Sir Isaac Newton:
"There are more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible
than in any profane history."
George Washington: "It is impossible to rightly govern
the world without God and the Bible."
Abraham Lincoln: "I believe the Bible is the best gift
God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the
world is communicated to us through this book."
Daniel Webster: "If there is anything in my thoughts or
style to commend, the credit is due to my parents for instilling
in me an early love of the Scriptures."
You are in good
company if you respect the Bible. The Bible's greatness,
however, does not depend upon what men may say about it, good or
bad. It is the greatest of books because of its author and its
important message.
THE
SOURCE OF THE BIBLE
The Bible is a
product of God's mind. The writers were instruments through whom
God revealed His message.
(Exodus 24:3-4)
And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD,
and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one
voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we
do. 4 And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up
early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and
twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
(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: 17 That the man of God may be
perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
(2 Peter
1:20-21) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture
is of any private interpretation. 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.
The word
"inspiration" means "inbreathed". God
"breathed" the words into the writers. In fact, much
of the Bible could never have been written by man alone! There
are hundreds of prophecies made generations before they were
fulfilled. Not one failed! Examples include that the Messiah
would be born in the tiny town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and a
very vivid account of the crucifixion (Psalm 22:6-18). Also,
there are the early, somewhat casual statements of natural facts
which were yet to be discovered by science. Examples of this
include the earth's roundness (Isaiah 40:22), the ever expanding
nature of the universe (Genesis 1:8) and that the earth does not
rest on any visible base (Job 26:7).
Concerning the
New Testament, Jesus planned for its occurrence. He sent the
Holy Spirit to guide the apostles. It is easy to trace how
Jesus' plan unfolded thus building our confidence in the Bible
as God's word.
(John 14:26) But
the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will
send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all
things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
(Acts 1:5) For
John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with
the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
(Acts 1:8) But
ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in
all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the
earth.
(Acts 2:4) And
they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak
with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
(Galatians 1:11)
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached
of me is not after man.
(1 Thessalonians
2:13) For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because,
when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye
received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the
word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
(1 Thessalonians
4:1-2) Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you
by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought
to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2
For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
THE
HISTORY OF THE BIBLE
The Old Testament
was originally written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek.
Many copies of the originals were made and circulated. We have
complete manuscripts of the New Testament dating back to about
350 A.D. We have many fragments of the New Testament dating back
to about 120 A.D. just 20 years after its last writer, the
apostle John, died.
There are also
abundant early manuscripts of the Old Testament dating back
several centuries before Christ. The most famous of these are
the Dead Sea Scrolls. The importance of this is that when we
compare our translations with these early works, we find that we
have reliable Bibles. We do not have to worry that errors have
crept in over the centuries. God has seen to it that His Word
has been preserved for us today.
(1 Peter
1:24-25) For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as
the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof
falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And
this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
SHORT
SURVEY
The Bible has two
main divisions: the Old and New Testaments. The 39 books of the
Old Testament contain 5 books of law, 12 books of history, 5
poetical books and 17 books of prophecy. The 27 books of the New
Testament contain 4 gospels (accounts of Jesus' life), 1 book of
history, 21 epistles and 1 book of prophecy in that order.
The Old
Testament deals with the early history of man from the creation
to Abraham, and then focuses on Abraham and his descendants as
the people through whom the Messiah would come and bless all
nations (Genesis 12:1-3).
The New
Testament deals with how the promise of the Messiah is fulfilled
in Jesus and reveals that eternal hope exists only in Him.
(Acts 4:12)
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other
name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
COVENANTS
A testament is a
covenant or contract. We have mentioned two: Old and New. Jesus
did not destroy the first one, but rather He fulfilled it thus
taking it out of the way. Its obligations have been met and it
is no longer valid.
(Matthew 5:17)
Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I
did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
(Galatians
3:24-27) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto
Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that
faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye
are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as
many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
Christ.
(Colossians
2:13-17) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision
of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having
forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of
ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and
took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having
spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them
openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore
judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or
of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow
of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
In the place of
the first Jesus established a second covenant. When one becomes
a Christian, he recognizes and accepts that he is in a contract
with God. There are blessings as well as responsibilities in
this relationship.
(Romans 7:4)
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by
the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even
to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth
fruit unto God.
(Hebrews 8:6-7)
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much
also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was
established upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant
had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for
the second.
(Hebrews 8:13)
In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old.
Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
(Hebrews
9:15-17) And for this cause he is the mediator of the new
testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the
transgressions that were under the first testament, they which
are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the
death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men
are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the
testator liveth.
Though the first
covenant is no longer binding today, it is still useful to the
Christian in learning about faith, God's character and in
receiving encouragement.
(Romans 15:4)
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for
our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the
scriptures might have hope.
UNDERSTANDING
THE BIBLE
God is our Maker.
He created us with the ability to communicate with our fellow
human beings through language. He has chosen to communicate with
us, not through some mysterious language of angels, but through
human language so that He might be understood by us. The best
way to understand the Bible is to use the same rules by which we
understand any human speech. The Bible uses words and sentences
to express ideas and can be understood.
(Deuteronomy
30:11-14) For this commandment which I command thee this day, it
is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in
heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to
heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 13
Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall
go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear
it, and do it? 14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy
mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
(Romans 10:6-10)
But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise,
Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is,
to bring Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into
the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and
in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and
shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the
dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth
unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.
It must be
admitted that there are some things more difficult to understand
than others. One should begin with simple concepts and then
build upon them as he progresses to the more difficult.
(Hebrews
5:11-14) Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be
uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 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. 13 For
every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of
righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to
them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have
their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
(1 Peter 2:1-3)
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and
hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn
babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow
thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
(2 Peter
3:15-17) And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is
salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to
the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in
all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are
some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned
and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto
their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know
these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with
the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
Also, one must
have a proper attitude. This means putting away preconceived
ideas and having faith that one can understand God's message.
(Proverbs 2:1-5)
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments
with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and
apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after
knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou
seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid
treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD,
and find the knowledge of God.
(Matthew
13:14-16) And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which
saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and
seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this
people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of
hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they
should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should
understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I
should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see:
and your ears, for they hear.
Diligence in
Bible study is also a requirement if one is to understand. The
Bible commends those who have enough interest in His word to
investigate its truths.
(Acts 17:11)
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they
received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the
scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
(Ephesians 5:17)
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of
the Lord is.
(2 Timothy 2:15)
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
CONCLUSION
Jesus promised that
truth which is known is able to make one free (John 8:32). This
shows that God's truth can be understood and used beneficially.
The fact that you are taking this course shows that you have a
certain interest in these things. May God richly bless you in
accordance with His will.
LESSON #3 deals
with the question of "WHAT IS MAN?" It will consider
what it means to be "created in the image of God" and
what a human being's ultimate purpose is.
CAN
YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
Using this
lesson and your Bible, please look up the passages cited, then
answer the following questions.
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© 2000 for church of Christ, Oroville, Ca. All rights reserved.
Last revised:
February 22, 2007 . |
