Catechism Question 3
What is the central message of the Bible?
The central message of the Bible is that God is bringing glory to Himself through the Person and work of Jesus Christ as He creates and redeems a people in whom He lives by His Spirit so that they will glorify and enjoy Him
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In this question, we are giving a concise summary of the central message of the Bible. We have learned that the Bible is a big book composed of sixty-six other books. It has many different sections and types of literature. Does it have a single unifying theme and message? Yes! This question summarizes that message and theme.
Note that the answer has a Trinitarian structure, mentioning God (the Father), Jesus (the Son), and the Holy Spirit. This is the same structure seen in the Creeds and points to the foundational doctrine of the Holy Trinity. This will be developed further in question 6.
Also note that the answer points to the central figure of Scripture, Jesus Christ. Every part of the Scripture – from the five books of the law in the Old Testament to the concluding general letters of the New Testament – are centered on Jesus Christ. Thus, the Person and work of Christ are at the center of Scripture and of the answer to this question.
Finally, notice that the beginning and end of the answer mention glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. This links the question with the first question in the catechism. If the reason God made us is to glorify and enjoy Him forever, we should not be surprised to find that this goal lies at the core of the biblical message.
Additional Questions:
What is the main thing the Bible teaches?
What is the most important thing the Bible teaches?
What is the storyline of the Bible?
What is the central plot of Scripture?
Scripture References:
Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”
Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
John 5:39-40
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
John 17:1-5
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Luke 24:25-27; 44-47
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself…. 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Ephesians 2:19–21
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Revelation 14:7
He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
Questions for Further Discussion:
Who is the central figure of the Bible? Is this true for both the Old and New Testaments?
How do we see Jesus in the Old Testament?
How important is the Church, God’s people, in the Scripture?
If God’s focus is on his glory, Jesus, and the community of His people the church, how important are you as an individual to God? How do we balance this personal, individual aspect with the larger picture of God’s glory, Jesus, and the Church?
Is it possible for me to fully glorify God apart from Jesus Christ?
Is it possible for me to fully glorify God apart from His people, the Church? In which ways are you capable of glorifying God on your own? In which ways can we only glorify God as part of a local church?
How is the gift of the Holy Spirit important for Christians? Can we truly glorify and enjoy God apart from the indwelling and work of the Holy Spirit?
Additional Information:
For additional information, see the teaching “The Central Message of the Bible” (July 21, 2019) by Bret Hicks, and “A Christ-Centered Church” (January 14, 2018) by Bret Hicks. For a full overview of Jesus Christ as the central figure of the Bible, see the entire series entitled “Christ the Focus and Fulfillment of the Old Testament” by Bret Hicks, taught during 2004.
Suggested Worship Song:
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Martin Luther, 1529; translated by Frederick Hedge, 1853)
Note how this song gives glory to God (verse 1), shows how Christ has worked salvation for His people (verse 2), speaks of the assured fulfillment of God’s plan for His people (verse 3), and encourages us to give all for this great God who has worked salvation for us and given us His Spirit (verse 4).
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.