The Special Features that Make the Bible So Unique...
It’s been said that we can read many books, but the Bible is the only book that reads you. Maybe you’ve heard a sermon or Biblical message that speaks directly to your current situation or struggle. It’s as if the message was directed right at your heart or the preacher had a secret glimpse into your life. But it isn’t necessarily some special knowledge held by the one delivering the message. Rather, it is the sharpness and precision of the Word of God itself.
The Bible is not just an ancient collection of stories or fables. It has inherent life and power. The preacher doesn’t make the Word come alive—it IS alive! The Bible is so special because it is “living” and “active.” It is the mind of the living God in written form:
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
Let’s Look More Closely at What Makes the Bible So Special:
The Bible is a Living Book
The Bible is alive because it is “God-breathed” (see 2 Timothy 3:16). The Greek word for this is “theopneustos”, with “theo” meaning God, and “pneustos” meaning breathed. It is the only time this word is used in any Greek text including the New Testament. The Bible is divinely inspired, penned by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and because of this, it is a living book with the power to transform hearts, minds, and lives.
As the living, breathing Son of God, Jesus came to earth to show us the Father and give us the Word of God personified. He taught us who He is, and what He is like:
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
Because Jesus is the Word made flesh, we should take His Word seriously as our foundation and source of truth and life.
The Bible is So Special Because…
We Can Interact with the Author
The Bible is also the only book you can interact with the Author whenever you read it. As you do, you can pause to pray, offer thanksgiving, ask questions, confess sins, or claim His promises as they apply. We don’t just read the Bible to gain information, although we do that as well. But, more importantly, He “meets us” in His Word, as the Holy Spirit works through it, and in and through us. As believers, we have the privilege of having the Author of Scripture, the Holy Spirit, living inside us to help us understand and apply it:
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” (John 14:26)
What Makes the Bible Unique is that it has…
Timeless Truth, Raw Emotion, Real Behavior
The Bible is also unique in that it spans the entirety of time from before time began, throughout all human history, and into eternity. It also covers the full range of human behavior and the complete spectrum of human emotion.
Remarkably, though it was penned by at least 40 different writers, over 1500 years, it has amazing continuity and tells one cohesive story—namely God’s plan of salvation for us through our Lord Jesus Christ.
And the Bible is So Special Because…
It is Food for Our Souls
The Bible is not only profitable for our salvation, but it is food for our souls. It helps strengthen, equip, deliver, and transform us. The Bible is filled with prayers, poems, songs, and stories that can strengthen us when we feel weak or weary. It helps deliver us from temptation as we run to God in His Word and transforms our lives as we live by its truths. It equips us for the daily battles we face in this life and gives us the armor of God to protect our hearts, minds, and souls (see Ephesians 6:10-20).
Jesus, Himself, considered the Bible the Word of God and bread for our souls as He quoted the Old Testament Scriptures:
He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
The Bible is Unique Because of…
Fulfilled Prophecies
One of the most amazing features of the Bible is that it is filled with numerous prophecies that were fulfilled just as God promised. Most of those prophecies point to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Conservative estimates tell us that He fulfilled at least 300 prophecies regarding His first coming. The number is even higher when considering indirect references and allusions to Christ in the Old Testament. The mathematical probability of one man doing this is beyond human comprehension! If He had fulfilled only eight of the over 300 prophecies, the chance of doing so would be 1017 power—that’s a 10 with seventeen zeroes behind it! Forty-eight fulfilled prophecies would give us 10157 power!
Anyone can make predictions. But having them come true, especially hundreds or thousands of years after they were made, is something supernatural!
Let’s recap some of the amazing features of God’s Holy Word that make the Bible so special:
· It is a divinely authored living book
· Jesus is the Word made flesh
· We can interact with the Author
· Our unchanging source of truth
· Full range of human behaviors
· Complete spectrum of human emotion
· Food for our souls
· Fulfilled prophecies
What makes the Bible so special is that it is the only book ever written that is completely God-breathed, living, personal, transformative, protective, sanctifying, and comforting. It provides food for our souls here in this life and points us to the Lord Jesus Christ who has the power to save and give us eternal life. Our unchanging God is the Author, and because of that, we can trust it to make this life make sense!
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