[STUDY THE SCRIPTURES THAT ARE REFERENCED!]
The Bible was given to man from God, revealing Jesus Christ, the Son of God and God, the Son, the only Savior. John 14:6 Jesus is the Center and the Circumference...Christ from Genesis to Revelation. John 5:39
It has been said, "Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe and practice it to be right."
I. The Bible claims to be the inspired Word of God.
"All Scripture is give by inspiration of God."
That is a FACT! Inspiration = the Holy Spirit exerted His supernatural influence upon the writers of the Bible. The writing are inspired (not necessarily the writers, for the Bible no where claims to have been written by inspired men.
1. The Holy Spirit is the Author of the Bible. II Peter 1:21
Christ told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would come and choose certain persons and through them reveal His perfect will...and be the Teacher! John 16:12-15
2. Man is the instrument used by the Holy Spirit to write the Bible.
3. Results: the infallible Word of God. The Bible is free from error and absolutely trustworthy Psalm 119:89, Matthew 24:35
II. The Bible is a Difficult Book
Because it came from the Infinite to the finite...from the unlimited, all powerful God to limited man. You cannot understand the Bible - It is a spiritual Book from God, and the only way that you can understand It, is the you must be born of the Spirit. (born again)John 3:6 (look back at John 16:12-15
III. The Bible is a Book of Oneness
The oneness or unity of the Bible is a miracle:
66 books
35 different authors
1500 year span (approximately)
Authors were from many different backgrounds and vocations
YET, Its various parts are as harmoniously united as the parts that make up the human body - an absolute mathematical impossibility. "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."
IV. The Bible Claims Special Power
"For the Word of God is quick, and powerful..."
1. The Bible claims dividing power as a sword. Hebrews 4:12
The Bible will separate man from sin (Psalm 119:11) or sin will separate man from the Bible. Isaiah 59:2
2. The Bible claims reflecting power as a mirror. James 1:22-25
In the Word we see ourselves as God sees us - sinners before salvation Rom. 3:23, and saints to those who are born again but many still sin.
3. The Bible claims cleansing power as water. Ephesians 5:26 David prayed that God would "wash him from iniquity" and "cleanse him from sin" Psalm 51:21
4. The Bible claims reproductive power as seed. I Peter 1:23 We were born into the family (those who are saved) by the incorruptible seed of God. This is the new birth that is spoken of in John 3:1-7
5. The Bible claims nourishing power as food I Peter 2:2 The Bible is spiritual food for the soul. No Christian can remain strong in the Lord and not sdtudy the Word of God.
V. The Bible Commands the Believer to Study the Scriptures
"Study to show yourself approved unto God" is a command!
The Bible is the Word of God and contains the WORDS of God...as well as the words of Satan, demons, angels and man...both good and bad! God is truth and cannot lie. Satan "is a liar and the father of it." John 8:44
Man is natural and is limited and does not always speak the truth...Matthew 22:15-46
AS YOU STUDY THE BIBLE, ask yourself these questions:
1. Who is speaking?
2. To whom is the speaker speaking? the nation Israel, the Gentiles, the church, to men in general or to some individual man or being?
3. How can this Scripture be applied to my life to make me a more obedient Christian??
READ - BELIEVE - PRACTICE!!!!
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