Bible Sunday October 28th, 2022

BIBLE SUNDAY

The Bible is the authoritative book of the Christian faith. Whilst other books and other authors may be read, quoted and labelled as ‘classics’, the Bible alone is credited with being ‘divinely inspired’. It has a central place in public worship and private devotion, and hold pride of place when it comes to Christian teaching.

It is fitting that one Sunday each year should be set aside to pay due respect to the place that Scripture plays within our faith. Bible Sunday falls on the last Sunday of October because of its association with the Reformation. It was on October 31st 1517 that Martin Luther famously nailed his ‘95 Theses’ to the door of Wittenberg Cathedral, thus setting into motion the train of events that lead to the establishment of the Protestant Church. His famous catchphrase: ‘salvation by grace, through faith’, represented an earnest desire to return to a solidly ‘biblical’ faith. It is fitting that Bible Sunday should be kept on the annual anniversary of the start of the Reformation.

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:

help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ.

(Common Worship)