Introduction to the Bible

“And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is

no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.” Ecclesiastes 12:12

Its Origin

• Inspired by God

• “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16

Its Origin

• Holy Spirit guided

• “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” John 16:13

Its Origin

• Holy men wrote

• “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20,21

Its Origin

• Revealed mind of God

• “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:10

Answers the Questions of Life

• About the origin of life– “Where did I

come from?”

• “Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1:26

Answers the Questions of Life

• About the purpose of life– “Why am I here?”

• “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

Answers the Questions of Life

• What happens after death?– “Where am I

going?”

• “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27

Its Purpose

• Keeps us from sin

• “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!” Psalm 119:11

Its Purpose

• Lights our way • “Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.“ Psalm 119:104,105

Its Purpose

• Enlightens us • “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.” 2 Timothy 3:15

Its Purpose

• Instructs us• “That the man of

God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:17

Its Purpose

• Purifies us • “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.” 1 Peter 1:22

Its Purpose

• Frees us • “… If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31,32

Its Purpose

• Saves us • “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:21

Its Completeness

• All truth • “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” John 16:13

Its Completeness

• All things • “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” 2 Peter 1:3

Its Completeness

• Whole counsel • “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” Acts 20:27

Its Indestructibility

• Lasts forever • “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:35

The Bible Contains

• God’s mind • “For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:11

The Bible Contains

• State of man • “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 3:23; 6:23

The Bible Contains

• Way of salvation

• “Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

The Bible Contains

• The happiness of believers

• “He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.” Proverbs 16:20

The Bible Contains

• The sinner’s doom

• “In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:8

The Bible Contains

• The hope of the whole world

• “That having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7

The Bible Warns

• Do not add to or subtract from

• “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18,19

The Bible Warns

• Do not substitute human wisdom

• “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men...” Mark 7:7-b

The Bible Warns

• Preach and teach only God’s word

• “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:2

The Bible Warns

• Believe no other gospel

• “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8

The Bible Warns

• His word will judge us

• “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” John 12:48

Concluding Thoughts

• Study the Bible daily!– “These were more fair-

minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11

• Rightfully divide the Word of Truth– “Be diligent to

present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15