BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS BONUS LESSON

Noel Merrick

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Bibliology Doctrine of the Bible

I. Facts About The Bible

1. The word “Bible” means “books.” The Bible is a library of 66 books written over a period of 1500 years. There are thirty-nine books in the Old Testament (OT) and twentyseven books in New Testament (NT).

2. These authors claimed that their words were from God, dictated to them by the Holy Spirit. More on that later in this booklet.

3. Daniel referred to the Old Testament writings (the book of Jeremiah) as the “books” in Daniel 9:2.

Daniel 9:2 KJV 1900

In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

4. Jesus referred to the Old Testament writings as the Scriptures (Matthew 21:42), The Law (John 10:34), The Prophets (Matthew 5:17), The Psalms (Luke 24:44).

Matthew 21:42 KJV 1900

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

John 10:34 KJV 1900

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

Matthew 5:17 KJV 1900

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Luke 24:44 KJV 1900

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

5. Jesus quoted the Old Testament seventy-six times from these twelve books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy (most), Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Hosea, Micah, Zechariah, Malachi.

6. Paul called the Old Testament writings: The Scriptures (Romans 15:4), The Oracles of God (Romans 3:2), The Law (1 Corinthians 14:2).

Romans 15:4 KJV 1900

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Romans 3:2 KJV 1900

Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

1 Corinthians 14:2 KJV 1900

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

7. Paul quoted the Old Testament 131 times from seventeen books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Jeremiah., Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Habakkuk, Malachi

8. Seven Old Testament books are not directly quoted in the New Testament but are referred: Numbers (1 Corinthians 10:9), Judges (Acts 13:20), Ruth (Matthew 1:5), 1 Samuel (Hebrews 11:32), 2 Kings (Matthew 1), 2 Chronicles (Matthew 1), Jonah (Matthew 16:4).

1 Corinthians 10:9 KJV 1900

Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

Acts 13:20 KJV 1900

And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

Matthew 1:5 KJV 1900

And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

Hebrews 11:32 KJV 1900

And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

Matthew 1 KJV 1900

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Matthew 1 KJV 1900

Matthew 16:4 KJV 1900

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

9. Old Testament books which are neither quoted from nor refered to in the New Testament: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Lamentations, Obadiah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.

Yet by the time of Christ these were considered the Scriptures by the Jews and contained in the Canon that Christ approved of. (“Canon” means “the official list of the books contained in the Bible; books of the Bible accepted by the churches.”)

10. A total of 314 verses are used from the Old Testament in the New Testament. Ninety-two of the 314 refer to Christ. 1

11. A total of 136 different Old Testament characters are referred to in the New Testament.

12. Thirty out of thirty-nine Old Testament books are represented in the New Testament. (See number nine above.)

13. Luke referred to the Old Testament four times from three different books: Exodus, Leviticus, Isaiah.

14. The disciples referred to the Old Testament as the Scriptures (Luke 24:32).

Isaiah 14 KJV 1900

For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, And will yet choose Israel, And set them in their own land: And the strangers shall be joined with them, And they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: And the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the Lord For servants and handmaids: And they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; And they shall rule over their oppressors. And it shall come to pass in the day that the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve, That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, He that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth. The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us. Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: It stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; It hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: The worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; That opened not the house of his prisoners? All the kings of the nations, even all of them, Lie in glory, every one in his own house. But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, And as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, That go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet. Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, Because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: The seed of evildoers shall never be renowned. Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; That they do not rise, nor possess the land, Nor fill the face of the world with cities. For I will rise up against them, saith the Lord of hosts, And cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, And son, and nephew, saith the Lord. I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: And I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the Lord of hosts. The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; And as I have purposed, so shall it stand: That I will break the Assyrian in my land, And upon my mountains tread him under foot: Then shall his yoke depart from off them, And his burden depart from off their shoulders. This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: And this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden. Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, Because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: For out of the serpent’s root shall come forth a cockatrice, And his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, And the needy shall lie down in safety: And I will kill thy root with famine, And he shall slay thy remnant. Howl, O gate; cry, O city; Thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved: For there shall come from the north a smoke, And none shall be alone in his appointed times. What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the Lord hath founded Zion, And the poor of his people shall trust in it.

Luke 24:32 KJV 1900

And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

15. Peter quoted from seven Old Testament books: Genesis, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Joel.

16. Peter referred to all of Paul’s writing as Scriptures: 2 Peter 3:16. Paul wrote fourteen of the twenty-seven New Testament books. (The word “scriptures” means “holy writ.”)

2 Peter 3:16 KJV 1900

As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

17. The New Testament directly quotes twenty-three Old Testament books: Psalms- 78x (most), Isaiah- 57x, Deuteronomy- 47x, Exodus- 31x, Genesis- 26x, Leviticus- 23x, Jeremiah- 9x, Hosea- 6x, Zechariah- 6x, Proverbs- 5x, Malachi- 5x, Habbakkuk- 4x, Micah- 3x, Joel- 2x, Amos- 2x, Daniel- 2x, 1 Kings- 2x, 2 Samuel- 1x, 1 Chronicles- 1x, Joshua- 1x, Ezekiel- 1x, Haggai- 1x, Job- 1x.

18. The top ten characters refered to in the New Testament from the Old Testament: Moses- 101x, Abraham- 94x, David- 67x, Elijah- 41x, Isaiah- 26x, Jacob- 26x, Isaac- 24x, Adam- 18x, Judah- 16x, Joseph- 14x.

