THE STUDY OF THE BIBLE (Part 2)

WHAT IS A REVELATION?

Revelation comes from a Greek word (apocalupsis) meaning “to uncover”

Luke 10:21 ESV

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.

HOW HAS GOD REVEALED HIMSELF?

God has revealed himself in two ways...

1) General Revelation

DEFINITION: The knowledge of God that is available to any person, at any time, in any place. It comes through creation and conscience.

Romans 1:20 ESV

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.

Romans 1:

Romans 2:14 NLT

Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it.

2) Special Revelation

DEFINITION: The knowledge of God that is available to some people, at some times, in some places. It comes through visions, appearances, and writings.

Hebrews 1:1–2 ESV

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 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.

John 1:14 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

3) Revelation and Salvation

QUESTION: What about those who have never heard the Gospel?

ANSWER: They are without excuse. God has revealed himself from without and from within (, ).

ANSWER: They must be born again. Salvation only comes to those who believe in Jesus ()

John 3:3–5 NLT

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.

Romans 10:14–17 ESV

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

WHAT MAKES SCRIPTURE SO SPECIAL?

1) Scripture is INSPIRED

DEFINITION: God sovereignly motivated the authors of the Bible

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 1:20–21 ESV

knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 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.

CLARIFICATION: God did not force the authors to write, he inspired them (NOT Verbal Dictation)

CLARIFICATION: The authors did not have absolute freedom to write, they were moved by God to write (NOT Human Intuition)

2) Scripture is INERRANT

DEFINITION: The Bible is without error or fault in everything that it teaches and affirms

Proverbs 30:5–6 ESV

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

Numbers 23:19 NLT

God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

CLARIFICATION: If God is without error, and if God inspired Scripture, then Scripture is without error

CLARIFICATION: Only the original writings are considered inerrant

3) Scripture is INFALLIBLE

DEFINITION: The Bible is relevant concerning issues of life and godliness

Matthew 5:17–18 ESV

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

1 Peter 1:24–25 ESV

for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

CLARIFICATION: The Bible is not just relevant to religion, but history, science, literature, and the arts

4) Scripture is Interpretable

DEFINITION: The Bible can be understood and comprehended

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Acts 17:11 ESV

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

CLARIFICATION: The Bible is always perfect, but our interpretation of it is not

APPLICATION:

NEVER study the Bible alone...

1) You need the help of the Holy Spirit

John 16:13 ESV

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

2) You need the help of those who have gone before you

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV

and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

3) You need the help of the local church

Ephesians 2:19–20 ESV

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,