Bible as Manual for Salvation

Almost everything we are buying in the market includes user manuals to help consumers use products or services properly and to find solutions to problems that might arise through use. Manuals are designed, too, as an extension of the customer service experience which may help both producers and consumers save time and money from support inquiries.

There are many types of user manuals: Instruction Manual; Training Manual; Service Manual; User Manual; Standard Operating Procedures Manual and many others; all of which are step-by-step guides for users to give them the best experience with the product or services availed.

The Bible, too, is a manual for our salvation. If we, sinners, would want to avail of salvation that God has offered us through His sacrifice, we must follow God’s manual for salvation. The Bible is a detailed manual that teaches us what to do in order to be saved.

Manual Front Matter

The Bible, like all other manuals, has a front matter which contains the title page and table of contents. Here, we can see that the Bible is divided into two, the Old and the New Testament, and each is subdivided into books. The Old Testament consists of 39 books which contain history, songs/poetry, and prophecies while the New Testament consists of 26 books that contain the 4 gospels, history, Paul’s letters to churches, general letters, and prophecy.

Bible Manual: Dos and Don’ts

Manuals contain detailed instructions on the proper use of any product or the proper steps to avail services. For example, when you buy a luxury item, there is a manual that teaches users how to take care of them. If in the case that the item was damaged despite following instructions, the company may give a full refund. But if a customer does not follow the manual, and the item was damaged as a result of non compliance, he/she wouldn’t ever receive a refund. Likewise, the Bible teaches us what to do and not to do in order to be saved. If we do not follow God’s instructions, can we expect mercy and salvation? Moreover, if a customer follows instructions on the proper care and use of a certain product, he/she will be able to enjoy the benefits from those products for a long time. In the same way, when we keep God’s words as written in the Bible, we can receive the blessings promised through them.

Bible as Manual for Salvation

Sabbath, for example, was given to us by God as the 4th among the 10 commandments. God gave us various regulations for worship such as the use of veil for females, praying at the appointed time, and giving Tithes and offerings. Each regulation contains blessings (1Cor.11:1-16; Ex.29:39; Mal.3:7-12), and with the careful observance of God’s regulations, we are looking forward to our rewards in the kingdom of heaven. Same is true with all the feasts of God. To receive the seal of God through which plagues pass over, and to receive the forgiveness of sins and the blessing of eternal life, we must keep the Passover. To receive the hope for resurrection and ascension, we must keep the Resurrection Day and Ascension Day. If we want to receive the Holy Spirit, we must keep the Day of Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles. God gave various laws and regulations to ensure our safety and salvation. When we keep God’s commands without adding to or subtracting from it, we can receive eternal blessings from God. But if we add to God’s words, God will add to us the plagues described in the Bible, and if we take away words, God will take away from us our share in the tree of life and in the Holy City (Rev.22:18-19). Truly, the Bible is our manual for salvation.

Bible Manual: Authentication

There are tell-tale signs showing that a product could be counterfeit or fake. It can be seen through its packaging and even on manuals. More so, when there is no user manual at all. Sometimes, user instructions are printed on the packaging itself. When a supposedly luxurious or known brand has a cheap-looking manual, with spelling and grammatical errors, this could be warning signs of fraudulence. Famous brands also have trademarks like logos, fonts and images. A slight difference in color and font sizes could be a red flag already.

Authentic products contain good user manuals that use good templates containing all necessary information regarding the product and its proper use. They usually have codes, serial or model numbers of products to show authentication and to give guarantee to users. It contains also a warranty that guarantees the quality of the product and the compensation given when the product does not meet the standards as advertised.

The Bible, too, is the authentic words of God. As God said, “…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isa.55:11)

Isaiah 46:10-11 I made known the end from the beginning , from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please…What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.

Has not God fulfilled all His words? Did not God promise Abram that he will become the father of nations when he was still childless, and opened up Sarah’s womb and gave him Isaac as his heir through whom God established his everlasting covenant? Did not God foretell world’s history through the prophet Daniel (Daniel 2:1-45, 7:1-28, 8:1-26) when He showed him the appearance of four kingdoms: Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece and Rome; the division of Rome to 10 kingdoms and the appearance of the little horn who will speak against the Most High and who will be given authority for 1260 years?

Everything God said and prophesied was fulfilled without fail. This proves the authenticity of the Bible which guarantees our salvation when we follow it absolutely.

Ezekiel 20;19-21 I am the Lord your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws…”The person who obeys them will live by them…

Now, there still remains a prophecy that must be fulfilled on the last day.

Revelation 21:1-4 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth”… He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

The only way to receive God’s salvation and enter the kingdom of heaven where there is no more pain, sorrow or death, but only everlasting happiness and life, is to believe in God’s words and keep all His commands. Let us regard the Bible as manual for our salvation and follow it conscientiously and give thanks to God for this great gift bestowed upon all mankind.