19. The writers of the Old Testament books include (but are not limited to): Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Ezra, Nehemiah, David, Sons of Korah, Asaph, Heman, Ethan, Solomon, Haggai, Zechariah, Hezekiah, Agur, Lemuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Malachi.

20. The writers of the New Testament books include: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James and Jude.

21. The occupations of these authors are very diverse and include: soldier, Egyptian prince, priest, king, rich farmer, poor farmer, scribe, prophets, prime minister’s cupbearer, tax collector, evangelist, physician, wealthy fisherman, poor fisherman, carpenter, and tentmaker . 2

Jude 21 KJV 1900

keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22. Some of the authors, such as Moses and Paul, were very educated men. Peter and John were considered unlearned and ignorant (Acts 4:13).

Acts 4:13 KJV 1900

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Yet the Lord used them all.

23. God is in no way mentioned in the book of Esther or the Song of Solomon but His presence and works are seen throughout.

24. The Canon of Scripture (66 books) was completed in 95 AD when John finished writing the “Revelation.”

These books were the only ones accepted by the first century church leaders as inspired by God. Other spurious (false or counterfeit) works were not accepted by the early church.

The Roman Catholic Church attempted to add to the Bible the Apocrypha Books (such as Tobias, Judith, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, 1 & 2 Machabees) in the 1500’s.

These books were rejected as spurious and though they were added between the Old and New Testaments of the King James Bible for their “literary and historical value,” the outcry of believers and lovers of the Bible was so loud they were soon deleted so as not to be mistaken as scripture.

These books still appear in Roman Catholic Bibles (Douay-Rheims version) but few others.

These protestors were right to cry out against them. (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32, Proverbs 30:5-6, Revelation 22:18-19).

Deuteronomy 4:2 KJV 1900

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

Deuteronomy 12:32 KJV 1900

What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Proverbs 30:5–6 KJV 1900

Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, Lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Revelation 22:18–19 KJV 1900

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

II. Necessary Words In Understanding the Bible

A. Revelation Revelation may be defined as: God’s communication of divine truth to man concerning that which man could not otherwise know about God and His will.

Since man is spiritually dead, it is impossible for us to know anything about God unless He reveals it to us.

In a general sense, man has always possessed a limited amount of revelation concerning God as communicated through His creation (Job 37:1-6; Psalm 19:1-6; Acts 14:17; Romans 1:20) and his dealings with man (Genesis 1:26; Acts 17:24-27).

Job 37:1–6 KJV 1900

At this also my heart trembleth, And is moved out of his place. Hear attentively the noise of his voice, And the sound that goeth out of his mouth. He directeth it under the whole heaven, And his lightning unto the ends of the earth. After it a voice roareth: He thundereth with the voice of his excellency; And he will not stay them when his voice is heard. God thundereth marvellously with his voice; Great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; Likewise to the small rain, And to the great rain of his strength.

Psalm 19:1–6 KJV 1900

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, Where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, And his circuit unto the ends of it: And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

Acts 14:17 KJV 1900

Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

Romans 1:20 KJV 1900

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Genesis 1:26 KJV 1900

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Acts 17:24–27 KJV 1900

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

However, in order for man to gain a true and experiential knowledge of God, special revelation was necessary.

In conveying His message, God spoke progressively and in various supernatural ways including

(1) dreams (Genesis 37:5-9)

Genesis 37:5–9 KJV 1900

And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.

(2) visions (Genesis 15:1; Isaiah 6:1-8; Amos 7-9)

Genesis 15:1 KJV 1900

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Isaiah 6:1–8 KJV 1900

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: The whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Amos 7–9 KJV 1900

Thus hath the Lord God shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king’s mowings. And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord God, forgive, I beseech thee: By whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. The Lord repented for this: It shall not be, saith the Lord. Thus hath the Lord God shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord God called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part. Then said I, O Lord God, cease, I beseech thee: By whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. The Lord repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord God. Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more: And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, And the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; And I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword. Then Amaziah the priest of Beth-el sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land. Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: But prophesy not again any more at Beth-el: for it is the king’s chapel, and it is the king’s court. Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel. Now therefore hear thou the word of the Lord: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, And drop not thy word against the house of Isaac. Therefore thus saith the Lord; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, And thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, And thy land shall be divided by line; And thou shalt die in a polluted land: And Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land. Thus hath the Lord God shewed unto me: and behold a basket of summer fruit. And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the Lord unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more. And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord God: There shall be many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence. Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, Even to make the poor of the land to fail, Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? And the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, Making the ephah small, and the shekel great, And falsifying the balances by deceit? That we may buy the poor for silver, And the needy for a pair of shoes; Yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat? The Lord hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works. Shall not the land tremble for this, And every one mourn that dwelleth therein? And it shall rise up wholly as a flood; And it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord God, That I will cause the sun to go down at noon, And I will darken the earth in the clear day: And I will turn your feasts into mourning, And all your songs into lamentation; And I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, And baldness upon every head; And I will make it as the mourning of an only son, And the end thereof as a bitter day. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, That I will send a famine in the land, Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, They shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it. In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst. They that swear by the sin of Samaria, And say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; And, The manner of Beer-sheba liveth; Even they shall fall, and never rise up again. I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: And cut them in the head, all of them; And I will slay the last of them with the sword: He that fleeth of them shall not flee away, And he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered. Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; Though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down: And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; And though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, Thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them: And though they go into captivity before their enemies, Thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: And I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good. And the Lord God of hosts is he that toucheth the land, and it shall melt, And all that dwell therein shall mourn: And it shall rise up wholly like a flood; And shall be drowned, as by the flood of Egypt. It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, And hath founded his troop in the earth; He that calleth for the waters of the sea, And poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord is his name. Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the Lord. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? And the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir? Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are upon the sinful kingdom, And I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; Saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the Lord. For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, Like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, Which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us. In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, And close up the breaches thereof; And I will raise up his ruins, And I will build it as in the days of old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, Which are called by my name, Saith the Lord that doeth this. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, That the plowman shall overtake the reaper, And the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; And the mountains shall drop sweet wine, And all the hills shall melt. And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, And they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; And they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; They shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, And they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, Saith the Lord thy God.

