The Bible

Christianity is based on the unshakeable rock of the Bible. The starting point of all doctrinal discussion must be the Bible. It is of little or no value to discuss any doctrine taught by the Bible until we acknowledge that the Bible is the final court of appeal. From here we can advance to the conquest of all truth.

What Is the Bible?

The Bible is a book of books...

• "Biblos" in Matthew 1:1 "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham"
• "Biblion" in Luke 4:17 "And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written.."
• The Bible comprises of 66 books joined together as one.
• The Bible contains two testaments or covenants: The OLD Testament with 39 books and the NEW Testament containing 27 books.
  
• The Bible is a unique book, as there hasn't been a book like this ever written before. Written over a period of 2,000 years, it has been written over 40 generations by over 40 authors, from different walks of life like poets, fishermen, kings, shepherds, peasants and scholars, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
• The Bible is the best selling book of all times, having sold about 6 million copies, in over 2000 languages and dialects.
• Isn't this crazy...the Bible is the most shoplifted book in the world. I wonder why people would steal a Bible?
  
  

Who Wrote the Bible?

Holy men of GOD were inspired in their mind to put into writing God's thoughts. Prophets and priests wrote the Old Testament; apostles and evangelists wrote the New Testament.

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."

Revelation 22:18 "For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, GOD shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:"

1 Corinthians 2:13 "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual."

2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

Who Is Behind Every Word in the Bible?

The Lord GOD Himself is behind every word in the Bible.

GOD takes full responsibility for its oversight and accuracy.

2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

John 10:35 "And if he called them gods, unto whom the word of GOD came, and the scriptures cannot be broken..."

The Bible is GOD talking to us, sharing ideas and principles through the vehicle of "words."

What Does "By Inspiration" Mean?

That GOD, by His Holy Spirit, supernaturally influences the minds of certain men by breathing into them certain thoughts.

These thoughts committed to paper are without any mixture or error.

GOD guarantees this fact. GOD did NOT take over their bodies; He inspired their mind. And the holy men of GOD co-operated.

Example of "inspired thought" in the New Testament...

Matthew 16:13-

"When Jesus came into the coasts of Cesarea, Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, 'Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

And they said, 'Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some Isaiah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.

He said unto them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living GOD."

And Jesus answered and said unto him, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you, but my Father which is in heaven..."

Peter has a GOD-thought! Inspired. GOD spoke into his mind. Nothing complicated about this.

How did GOD, in heaven, get the truth to Peter? This is so important. GOD sent a thought directly into Peter's mind. It was a divinely inspired thought-picture. It is not difficult to understand how GOD sent direct word thoughts into the mind of each holy man; who then wrote those thoughts into a book.

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."

What Is God's Purpose for Giving Us the Bible?

GOD's Word is the "impregnated seed" that produces faith and the vehicle of choice GOD uses to transform our thinking.

GOD's Word is "spirit" and can reproduce itself in us, releasing all the power and life that GOD has provided.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 "And that from a child thou has known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

"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."

John 6:63 "It is the Spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."

What Are the Two Main Doctrines
of the Bible?

1. The Law
2. The Gospel
   

What Is the Law?

The Law teaches us what we are to do, and what we are not to do...

Leviticus 19:2 "Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your GOD am holy."

Deuteronomy 6:6,7 "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.

"And thou shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you arise."

Exodus 24:7 "And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said, we will do, and be obedient."

What Is the Gospel?

The gospel is what GOD has done and will continue to do in us, through the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 3:16 "For GOD so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of GOD unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

1 John 4:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."