Biblical Foundations 2

Panoramic View of the Bible

The Bible

Today after hundreds of years the Bible is still the number one selling book in the world it outsells every other book. What is it about this book that has over 100 Million (according to Bible Answers .com) printed copies sold each year? of 7099 languages spoken in the world the Bible has been translated in whole or in parts 3,312 of them.

I think it is the great story

How the Bible came to us

The Bible came to us first by oral tradition carefully passed down from generation to generation. People like Abraham did not have any written text to know or follow.

Facts About the Bible:

It took over 1500 years to write from Genesis been written down in 1450 BC and completed in 100 AD with John writing the book of Revelations.

God is the author of the Bible- 2 Timothy 3.16

God inspired over 40 men to write the bible- 2 Peter 1.21. The writers were given the words by the Holy Spirit and they wrote it down. A contemporary example of writing by inspiration is a secretary taking dictation from another.

The Bible stories took place mainly in cultures different from the European therefore it can only be correctly interpreted with that in mind.

66 Books make up the library we call the Bible.

There are 39 Books in the Old Testament and 27 in the new Testament

Jesus said the Bible will be used to judge us St John 12:48, Revelations 20:12-15

Three languages were used to write the Bible Hebrew for the Old Testament books, Greek and Aramaic for the New Testament.

The Bible is not written in Chronological order rather the books are collected together in topics as in a library. It is however a good discipline to read from Genesis to Revelation.

The Bible tells one main story that is God saving man through Jesus Christ. Under the main stories there many others e.g. Daniel in the lion’s den.

The Bible has two major divisions:

Old Testament- Tells the story of God saving man before the coming of Jesus Christ

the way to be saved here was to follow laws that were written

New Testament- Tells the story of God saving man after the coming of Jesus Christ

The way to be saved in this New testament era is to believe in the work Christ has done for you and live how He asks you.

Jesus is the link between the two sections. He did not put away the words spoken by the prophets etc but he came manifest them in flesh to the world. St John 1:1,14

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.

Breakdown Of The Two Major Bible Divisions

Old Testament Books

books of the law- written by Moses

Genesis

Exodus

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

These are know as the 5 books of the law or Pentateuch. The Jews also believe that these books were written by Moses and call them the Torah.

Historical books- written by different authors some we do not know off.

Joshua

Judges

Ruth

1 Samuel

2 Samuel

1 Kings

2 Kings

1 Chronicles

2 Chronicles

Ezra

Nehemiah

Esther

Poetry books

Job

Psalms

Proverbs

Ecclesiastes

Song of Solomon

Major Prophets- Defined by the length of the writing

Isaiah-Isaiah

Jeremiah-Jeremiah

Lamentations- Jeremiah

Ezekiel-Ezekiel

Daniel- Daniel

Minor prophets- defined by book having few chapters

Hosea

Joel

Amos

Obadiah

Jonah

Micah

Nahum

Habakkuk

Haggai

Zechariah

Malachi

The Old Testament is the scriptures that was used by Jesus and early Christians e.g. Paul to preach and teach from. The New Testament Christians wrote he NT and preached from the OT. We will see how Jesus was preached by the NT saints in another course

Matt. 5:17; Luke 24:44; Acts 24:14; 2 Tim. 3:15

The Coming of Jesus is the Major theme of the Old Testament:

John 1:45 KJV 1900

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

New Testament Books

The New Testament tells the story of God saving mankind through Jesus Christ.

It has 27 Books , 21 written b Paul.

It is also divided into sub sections.

Biographical books-telling the earthly life of Jesus from birth to death

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Historical books

Acts

Epistles-letters to individuals and churches-these tell Believers how to live their lives and grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

I Timothy

2 Timothy

Titus

Philemon

Hebrews

James

1 Peter

2 Peter

1 John

2 John

3 John

Jude

Prophecy Books

Revelation

Understanding how to Find designated scripture and Verses

Each book was a complete letter but was divided into scripture and verses between 1551 and 1571.

when you see 1 John 1:2 The one sends us to the first book of John 1:2 sends us to 2 chapter and second verse

Go to 3 John 1:1-2 and read it out.

Go to St John 1:1-2 and read it out.

John 15:1–3 KJV 1900

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

The Bible is what you need to help you live the new life and to help you progress. Fruit bearing here is winning souls and bearing the character of Christ Jesus.

For next week please memorise John 15:3

Encouraging Scriptures when we need strength:

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.

Nehemiah 8:10 Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him—  my father’s God, and I will exalt him!

Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalm 34:10b Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Isaiah 26: 3-4 Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace—because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock.

When you are experiencing worry ad fear:

Isaiah 43:1-3 Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord you God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Luke 12:25-26 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[a]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

Philippians 4:6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 27: 1-3 The LORD is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me,it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;though war break out against me,even then I will be confident.

When you need courage , strength and power

2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Psalm 138:3 When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.

Psalm 16:8 I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 62:1-2 My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Psalm 112: 1, 7-8 Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord. They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord. Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid.

Psalm 91:1-2 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.”

Psalm 112: 1, 7-8 Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord. They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord. Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid.

When you going through challenging times

2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Philippians 4: 12-13 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation . . . . I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.

1 Peter 5: 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Hebrews 4:16 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Deuteronomy 31:6,8 Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

When you need an anxious heart calmed

“Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

— Joshua 1:9 (HCSB)

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”

— Romans 8:31 (ASV)

“No, in all these things we have complete victory through Him who loved us!”

— Romans 8:37 (GNB)

“The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

— Exodus 14:14 (NKJV)

“Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

— 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NKJV)

“Do not be afraid; only believe.”

— Mark 5:36 (NKJV)

“For nothing will be impossible with God.”

— Luke 1:37 (HCSB)

“Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!”

— Psalms 27:14 (NKJV)

“I am your God and will take care of you until you are old and your hair is grey. I made you and I will care for you; I will give you help and rescue you.”

— Isaiah 46:4 (GNB)

“Do not be afraid – I will save you. I have called you by name – you are Mine. When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burnt; the hard trials that come will not hurt you.”

— Isaiah 43:1-2 (GNB)

“Then He replied, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’”

— Exodus 33:14 (HCSB)

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; I will fear no one. The LORD protects me from all danger; I will never be afraid.”