(3) direct communication (1 Samuel 3:3-14)

1 Samuel 3:3–14 KJV 1900

And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

(4) Theophanies (Genesis 18; 32:24-30)

Genesis 18 KJV 1900

And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh. And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord. And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake. And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake. And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake. And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

Genesis 32:24–30 KJV 1900

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

(5) miracles (Genesis 6-9; 1 Kings 18:17-40; John 20:30-31).

Genesis 6–9 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee. And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them. Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him. And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth. And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood. Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth, There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah. And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth. In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark; They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in. And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered. And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days. And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged; The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained; And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated. And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat. And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen. And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more. And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry. And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried. And God spake unto Noah, saying, Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee. Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth. And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him: Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark. And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein. And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth. And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread. And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness. And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; And Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japheth, And he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; And Canaan shall be his servant. And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years. And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.

1 Kings 18:17–40 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim. Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table. So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God. And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

John 20:30–31 KJV 1900

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

(6) prophets unto the people (Hebrews 1:1; 2 Peter 1:21; Hosea 1:1; Joel 1:1)

Hebrews 1:1 KJV 1900

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2 Peter 1:21 KJV 1900

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Hosea 1:1 KJV 1900

The word of the Lord that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.

Joel 1:1 KJV 1900

The word of the Lord that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.

(7) the Incarnate Son of God (John 1:1-18; Hebrews 1:2 cf. John 14:7), and

John 1:1–18 KJV 1900

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Hebrews 1:2 KJV 1900

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

John 14:7 KJV 1900

If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

(8) the written Word of God (1 Corinthians 2:9-11; 2 Timothy 3:16).

1 Corinthians 2:9–11 KJV 1900

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

God’s revelation ceased with the completion of the written Word - the Bible (Revelation 22:18).

Revelation 22:18 KJV 1900

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

B. Inspiration Inspiration is that inexplicable working of the Holy Spirit whereby He guided the human authors of the Bible in choosing the very words (verbal) they used in writing every portion (plenary) of the original manuscripts so that the Bible is, in all its parts, both infalliable, as to truth, and final, as to authority.

The guidance of the human authors by the Holy Spirit was such that He used their own individual personalities to record without error God’s revelation which is to be the only authoritative source for man’s faith and practice (cf. Matthew 5:17-18, 24:35; Luke 21:15; John 5:39, 10:35; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21, Exodus 4:10-15; 2 Samuel 23:2; Isaiah 8:1, Jeremiah 1:9, 30:2, 32:2; 1 4 Corinthians 11:23; 14:37, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Galatians 1:11,12; Hebrews 1:1,2; Revelation 1:11, Genesis 1:26, Exodus 4:12; Isaiah 51:16; Ezekiel 1:3; Revelation 14:13; Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2).

Matthew 5:17–18 KJV 1900

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Matthew 24:35 KJV 1900

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Luke 21:15 KJV 1900

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

John 5:39 KJV 1900

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

John 10:35 KJV 1900

If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

1 Corinthians 2:10–13 KJV 1900

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Peter 1:21 KJV 1900

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Exodus 4:10–15 KJV 1900

And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.

2 Samuel 23:2 KJV 1900

The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, And his word was in my tongue.

Isaiah 8:1 KJV 1900

Moreover the Lord said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz.

Jeremiah 1:9 KJV 1900

Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

Jeremiah 30:2 KJV 1900

Thus speaketh the Lord God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.

Jeremiah 32:2 KJV 1900

For then the king of Babylon’s army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah’s house.

Jeremiah 1:4 KJV 1900

Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV 1900

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Galatians 1:11 KJV 1900

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

Galatians 1:12 KJV 1900

For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:1 KJV 1900

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Hebrews 1:2 KJV 1900

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Revelation 1:11 KJV 1900

Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Genesis 1:26 KJV 1900

Exodus 4:12 KJV 1900

Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

Isaiah 51:16 KJV 1900

And I have put my words in thy mouth, And I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, That I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, And say unto Zion, Thou art my people.

Ezekiel 1:3 KJV 1900

The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.

Revelation 14:13 KJV 1900

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Hebrews 6:18 KJV 1900

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Titus 1:2 KJV 1900

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

C. Inerrancy and Infallibility Since God is the Divine Author of the Scriptures, and since the Holy Spirit guided the human authors, and since God is true (John 3:33; 17:3; Romans 3:4) His Word must be true and without error.

John 3:33 KJV 1900

He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

John 17:3 KJV 1900

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Romans 3:4 KJV 1900

God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

That is inerrancy.

Not only is the Bible without error, but it speaks with precise accuracy and reliability (John 17:17; John 10:35; Luke 24:44).

