The Bible

Ø The Bible is the Word of God

o Who wrote it?

§ The Bible was written by about 40 men over about 1,500 years.

o How did they know what to write?

§ God told them what to write!

· 2 Timothy 3: 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness

§ God spoke verbally to the writers

· Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am .This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'

· Exodus 20:1 And God spoke all these words: [ The Ten Commandments ]

§ God spoke through prophets

· Hebrews 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,

· 2 Samuel 24:11 Before David got up the next morning, the word of the LORD had come to Gad the prophet, David's seer:

· 1 Samuel 15:10 Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel:

· 1 Kings 21:27-29 When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. 28 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: 29 "Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son."

· Isaiah 38:4 Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah:

· Jeremiah 1:4-5 The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

§ God speaks through the Holy Spirit

· 2 Peter 1:20-21 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit

Ø Old Testament (For descriptions of the OT books, check out http://www.carm.org/bible/bib_ot_books.htm)

o The Old Testament contains 39 books. They can be categorized by 5 different types: The Law, History, Poetry, Major and Minor Prophets.

§ The Law

· Genesis

· Exodus

· Leviticus

· Numbers

· Deuteronomy

§ History

· Joshua

· Judges

· Ruth

· First Samuel

· Second Samuel

· First Kings

· Second Kings

· First Chronicles

· Second Chronicles

· Ezra

· Nehemiah.

· Esther

§ Poetry

· Job

· Psalms

· Proverbs.

· Ecclesiastes.

· Song of Solomon

§ Major Prophets

· Isaiah

· Jeremiah

· Lamentations

· Ezekiel

· Daniel

§ Minor Prophets

· Hosea

· Joel

· Amos

· Obadiah

· Jonah

· Micah

· Nahum.

· Habakkuk

· Zephaniah

· Haggai

· Zechariah

· Malachi.

Ø New Testament (For a description of the NT books, check out http://www.carm.org/bible/bib_nt_books.htm)

o The New Testament contains 27 books and can be categorized by 3 different types.

§ History

· Matthew

· Mark.

· Luke.

· John

· Acts.

§ Epistles (or Letters)

· Romans.

· 1 Corinthians

· 2 Corinthians

· Galatians

· Ephesians

· Philippians

· Colossians

· 1 Thessalonians

· 2 Thessalonians

· 1 Timothy

· 2 Timothy

· Titus.

· Philemon

· Hebrews

· James

· 1 Peter

· 2 Peter

· 1 John.

· 2 John

· 3 John

· Jude.

§ Prophecy

· Revelation

Ø Why was the Bible Written?

o So that we can know who God is

§ Psalm 100:3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

§ Jeremiah 10:10a But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God.

o So we could identify the Messiah

§ John 5:37-39 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,

o To teach us

§ Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

§ 1 Corinthians 10:6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.

o So we would know how to live

§ 2 Timothy 3:13-15 while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

§ Proverbs 8:33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.

Ø What should we do with the Bible?

o Study it

§ Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

o Memorize it

§ Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

§ Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

o Meditate on it

§ Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

§ Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

o Obey it

§ Deuteronomy 4:2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.

§ Matthew 7:24-25 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

§ Luke 11:28 He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."

o Use it

§ 2 Timothy 2:1515Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

· To test what others are saying and teaching

o Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

o Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

· To reach others

o Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

o 1 Peter 4:10-11 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

· As a defense against Satan and sin

o Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.