1. The Bible is The Book of Books Because: It is the word of God, Hebrews 4:12 Reveals our origin, Genesis 1:26-27. Reveals our purpose, Eccl. 12:13-14. Tells us how to live, Titus 2:12. Reveals our Destiny, Matthew 25:46. A Complete Guide, 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Stood the test of time, Matthew 24:35. By it we shall be judged, John 12:48.

2. But: Do We Really Need the Bible? For the Reasons Cited, and many more reasons, It is “the Book of Books!” Religious People, the world over, praise the Bible – But they often ignore its precepts, and teach things which contradict the Bible, and sometimes they do this knowingly! Hence, the Question: Do we Really Need the Bible?

3. We Do Not Need the Bible If: If It Makes No Difference What We Believe The Bible teaches that it does make a difference, Heb. 11:6; John 8:24,32; 17:17. However, we are often told “it makes no difference what you believe so long as you are honest and sincere.” The Bible was revealed, in part, so that we could learn the truth, believe the truth, and obey the truth. However, from the standpoint of eternity, if it makes no difference what we believe, then we don’t really need the Bible!

4. We Do Not Need the Bible If – If there is No Hell to Shun & no Heaven to gain In this life it makes sense to believe and follow the Bible. Exodus 20:12-17; Matthew 7:12; Eph. 4:28; Gal. 6:10. According to the Bible there is: –A Hell to shun! Matt. 10:28; 25:41; Luke 12:4-5. –A heaven to gain! I Peter 1:3-4; Phil. 3:20-21; 2 Corinthians 5:1. However, if there were no heaven to gain and no hell to shun, then insofar as eternity is concerned, we don’t really need the Bible!

5. We Do Not Need The Bible If – If Member- ship in Christ’s Church is Unnecessary! People tell us “one church is as good as another,” and “one does not have to be a member of any church to be saved.” According to the Bible the Lord’s church is necessary to salvation! Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47; 20:28; Eph. 2:16; 5:23-27; I Cor. 15:24. Denominationalism is not necessary! –It is wrong! John 17:20-21; I Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:4-6. –It is counter productive! Matthew 15:13.

6. We Do Not Need the Bible If – If Baptism is not Necessary to Salvation According to the Bible, baptism is essential. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Galatians 3:27; I Peter 3:21. But according to many people, “baptism does not save, and it has nothing to do with salvation.” If this be true, then on this subject, we don’t really need the Bible!

7. We Do Not Need the Bible If – We Can Be Saved by following Anyone but Christ! According to the Bible, we must follow Jesus! John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 2 Timothy 2:10; Hebrews 5:8-9. According to many people, we can: –Follow Buddha –Follow Gandhi. –Follow the Pope, Mohammed, etc. If what “many people” say is true, then we don’t really need the Bible!

8. We Do Not Need the Bible If – if The Holy Spirit Guides us apart from Bible! The Scriptures: –Given by the Holy Spirit, Eph. 3:3-5; 2 Peter 1:21. –A complete guide, John 16:12-13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17. –Will judge us, John 12:48. –A guide by which to live, Matthew 4:4. However, many Say God speaks to them directly, often “revealing” things not mentioned in the Bible! If this be true, then: –God is a respecter of persons, Acts 10:34-35. –We don’t really need the Bible!

9. But We Do Need the Bible! Through the Bible we obtain faith, Romans 10:17; John 20:30-31. –Must believe in God, Hebrews 11:6. –We must believe in Jesus, John 8:24. It is God’s Power to save, Romans 1:16. –To be saved, must be born again, John 3:5. –One birth, two elements: Spirit, I Peter 1:22-23, Ephesians 3:5. Water, Acts 2:38; 8:36; Titus 3:5

10. We Do Need the Bible! The Bible Helps the Saved to Remain Saved, Psalm 119:11; Acts 20:32; James 1:21-22. The Bible is God’s Power to comfort: –Through the hope it gives, I Peter 1:13. –Through the peace it gives, Phil. 4:6-9. –Through the Happiness it gives, Psalm 1:1-3.

11. Conclusion: Not only do we need the Bible, we Must have the Bible; we must study it, obtain a working knowledge of it, and obey it. By so doing, we can be saved by the grace of God, and enjoy happiness in both time and eternity! Have You obeyed the Gospel, God’s power to save??