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Christian Life Study Outlines

The Bible--The Word of God

It is so important for a young Christian to start right; therefore the first lesson is designed to help establish your faith in the Bible, for it is the Word of God.

Keep in mind that the Bible is not a book of philosophy, although it is philosophical. Do not go to the Bible for a scientific treatise. However, there is no discrepancy between ascertained facts of science and the Bible. The Bible is not a book of history, but is found to be accurate when recording history. The Bible was given to man from God, revealing Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God the Son, the only Saviour (John 14:6). He is the center and the circumference. It is Christ from Genesis to Revelation (John 5:39)

The Bible is as high above all other books as the heavens are above the earth. Someone has said of the Bible: "Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be right."

A. The Bible Claims to be the Inspired Word of God (II Tim. 3:16, 17)

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God." Upon this statement of fact, evangelical Christianity stands. The Bible claims to be the inspired Word of God. By "inspiration" we mean that the Holy Spirit exerted His supernatural influence upon the writers of the Bible. The writings were inspired-not necessarily the writers, for the Bible nowhere 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 He would leave "Many things" unrevealed and that the Holy Spirit would come and choose certain persons and through them reveal His perfect will unto man; and that the Holy Spirit would be the believer's 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.

Therefore, the Bible is free from error and absolutely trustworthy (Ps. 119:89; Matt. 24:35).

B. The Bible is a Difficult Book(I Cor. 2: 14-16)

The Bible is a difficult book because it came from the Infinite to the finite --from the unlimited, all powerful God, to limited man. Therefore, you cannot understand the Bible as you would understand the writings of Plato or Socrates. You can study the great philosophers with the natural mind, and by diligent application, grasp their profound meanings. If the Bible could be understood by natural man, it would be a natural book, and could not be the Word of God. Since, the Bible is from God, -and therefore spiritual, before you can receive its teachings, you must be born of the Spirit (John 3:6) and be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). Always approach the Bible praying that the Spirit will be your teacher and will guide you to a better understanding of His Holy Word, or it will remain a difficult, closed book (John 16: 12-15).

C. The Bible is a Book of Oneness (II Peter 1:21)

The oneness, or unity, of the Bible is a miracle. It is a library of 66 books, written by over 35 different authors, in a period of approximately 1,500 years. Represented in the authors is a cross section of humanity, educated and uneducated, including kings, fishermen, public officials, farmers, teachers and physicians. Included in the subjects are religion, history, law, science, poetry, drama, biography, and prophecy. Yet, its various parts are as harmoniously united as the parts that make up the human body.

For 35 authors, with such varied backgrounds, to write on so many subjects, over a period of approximately 1,500 years, in absolute harmony, is a mathematical impossibility. it could not happen! Then how do we account for the Bible? The only adequate explanation is: "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

D. The Bible Claims Special Power (Hebrews 4:12)

"For the Word of God is quick and powerful. . . "

1. The Bible claims dividing power as a sword. 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 Bible, we see ourselves as God sees

us--as sinners (Romans 3:23).

3. The Bible claims cleansing power as water (Eph. 5:26). David prayed that God would "wash him from iniquity" and cleanse him from sin" (Psalm 51:2)

4. The Bible claims reproductive power as seed (I Peter 1:23). We are children of God because we have been born into the family of God by the incorruptible seed of God. This is the new birth(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 study the Word of God.

E. The Bible Commands the Believer to Study the Scriptures (II Timothy 2:15)

"Study to show thyself approved unto God" is a command. As you study the Bible, you will discover that it does not just contain the Word of God--it IS the Word of God. You must also keep in mind that the Word of God 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 therefore limited, and does not always speak the truth. To illustrate: (Matt. 22:15-46). In this portion of Scripture, we have the words of Jesus, of the Pharisees, of the Herodians and of the Sadducees. The Pharisees., Herodians and Sadducees were just trying to entangle Jesus in His teachings, that they might accuse Him of breaking God's law. Their words were spoken with evil intent, revealing the thinking of the natural man, along with the words of God that came from the lips of Jesus.

As you study the Bible, ask yourself these questions:

1. Who is speaking: God, demon, angel or man?

2. To whom is he speaking: to the nation Israel, to the Gentiles, to the church, to men in general or to some individual man or being?

3. How can this Scripture be applied to my own life to make me a better Christian?