Introduction

To The
BIBLE
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Our Goal and Purpose

A.To impart a conviction that the Bible is
the word of GOD

B.We can build our life on it & it can

become living to us

C.To establish the authority of the Bible

as the accurate revelation of GOD to
man of himself – purpose & plan for
creation
 Our Goal and Purpose

We will consider the Bible in the light of 4 distinct concepts

Revelation
Inspiration
Compilation
Preservation
 We must have confidence in the
Word of GOD

1. Jeremiah 15:16 The Life of the Word

2. Jeremiah 1:12 The integrity of the Word
3. Jeremiah 23:29 The power of the Word
4. John 1:1-3 Jesus is the Living Word
 What is the Word of GOD?

1. Titus 1:2
2. Hebrews 1:1

Gods Word is His every communication to man.

 How has GOD communicated His Word to us?

1. Hebrews 1:1 - Audibly, through prophets, dreams and visions

2. Isaiah 8:1 - Through written scripture
3. Exodus 9:5-6 - By His actions
4. Matthew 17:5 - Through Jesus
5. John 17:14, 20:21; 1Thessalonians 2:13 - Through those who have
heard
6. Jeremiah 36; 1John 1:3-5; 1Corinthians 15:1 - Through that which
was written
 GOD’s Word has a purpose specifically & progressively
1. Isaiah 55:10-11 - His Word accomplishes His purpose
2. Psalm 33:9 - He spoke and it was done
3. Romans 4:17 - He calls things as though they were
4. Matthew 17:5 - Jesus is the maximum revelation
5. John 12:48 - His Word will judge us in the last day

GOD’s Word must be received by faith in order to affect us

personally
1. Romans 4:3 - Abraham believed GOD
2. 1Kings 17:2-5 - Elijah obeyed GOD
3. Luke 1:37-38 - Mary received and believed the Word
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The Revelation of the Word: How has GOD revealed Himself

to man?

Why is it necessary for GOD to reveal Himself to man?

1. Genesis 1:26-28 - Man was created with:

• Identity - Authority - Blessing/ability - Purpose
2. Genesis 3:8 - Communion with GOD
3. Hebrews 11:6 - What happened?
3. GOD’s purpose for man – Genesis 27-28

• Created in GOD’s image.

- To Reflect nature & character of GOD
EMPOWERED

• Created in Blessing. TO PROSPER

- To Reflect His relationship with GOD

• Created with Authority.

- To Reflect authority of GOD

• Created to be fruitful.
- To Reflect function in GOD (Multiply in above)
 How did sin change man?

1. Genesis 3:8 - From faith to fear

2. Ephesians 4:17-18 - Man’s condition

3. Romans 8:7 - Against GOD

4. Galatians 4:8 - Idolatry

 How did sin change man?

1. Lost his Communion

2. Lost his ability to walk
3. Genesis 3:8 - From faith to fear
4. Wrong thinking
5. Ignorant
6. Harden hearted
7. Blind
8. Enemy
9. Galatians 4:8 - Idolatry

Sin = disobedience to GOD

 Did GOD change?

1. James 1:17 - GOD has never changed. Man was changed

2. 1Corinthians 2:14 - Carnal man cannot know God

Therefore, it is GOD who must reveal Himself to man

GOD has revealed Himself progressively through the Word

1. John 1:17-18 - Grace and Truth were revealed

2. Hebrews 1:1-2 - In these last days……..
3. Matthew 13:16-17 - Prophets and righteous men have not
seen….
4. Matthew 13:34-35 - Things kept secret
5. Matthew 17:5 - Jesus exalted over the Law and the Prophets
 New Testament revelation
1. Acts 17:30 - Times of ignorance ------- but now……
2. Romans 3:21 - The righteousness of GOD is manifested
3. Romans 6:22 - Being made free form sin
4. Romans 7:6 - Delivered from the Law
5. Romans 16:25-26 - The mystery is now made manifest
6. Ephesians 5:8 - Now we are light
7. Colossians 1:25-27 - Mystery now made manifest
8. John 16:12-15 - Future revelation promised
9. Acts 26:16 - Future revelation promised to Paul
 Knowing HIM
• Who is He??
• Who is He in you???
• Who are you in Him???!
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Progressive Revelation
Jesus established His Word over the Law
1. Matthew 5:21-22,
2. Matthew 5:27-28,
3. Matthew 5:31-32,
4. Matthew 5:33-34,
5. Matthew 5:38-39,
6. Matthew 5:43-44
 Progressive Revelation
What does the revelation of the New Testament mean to us?
• John 14:7-10 - We can know the Father
• John 12:45 - We can see the Father
• Colossians 1:15 - Jesus is the image of GOD
• Hebrews 1:3 - The express image
 Jesus : The maximum revelation of GOD to man