John 17:17 KJV 1900

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

John 10:35 KJV 1900

If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

Luke 24:44 KJV 1900

That is infallibility.

D. Authority That which the Scriptures proclaim, they speak with the absolute authority of “Thus saith the Lord.” Since it is the Word of the Almighty God, it is binding upon all men (Matthew 21:42; 22:29-32; John 5:39; cf.Matthew 5:17-18; 26:53-54).

Matthew 21:42 KJV 1900

Matthew 22:29–32 KJV 1900

Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

John 5:39 KJV 1900

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Matthew 5:17–18 KJV 1900

Matthew 26:53–54 KJV 1900

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

It is, therefore, man’s absolute authority for faith and practice. The phrase “Thus saith the Lord” appears 413 x in the Old Testament.

E. Canonicity The word “canon” comes from the Hebrew word for a measuring instrument or “that which keeps a thing straight” and implies the idea of a “standard.”

The Scriptures are an authoritative standard for the faith and practice not because they passed man-made tests, but because they are God-breathed, or inspired.

During the process of determining canonicity, the Holy Spirit simply led men to recognize that which was already fact.

The Old Testament canon consists of thirty-nine books (cf. Joshua 8:31-35; 23:6; 1 Kings 2:3; 2 Kings 4:6; Ezra 7:6; Malachi 4:4; also Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:27,44; Matthew 23:35; 2 Timothy 3:16).

Joshua 8:31–35 KJV 1900

As Moses the servant of the Lord commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the Lord, and sacrificed peace offerings. And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel. And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel. And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.

Joshua 23:6 KJV 1900

Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;

1 Kings 2:3 KJV 1900

And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

2 Kings 4:6 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.

Ezra 7:6 KJV 1900

This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him.

Malachi 4:4 KJV 1900

Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, Which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, With the statutes and judgments.

Matthew 5:17 KJV 1900

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Luke 24:27 KJV 1900

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Luke 24:44 KJV 1900

Matthew 23:35 KJV 1900

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

The New Testament canon consists of twenty-seven books (cf. John.14:26; 16:12-15; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 5:27: 1 Corinthians 2:7-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; 2 Peter 3:15-16).

John 14:26 KJV 1900

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 16:12–15 KJV 1900

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV 1900

1 Thessalonians 5:27 KJV 1900

I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

1 Corinthians 2:7–13 KJV 1900

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 KJV 1900

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

2 Peter 3:15–16 KJV 1900

And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

F. Illumination Illumination is the work of the Holy Spirit whereby He gives individuals the ability to understand the Word of God.

Because of sin, man’s understanding has been darkened so that no one can understand Scripture properly without Divine assistance (Romans 1:21; Ephesians 4:18; 1 Corinthians 2:14).

Romans 1:21 KJV 1900

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Ephesians 4:18 KJV 1900

Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

It is the Holy Spirit which enlightens the mind of the believer to understand the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:6-16; 1 John 2:20,27; cf. John 16:8; 2 Corinthians 4:4).

1 Corinthians 2:6–16 KJV 1900

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

1 John 2:20 KJV 1900

But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

1 John 2:27 KJV 1900

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

John 16:8 KJV 1900

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV 1900

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

G. Interpretation The Scriptures must be interpreted on the basis of sound exegesis (explanation, exposition) and the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The Scriptures are to be interpreted literally, giving consideration to the historical, cultural, and grammatical context of the passage.

The premillennial, dispensational system of interpretation is the correct approach to understanding the progressive unfolding of God’s plan.

More on how to understand the scriptures from a dispensational aspect later in this booklet.

H. Preservation God has providentially worked to assure that His Word is kept accurate through the centuries (Isaiah 40:8; 55:11, 1 Peter 1:23-25; Psalm 12:6,7; Psalm 119:89; Psalm 119:152; Matthew 24:35; Luke 21:33; Matthew 5:18).

Isaiah 40:8 KJV 1900

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: But the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Isaiah 55:11 KJV 1900

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: It shall not return unto me void, But it shall accomplish that which I please, And it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

1 Peter 1:23–25 KJV 1900

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Psalm 12:6 KJV 1900

The words of the Lord are pure words: As silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Psalm 12:7 KJV 1900

Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, Thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

Psalm 119:89 KJV 1900

LAMED. For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.

Psalm 119:152 KJV 1900

Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old That thou hast founded them for ever.

Matthew 24:35 KJV 1900

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Luke 21:33 KJV 1900

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Matthew 5:18 KJV 1900

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Because the originals no longer exist, these verses are either not true or God has kept His word and promise through copies of the original and in other languages.

Inspiration without preservation is a divine waste of time.

Our church’s position is that God has preserved His eternal Word for English people today in the Authorized Version, also known as the King James Version Bible (KJV or KJB) of 1611.

We believe all other English versions deviate from the truth, leave out passages, change meanings of words, verses and texts and weaken the major doctrines of the faith.

For example: of the 5332 complete New Testament manuscripts in the original Greek still in existence today, only ten of them leave out portions or all of Acts 8:37.

Acts 8:37 KJV 1900

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

The New International Version (NIV) deletes this verse completely.

The NIV has 64, 576 less words than the KJB. The New King James Version (NKJV) has over 20,000 less words than 6 the KJB. See Matthew 24:35.

Matthew 24:35 KJV 1900

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

“The 1611 KJV is from a superior text, translated by superior translators into a superior English,” said Bible historian Dr. Jewell Smith.

There were fifty-four translators of the KJV 1611. Each was commissioned by King James and knew how to fluently speak between three and ten languages.

