The Bible
What is the “authority” in your life?
Those who believe something must have a reason for their beliefs. Just as there
are standards n the business world, government, education, etc., we as Christians need an absolute standard for our beliefs, duties and how we are to conduct ourselves.
Many people derive their authority from their inner CONSCIENCE. “Let you conscience be your guide!” This sounds good but:
Titus 1:15 says the conscience may be defiled.
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
1 Timothy 4:2 says:
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Other people, especially religious people, have the “CHURCH” or some other man-made creeds or beliefs as their authority. But these are unreliable since man is involved.
Colossians 2:8 warns against philosophy and vain deceit.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
I like to refer to:
Ephesians 4:17
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.
Also see 1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
For the Christian, the BIBLE (the Word of God) ALONE is the unchanging authority for faith and patience.
This study will teach:
• what the Bible is,
• why you can take it as your authority, and
• how to use it as a child of God.
===========================================================================================
1. What is the Bible?
A. The Bible is a collection of 66 books, divided into two major sections known as the OLD and NEW testaments.
B. The other names given to the Bible are:
i) The Word of God, Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
ii) The Holy Scriptures, 2 Timothy 3:15
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
C. The books are not arranged in strict chronological order, but topically. Both testaments have their books arranged in groups as shown in the below:
Old Testament
Law: Genesis - Deuteronomy
History: Joshua -Esther
Wisdom: Job - Song of Solomon
Prophecy:
Major: Isaiah - Daniel
Minor: Hosea - Malachi
The silent (400) years - Malachi to Matthew
New Testament
Gospels: Matthew - John
History: Acts
Espistles:
Pauline: Romans - Philemon
General: Hebrews- Jude
Prophecy: Revelation
=====================================================================================================
2. How did we receive the Bible?
The Bible is not just a book. It is THE Book – different from any other book that has or will be written. The Bible is a supernatural book because of the way God gave it to mankind.
A. 2 Peter 1:21
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
This verse of scripture teaches three vital facts concerning how we got the bible:
i) It was not made by man
ii) Men of God wrote the Bible
iii) God authored the Bible (by the Holy Spirit)
B. God used human writers to pens his words:
i) God used about 40 different men from all walks of life to write down the Bible. This was accomplished over some 1600 years with incredible unity of teaching and fact.
ii) Most of the Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew. The New Testament was originally written in Greek.
C. God Authored The Bible
The miracle: The pen does the writing and the characteristics of the script depends upon the writing instrument (giving a different appearance).
i) The Holy Spirit moved the human writers of the Bible in such a way that they recorded the very words and sense of God, though couched in their own literary style.
ii) The way in which God gave us the Bible is called INSPIRATION.
(1) Because the Bible is the inspired Word of God, we can take it as the authority for all we believe and do.
(a) Beware of men who say, “The Bible BECOMES the Word of God” when it speaks to you personally. God has inspired the very WORDS of the Bible:
(i) Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
(ii) 1 Corinthians 2:13
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy
Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
(b) Beware of men who say, “The Bible CONTAINS the Word of God” meaning there are parts of it which are not not God’s Word. Read 2 Timonthy 3:16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
(c) Because the Bible is inspired of God, it is true from beginning to end.
Psalm 119:160
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
===========================================================================================
3. Do we have the Bible today?
The original manuscripts of the Bible have long been lost. Does this mean however that we no longer have the pure Word of God?
A. Lets read:
Psalm 12:6-7
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Not only did God give us His Word, but he promised to preserve it until the end of the word.
B. How has God preserved His Word?
God has providentially kept His Word from destruction and corruption in two ways:
i) Down through the centuries, the Lord has raised up men with a love for His Word to keep it from harm
(1) Zealous Jewish patriots, then simple Bible-loving Christians (in particular, our Baptist forefathers) have kept the scriptures available to all generations.
(2) Satan has on numerous occasions attempted to remove the Bible from the face of the Earth. The Bible has been banned, burned, banished, and battered by scornful men.
ii) The Hebrew text of the old testament has been faithfully preserved by the fastidious Jewish scribes – called the Masorectic Text. The Greek text of the New Testament has been faithfully preserved in what is called the Textus Receptus, or Received Text.
