The Bible: Why Is It Special and Unique?

What is so special about the Bible? The Bible is the most unique book for several reasons: 1) The Bible is the only accurate and complete account of human origin. It answers some of life's most important questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where will we go? How can we experience the greatest love, joy, and peace? Where did evil come from? What is death? What happens after we die? What will be the destiny of the world? 2) It is the oldest-surviving religious text; its earliest books were written about 3500 years ago. 3) Even though the Bible has been copied countless times throughout its existence in order to preserve it, little human errors lace its text. 4) Although its sixty-six books were written by about forty men in a span of about 1500-1600 years, the Bible is unified in both theme and content, with no contradictions. This is because it has only one Author: Jehovah, who revealed His Word to the writers through His working power, the Holy Spirit. 5) This holy book provides timeless principles to guide people to living the best life possible. When people diligently follow its teachings and guidance, they will experience positive results in all areas of their lives: spiritual, relational, financial, physical, mental, and emotional arenas. Of course, this does not guarantee that we will live a problem-free life, and the Bible clearly tells us why--it is because we are all living in a world polluted by one another's sins. 6) The Bible is also different from all other books because it is the only source that gives the universal gift of salvation, a gift that everyone can accept as long as they want to accept it. The Holy Scriptures tell us exactly what this gift is, how we can accept it, and how we can maintain and keep it. By following its directions, we can embrace an everlasting life in fellowship with Jehovah God, the Author of this book and the Life-Giver of our lives. (To understand what exactly is salvation, read What Is Salvation? Why Did Jesus Christ Have to Die to Save Us? From What Are We Saved?) 7) The Holy Scriptures have many of its prophecies fulfilled, while some are being fulfilled, and the rest will be fulfilled. Bible prophecies are true prophecies, and they are different from the predictions of fortunetellers, astrologers, etc. in the following ways:r • True prophecies are always given in God's name. False prophecies are given in a name other than God.r • True prophecies always come true exactly as they are told. False prophecies, on the other hand, do not come true, even if they are spoken in God's name. Some false prophecies may appear to be fulfilled when they are told in an ambiguous way. For instance, if I say, "A dog will bark in two hours," and a dog does bark two hours later, does that make me a true prophet? No, because I did not indicate a specific dog. What I predicted could have spoken by anyone. A true message from God would have named a specific dog, giving no doubt to whether the prophecy had come true when it did indeed come true.r • True prophets, those who prophesy in Jehovah's name, exhibit godly qualities: true love, peace, joy, longsuffering, faith, goodness, gentleness, meekness, and temperance, which are the fruit of the Holy Spirit working in believers. (Read Galatians 5:22-23 in your Bible.) True prophets do good works and speak good words. False prophets do not possess this good nature.r • True prophets glorify God through their words, action, and any supernatural signs they perform. They credit Jehovah for the power they receive. False prophets glorify spirits other than God.r • True prophets lead people to God and His teachings. False prophets do not. 8) The Bible tells us exactly what we should be aware of, warns us of aspects of false religions, and helps us avoid being tricked into believing untruths. We should avoid any message, regardless who is the messenger, if its messages do not harmonize with the Bible's messages. So even if an angel were to tell us something that contradicts its teachings as found in the Gospels, we should not listen to it. 9) Most importantly, the Bible is the only complete written communication from the one and only true God Almighty, Jehovah, to humans. It lays down the foundations of His principles, tells us the purpose and plans Jehovah has for us, shares with us His wishes and desires, and comforts us with the eternal hope of God's gift of salvation.