They were not religionists but linguists.

Thousands of martyrs have given their lives to protect and promote the Textus Receptus (Received text from which we get the KJV).

It is hard to find anyone who ever died to protect the perverted texts. They are not worth dying for.

III. Necessary Practices In Understanding the Bible

A. Criteria to Understanding In answering that important question, consider first the preparation necessary for Bible study.

You see, the Bible is written for the heart. Unless your heart is prepared, you will miss the truths and blessings of God’s Word.

1. You Must Have A Regenerated Heart Having been born of the Spirit through faith in Christ (John 3:3).

John 3:3 KJV 1900

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

The unsaved person cannot understand God’s Word, according to 1 Corinthians 2:14.

1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV 1900

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

2. You Must Have A Humble Heart Listening to God as a little child would listen to his father (Matthew 11:25).

Matthew 11:25 KJV 1900

At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

3. You Must Have An Obedient Heart Willing to do whatever the Word says, with a deep desire to know God’s Word (Psalms 119:97).

Psalm 119:97 KJV 1900

MEM. O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

The Christian who sincerely loves God’s Word has no trouble finding time to read it every single day (Acts 17:11).

Acts 17:11 KJV 1900

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

The first step in getting more out of your Bible study is simply this: open your heart to God and let Him prepare it for the blessings He wants to give you.

Let Him cleanse every corner as you confess every sin.

Be sure your will is yielded to Him. When your heart is quieted before Him, breathe the prayer of the psalmist: “Open thou mine eyes; that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” (Psalms 119:18).

Psalm 119:18 KJV 1900

Open thou mine eyes, That I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

The second step is this: realize that God has made provision for you to understand His Word by giving you the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit wrote the Word (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21) and is the Divine Teacher to explain the Word (John 14:26; 16:13-15).

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Peter 1:21 KJV 1900

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

John 14:26 KJV 1900

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 16:13–15 KJV 1900

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Allow the Spirit to guide you and you will be amazed at the way He will open your spiritual eyes! Of course, this means you must be on good terms with the Holy Spirit, not grieving Him with disobedience or unconfessed sin (Ephesians 4:30).

Ephesians 4:30 KJV 1900

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

He is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation who will open the eyes of your understanding, according to Ephesians 1:17-18; so allow Him to direct your study of God’s Word.

Ephesians 1:17–18 KJV 1900

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

B. Principles of Bible Study

1. The Accuracy Principle Be sure that all persons, places, objects, and events are accurately identified, and all words accurately defined, before you interpret a passage of Scripture.

You must be especially accurate in identifying persons and places in the Bible.

For example, there are ten different Simons, four men named John, three James’, six Marys, and several Herods!

Some people have two names: Jacob is also called Israel, Levi is another name for Matthew, and Peter is called Simon and Cephas. The Sea of Galilee is also known as the Sea of Tiberias and the Lake of Gennesaret.

The Accuracy Principle also tells you to define Bible words accurately.

The King James Version of the Bible was translated from the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts in 1611.

Since that time, many English words have changed their meanings.

Take Hebrews 13:5 as an example: “Let your conversation be without covetousness...” That seems to teach that Christians must never talk about money, but the writer had something entirely different in mind.

Hebrews 13:5 KJV 1900

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

The word “conversation” means “speech” today, but back in 1611 it meant “behaviour.”

This verse simply commands us to live without the love of money controlling our actions.

Or, look at Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing...” which seems to suggest we should be careless about everything! Of course, the word “careful” meant “full of care, anxious” back in the seventeenth century; so the verse implies, “Be anxious about nothing.”

Philippians 4:6 KJV 1900

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

To help you understand these old English words you will eventually want to purchase an 1828 Webster’s Dictionary and a Strong’s Concordance of Greek and Hebrew words.

2. The Background Principle:

Be sure you understand the background and setting (context) of a passage before you interpret it.

Always study a verse in the light of the entire chapter, and study the chapter in the light of the entire book it is in.

Ask yourself these questions:

a. What is the main theme of this chapter?

b. Who is speaking: God, man, Satan, angels?

c. Who is addressed: God, man, saints, sinners?

d. When was this spoken or written?

3. The Cross-Referencing Principle:

Be sure the Holy Spirit is your ultimate teacher and cross-reference all scriptures concerning a particular word, doctrine, topic, character, principle, etc.

Compile all Scriptures about the subject and believe all the truth about that subject not just part.

This type of study is called “comparing” in 1 Corinthians 2:13 and is the method the Holy Spirit honors with His illumination.

1 Corinthians 2:13 KJV 1900

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Cross-references refer you to other scriptures that shed light on the same subject.

For example, why did Jesus constrain (compel) His disciples to get into the boat and depart after He had fed the 5,000?

Matthew 14:22 does not tell us, but the cross-reference refers us to John 6:1521 and here we find the answer.

Matthew 14:22 KJV 1900

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

Verse fifteen says that the crowd wanted to take Jesus by force and make Him a king!

Jesus refused to be crowned by people who were only interested in full stomachs!

Never study a verse or passage as an isolated piece of Scripture.

Look at it in its setting and study all the passages related to it.

That way you will find many of the problems solved and the so-called “contradictions” answered.

Use good sense and cross-referencing when interpreting parables, too.

Look for the main lesson in a parable and the details will give you little trouble.

Often the Bible explains the various symbols in a parable, such as “The Parable of the Sower” in Matthew 13:3-8 (explained in 13:19-23), or the “Vision of the Woman” in Revelation 17 (explained in 17:9, 12, 15, and 18).

