Part One of Three
I) Bible- Gk Biblos - A book.
BOOK OF THE LORD
Isa 34:16 Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them. (KJV)
BOOK OF THE LAW
Neh 8:3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. (KJV)
LAW OF GOD
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (KJV)
I Sam 30:9 So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.
SCRIPTURES
I Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
HOLY SCRIPTURE
Rom 1:2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) II Tim 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. (KJV)
SCRIPTURES OF TRUTH
Dan 10:21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince. (KJV)
THE WORD
Ja 1:21-23 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: I Pet 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
THE WORD OF GOD
Lu 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. (KJV)
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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.
GOOD WORD OF GOD
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (KJV)
WORD OF CHRIST
Col 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.
WORD OF TRUTH
II Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Ja 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
WORD OF LIFE
Phil 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
SWORD OF THE SPIRIT AND SHARPER THAN ANY TWO-EDGED SWORD
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (KJV) Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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.
ORACLES OF GOD: A person thru whom Diety speaks.
Rom 3:2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. (KJV)
I Pet 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
II) WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL?
Continuity- Written over 60 generations, over a 1600 year period.
A. 40+ authors.
B. Every walk of life:
1. Moses: Political leader.
2. Peter: Fisherman.
3. Amos: Herdsman.
4. Joshua: A General.
5. Luke: A Doctor.
6. Soloman: A King.
7. Paul: A Rabbi.
8. Matthew: A Tax Collector.
9. Nehemiah: A Cupbearer
10. Daniel: A Prime MInister.
11. Joseph: Ect...
C. Different places:
1. Wilderness: By Moses.
2. Prison (Dungeon): By Paul.
3. Exile (On Patmos): Bu John.
4. Palace: Daniel.
D. Different Situations:
1. War: David.
2. Peace: Sololman.
3. Joy and despair.
4. In Asia, Africa, and Europe.
5. In Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic.
E. Speaks of 100's of controversial subjects with harmony and continuity.
1. Old Testament: Calling and history of the Jews.
2. New Testament: Application of Redemption.
3. One Main Story: "God's Redemption of Man".
4. Realization and Exhaltation of Christ.
F. It is inexhaustible:
1. It was written in the early days of human knowledge, but doesn't contradict today's discoveries.
2. It is ancient writings, yet it is very adaptable for today.
3. Subject matter: It deals with God's nature and works, and describes eternity past, including creation, to the eternal future.
4. Its statements that are made are final, accurate, and timeless.
5. It is a book of History, Poetry, Drama, Love, and War, Prophecy, Science, etc.
G. Interesting Facts:
1. It has been published in more languages than any other book.
2. Every Written language has a portion of Scripture.
3. As of 35yrs ago, the British and Foreign Bible Society had to print one copy every three seconds. That equals 22 per minute, and 1369 per hour,
32,876 per day for one year to meet its quota. It took 4,536 cases, weighing
490 tons, to ship.
4. Price of some Bibles:
a. Latin Vulgate: $100,000 per copy.
b. Codex Signaticus: $510,000 per copy.
5. The longest teletram is attributed to The Bible.
a. RU NT from NY to Chicago.
III) What makes it so special to Christians'
1. Inspired:
II Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (KJV)
2.. Respiration: HEB AH-AYRH (In conscious breathing) Greek: Puschein- (Breath Gently).
A. Inspiration and Revelation:
1. Rev discovering New Truth.
2. Insp. Controls the communicating of the New Truth.
3. Voices only for the accuracy of the record and book
B. Inspiration: Illumination.
1. Influence of the Holy Spirit:
I Cor 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.
Matt 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (KJV)
This theory says: "The Bible is a result of Godly men mediations whose minds were acted upon by God but (Num 22:34-35, and Jn 11:49-52) Balaam and Caiphas weren't mediating.
C. Inspiration and verbatim:
1. Not all scripture is spoken verbally, But the Holy Spirit uses the memory, judgements, and intuition.
I Cor 7:25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. (KJV)
D. Natural Inspiration:
1. This denies anything spuernatural: Muhammed and Confucius are just as inspired as Moses, Paul, and Daniel, ect.
E. Universal Christian Inspiration:
1. All Christians today are just as inspired.
F. Mechanical Inspiration:
NOTE: the next two are similiar.
