Introduction to the Bible
Fundamentals of the Faith • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 5 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
The Bible is God’s word, and because it is His word, two things are true
The Bible is true.
The Bible is authoritative.
So our aim in these classes will to do our best to allow Scripture to speak for itself. What does the Bible say about itself?
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Class outline
Class outline
We will discuss revelation.
We will look at the structure, content and themes of the Bible.
We will seek to understand the Bible’s claim that it is inspired by God.
Revelation
Revelation
Definition: The act of God whereby He discloses to man what would otherwise be unknown.
Natural Revelation
Natural Revelation
also called general revelation, is God revealing Himself to man through creation and conscience.
Through creation
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
How has God revealed Himself to man? Through creation and through His written law within our hearts.
What does creation show us about God? We see His invisible attributes; His eternal power and divine nature.
What is the purpose of natural revelation? To cause man to search for a fuller revelation of God.
Does natural revelation reveal how a person can be saved? Why or why not? While natural revelation gives evidence that God exists; it does not reveal how people are saved from their sinfulness and separation from God.
This is where special revelation comes in.
Through conscience
14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them
Special Revelation
Special Revelation
God revealing Himself to man through miracles and signs, dreams, visions and theophanies (appearances of God in tangible form) through the prophets and the greatest prophet Jesus Christ, and through the written words of God in the Bible.
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
Types of special revelation
Theophanies
1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless,
Dreams
19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these:
Miracles
Parting of the Red Sea in Ex. 14.
The sufficiency of special revelation
The Bible is sufficient to lead one to salvation.
15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
The Bible is sufficient for salvation and equipping the saints.
Does the Bible reveal everything about God?
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
General Information on the Bible
General Information on the Bible
How did we get the Bible
How did we get the Bible
21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The Bible was written over an approx. 1600 year period (1500 B.C. to A.D. 100)
40 different authors
66 books (OT = 39 books; NT = 27 books)
We should note that no original manuscript (autograph) exists today
Languages
The OT was written in Hebrew and Aramaic (Dan. 2-6 & Ezra 4-7 written in Aramaic)
Septuagint, a Greek translation of the OT written in 3 B.C. (LXX, Roman numeral 70 since it was the work of 70 Jewish elders)
NT written in Greek
Titles of the Bible
Titles of the Bible
Bible = scroll
Canon = Greek word for rule
Scripture
38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”
The Writings
15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
The Word of God
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
The Law, Prophets and Psalms
44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
The Old & New Testament
The Old & New Testament
The word testament is derived from the Latin Testamentum, meaning a will. The Greek word for will is suntheke, meaning agreement or a covenant entered into by contracting parties.
The OT is based on the Old Covenant (Exodus 19:5; Deut. 28:1, 15). This is a covenant of obedience and blessing.
The Old Covenant passed away
13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
The New Covenant is through Christ’s blood
20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
The New Covenant is not of the Law but of the Spirit
5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
The Apocrypha
The Apocrypha
Apocrypha = hidden
14 books in the Apocrypha. We do not accept them as inspired of God. Why?
They are never quoted in the NT. Also Christ never mentions them in His list in Luke 24:44.
The lack endorsement of the ancient Jewish writers.
There are problems with the content. For example, the book of Tobit teaches that almsgiving can save you from death and the dark abode
Tobit 4:8-10; 12:9
9 For almsgiving saves from death and purges away every sin. Those who give alms will enjoy a full life,
Bible Translations
Bible Translations
See handout
New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 3
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
New International Version (2011) Chapter 3
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life
King James Version Chapter 3
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
OK, to your work books
Workbook
Workbook
OT Survey
OT Survey
Lesson 1, Section 1A: The Pentateuch
Lesson 1, Section 1A: The Pentateuch
What are the first five books of the Bible called? The Pentateuch (written by Moses about 1400 B.C.)
Genesis: The story of creation, human disobedience, the tragic consequences of that disobedience, the promise of redemption, God’s choosing of Abraham and his offspring
Exodus: Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, the establishment of the law, the presence of God among His people, the construction of the tabernacle and the Passover.
See Ex. 12:3-13; John 1:29,36; 1 Cor 5:7; Isa 53:7 to see that Jesus is the true and final Passover Lamb who atoned for His people’s sins.
3 Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household. 4 And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, 6 and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight.
7 “Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8 They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts. 10 And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. 11 In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.
This pointed to a future Passover Lamb, who would be sacrificed and finally atone for the sin of God’s people.
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”
7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
Leviticus: various laws having to do with holiness before God and with love of neighbor, including sacrifices, ritual sacrifices, ritual cleanness and social obligations, as well as laws for the Levites and their priestly duties.
Numbers: Israel’s long stay in the wilderness as they journey from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab.
Deuteronomy: Rehearsal of the covenant for a new generation of Israelites just before the conquest
Lesson 1, Section 1B: Historical Books
Lesson 1, Section 1B: Historical Books
What are the next twelve books of the Bible called? The historical books.
