1. Understanding The Bible 1. The Purpose of the Bible 2. The Land of the Bible 3. The Story of the Bible – Old Testament 4. The Story of the Bible – New Testament 5. The Message of the Bible 6. The Authority of the Bible Three definitions Three disclaimers Arguments for the authority of Scripture Christ’s view of the Old Testament ☛ Christ’s provision for the New Testament The Apostles’ authority confirmed Some conclusions 7. The Interpretation of the Bible 8. The Use of the Bible

2. In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles. Luke 6:12-13

3. Greek: apostolosAramaic: shaliach “…I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.” Acts 26:12

4. “At midday... I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?... And I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles— to whom I am sending you” Acts 26:13-17

5. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. John 15:27

6. For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. … But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem... Galatians 1:11-12, 15-18

7. ... Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?... 1 Corinthians 9:1...he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 1 Corinthians 15:5-9

8. “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:25-26 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth...” John 16:12-13

9. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. Acts 2:43 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles.... Acts 5:12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 2 Corinthians 12:12

10. How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:3-4