• All Old Testament revelation is partial

• Jesus is the maximum revelation of GOD to man

1. Hebrews 1:1 - A more complete revelation

2. Matthew 17:5 - We are to ‘hear Him’
3. Galatians 1:12 - Not all authors have the same revelation
4. 2Peter 3:15-16
 Examples
1. Job 1:21 - “The Lord fives and the Lord takes” – Job
2. John 10:10 - “The Lord gives and the devil takes” – Jesus
3. Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 - “Man returns to dust” – Solomon
4. 2Corinthians 5:1-8 - “Man goes to be with the Lord” – Paul
5. 1Chronicles 21:1
6. 2Samuel 24:1 - GOD and satan?

The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus is the Old Testament

1. Luke 24-47
 How does GOD reveal Himself to man?
1. General Revelation
• Creation
 Romans 1:19-21
 Acts 17:24-30

2. Specific Revelation
• The written Word of GOD - The Bible
 2Timothy 3:15
 James 1:21
 Luke 24:27
• The Word made flesh
 John 1:1-14, 17-18
• The Spirit
 John 14:26
 John 16:13-14
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Inspiration
What does it mean to say the Bible is ‘infallible’ and ‘inerrant’?

The Bible cannot be wrong in any thing it affirms whether historical, scientific of spiritual. It
records true events. The text is true in its historical, literary and revelatory context.

a. Inerrant – It cannot err

b. Infallible – It does not err
c. John 17:17 - His Word is Truth
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John 17:
8 For I have given unto them the words which thou
gavest me; and they have received them, and have
known surely that I came out from thee, and they
have believed that thou didst send me.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is
truth
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also
which shall believe on me through their word;
 THEOPNEUSTOS

about GOD
air
 What does ‘inspired’ mean?

1. 2Timothy 3:16 - Inspired = GOD breathed

We have already seen how Old Testament authors did not have the
same revelation we have today, nevertheless, they were inspired to
write. (Matthew 13:16-17)
 Modes of Inspiration

Revelation – reception of the Truth

Inspiration – recording of the Truth
illumination – perception of the Truth
 Modes of Inspiration

Revelation – reception of the Truth – Discovery of the Truth

Inspiration – recording of the Truth – Understanding of that Truth
illumination – perception of the Truth – Perception of how you look at Truth
Is Bible - The Word of GOD

Internal Evidence
Historical Evidence
Prophetical Evidence
 Jesus affirms what Isaiah wrote is the Word OF God

Matthew 13: 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see:
and your ears, for they hear. 17 For verily I say unto you,
That many prophets and righteous men have desired to
see those things which ye see, and have not seen them;
and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not
heard them.

Isaiah 6:9-10 = And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear
ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but
perceive not.  Make the heart of this people fat, and make
their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with
their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with
their heart, and convert, and be healed.
(written - 700BC)
Jesus affirms His own faith is the Old
Testament scriptures
• Matthew 5:17-18 - The Law and the Prophets
• Matthew 12:3 - History • 1Samuel 21:6
• Matthew 22:43-44 - Psalms • Pslams 110:1
• Matthew 24:15 - Daniel and prophecy •
• Luke 4:1-12 - Jesus confronts satan with the Word, which • Deuteronomy 8:3
satan also quotes!
• Matthew 12:39-42 - Jesus confirms the story of Jonah
• Galatians 3:16 - Paul builds a power theological argument • Genesis 22
on the basis of one word that is singular, nor plural
• Romans 5:12-21
Pauls establishes that Adam was a real person and his sin was
responsible for man’s condition and the need for
redemption
How was the Word inspired?
• 2Peter 1:20-21  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the
scripture is of any private interpretation. 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.

Dual authorship claimed

• Mark 12:36 - David, by Holy Spirit
• Acts 4:25 - GOD, by the mouth if David
• Hebrews 3:7 - The Holy Spirit through David
• Hebrews 10:15-16 - The Holy Spirit through Jeremiah
 Kinds of Inspiration
To understand, we need to have the One who inspired them… need Holy Spirit to show
the Truth

1Corinthians 2:13-14
The Holy Spirit moved upon men through their personalities to
record without error that which GOD was revealing to them.

