer.php?intid=28769.
"What You Can Learn From The Unity Of The Scriptures". Crosswalk.Com. Last modified 2017. Accessed April 25, 2018. https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-you-can-learn-from-the-unity-of-the-scriptures.html.
Armstrong, Karen. The Bible. New York: Atlantic Books Ltd., 2012.
[1] Robert P Carroll and Stephen Prickett, The Bible (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008).
[2]
3. Bible and Tim Chaffey, "3. Unity Of The Bible", Answers In Genesis, last modified 2014, accessed April 25, 2018, https://answersingenesis.org/the-word-of-god/3-unity-of-the-bible/.
[3]
Karen Armstrong, The Bible (New York: Atlantic Books Ltd., 2012).
[4]
"Living Bulwark", Swordofthespirit.Net, last modified 2013, accessed April 25, 2018, http://www.swordofthespirit.net/bulwark/august2013p1.htm.
[5]
"The Art Of Biblical Interpretation: Inspiration And Unity - Gotherefor.Com", Gotherefor.Com, last modified 2015, accessed April 25, 2018, http://gotherefor.com/offer.php?intid=28769.
[6]
"What You Can Learn from the Unity of the Scriptures", Crosswalk.Com, last modified 2017, accessed April 25, 2018, https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-you-can-learn-from-the-unity-of-the-scriptures.html.