C. Do we need to understand Hebrew and Greek to Know the Bible?
NO! The preservation of God’s Word extends to our English Bible.
The ONLY English version of the Bible accurately translated from the Masoretic Text and the Textus Receptus is the King James Bible of 1611 AD also known as the authorized version.
i) When you hold a copy of the King James Version (KJV), you hold in your hands the Word of God.
ii) Beware of all other translations such as the Revised Standard Edition (RSV), the New International Version (NIV), the New American Standard Version (NASV), Good News Bible, the New English Bible – they are all based upon a vew corrupt manuscripts and contain serious errors.
===========================================================================================
4. Why do we need the Bible?
A. Look up:
i) 1 Peter 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
ii) Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the
mouth of God.
iii) 1 Corinthians 3:2
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
iv) Hebrews 5:12
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the
oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
v) Psalm 19:7-10
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
vi) Jeremiah 15:16
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. According to these scriptures, the Bible is our spiritual food!
B. Look up:
i) Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
ii) Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The Bible is our spiritual sword!
C. Look up:
i) Psalm 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
The Bible keeps us from sin.
D. Look up:
i) Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
The Bible is life’s lamp / guide
E. Look up:
i) 2 Timothy 3:16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
The Bible is profitable for:
• doctrine (what is right)
• reproof (what is not right)
• correction (how to get it right)
• instruction in righteousness (how to keep it right)
F. Look up:
i) 1 Thessalonians 4:18
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
ii) Psalm 119:50
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
The Word of God is for our comfort
===========================================================================================
5. What should we do with the Bible?
A. John 5:39
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
B. 2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
C. James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
D. 1 Corinthians 2:13
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing
spiritual things with spiritual.
E. 2 Tim 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
F. Psalms 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
G. Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
H. Psalm 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Write the following statement in your Bible as a wise reminder:
“THIS BOOK WILL KEEP YOU FROM SIN - OR SIN WILL KEEP YOU FROM THIS BOOK.”
Those who believe something must have a reason for their beliefs. Just as there
are standards n the business world, government, education, etc., we as Christians need an absolute standard for our beliefs, duties and how we are to conduct ourselves.
Many people derive their authority from their inner CONSCIENCE. “Let you conscience be your guide!” This sounds good but:
Titus 1:15 says the conscience may be defiled.
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
1 Timothy 4:2 says:
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Other people, especially religious people, have the “CHURCH” or some other man-made creeds or beliefs as their authority. But these are unreliable since man is involved.
Colossians 2:8 warns against philosophy and vain deceit.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
I like to refer to:
Ephesians 4:17
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.
Also see 1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
For the Christian, the BIBLE (the Word of God) ALONE is the unchanging authority for faith and patience.
This study will teach:
• what the Bible is,
• why you can take it as your authority, and
• how to use it as a child of God.
===========================================================================================
1. What is the Bible?
A. The Bible is a collection of 66 books, divided into two major sections known as the OLD and NEW testaments.
B. The other names given to the Bible are:
i) The Word of God, Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
ii) The Holy Scriptures, 2 Timothy 3:15
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
C. The books are not arranged in strict chronological order, but topically. Both testaments have their books arranged in groups as shown in the below:
Old Testament
Law: Genesis - Deuteronomy
History: Joshua -Esther
Wisdom: Job - Song of Solomon
Prophecy:
Major: Isaiah - Daniel
Minor: Hosea - Malachi
The silent (400) years - Malachi to Matthew
New Testament
Gospels: Matthew - John
History: Acts
Espistles:
Pauline: Romans - Philemon
General: Hebrews- Jude
Prophecy: Revelation
=====================================================================================================
2. How did we receive the Bible?
The Bible is not just a book. It is THE Book – different from any other book that has or will be written. The Bible is a supernatural book because of the way God gave it to mankind.
