THE BIBLE
INTRODUCTION: The Bible is the Christian’s instruction and rule book, II Timothy 3:16,17.
I. Why is the infallible Word of God the only instruction or rule book we will ever need through-
out our lifetime?
A. It will furnish us milk while we are babes in Christ, I Peter 2:2.
B. It will furnish us meat when we mature and become full-grown Christians, Hebrews
5:13,14.
5:13,14.
C. It will completely furnish us with instruction for every good work we will ever need to
perform, II Timothy 3:17.
perform, II Timothy 3:17.
D. Despite its inestimable value, many new converts, and older Christians alike, fail to
appreciate the Bible.
appreciate the Bible.
E. This lesson will deal with facts concerning the Bible, which should cause us to appreci-
ate more fully its value.
ate more fully its value.
II. What is the Bible?
A. The Bible is God’s Word, II Timothy 3:16.
1. It does not just contain God’s words; it is the Word of God.
2. It contains the words of Satan, angels, man (both good and bad), donkeys, etc., but
it is the Word of God.
3. It is God’s way of talking to man.
B. The Bible is God’s revelation to man.
1. He has revealed Himself directly to men in two ways:
a. Through the Living Word, John 1:14.
b. Through the written Word, John 5:39.
2. What we know about the Living Word (Christ) is revealed in the written Word (the
Bible).
C. The Bible is a divinely inspired library of 66 books (39 in the Old Testament and 27 in
the New Testament).
1. The word “Bible” comes from the Greek word biblia, which means “books.”
2. The Books was the name of this library until shortly after 400 A.D. when it received
the name “Bible.”
III. How did we receive the Bible?
A. Holy men of God were moved by the Holy Spirit to write His Word, II Peter 1:21.
1. There were as many as 40 different writers.
2. These men had different backgrounds.
3. They lived as much as 1600 years apart in time.
B. These inspired men wrote on goatskins, sheepskins, and papyrus scrolls.
C. Three different languages were used.
1. Hebrew — most of the Old Testament is in Hebrew.
2. Chaldee or Aramaic — parts of Daniel, Ezra, and Jeremiah were written in Chaldee.
3. Greek — the New Testament was written in Koine Greek. (Note: Matthew’s Gospel
may have originally been written in Aramaic.)
D. For hundreds of years these books were copied by hand.
1. Several ancient hand-copied books have been preserved to this day.
2. In ancient times, entire Bibles were scarce; few even possessed one full book.
E. The Bible has been translated into more than one thousand languages and dialects;
the most famous translation is the King James version.
IV. Why do we need the Bible?
A. For history, I Corinthians 10:11.
1. It tells us who we are, where we came from, and why we are here.
2. It tells us about the origins of the heavens and earth and all therein.
3. It tells us why men behave as they do.
B. For doctrine, II Timothy 3:16,17.
1. It is the only book which presents the truth about God.
2. It is the only book which diagnoses man’s real condition and prescribes a sure
cure.
3. It is the only book which teaches the true way of salvation.
C. For prophecy
1. Only God can foretell the future with absolute accuracy, Isaiah 46:9,10.
2. Man needs to know something about the end of this age and eternity.
3. God has revealed these things in the Bible; hence, our need of it.
D. For guidance, Psalm 119:105.
1. It shows us the paths in which we should walk.
2. It tells us how to live.
3. It brings us comfort in the midst of sorrow.
V. What should we do with the Bible?
A. Study it, II Timothy 2:15.
1. Study it daily, Acts 17:11.
2. Study it purposely, John 5:39.
B. Believe it, Acts 27:25.
1. It is impossible for God to lie, Hebrews 6:18.
2. God’s Word is truth, John 17:17.
C. Heed it, James 1:22.
1. It is not enough just to believe the Bible; we must do what it says.
2. To believe the Bible and yet not heed it is a grievous sin, James 4:17.