Matthew 22:31
Jesus taught that the scripture is the Word of GOD
He says that the authority of GOD can be found in that which has
been written, after GOD has spoken
1. Natural inspiration – human nature – poem/song – Spiritual geniuses
who wrote of their own will
2. Mechanical Dictation – Men were passive scribes only writing what
they heard
3. Illumination – Men were illumined by the Spirit – more sensitive
4. Conceptual Inspiration – Men were inspired to communicate divine
truths using the natural strength and limitations of the authors –
words, expressions, grammar. It is the concepts that are inspired,
not necessarily the literal events of examples
5. Inspiration of degrees – Some parts of the Bible are more inspired
than others (There are parts more revelatory but not more inspired –
Exodus 6:3) revealed more to moses then Abraham, Isaac & Jacob
6. Partial Inspiration – Only some parts of the Bible are inspired
7. Verbal Plenary Inspiration – All (plenary) the words (verbal) are
inspired by GOD
a. 2Peter 1:20-21 Men spoke as they were moved by GOD
b. John 10:35 The scripture cannot be broken
c. Matthew 5:18 Not until heaven and earth pass away
d. 1Peter 1:25 The Word of the Lord endureth forever
8. What does Verbal Plenary Inspiration mean?

a. All parts are equally inspired, though not equally

b. Only the original manuscripts can by guaranteed
c. Faithfully records all words and events whether of God or not
(lying, ignorance, sin, adultery, murder)
d. Is accurate in history and observation
e. Allows for personal research - Like 1:1-3
f. Allows for outside sources – Acts 17:28, Titus 1:12, Jude 1:14-15
g. Includes the personality and emotions of the author – 2Corinthians
10:8-11
h. Included metaphors, symbols, hyperbole, images, etc; - Psalms
91:4
i. Allows for differences in experience and memory, but without error.
(Synoptic gospels)
j. Includes all that GOD wanted and excludes everything else

Plenary inspiration allows for instances of dictation (the Ten

Commandments and the Law), and Conceptual Inspiration
(1Corinthians 7 – Paul speaking of divorce)
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a. Was Christ raised from the dead ?

If Jesus arose from the dead, then the

question of inspiration is far easier to answer.

What is the Evidence?

A: Matthew 27:62-66 The empty tomb
B: Matthew 28:11-15
C: Luke 24:36-43 The disciples claims
D: Acts 1:1-11, 2:32
E: Transformed lives, miracles and healings
CRUCIFIXION

CRUCIFICTION
 b. Prophecies fulfilled by Jesus
1. His Birth

2. He would come from the tribe of Judah -

3. He would be a descendant of King David -

4. There would be a forerunner - Isaiah 40:3-5, 9

5. He would enter Jerusalem on a donkey - Zechariah 9:9, Luke 19:35-36

6. There would be a ‘ Son ’ called GOD – Matthew 3:1-3

7. He would be betrayed be a friend –

 - Prophecies fulfilled by Jesus
8. He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver

9. He would be beaten

10. He would be silent before His accusers

11. He would be buried in a rich man’s tomb – Isaiah 53:9

12. His crucifixion

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c. Prophecies fulfilled in History

1. Israel returned to the land of promise – Jeremiah 32:36-37

2. Jesus prophesied the destruction of the temple
3. Jesus prophesied the exile of the Jews
4. Israel would be plowed like a field
5. Israel would be a wasteland
6. Babylon’s gates would open for Cyrus
7. Tyre would be attacked by many nations
8. Tyre’s stones, timber and soil would be cast into the sea
9. Edom would be destroyed
10.No one knows the day or hour of Jesus’ return
d. External Evidence of the Bible’s Reliability

e. The Bible is no a book about science – but when it does

speak scientifically, it is accurate
1. The shape of the Earth – Isaiah 40:22

2. The Earth is suspended in nothing – Job 26:7

3. The stars are innumerable – Genesis 15:5

4. The existence of valleys in the seas – 2Samuel 22:16

 HEBREW
CHRISTIAN
EPISTLES

CHRISTIAN
CHURCH
EPISTLES

PASTORAL
EPISTLES
 HEBREWS O.T.
LAW: PROPHETS: WRITINGS
1. Genesis A. FORMER PROPHETS A. POETICAL BOOKS
2. Exodus 6. Joshua 14. Psalms
3. Leviticus 7. Judges 15. Proverbs
4. Numbers 8. Samuel 16. Job
5. Deutronomy 9. Kings
B. FIVE ROLLS (MEGILLOTH)
B. LATTER PROPHETS 17. Songs of Solomon
10. Isaiah 18. Ruth
Songs of Solomon –
PASSOVER 11. Jeremiah 19. Lamentations
RUTH 12. Ezekiel 20. Ecclesiastes
FEAST OF WEEKS
21. Esther
13. Twelve (MINOR PROPHETS)
LAMENTATIONS
DESTRUCTION OF TEMPLE -- Hosea - Malachi C. HISTORICAL BOOKS
ECCLESIASTES
TABERNACLE
22. Daniel
ESTHER
23. Ezra – Nehmiah
PURIM
24. Chronicles
THE NEW IN THE OLD IS CONTAINED
THE OLD IN THE NEW IS EXPLAINED

THE NEW IN THE OLD IS INFOLDED

THE OLD IN THE NEW IS UNFOLDED

THE NEW IS IN THE OLD CONCEALED

THE OLD IS IN THE NEW REVEALED
 f. Languages of the Bible

1. Hebrew

2. Aramaic

3. Greek
g. The Canon
of Scripture

‘kanon’ measuring rod

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Preservation

Can we trust the Bible that we hold in our hands today?