Joshua: the partial conquest, distribution and settlement of the promised land. Emphasizes God’s covenant faithfulness to His people and the need for covenant faithfulness from God’s people to their God.
Judges: The cyclical narrative of the time of the judges, with emphasis on Israel’s repeated lack of covenant loyalty
Ruth: the story of loyalty to Yahweh during the period of the judges, in which Naomi’s experience mirrors Israel’s during this period. The lineage of King David is provided.
1 Samuel: The transition from the last judge, Samuel, to the first king, Saul; the rise and reign of David.
2 Samuel: See 1 Samuel
1 Kings: Starting with the reign of Solomon, the story of the decline and eventual dissolution of the monarchy in Israel and the expulsion of God’s people from the land.
2 Kings: See 1 Kings
1 Chronicles: A post-exilic, positive history of Judah’s kings, with emphasis on the temple and its worship.
2 Chronicles: see 1 Chronicles
Ezra: rebuilding and reform in post-exilic Judah through the latter half of the fifth century B.C.
Nehemiah: See Ezra
Esther: The story of God’s preservation of the Jews during the Persian empire through Mordecai and his niece, Esther.
Lesson 1, Section 1C: The Poetical Books
Lesson 1, Section 1C: The Poetical Books
What are the next five books of the Bible called? The poetical books
Job: deals with the issue of the suffering of the righteous and the justice of God.
Psalms: A book of hymns that express praise to Yahweh, lament over wickedness and injustices, recognition of Yahweh as king of the universe and the nations, thanksgiving for Yahweh’s goodness and faithfulness, a cry for Yahweh to give his wisdom to His people, and the plea for Yahweh’s justice to prevail over the wicked.
Proverbs: A series of poems describing the virtue of the wisdom of God and warning against the folly of the world.
Ecclesiastes: the reflections of a wisdom teacher who wrestles with life’s realities regarding the value of pursuits in the world in light of the fact that in the end all will die and face their Creator.
Song of Solomon: a collection of poems celebrating marriage and human intimacy but also points to the deep love God has for His people.
Lesson 1, Section 1D: The Major Prophets
Lesson 1, Section 1D: The Major Prophets
What are the next five books of the Bible called? The major prophets.
Isaiah: Yahweh’s sovereign and redemptive love, displayed in His dealings with Israel who were destined both for judgement and salvation, in which the nations will also be included.
Jeremiah: Pronouncements of judgement against Judah and the nations, along with pronouncements of future hope along with narratives of Jeremiah’s role in the concluding days of Judah
Lamentations: A series of five laments over the fall of Jerusalem
Ezekiel: A series of prophecies announcing the fall of Jerusalem, including the departure of Yahweh, followed by Israel’s eventual restoration with the return of Yahweh.
Daniel: God brings honor to Himself through Daniel and his three companions in Babylon, followed by four apocalyptic visions about future kingdoms and God’s final kingdom.
Lesson 1, Section 1E: The Minor Prophets
Lesson 1, Section 1E: The Minor Prophets
What are the next twelve books of the Bible called? The minor prophets.
Hosea: Yahweh’s condemnation of the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and His compassion for them
Joel: A twofold summons to repentance amidst a devastating locust plague, to which God responds with a promise of mercy and an outpouring of His Spirit.
Amos: Despite Israel’s economic and political strength, Yahweh announces Israel’s doom for failing to keep covenant with Him.
Obadiah: A pronouncement of judgement against Edom for taking advantage of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 588-86 B.C.
Jonah: Through a reluctant prophet, God shows compassion for one of Israel’s hated enemies
Micah: Pronouncements of judgement against Israel and Judah for their idolatry and social injustices and of future hope because of Yahweh’s mercies.
Nahum: A prophecy of God’s judgement against Nineveh (Assyria) for her oppression, cruelty and idolatry, concluding with the announced destruction of the city
Habakkuk: Habakkuk seeks to understand why God allows certain injustices and receives ample reason to trust Him
Zephaniah: Pronouncements of coming judgements against Jerusalem (Judah) and surrounding nations and of restoration for a remnant of Judah
Haggai: Encouragement for God’s people to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem
Zechariah: visions aimed at encouraging the post-exilic community, especially the leadership, to rebuild the temple and pronouncements about a future coming King who would be slain and eventually triumph
Malachi: Yahweh warns His people of future judgements and promises redemption to the faithful in six disputes with them.
NT Survey
NT Survey
Lesson 1, Section 2A: The Historical Books
Lesson 1, Section 2A: The Historical Books
Matthew: the story of Jesus, including the announcement of His birth, His teaching, His commissioning of His disciples
Mark: the story of Jesus from His baptism to His resurrection with a focus on His ministry in Galilee and His final week in Jerusalem
Luke: the story of Jesus as party one of Luke-Acts, which describe the salvation of His people which begins with the announcement of Jesus’ birth by the Spirit and carries through His ascension
John: the story of Jesus the Messiah and Son of God who though His incarnation and crucifixion made known God’s love for His people.
