Today we begin our journey through the New Testament

Plans are as follows:February- How We Got the Bible

March- Mark: the Story of Jesus

April- Acts: the Story of the Church

May- James: the First Epistle

June- Galatians: the First Regional Epistle

July- 1-2Thessalonians: Guiding the Church in Macedonia

August- 1-2Corinthians: Guiding the Church in Achaia

September- Romans: Guiding the Church in Italy

October- 1Timothy-Titus: the Preacher Epistles

November- 1-2Peter: Preparations for Persecution

December- Hebrews: a Plea to Israel

Jan.‘06- 1John-Jude: the Concluding Epistles

Feb.‘06- Revelation: the Time is Near

Let’s begin with a few small steps...

• Most people we try to teach have some basic knowledge of the Bible.

• Ever tried to teach some who didn’t?

• If so, you understand the value of an introductory lesson to the Bible itself.

• Imagine picking up a 17th novel English novel of some 1000 pages on which you begin reading on about page 756 concerning a people who’s custom & ways you were completely unfamiliar.

• How much would you get out of it?

• This is exactly what happens when someone unacquainted with the Bible starts reading in Matthew.

So let’s talk first about its Origin. It is Inspired.

-Theopnustos means literally God-breathed.

2Timothy 3:16 and Eph.3:3-5

-This inspiration was accomplished by a Divine part of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit, John 16:13.

-The process of this inspiration was through the agency ofmen through whom the Spirit spoke the words ofGod, 2Peter 2:20-21.

-The Bible was written (not authored ) by about 40 menover a period of some 1600 years- yet contains nocontradictions.

-These men used words given/guarded by God through the Holy Spirit, 1Cor.2:10-12.

What is its Purpose ? The Salvation of Mankind from Sin and its

Consequences.

-It’s not a Science book, though it revealed truth aboutsuch well before man figured it out.

-It’s not some sort of prophetic calendar to reveal worldevents unrelated to eternal destiny.

Instead, it seeks to:

-Prevent Sin, Psalm 119:11

-Provide Guidance, Psalm 119:105

-Enlighten/Instruct us, 2Timothy 3:15-17

-Purify us, 2Peter 1:22

-Free & Save us, John 8:32 / James 1:21

What are some of its Characteristics?

It is Complete.

-It contains “all truth” John 16:13.

-It contains “all things pertaining to life and godliness” 2Peter 1:3.

-It is “the whole purpose of God” Acts 20:27

It is, by the promise of God, Indestructible.

-It has and will last forever, 1Peter 1:25.

What are some of its Contents?

The Mind of God, 1Corinthians 2:9-13. The State of Man, Romans 3:23 & 6:23. The Way of Salvation, John 14:6; Acts 4:12;

17:30-31 The Triumph of Believers, Romans 8:35-39 The Doom of Unbelievers, Romans 11:20-23.

Does it contain any Warnings ?

Don’t add to it or subtract from it, Proverbs 30:5-6 and Revelation 22:18-19.

Don’t substitute human ideas for it, Mark 7:6-9. Believe no other gospel than it, Galatians 1:6-8. Realize that it is His Word which will finally

judge us, John 12:48.

Finally, The Bible answers the 3 most important questions man has:

The Question of Origin: From where did I come?

Genesis 1:26-27

The Question of Purpose: Why am I here?

Genesis 1:28 & Ephesians 5:10,17

The Question of Destiny: Where am I going?

Hebrews 9:27 & Ecclesiastes 12:7