Psalms 119:89 “Hath GOD said?” (Genesis 3:1)
The Living Word

The Word is alive and active - Heb 4:12

The Word is like a seed - Isa 55:10-11
The Word is powerful - Jer 23:29
The Word is Gods power of salvation - Rom 1:16
The Word is revealed by the Holy Spirit - 1Cor 2:12-14
The Word is eternal and produces fruit - 1Pet 1:23-25
How can we know that our Bible is God’s Word

1. Has it produced ‘fruit’

Col 1:5-6 - For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof
ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6 Which is
come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it
doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of
God in truth: Col 1:5-6 (KJV)

Isaiah 33:11 -Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your
breath, as fire, shall devour you. 12 And the people shall be as the
burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire.
Isaiah 33:11-12 (KJV)
How can we know that our Bible is God’s Word

2. Has it been accepted by the Church as God’s word and revelation

to man?
1Tim 3:15 - But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou
oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church
of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 1 Tim 3:15 (KJV)

Ephesians 3:10 -  To the intent that now unto the principalities and
powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the
manifold wisdom of God, Eph 3:10 (KJV)
How can we know that our Bible is God’s Word

3. Is it confirmed with ‘signs following ?”

Mark 16:20 - And they went forth, and preached every where, the
Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs
following. Amen. Mark 16:20 (KJV)
PAPYRUS
W R I T I N G S

HEBREW
TORAH WRITINGS
 Matthew 10:29
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the
ground without your Father. – KJV

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the
ground apart from your Father’s will. – NKJV

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground
apart from the will of the aFather. – NIV

Are not two sparrows sold for an assar? And on of them shall no fall on the
ground without your Father. - YLT
Joel 2:28 - And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my
spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall
see visions: Joel 2:28 (KJV)

Acts 2:17 - And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will
pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams: Acts 2:17 (KJV)
Introduction
To The
BIBLE
Compilation
 Goal – Conviction that Bible is the Word Of GOD

• Confidence in Word Of GOD

What is the Bible ?

‘BYBLOS’
• The Old Testament preserved by
Jews – B.C.
• The New Testament by followers
of Christ - A.D.
• 66 Books [39 + 27]
• 1500yrs – 40 authors
• 3 continents – Asia, Africa, Europe
(deserts, jails, palaces, islands)
 Old Testament Classification

Hebrews : 24 books – Law & Prophets

Later Law + Prophets + Writings

Greek : 39 books (SEPTUAGINT)

Law + History + Poetry + Prophesy

Latin : 39 books (VULGATE)

New Testament Classification

Gospel + History + Epistles + Prophecy

APOCRYPHA ? 14 Books

1. Not quoted by Jesus

2. Written between Malachi and Matthew

3. Never speaks as message from Jehovah

 Languages of the Bible

1. Aramaic

2. Hebrews

3. Greek
Kanon ? Rod / Ruler / Staff
Inspiration – Received its authority
Canonization - Acceptance in Israel and Church

‘kanon’ measuring rod

• O.T. – 5 periods of canonization
• O.T. – arrangement by EZRA 450 B.C.
• O.T. – books determined by :
1. Tradition
2. Spiritual authority
3. Recognition in Temple
4. Conviction
• N.T. – books determined by :
1. Authority
2. Origin
3. Authenticity
4. Dynamic
5. Acceptance
Preservation
 Preservation

Static Living
The Living Word
1. Hebrews 4:12
2. Isaiah 55:10-11
3. Jeremiah 23:29
4. Romans 1:16
5. 1Corinthians 12:14
6. 1Peter 1:23-25
How can we know that Bible is
GOD’s word
1. Colossians 1:5-6
2. Isaiah 55:10-11
3. 1Timothy 3:15
4. Mark 16:20
Can GOD preserve His Word
1. GOD instructs to write – Exod 17:15; Rev 1:19
2. GOD’s preserving power – Jer 36:2, 21-23, 27-28
3. Jesus confirms preservation – Matt 24:35
4. Jesus predicts – Matt 23:34, 28:19-20; Jn 14:26