Bibliology 2: The Nature of the Bible.
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I. It’s Names and Titles.
I. It’s Names and Titles.
Several names are used for the Christian’s Book, the “Holy Bible.” Some of the more common names and titles are:
Several names are used for the Christian’s Book, the “Holy Bible.” Some of the more common names and titles are:
A. The Book(s)
A. The Book(s)
26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
42 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?
The word “Bible” is an anglicization of the Greek words BiBros (‘biblos’), “book;” and BiBia (‘biblia’), “books.” In time, the word came to refer to the sacred Books of scripture. The Bible is not a book, but THE Book!
The word “Bible” is an anglicization of the Greek words BiBros (‘biblos’), “book;” and BiBia (‘biblia’), “books.” In time, the word came to refer to the sacred Books of scripture. The Bible is not a book, but THE Book!
B. The Old and New Testaments:
B. The Old and New Testaments:
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
The word “testament” means a “covenant” or an “agreement.”
The word “testament” means a “covenant” or an “agreement.”
The division of the Bible into the Old and New Testaments is the basic division of the Old Covenant of the LAW and the New Covenant of GRACE.
The division of the Bible into the Old and New Testaments is the basic division of the Old Covenant of the LAW and the New Covenant of GRACE.
C. The Scriptures:
C. The Scriptures:
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
The word “scripture” is a translation of the Greek word ypan (graphé’), “writing.” The scriptures are the holy writings.
The word “scripture” is a translation of the Greek word ypan (graphé’), “writing.” The scriptures are the holy writings.
D. The Word of God:
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
12 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.
This is the most significant, pictorial, and complete name. It is a name that causes us to recognize the Bible as God’s Book.
This is the most significant, pictorial, and complete name. It is a name that causes us to recognize the Bible as God’s Book.
E. The Psalteric Titles:
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, And that seek him with the whole heart.
4 Thou hast commanded us To keep thy precepts diligently.
5 O that my ways were directed To keep thy statutes!
6 Then shall I not be ashamed, When I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, When I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
Psalm 119 is the “Word of God Psalm,” and it uses a number of names for the Bible:
1. Law.
1. Law.
1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord.
2. Testimonies.
2. Testimonies.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, And that seek him with the whole heart.
3. Precepts.
3. Precepts.
4 Thou hast commanded us To keep thy precepts diligently.
4. Statutes.
4. Statutes.
5 O that my ways were directed To keep thy statutes!
— The statutes are the life applications of the Law.
— The statutes are the life applications of the Law.
5. Commandments.
5. Commandments.
6 Then shall I not be ashamed, When I have respect unto all thy commandments.
6. Judgments
6. Judgments
7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, When I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
The judgments are defined in :
The judgments are defined in :
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
II. It’s Contents.
II. It’s Contents.
A. The Bible consists of sixty-six books:
A. The Bible consists of sixty-six books:
1. The Old Testament has 39 Books.
1. The Old Testament has 39 Books.
2. The New Testament has 27 Books.
2. The New Testament has 27 Books.
B. Yet the Bible is one Book.
B. Yet the Bible is one Book.
1. It bears witness of ONE God
1. It bears witness of ONE God
2. It forms ONE continuous story.
2. It forms ONE continuous story.
3. It has ONE plan of salvation.
3. It has ONE plan of salvation.
4. It has ONE central theme — Jesus Christ.
4. It has ONE central theme — Jesus Christ.
Augustine (354-430 A.D.) made at least one true statement: "The NEW is in the OLD concealed — the OLD is in the NEW revealed."
Augustine (354-430 A.D.) made at least one true statement: "The NEW is in the OLD concealed — the OLD is in the NEW revealed."
III. It’s Composition:
III. It’s Composition:
A. It’s Writers:
A. It’s Writers:
Approximately 40 human writers were used to pen the Word of God. These men were separated by time and their station in life. The Bible writers included prophets, kings, statesmen, herdsmen, fishermen, pastors, soldiers, ex-Pharisees, &c. B. ITS PERIOD OF WRITING: The Bible was written down over a period of approximately 1,600 years: from Moses (c.1500 B.C.) to John (c. 100 A.D.).
Approximately 40 human writers were used to pen the Word of God. These men were separated by time and their station in life. The Bible writers included prophets, kings, statesmen, herdsmen, fishermen, pastors, soldiers, ex-Pharisees, &c. B. ITS PERIOD OF WRITING: The Bible was written down over a period of approximately 1,600 years: from Moses (c.1500 B.C.) to John (c. 100 A.D.).
C. It’s Languages:
Generally speaking, the OLD Testament was written in HEBREW, and the NEW Testament in koiné (common) GREEK.
