Is the Bible a “How to Get Saved” Manual?
Several years ago, I was asked, “Is the Bible a ‘how to get saved’ manual, or is it the history of God redeeming a people for himself?” I found that to be an interesting question.
The short answer is this: The Bible, consisting of 66 books, written by about 40 different men, spanning roughly 1,500 years and two covenants, is rich not only for its historical value, but is also a priceless compilation of prophecy, poetry, scientific foreknowledge, exhortation, admonition, etc. – and yes, it even reveals (under both covenants) what mankind has had to do, or must do, in order to be saved from eternal condemnation.
As creator of all things, God alone has supreme sovereignty over the life and the affairs of man. And He has always had law. Even several generations prior to Moses receiving the 10 Commandments, God established His law with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden when He commanded them to not eat of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Gen. 2:17). However, they disobeyed God’s command and were immediately under the penalty of death (Gen. 3:1-24). Their sin separated them from God (cf. Isa. 59:1-2).
Both major covenants of the Bible are based on law: the Old Covenant on the Law of Moses (Exod. 20 – Lev. 27), and the New Covenant on the Law of Christ (1 Cor 9:21; cf. Gal 6:2). The Old Law was given only to the Hebrews (the children of Israel), but Christ’s law is for the whole world (Jew and Gentile alike). The Old Law was a tutor (or, schoolmaster) to the Jewish people to bring them to Christ (Gal. 3:23-24), who fulfilled that Law (Rom. 10:4; cf. Matt. 5:17), so that now we are only under Law to Christ (1 Cor. 9:21). But both laws were essentially a “salvation manual” (one could say), as they gave/give directives for salvation – coupled with a warning of death.
Jesus Himself said, “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). How do we know what the will of the Father is that we may be saved? Only through His written word. Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). James wrote, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (Jas. 1:21). There are numerous other passages of scripture conveying the very same point.
You see, it’s “not the hearers of the law who are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified” (Rom. 2:13). We cannot be saved unless we look to God’s word (the Bible) and obey Him according to what He has commanded us. (In other words, the Bible is indeed a “salvation manual”). Hebrews 5:9 tells us that Christ, “having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” Paul adds that “those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, these shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thess. 1:8-9).
So, the bigger question, is not “Is the Bible a ‘How to get saved’ manual,” but rather, are you obedient to His word? If not, you cannot be saved. So....are you, friends?
Aaron Veyon
