Labels help to identify things but they can also restrict things. The label of Christian identifies one with Christianity, and somehow that becomes labeled Church. Christians are taught that Church began at Pentecost in the first century, or with Constintine in the forth century. That is similar to the teaching that this nation (America) began when Columbus landed and the pilgrims arrived on the new found shores. This continient (nation) was not new. The Indians were well settled and living here when the colonists came and took control.
One of the last things Jesus did before He returned to the heavens was to throughly open the minds of His disciples to understand the Scriptures and His place in them, all the way back to the Law of Moses and the prophets. These Scriptures are what we know as the Old Testament. Jesus did not come to start something new. He came to fulfill all that was done by God since the beginning, when man's relationship was broken with God by Adam and Eve.
The Bible as one book reveals God's Way from beginning to end. The Bible reveals the consequence of human beings doing things our way from the beginning of time to the end. Knowing the Story of God from beginning to end provides the Fountain of Faith required for God's people in order to live well, do well, and be accepted. It also reveals how to master sin that so readily surrounds us and keeps us from living well. (Genesis 4:7)
As a whole the Bible is truly good news, "profitable for instruction, for reproof, and conviction of sin, for correction of error, for discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness." It causes God's people to be proficient, well equipped for every good work God would give us to do.
The Bible yokes me to Jesus so that I may be in conformity to God's will, in thought, purpose, and action. Jesus ALONE is my Foundation of Faith.
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