Generally speaking, the OLD Testament was written in HEBREW, and the NEW Testament in koiné (common) GREEK.
Some parts of Daniel were written in Syriac.
Some parts of Daniel were written in Syriac.
Some words in the New Testament are Aramaic.
Some words in the New Testament are Aramaic.
IV. It’s Construction.
IV. It’s Construction.
The three divisions of the Old Testament are given in
44 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.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
A. Moses- “The Torah.”
The five Books of the Law: Genesis - Deuteronomy.
A. Moses- “The Torah.”
The five Books of the Law: Genesis - Deuteronomy.
B. The Prophets - “The Nebhiim.”
B. The Prophets - “The Nebhiim.”
Former Prophets
What we generally refer to as the historical Books: Joshua - Kings, except Ruth.
See:
Former Prophets
What we generally refer to as the historical Books: Joshua - Kings, except Ruth.
See:
4 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: But they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord.
7 Should ye not hear the words which the Lord hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain?
12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, And the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: Therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts.
Latter Prophets.
Latter Prophets.
The prophetic Books: Isaiah - Malachi, except Daniel & Lamentations.
The prophetic Books: Isaiah - Malachi, except Daniel & Lamentations.
C. The Psalms- “The Kethubhim.”
C. The Psalms- “The Kethubhim.”
The sacred writings: Chronicles - Canticles (Song of Solomon), plus the exceptions noted above.
The sacred writings: Chronicles - Canticles (Song of Solomon), plus the exceptions noted above.
The Megilloth (“The Scrolls”) consists of five of books of the Kethubhim - namely, The Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther.
The Megilloth (“The Scrolls”) consists of five of books of the Kethubhim - namely, The Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther.
In dividing the Books of the Bible in our English Bibles, we generally use the “4 x 4 Construction,” as follows:
In dividing the Books of the Bible in our English Bibles, we generally use the “4 x 4 Construction,” as follows:
V. It’s Symbols.
V. It’s Symbols.
A number of symbols are used to describe the Bible:
A number of symbols are used to describe the Bible:
A. A Mirror:
Revealing power -
A. A Mirror:
Revealing power -
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
B. A Seed:
Regenerative power.
B. A Seed:
Regenerative power.
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
C. A Lamp:
illuminating power —
C. A Lamp:
illuminating power —
105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.
23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
D. A Sword:
Convicting power —
D. A Sword:
Convicting power —
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
12 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.
E. A Hammer :
Destructive power -
E. A Hammer :
Destructive power -
29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
F. A Tree:
Flourishing power —
F. A Tree:
Flourishing power —
18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: And happy is every one that retaineth her.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: And with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: She shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: A crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
G. Water:
G. Water:
Cleansing power -
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Milk, Meat, Bread, and Honey
Milk, Meat, Bread, and Honey
Nourishing, sustaining, and satisfying power —
Nourishing, sustaining, and satisfying power —
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
11 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:
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
VI. It’s Theme
VI. It’s Theme
The theme of the Bible is the Lord Jesus Christ,
The theme of the Bible is the Lord Jesus Christ,
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
The following chart shows how this theme unfolds:
The following chart shows how this theme unfolds:
VII. Bible Statistics.
VII. Bible Statistics.
The following interesting statistics apply to the English Authorized, King James Version:
The following interesting statistics apply to the English Authorized, King James Version:
There are 1189 chapters in the Bible - 929 in the Old Testament and 260 in the New Testament.
There are 1189 chapters in the Bible - 929 in the Old Testament and 260 in the New Testament.
The shortest chapter is Psalm 117.
The shortest chapter is Psalm 117.
The longest chapter is Psalm 119.
The longest chapter is Psalm 119.
The middle chapter of the Bible is Psalm 117. There are 594 chapters before it, and 594 chapters after it. Significantly, it reads:
O Praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.
The middle chapter of the Bible is Psalm 117. There are 594 chapters before it, and 594 chapters after it. Significantly, it reads:
O Praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.
There are 31,174 verses in the Bible.
There are 31,174 verses in the Bible.
The middle verses in the Bible (#s 15,587 & 15,588) are Psalm 118:8,9.
Significantly, they read:
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
The middle verses in the Bible (#s 15,587 & 15,588) are Psalm 118:8,9.
Significantly, they read:
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
The longest verse is Esther 8:9.
The longest verse is Esther 8:9.
The shortest verse is John 11:35.
The shortest verse is John 11:35.
There are 774,746 words in the Bible.
There are 774,746 words in the Bible.
The shortest Book in the Bible is Il John. Obadiah is the shortest Book of the Old Testament.
The shortest Book in the Bible is Il John. Obadiah is the shortest Book of the Old Testament.