Matthew 13:3–8 KJV 1900

And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Revelation 17 KJV 1900

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

4. The Dispensational Principle.

The Bible is divided into at least twelve different ages. We must “rightly” divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV 1900

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Some of the laws, rules, rituals, etc. that God expected people to live by in one dispensation (age) were changed in another.

Someone who does not know this will think there are contradictions in the Bible.

For example, some meats that were not allowed to be eaten in the Old Testament are now allowed in the New Testament.

Here is a look at the twelve dispensations:

a. Eternity Past - before God created the earth.

b. The Creation - six days in which God created all things.

c. Age of Innocence - Perfection, Adam and Eve, Very short in duration.

d. Age of Conscience - Expulsion from the Garden of Eden till the flood of Noah.

e. Age of Human Government - after the flood. Man given the responsibility of capital punishment.

f. Age of the Patriarchs - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (twelve sons).

g. Age of the Law of God - through Moses and Nation of Israel.

h. Apostolic Age - Day of Pentecost until the completion of the Bible, various gifts, signs, and wonders.

i. Church Age - from the completion of the New Testament until the rapture of the church in Revelation 4:1; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10.

Revelation 4:1 KJV 1900

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

1 Corinthians 13:8–10 KJV 1900

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Some have suggested that the seven churches of Asia spoken of in Revelation 2-3 represent the past two thousand plus years of church history in exposing the personality of the churches during these years. This seems to be more than coincidental:

Revelation 2–3 KJV 1900

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

• Church of Ephesus - 1st Century Church. Sound in doctrine and works but they left their first love (Revelation 2:1-7).

Revelation 2:1–7 KJV 1900

• Church of Smyrna - 100-376 AD. The persecuted church that was poor materially but rich spiritually (Revelation 2:8-11).

Revelation 2:8–11 KJV 1900

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

• Church of Pergamos - Middle ages. Mixed with the world. The heretical Church (Revelation 2:12-17).

Revelation 2:12–17 KJV 1900

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

• Church of Thyatira - 1054-1305 AD. The Medieval Church. Idolatry. Attached to the world. Spiritual fornication (Revelation 2:18-29).

Revelation 2:18–29 KJV 1900

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

• Church of Sardis - 1305-1517 AD. The almost dead church. Apostasy (Revelation 3:1-6).

Revelation 3:1–6 KJV 1900

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

• Church of Philadelphia - Reformation to early 1900’s. The Church in Revival (Revelation 3:7-13). Some churches will continue in this spirit until Christ comes.

Revelation 3:7–13 KJV 1900

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

• Church of Laodecia -1940’s to present. Apostasy and Humanism. Ecumenical. Christ is on the outside (Revelation 3:14-22).

Revelation 3:14–22 KJV 1900

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

j. The Tribulation - Time of Jacob’s (Israel) trouble, seven years long.

k. Millennium - Christ’s Kingdom on earth! 1000 years.

l. Eternity - Heaven or Hell.

Note: Many preachers and teachers do not include “Eternity Past” and “Eternity Future” with the dispensations.

Others combine “The Creation” with “Age of Innocence” and “Age of Human Government” with “Age of the Patriarchs.”

These are minor differences of opinion, and should not be a matter of contention.

Do not allow the difficult portions of the Bible to discourage or detain you.

Live by what you clearly understand from God’s Word and trust Him to shed light on the obscure passages in His good time.

The test of successful Bible study is not simply how much you learn, but how much you live.

The proof that Christ has taught you is not a big head, but a burning heart (Luke 24:32).

Luke 24:32 KJV 1900

And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

Prepare your heart, yield to the Spirit, and apply these basic principles.

The Bible will become a new book to you and you will become a stronger Christian!

IV. The Bible Bookcase

The books of the Bible are not compiled in chronological order.

They are placed in order by subject, as follows:

A. The Old Testament

1. Law - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

2. History - Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.

Deuteronomy 2 KJV 1900

Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the Lord spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days. And the Lord spake unto me, saying, Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward. And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore: Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession. Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink. For the Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing. And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain from Elath, and from Ezion-gaber, we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab. And the Lord said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession. The Emims dwelt therein in times past, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; Which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims. The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which the Lord gave unto them. Now rise up, said I, and get you over the brook Zered. And we went over the brook Zered. And the space in which we came from Kadesh-barnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the Lord sware unto them. For indeed the hand of the Lord was against them, to destroy them from among the host, until they were consumed. So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people, That the Lord spake unto me, saying, Thou art to pass over through Ar, the coast of Moab, this day: And when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession. (That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims; A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the Lord destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead: As he did to the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, when he destroyed the Horims from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day: And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.) Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle. This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee. And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying, Let me pass through thy land: I will go along by the high way, I will neither turn unto the right hand nor to the left. Thou shalt sell me meat for money, that I may eat; and give me water for money, that I may drink: only I will pass through on my feet; (As the children of Esau which dwell in Seir, and the Moabites which dwell in Ar, did unto me;) until I shall pass over Jordan into the land which the Lord our God giveth us. But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the Lord thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land. Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz. And the Lord our God delivered him before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people. And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain: Only the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we took. From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the Lord our God delivered all unto us: Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not, nor unto any place of the river Jabbok, nor unto the cities in the mountains, nor unto whatsoever the Lord our God forbad us.

