Lesson 1 “The Bible” Foundation Class

The Bible is a revelation of God, coming from God, and flowing through man, to man. The Bible is the only inspired and infallible divine revelation ever given to man and is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and morals. The Holy Spirit breathed upon human vessels the very thoughts and words He wanted written. The word flowed through the human vessels involving their emotions, personalities and frame of references, without violating such. Yet the Holy Spirit guarded and preserved every thought, phrase and word from any error, omission or inaccuracy.

Is the Bible inspired by God? To answer this question we must first examine what inspiration is, and what is the criteria to examine inspiration. The Bible declares its own inspiration in: 2 Tim 3:16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,(NIV) So inspiration can be defined as ________________, INSPIRATION : A technical term for the Holy Spirit's supernatural guidance of those who received special revelation from God as they wrote the books of the Bible. The end result of this inspiration is that the Bible conveys the truths which God wanted His people to know and to communicate to the world. God Breathed

The proof that the Bible is inspired are: 1.The Miracles of the Bible. 2.The Bible’s Prophecy and Fulfillment. 3.The Numerical Structure of the Bible.

4.The Unity of the Bible. A.Harmony of Themes: The CreatorColossians 1:6 The BeginningRevelation 1:8 The Seed of the WomanMatthew 1:23 B.Harmony between Old and New Testament: The New is in the Old contained The Old is in the New explained: The New is in the Old concealed The Old is in the New revealed:

5.The miraculous Preservation of the Bible 6.The Influence of the Bible

Where did the Bible come from? The Bible is sixty six books, written over a period of 1600 years, by approximately 40 different authors. There were kings, statesmen, prophets, peasants, fishermen, herdsmen, priests, tradesmen, and prisoners who wrote the Bible in three different languages. 2 Pet 1:21 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.(KJV) Gal 1:11-12 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.(NIV) Rom 3:1-2What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.(NIV) I Jn 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-- this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.(NIV)

Why is the Bible divided into two Testaments? 1.God’s revelation to man is Progressive (Isaiah 28:9-13) 2.The Old Testament was Preparatory to the New Testament 3.The Old Testament set forth the Type and Shadow of the New Testament church (Hebrews 8:5; 10:1) 4.That which happened in the Old Testament was written for our learning (Romans15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11)

Why should we study the Bible? 1.It is our Spiritual Food so we can grow. Matthew 4:4 2 Peter 2:2 2.It is what God wants to Speak to us Today Psalm 19: God Commands us to study His Word. 2 Timothy 2:15 4.It Trains us in Holy Living and makes us Wise.. 5.The Bible gives us Peace. Psalm 119:165

6.By the Word we can meet the Temptations of life. Psalms 119:11I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.(NIV) 7.By the Word we can have true Success in life. Joshua 1:8 Additional benefits are: It uncovers sin and mistakes, it gives us power to pray and it helps understand the teachings of the Bible.

How should we study the Bible? As much as our natural bodies require food and water our spiritual man requires the same. For us to grow in knowledge and wisdom of the things of God we must devote ourselves to: 1.Daily reading habit, a time when we can devote our entire attention to reading and nothing else! 2.Read it prayerfully and mediate upon it. 3.Read it systematically, not just a bit here a bit there. 4. Read the whole Bible, chapter by chapter reading every word and making your Bible with notes, highlighters, illustrations, etc...

Tools for Bible Study 1.The Bible different Versions: A:New King James B:New International Bibles C:New American Standard D:Amplified Bible E:Naves Topical Bible 2.Dictionaries A:Vines B:College C: Nelsons 3.Concordances A.Strongs B.Englishman’s 4.Misc..... A.Scripture Treasury B.Interlinear Bible C.Bible Maps D.For computer PC Study Bible