A. 2 Peter 1:21
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
This verse of scripture teaches three vital facts concerning how we got the bible:
i) It was not made by man
ii) Men of God wrote the Bible
iii) God authored the Bible (by the Holy Spirit)
B. God used human writers to pens his words:
i) God used about 40 different men from all walks of life to write down the Bible. This was accomplished over some 1600 years with incredible unity of teaching and fact.
ii) Most of the Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew. The New Testament was originally written in Greek.
C. God Authored The Bible
The miracle: The pen does the writing and the characteristics of the script depends upon the writing instrument (giving a different appearance).
i) The Holy Spirit moved the human writers of the Bible in such a way that they recorded the very words and sense of God, though couched in their own literary style.
ii) The way in which God gave us the Bible is called INSPIRATION.
(1) Because the Bible is the inspired Word of God, we can take it as the authority for all we believe and do.
(a) Beware of men who say, “The Bible BECOMES the Word of God” when it speaks to you personally. God has inspired the very WORDS of the Bible:
(i) Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
(ii) 1 Corinthians 2:13
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy
Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
(b) Beware of men who say, “The Bible CONTAINS the Word of God” meaning there are parts of it which are not not God’s Word. Read 2 Timonthy 3:16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
(c) Because the Bible is inspired of God, it is true from beginning to end.
Psalm 119:160
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
===========================================================================================
3. Do we have the Bible today?
The original manuscripts of the Bible have long been lost. Does this mean however that we no longer have the pure Word of God?
A. Lets read:
Psalm 12:6-7
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Not only did God give us His Word, but he promised to preserve it until the end of the word.
B. How has God preserved His Word?
God has providentially kept His Word from destruction and corruption in two ways:
i) Down through the centuries, the Lord has raised up men with a love for His Word to keep it from harm
(1) Zealous Jewish patriots, then simple Bible-loving Christians (in particular, our Baptist forefathers) have kept the scriptures available to all generations.
(2) Satan has on numerous occasions attempted to remove the Bible from the face of the Earth. The Bible has been banned, burned, banished, and battered by scornful men.
ii) The Hebrew text of the old testament has been faithfully preserved by the fastidious Jewish scribes – called the Masorectic Text. The Greek text of the New Testament has been faithfully preserved in what is called the Textus Receptus, or Received Text.
C. Do we need to understand Hebrew and Greek to Know the Bible?
NO! The preservation of God’s Word extends to our English Bible.
The ONLY English version of the Bible accurately translated from the Masoretic Text and the Textus Receptus is the King James Bible of 1611 AD also known as the authorized version.
i) When you hold a copy of the King James Version (KJV), you hold in your hands the Word of God.
ii) Beware of all other translations such as the Revised Standard Edition (RSV), the New International Version (NIV), the New American Standard Version (NASV), Good News Bible, the New English Bible – they are all based upon a vew corrupt manuscripts and contain serious errors.
===========================================================================================
4. Why do we need the Bible?
A. Look up:
i) 1 Peter 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
ii) Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the
mouth of God.
iii) 1 Corinthians 3:2
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
iv) Hebrews 5:12
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the
oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
v) Psalm 19:7-10
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
vi) Jeremiah 15:16
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. According to these scriptures, the Bible is our spiritual food!
B. Look up:
i) Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
ii) Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The Bible is our spiritual sword!
C. Look up:
i) Psalm 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
The Bible keeps us from sin.
D. Look up:
i) Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
The Bible is life’s lamp / guide
E. Look up:
i) 2 Timothy 3:16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
The Bible is profitable for:
• doctrine (what is right)
• reproof (what is not right)
• correction (how to get it right)
• instruction in righteousness (how to keep it right)
F. Look up:
i) 1 Thessalonians 4:18
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
ii) Psalm 119:50
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
The Word of God is for our comfort
===========================================================================================
5. What should we do with the Bible?
A. John 5:39
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
B. 2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
C. James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
D. 1 Corinthians 2:13
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing
spiritual things with spiritual.
E. 2 Tim 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
F. Psalms 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
G. Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
H. Psalm 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Write the following statement in your Bible as a wise reminder:
“THIS BOOK WILL KEEP YOU FROM SIN - OR SIN WILL KEEP YOU FROM THIS BOOK.”