Fill in the blank (pg. 9)
What two reasons are given for the writing of John’s Gospel (John 20:31)?
31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
To show that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God (deity)
That in believing in His name, sinners can have life.
Acts: Part two of Luke’s account of the good news of Jesus; how by the power of the Spirit the good news spread from Jerusalem to Rome
Lesson 1, Section 2B: The Epistles - Pauline & General
Lesson 1, Section 2B: The Epistles - Pauline & General
Pauline
Romans: a letter of instruction and exhortation setting forth Paul’s understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians: a letter of correction, in which Paul rebukes the Corinthians regarding their stances on issues, mostly behavioral, but all betray the gospel.
2 Corinthians: deals with the tenuous relationship between Paul and the Corinthian church, touching on Paul’s ministry, the collection for the poor in Jerusalem, and false teachers who invaded the church
Galatians: a sharp rebuke of the Galatian believers for indulging the doctrine of some false teachers who taught that circumcision and keeping other parts of the law were necessary to have peace with God
Ephesians: a letter set highlighting that Christ’s redemptive work brought Jew and Gentile together into one people of God.
Philippians: Paul’s encouragement of, thanksgiving for and exhortation to the suffering church in Philippi.
Colossians: a letter encouraging believers to continue in the truth of Christ whom they have received, and warning them against outside corrupt influences
1 Thessalonians: a letter of thanksgiving, encouragement, and exhortation for very recent Gentile believers in Christ.
2 Thessalonians: a letter of further encouragement in the face of suffering, of warning against being misled regarding the return of the Lord, and of exhortation to work and not depend on others.
1 Timothy: Instructions regarding how to order and lead the church to Timothy that were provoked by teachings of false teachers
2 Timothy: An appeal to Timothy to remain loyal to Paul, to Christ and the gospel.
Titus: Instructions to Tutus for setting in order the churches on Crete.
Philemon: An appeal to Philemon to forgive a runaway slave named Onesimus.
General
Hebrews: an exhortation to encourage faithful perseverance in light of the Word God spoken in Christ.
James: a letter emphasizing endurance in hardship, responsible Christian living and and exhortation that our practice should reflect what we claim to believe.
1 Peter: Encouragement to the suffering church, instructing how to respond in a God-honoring way to their persecutors and urging to live lives worthy of their calling
2 Peter: Urging the church to pursue growth and perseverance in light of the false teachers who were denying the second coming of Christ and living in sin
1 John: Offers assurance of salvation and encourages loyalty to the Christian faith
2 John: “the elder” warns against false teachers who deny the incarnation of Christ
3 John: About the elder who wrote the letter, Gaius who received it and Diotrephes who provoked it
Jude: a letter of exhortation, warning against false teachers who have “secretly slipped in” among them
Lesson 1, Section 2C: Prophecy
Lesson 1, Section 2C: Prophecy
Revelation: Prophecy dealing primarily with the tribulation and salvation of God’s people and judgement against God’s enemies
Christ in the Bible - Section 3 bottom of pg 10
Christ in the Bible - Section 3 bottom of pg 10
Christ is the central figure in the Old & New Testaments.
Christ is the central figure in the Old & New Testaments.
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Fill in the blank (pg. 10)
Christ is seen in all of Scripture.
39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,
2. Jesus said the Scriptures “bear witness of Me.”
The Key is Jesus - top of pg 11
The Key is Jesus - top of pg 11
Christ is seen throughout the OT
15 I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise his heel.”
already referenced the passover lamb
4 Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
Why is the Bible Important? - pg. 11
Why is the Bible Important? - pg. 11
2 Tim 3:16.
2 Tim 3:16.
Consider the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness:
4 But he answered, “It is written,
“ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
Jesus quotes Deut. 8:3 here.
On page eleven, we are asked to look at
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
which answer out of the multiple options we are given is correct?
The entire Bible is inspired by God.
Bottom of pg. 11: How do the following verses show the importance of God’s Word?
15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
The Scriptures are able to give wisdom that leads to salvation.
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Only the ministry of God’s Word can actually transform sinners.
Scripture claims to be the word of God
Scripture claims to be the word of God
Paul claimed that the message he and the other apostles were proclaiming was from God.
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
Paul makes explicit claims of receiving his words from the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
All the words in the Scriptures are of divine inspiration.
32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,
“ ‘You are my Son,
today I have begotten you.’
34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,
“ ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’
35 Therefore he says also in another psalm,
“ ‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’
God sovereignly preserved His Word
God sovereignly preserved His Word
8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.
Top of pg. 12
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
7a: Restores the soul
7b: Makes wise the simple
8a: Gives joy to the heart
8b: Gives light to the eyes
Circle back to canonization on pg. 30 in teacher book if time allows.
