The church has nothing to preach without the Bible. Unbelievers have nothing to hear and believe in if the church has no message to proclaim. Jesus himself made it clear that the Scriptures testify to him (John 5:39). After his resurrection, Jesus taught his disciples how all of Scripture pointed to him:

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:27).

Paul reinforces this truth in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4:

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures."

If not for the Scriptures, we would have no reference point explaining why we should believe in Jesus other than Jesus himself simply saying, “Believe me.” The Scriptures are the foundation that testify to who Christ is, what he has done, and why he is the Savior. Without them, the church has no authority or message.

The Word of God is more than just a book—it is THE primary witness to Jesus Christ, his mission, and his saving work. It is through Scripture that we come to know the truth of who he is and what he has done for us.