G. Thought and Concept Inspiration: Or Dynamic...
1. Only certain things, but not the works.
H. Partial Inspiration:
1. The Bible contains The Word of God: But who decides...
2. Full or Plenary (Complete) Inspiration:
II Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (KJV)
Matt 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.
Lu 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
NOTE: This last scripture reference is Christ's thought.
NOTE: The Bible claims to inspiration.
1. The Pentatuc: 680 times.
2. The Prophets: 1307 times.
3. The Historical: 418 times.
4. The Poetical: 195 times.
5. The Old Testament: 2,600 times.
IV. Old Testament
Ex 4:10-15 10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. 13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. 14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
15 And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. (KJV)
Deut 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. (KJV)
Jer 1:2 To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.
Gen chapter 1: "God said": 10 times. (The #10-Perfection of Divine order.) Phrases - The Lord said - Thus saith the Lord - The Lord spake - The Word of The Lord came - 3808 times in the Old Testament.
NOTE: 50% of Exodus - direct quotes. 90% of Leviticus from God.
New Testament:
II Pet 1:20-21 20 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.
I Pet 1:10-11 10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. II Pet 3:1-2
1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: (KJV) DAVID SPAKE:
Acts 1:16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
THE HOLY SPIRIT SPOKE BY ISAIAH:
Acts 28:25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, (KJV)
SPEAK'S THE HOLY SPIRTI'S WISDOM, AND NOT MAN'S:
I Cor 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. (KJV)
THIS THING THAT I WRITE IS A COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD:
I Cor 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. (KJV)
RECEIVE THE WORD OF GOD THAT YOU HEARD THRU US:
I Th 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.
V. HOW GOD PUT THE BIBLE TOGETHER:
A. God wrote it.
WRITING THE WRITING OF GOD:
Ex 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. (KJV)
WRITING FROM THE HAND OF GOD:
I Chr 28:19 All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.
FINGER OF A MAN'S HAND WROTE:
Dan 5:5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
B. God put his word in man's mouth:
Ex 4:10-15 10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?
12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.
14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
15 And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. (KJV)
Ex 34:27 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel. (KJV)
Jer 1:7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. (KJV)
Jer 7:27 Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee. (KJV)
Jer 13:12 Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say unto thee, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine? (KJV)
Jer 30:1-2
1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
2 Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.
Jer 36:1-2
1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
2 Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.
Jer 36:4 Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book. (KJV)
Jer 36:11 When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the LORD,
Jer 36:27-32 27 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,
28 Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned.
29 And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?
30 Therefore thus saith the LORD of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.
31 And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not.
32 Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words. (KJV)
Eze 2:7 And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.
Eze 3:10-11
10 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears. 11 And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.
Eze 24:2 Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this same day: the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day.
Eze 37:16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
Hab 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
Zech 7:8 And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,
Zech 7:12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. (KJV)
I Cor 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. (KJV)
Rev 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Rev 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Rev 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
Rev 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; (KJV)
Rev 10:4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
C. LET'S MAN CHOSE HIS OWN WORDS:
Balaam's donkey.
Num 22:28-30
28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. Caiapha's prophesy.
Jn 11:49-52
49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Write to Theophilus.
Lk 1:1-4
1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. (KJV) He didn't understand what he was writing.
Dan 12:8-9
8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. (KJV)
VI CONCLUSION
A. He communicated clearly and faithfully thru men in a language that man would have naturally chosen.
B. God makes us new creatures, but allows us to be individuals.
C. He works out His purposes thru us in our natural actions, but doesn't interfere with our freedom.
Note: Why is scripture given:
2Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (KJV)
BOOKS TO READ:
1. Science in the Bible: Morton
2. Many Infallible Proofs: Morris
3. Evidence That Demands A Verdict: McDowell (Josh)
The Bible is Authentic:
A. The New Testament
1. New Testamen: 5,000 manuscripts in Greek, and 15,000 in other languages.
2. Apostolic Father quotes the Bible from as early as 90AD.
3. Paul starts his writing naming himself.
4. John's writing sytle: John, I, II, III John, and Revelation is unmistable in the use of "The Word".
5. Peter refers back to the mount of Transfiguration in Matt 17, and II Peter chapter 1.
I Jn 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
6. Use guidelines for interpeting.
7. Don't form Doctrine by inference.
8. Don't speculate.
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