3. Poetry - Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. (In Hebrew these were in poetry form.)

Esther 3 KJV 1900

After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment? Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring. And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

4. Major prophets (the big books) - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel

5. Minor Prophets (the smaller books) - Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.

Daniel 5 KJV 1900

Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king’s countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then came in all the king’s wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied. Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation. Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing: And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will. And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.

B. The New Testament

1. Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

2. History - Acts

John 2 KJV 1900

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

3. Paul’s Letters (epistles)

Acts 3 KJV 1900

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

a. To the churches - Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians

b. To the pastors - 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus

c. To his friend - Philemon

d. To the Jews - Hebrews

4. General Letters (epistles) - James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2 & 3 John, Jude

Hebrews 4 KJV 1900

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

5. Prophecy - Revelation 13

Jude 5 KJV 1900

I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

Revelation 13 KJV 1900

And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

V. Conclusion We believe in the verbal, plenary, inspired, inerrant Word of God.

It is our primary source for information concerning God, His church and is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice.

We believe God controlled the mind and hand of the writers of His word.

We believe this accuracy to be extended to every portion of the Bible, so that it is infallible as to truth and final as to divine authorship.

We believe that Jesus Christ is the central person and theme of this whole book.

If we see Jesus Christ, the Son of God and God the Son, throughout the study of its pages our conclusions will probably be accurate.

All success in the Christian faith must be tied to this book.

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8).

Joshua 1:8 KJV 1900

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV 1900

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS BONUS LESSON

Bibliology Doctrine of the Bible

I. Facts About The Bible

1. The word “Bible” means “books.” The Bible is a library of 66 books written over a period of 1500 years. There are thirty-nine books in the Old Testament (OT) and twentyseven books in New Testament (NT).

2. These authors claimed that their words were from God, dictated to them by the Holy Spirit. More on that later in this booklet.

3. Daniel referred to the Old Testament writings (the book of Jeremiah) as the “books” in Daniel 9:2.

4. Jesus referred to the Old Testament writings as the Scriptures (Matthew 21:42), The Law (John 10:34), The Prophets (Matthew 5:17), The Psalms (Luke 24:44).

5. Jesus quoted the Old Testament seventy-six times from these twelve books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy (most), Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Hosea, Micah, Zechariah, Malachi.

6. Paul called the Old Testament writings: The Scriptures (Romans 15:4), The Oracles of God (Romans 3:2), The Law (1 Corinthians 14:2).

7. Paul quoted the Old Testament 131 times from seventeen books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Jeremiah., Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Habakkuk, Malachi

8. Seven Old Testament books are not directly quoted in the New Testament but are referred: Numbers (1 Corinthians 10:9), Judges (Acts 13:20), Ruth (Matthew 1:5), 1 Samuel (Hebrews 11:32), 2 Kings (Matthew 1), 2 Chronicles (Matthew 1), Jonah (Matthew 16:4).

9. Old Testament books which are neither quoted from nor refered to in the New Testament: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Lamentations, Obadiah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.

Yet by the time of Christ these were considered the Scriptures by the Jews and contained in the Canon that Christ approved of. (“Canon” means “the official list of the books contained in the Bible; books of the Bible accepted by the churches.”)

10. A total of 314 verses are used from the Old Testament in the New Testament. Ninety-two of the 314 refer to Christ. 1

11. A total of 136 different Old Testament characters are referred to in the New Testament.

12. Thirty out of thirty-nine Old Testament books are represented in the New Testament. (See number nine above.)

13. Luke referred to the Old Testament four times from three different books: Exodus, Leviticus, Isaiah.

14. The disciples referred to the Old Testament as the Scriptures (Luke 24:32).

15. Peter quoted from seven Old Testament books: Genesis, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Joel.

16. Peter referred to all of Paul’s writing as Scriptures: 2 Peter 3:16. Paul wrote fourteen of the twenty-seven New Testament books. (The word “scriptures” means “holy writ.”)

18. The top ten characters refered to in the New Testament from the Old Testament: Moses- 101x, Abraham- 94x, David- 67x, Elijah- 41x, Isaiah- 26x, Jacob- 26x, Isaac- 24x, Adam- 18x, Judah- 16x, Joseph- 14x.

20. The writers of the New Testament books include: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James and Jude.

21. The occupations of these authors are very diverse and include: soldier, Egyptian prince, priest, king, rich farmer, poor farmer, scribe, prophets, prime minister’s cupbearer, tax collector, evangelist, physician, wealthy fisherman, poor fisherman, carpenter, and tentmaker . 2

22. Some of the authors, such as Moses and Paul, were very educated men. Peter and John were considered unlearned and ignorant (Acts 4:13).

Yet the Lord used them all.

23. God is in no way mentioned in the book of Esther or the Song of Solomon but His presence and works are seen throughout.

24. The Canon of Scripture (66 books) was completed in 95 AD when John finished writing the “Revelation.”

These books were the only ones accepted by the first century church leaders as inspired by God. Other spurious (false or counterfeit) works were not accepted by the early church.

The Roman Catholic Church attempted to add to the Bible the Apocrypha Books (such as Tobias, Judith, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, 1 & 2 Machabees) in the 1500’s.

These books were rejected as spurious and though they were added between the Old and New Testaments of the King James Bible for their “literary and historical value,” the outcry of believers and lovers of the Bible was so loud they were soon deleted so as not to be mistaken as scripture.

These books still appear in Roman Catholic Bibles (Douay-Rheims version) but few others.

