Kirjahaku

There are two sources of information about God. From nature we can learn about His power, existence, knowledge, and wisdom (Romans 1:20). From revelation we learn about His nature and attributes, as well as our duty to Him and our relationship to Him and others. We cannot learn what to do to be saved and how to live from things, which have been created. These matters we learn from the Bible.Since God is the author of the Bible, and He is the creator of the world (natural science), there will be no conflict between them. The Bible is not a science book, but when it makes a scientific statement, it is always true and accurate. If the Bible and natural science contradict each other, it would mean God is at variance with Himself. The Bible does not reveal the exact time of the beginning of the world, but it did have a beginning.The book of Genesis reveals the beginning of the unfolding of the plan of God for the human race. Adam and Eve were created with free will to choose to obey or disobey God. They chose to disobey. From that time till now, all have sinned except Christ. Sin increased so much that the earth was filled with wickedness, corruption, and violence, that God sent a worldwide flood, to destroy it.Abraham was called and separated to begin the Jewish nation. The seed promise is traced through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, with Jesus coming through the tribe of Judah. Joseph was sold by his brothers and taken into Egypt. In this way God saved them during the famine.The hand of God is obvious in the history of Genesis. The beginning and care of the infant nation of Israel was so necessary for the salvation of a lost race.

The apostle Peter affirms that God has provided us with all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). If one wants to know how to live, it is revealed in the written word.Our goal in life is to become like Christ as much as is possible, with the aid of the grace and mercy of God. The only way we can know how He lived is by the written record of His life.Like a compass, the Bible is our guide through life. By it we can correct and even change the direction of our lives. It gives warnings we should heed. It gives examples of those who followed and those who did not follow the right way, and the results. Through out history God has blessed the faithful, and punished the disobedient.It is our appeal to all serious people to return to the Bible recognizing its power, inspiration, and authority. It is our appeal to return to the Bible for instructions about worship, salvation, and daily living. Acceptance of the written word should be above what men teach (1 Corinthians 4:6).The church of Christ began on Pentecost according to the divine plan. Very soon there were departures which resulted in a complete apostasy. There was departure in name, organization, worship, doctrine, and the plan of salvation. In fact, there were so many changes, it became a different church.Some two hundred years ago, there was the aim to restore the church of Christ. They planned to do that by a return to the Bible. They wanted to speak where the Bible speaks, and remain silent where the Bible is silent. This is taught in 1 Peter 4:11.Because of the nature of the Bible, we are not to add to it, take from it, or substitute for it. "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you" (Deuteronomy 4:2)."Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar" (Proverbs 30:5-6)."For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall, take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" (Revelation 22:18-19)."But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8).

While preparing a lesson on "The Virgin Birth", I discovered a shortage of research material. Commentaries were helpful but by their nature did not supply all the information needed. I determined to continue my search and write some on the subject. Since the virgin birth, or the Sonship of Jesus, is the very center of Christianity, one would think the religion section of the libraries would be overflowing with books on this subject, but this was not the case. This study involves the virgin birth, but it is much broader by a study of other things that point to His Sonship. It is my sincere hope and prayer that this book will not only fill a place in a library but will strengthen the faith of those who read it, with the hope it will cause the reader to determine to follow closely the perfect example set by the Son of the Living God, who has gone to prepare mansions and will return to take the faithful to that home in glory.