Introduction: 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 Savior
(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, beleive it to be
safe, and practice it to be right."
I. The Bible Claims To Be The Inspired Word of God
II Tim. 3:16-17
(16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the
man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
I(A) "All scripture is given by inspiration of
God."- By "inspiration" we mean that the Holy
Spirit exerted His supernatural influence upon the writers of the
Bible. Therefore the Scriptures are God inspired Word for Word.
By this we mean that every word, in the
original, is fully and equally inspired in all of it's teachings.
The Bible does not just contain
the word of God, it is the word of God.
The writers of the Bible did not write by natural inspiration, or
an act of the human will.
"Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy
Spirit" (II Peter 1:21). David
said, "The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His Word was
on my tongue"(II Sam.23:2
O.T.) 1)The Holy Spirit is the author of the Bible (II Peter
1:21).
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 O.T.; also Matt. 24:35).
Now turn and read I Cor. 2:14-16 for preparation of Bible study
#II: The Bible is a
Difficult Book.