back to the bible

In Washington D.C. there is a building called the "National Institute of Standards and Technology." This facility is responsible for storing perfect samples of weights and measurements. They have there a prototype measuring rods for meters there called the “Meter Standard”, a reinforced bar of platinum alloy. When they want to know the exact measurement of a meter, they cool this bar down to 0 degrees Celsius at a sea level of 45 degrees latitude. Then they know they will have the exact tip to tip measurement of a meter.

As Christians we also have a measuring rod that never changes - the Holy Word of God.

As the Lutheran Confessions state so well, the Holy Scriptures are the only rule and norm for faith and life. The Latin expression used by the Reformers "sola scriptura" (scripture alone) refers to the authority of the Holy Scriptures to serve as the sole norm for all that is taught and confessed in the church. In numerous places the Scriptures claim this authority as the inspired Word of God. Paul writes in 2 Tim. 3:16 that "all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," and the apostle Peter also declares that "no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (2 Pet. 1:20-21).

Acceptance of the Bible as the sole authority for teaching comes not from rational arguments or human traditions, but as a conviction produced by the Holy Spirit in the human heart. It is a matter of faith worked by the Holy Spirit through the Scriptures themselves.

As the Holy Spirit reveals this to us, our minds are renewed, our hearts are restored, and our lives are transformed as we read, hear, listen, and meditate on God's Holy Word.

It's time to get back to the Bible. With that in mind, why not ....

Read a Psalm in the morning at breakfast
Read the Bible at night before you go to bed
Read a chapter at lunch while you’re at work
Listen to it on tape or on the radio in the car
Use online resources from lcms.org or lhm.org
Read books about the Bible (ask Pastor for some ideas)
Have a daily devotion with your family (Portals of Prayer)
Hear the Word spoken and preached in Church this Sunday
Attend Bible Class on Sunday morning or a Bible Study during the week

"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly!"

The Romans Road

1. Rom. 3:10 - "As it is written, ’There is none righteous, not even one."

People tend not to think of themselves sinners, but no one would be so foolish as to declare they are perfect. This puts everyone in the same predicament that they cannot make it into heaven unless they are perfectly righteous in the eyes of God.


2. Rom. 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."

Sin is anything that displeases God. Sin is anything that misses the mark of perfection in what we say, think or do. Without the forgiveness of sin, there can be no salvation for anyone.


3. Rom. 5:12 - "Just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin and so death spread to all men because all sinned."

All people inherit Adam’s sinful nature from their parents. No one can escape it or eliminate it. We all stand condemned - except for the one solution found in Jesus Christ - and His substitutionary death on the cross in our place for the forgiveness of sins.


4. Rom. 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Sin has eternal consequences for us that include death and hell unless we believe and embrace the free gift of eternal life provided by God through Jesus Christ our Lord. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, for He alone paid for our past, present, and future sins through His life, death, and resurrection.


5. Rom. 10:9  - "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Admit you are a sinner and that you need forgiveness. Believe in your heart by trusting in Jesus' finished work on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins. Confess that Jesus is your Lord and Savior and you will be saved.

+++