Introduction to the Bible
Christianity is not a religion. It is not a system of ethics. It is not a set of rules to guide man’s conduct but it is union with Deity.
James 2:19
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe-- and tremble!
NKJ
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe-- and tremble!
NKJ
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/9/9/12994887/bible-16-638.jpg?431)
What is your impression of the Bible?
The Bible is the bestselling book of all time (about 6 billion printed).
Why study the Bible?
Claims to be the very word of God. It claims to present the only way to know God. It
claims that if you don’t know God, you are doormed, but you can be rescued if you establish a personal relationship with God. It boldly promises hope and peace if you follow tis teachings, and promises hardship & despair if you ignore its truth.
The Bible is God’s message – Gods revelation of Himself to people. Divine revelation – He who is divine has revealed Himself to us in various ways, most directly thru the bible.
- An emotional antacid tablet – you read it only when your life has your stomach tied in knots.
- A sleeping tablet - pull it out from a nightstand as a cure for insomnia.
- An “eternal life” insurance policy – you haven’t read the fine print, but you are hoping that mere ownership of it protects you instead of death.
- A holy book reserved for monks & religious guru’s
- A storybook filled with fables & fairy tales ( or whatever category fits angels & demons)
- Ancient wisdom literature pertinent to some bygone culture but irrelevant for today.
- Gods holy words buried in a sacred text which can only be understood by a pastor or church leader.
The Bible is the bestselling book of all time (about 6 billion printed).
Why study the Bible?
Claims to be the very word of God. It claims to present the only way to know God. It
claims that if you don’t know God, you are doormed, but you can be rescued if you establish a personal relationship with God. It boldly promises hope and peace if you follow tis teachings, and promises hardship & despair if you ignore its truth.
- If you believe the bible , then you will want to get serious about reading it.
- If you are skeptical, then you will want to read the Bible to determine for yourself whether it's claims are true. Either way you’ve got to read it to understand it.
The Bible is God’s message – Gods revelation of Himself to people. Divine revelation – He who is divine has revealed Himself to us in various ways, most directly thru the bible.
1Thes 2:13
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
(NKJ)
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
(NKJ)
"I AM the Bread of Life - Jesus!
What does Jesus say about Scriptures? Watch the road to Emmaus video which is a passage from the Book of Luke. The background, it is after the crucifiction and death of Jesus on the cross of Golgotha on Good Friday. The apostles and disciples Cleopas are stunned by the events of the passed few days. They are terror stricken that their Messiah has been falsely arrested and illegaly tried, sentenced, brutally beaten up and then crucifed.
The apostles are in hiding, scared, traumatized by the events.
Two of the disciples left Jerusalem on their way to Emmaus when they are joined by the risen Jesus who they do not recognized.
Jesus asked them why they are sad and they described to Jesus the events of the past few days.
Jesus response is recored on vv 24:25-27, what the old testament of the Bible has foretold God's plan for redemption.
Read the scripture and watch the video for a clearer understanding of what Jesus validated about Scriptures.
The apostles are in hiding, scared, traumatized by the events.
Two of the disciples left Jerusalem on their way to Emmaus when they are joined by the risen Jesus who they do not recognized.
Jesus asked them why they are sad and they described to Jesus the events of the past few days.
Jesus response is recored on vv 24:25-27, what the old testament of the Bible has foretold God's plan for redemption.
Read the scripture and watch the video for a clearer understanding of what Jesus validated about Scriptures.
SCRIPTURES
I Jn 4:6
6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
(NKJ)
How was the Bible given to us?
2 Tim 3:15-17
15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(NKJ) The word inspired means God-breathed.
2 Pet 1:2121 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
(NKJ)
Rev 1:1-2
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants-- things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,
2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.
(NKJ)
How is the Bible described in the following verses?
Ps 18:30
30 As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven; he is a shield to all who trust in Him.
(NKJ)
Ps 19:7-87 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
(NKJ)
Ps 119:89
89 Forever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven.
(NKJ)
Matt 24:35
35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
(NKJ)
Ps 119:92-94
92 Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life.
94 I am Yours, save me; for I have sought Your precepts.
(NKJ)
Ps 119:105
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
(NKJ)
Ps 119:129-131
129 Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
131 I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for Your commandments.
(NKJ)
Eph 6:17
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
(NKJ)
Heb 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
(NKJ)
1 Pet 1:23
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
(NKJ)
Heb 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
(NKJ)
2 Pet 1:16-21
16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
(NKJ)
6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
(NKJ)
How was the Bible given to us?
2 Tim 3:15-17
15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(NKJ) The word inspired means God-breathed.
2 Pet 1:2121 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
(NKJ)
Rev 1:1-2
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants-- things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,
2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.
(NKJ)
How is the Bible described in the following verses?
Ps 18:30
30 As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven; he is a shield to all who trust in Him.
(NKJ)
Ps 19:7-87 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
(NKJ)
Ps 119:89
89 Forever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven.
(NKJ)
Matt 24:35
35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
(NKJ)
Ps 119:92-94
92 Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life.
94 I am Yours, save me; for I have sought Your precepts.
(NKJ)
Ps 119:105
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
(NKJ)
Ps 119:129-131
129 Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
131 I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for Your commandments.
(NKJ)
Eph 6:17
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
(NKJ)
Heb 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
(NKJ)
1 Pet 1:23
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
(NKJ)
Heb 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
(NKJ)
2 Pet 1:16-21
16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
(NKJ)
- John Wycliff – A scholar who taught at Oxford – provided the 1st complete English Bible from the Latin Vulgate in 1384. Many of his followers, called Lollards, were persecuted & kille for possessing & beleiveing in Wycliff’s Bible
- Martin Luther – translated Bible into German while in prison in 1522
- William Tyndale educated in Oxford & Cambridge devolted his life to translating the Bible from the original langages into the language of the common man. Bible finished in 1530, had copies burned by the thousands by the king of England . Tyndale was burned at the stake in 1536.
- John Knox (Scottsman) & Miles Coverdale (Englishman), produced the Genva Bible. Also known as the Purtituan Bible – same Bible the Pilgrims brought to America in the Mayflower 1620
- King James, appointed a committee of 47 English Bible scholars to produce an “Authorized Version of the Bible 1st published in 1621
- Ken Taylor – Living Bible, signle handedly took on task of paraphrasing.1971.