I was born again, and became a child of God, on May 17th 1972. I found an old “zip up” KJV Bible my grandmother gave me when I went to Vietnam years earlier and started reading it and became amazed at how it SPOKE TO ME and seemed to KNOW ME. I had an hour drive to work each day and someone gave me the New Testament on cassette tapes. I could listen to the entire New Testament in four weeks! After several sessions I found myself able to know where scriptures on certain subjects could be found, I developed a beautiful love for the Word of God. For the past 45 years I have read through the entire bible each year, I JUST LOVE IT!!!
God’s Word truly became “…a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psa. 119:105) I discovered that, “…the word of God is alive (zaō: to have true life) and powerful (energēs: producing an expected result, mighty) It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Heb. 4:12)
The Bible is remarkably accurate. Its contents, as translated, are as close to the original words of the authors as humanly possible. Only a few words of the entire book (a very small, percentage) are in any doubt as to the original words and none of the disputed text affects the meaning of the book. New discoveries of formerly unknown ancient manuscripts continue to provide ever greater accuracy to the contents of this book.
The contents of the Bible can be verified by outside events such as archeology, geography, custom, politics, culture, known world history and writings in other ancient texts and has been so verified as to its accuracy in all respects. New discoveries always support it. It has never once been proven faulty on single detail or fact, although many have tried and failed.
I urge you to read the Bible, it is truly a REMARKABLE book. Prayerfully read it with an open mind and open heart. It contains ABSOLUTE TRUTH about God, about life, the nature of mankind and our own hearts as human beings. The Gospel of John is a wonderful place to start, but read the whole thing — Old and New Testaments. You’ll be amazed what you discover about God, and about yourself.
“All Scripture is GOD-BREATHED (theo-pneustos) and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17) “…prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were MOVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.” (2 Peter 1:21)
-Bill Stockham