These protestors were right to cry out against them. (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32, Proverbs 30:5-6, Revelation 22:18-19).

II. Necessary Words In Understanding the Bible

A. Revelation Revelation may be defined as: God’s communication of divine truth to man concerning that which man could not otherwise know about God and His will.

Since man is spiritually dead, it is impossible for us to know anything about God unless He reveals it to us.

In a general sense, man has always possessed a limited amount of revelation concerning God as communicated through His creation (Job 37:1-6; Psalm 19:1-6; Acts 14:17; Romans 1:20) and his dealings with man (Genesis 1:26; Acts 17:24-27).

However, in order for man to gain a true and experiential knowledge of God, special revelation was necessary.

In conveying His message, God spoke progressively and in various supernatural ways including

(1) dreams (Genesis 37:5-9)

(2) visions (Genesis 15:1; Isaiah 6:1-8; Amos 7-9)

(3) direct communication (1 Samuel 3:3-14)

(4) Theophanies (Genesis 18; 32:24-30)

(5) miracles (Genesis 6-9; 1 Kings 18:17-40; John 20:30-31).

(6) prophets unto the people (Hebrews 1:1; 2 Peter 1:21; Hosea 1:1; Joel 1:1)

(7) the Incarnate Son of God (John 1:1-18; Hebrews 1:2 cf. John 14:7), and

(8) the written Word of God (1 Corinthians 2:9-11; 2 Timothy 3:16).

God’s revelation ceased with the completion of the written Word - the Bible (Revelation 22:18).

C. Inerrancy and Infallibility Since God is the Divine Author of the Scriptures, and since the Holy Spirit guided the human authors, and since God is true (John 3:33; 17:3; Romans 3:4) His Word must be true and without error.

That is inerrancy.

Not only is the Bible without error, but it speaks with precise accuracy and reliability (John 17:17; John 10:35; Luke 24:44).

That is infallibility.

D. Authority That which the Scriptures proclaim, they speak with the absolute authority of “Thus saith the Lord.” Since it is the Word of the Almighty God, it is binding upon all men (Matthew 21:42; 22:29-32; John 5:39; cf.Matthew 5:17-18; 26:53-54).

It is, therefore, man’s absolute authority for faith and practice. The phrase “Thus saith the Lord” appears 413 x in the Old Testament.

E. Canonicity The word “canon” comes from the Hebrew word for a measuring instrument or “that which keeps a thing straight” and implies the idea of a “standard.”

The Scriptures are an authoritative standard for the faith and practice not because they passed man-made tests, but because they are God-breathed, or inspired.

During the process of determining canonicity, the Holy Spirit simply led men to recognize that which was already fact.

The Old Testament canon consists of thirty-nine books (cf. Joshua 8:31-35; 23:6; 1 Kings 2:3; 2 Kings 4:6; Ezra 7:6; Malachi 4:4; also Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:27,44; Matthew 23:35; 2 Timothy 3:16).

The New Testament canon consists of twenty-seven books (cf. John.14:26; 16:12-15; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 5:27: 1 Corinthians 2:7-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; 2 Peter 3:15-16).

F. Illumination Illumination is the work of the Holy Spirit whereby He gives individuals the ability to understand the Word of God.

Because of sin, man’s understanding has been darkened so that no one can understand Scripture properly without Divine assistance (Romans 1:21; Ephesians 4:18; 1 Corinthians 2:14).

It is the Holy Spirit which enlightens the mind of the believer to understand the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:6-16; 1 John 2:20,27; cf. John 16:8; 2 Corinthians 4:4).

G. Interpretation The Scriptures must be interpreted on the basis of sound exegesis (explanation, exposition) and the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The Scriptures are to be interpreted literally, giving consideration to the historical, cultural, and grammatical context of the passage.

The premillennial, dispensational system of interpretation is the correct approach to understanding the progressive unfolding of God’s plan.

More on how to understand the scriptures from a dispensational aspect later in this booklet.

H. Preservation God has providentially worked to assure that His Word is kept accurate through the centuries (Isaiah 40:8; 55:11, 1 Peter 1:23-25; Psalm 12:6,7; Psalm 119:89; Psalm 119:152; Matthew 24:35; Luke 21:33; Matthew 5:18).

Because the originals no longer exist, these verses are either not true or God has kept His word and promise through copies of the original and in other languages.

Inspiration without preservation is a divine waste of time.

Our church’s position is that God has preserved His eternal Word for English people today in the Authorized Version, also known as the King James Version Bible (KJV or KJB) of 1611.

We believe all other English versions deviate from the truth, leave out passages, change meanings of words, verses and texts and weaken the major doctrines of the faith.

For example: of the 5332 complete New Testament manuscripts in the original Greek still in existence today, only ten of them leave out portions or all of Acts 8:37.

The New International Version (NIV) deletes this verse completely.

The NIV has 64, 576 less words than the KJB. The New King James Version (NKJV) has over 20,000 less words than 6 the KJB. See Matthew 24:35.

“The 1611 KJV is from a superior text, translated by superior translators into a superior English,” said Bible historian Dr. Jewell Smith.

There were fifty-four translators of the KJV 1611. Each was commissioned by King James and knew how to fluently speak between three and ten languages.

They were not religionists but linguists.

Thousands of martyrs have given their lives to protect and promote the Textus Receptus (Received text from which we get the KJV).

It is hard to find anyone who ever died to protect the perverted texts. They are not worth dying for.

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III. Necessary Practices In Understanding the Bible