Know Your Bible – Part 1



Know Your Bible – Part 1

A Survey of God’s Word

The Bible is a Unique Book:

1. The Bible is unique in its PRODUCTION

The word “Bible” comes from the Greek word, biblia, which means “writings or rolls.” The Bible is a collection of 66 books written over a period of 1,500 years by 40 different human writers using 3 different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek). God chose to reveal Himself and His plan over many years in different ways (Heb. 1:1-2).

2. The Bible is unique in its PRESERVATION

In spite of persecution, criticism, and abuse, the Bible has survived and thrived for a long time. It is like an anvil that has worn out many hammers. All Bibles or portions of Scripture were hand-copied until the Gutenberg Bible in 1455 A.D. Portions of the Bible have now been translated in thousands of languages.

3. The Bible is unique in its PRESENTATION

The Bible covers a wide range of subjects. It traces God and His plan from eternity past to eternity future. It reveals truth about earthly things and heavenly things, divine things and demonic things, natural things and supernatural things. It presents the truth of Christ’s perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. It contains the message of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It is also unique in its ability to speak of things yet future through what is called prophecy. Over one-fourth of the Bible was prophetic at the time it was written. The Bible is the only religious book in the world that contains prophecy, a fact that is not surprising since God alone knows the future.

4. The Bible is unique in its POWER

Scripture has the authority of God. It is relevant to all times and cultures. No other book has had such a profound influence on individuals or the history of the world. Other books may inform us, but the Bible has the ability to transform us as we understand it and apply it personally.

Someone has written this magnificent tribute to the Bible:

This Book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the blessedess of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be saved, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Christ is its grand subject, our good is its design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given to you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

We should approach the Bible with this attitude and prayer: Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law (Ps. 119:18).

Another writer penned these words:

As the vivid rainbow hearkens every eye to an upward glance, so the Bible draws men irresistibly to its message. The rainbow does not distinguish between the eye of a poor man and the eye of a king. Its attraction and promise are the same for all who behold, if only they have the eyes to see.

The person who will not read and study the Bible due to neglect or laziness is no better off than the person who cannot read and study it because he is blind or has no Bible.

The Bible by the Numbers:

BOOKS CHAPTERS VERSES

Entire Bible 66__ 1,189___ 31,173_

Old Testament 39__ 929___ 23,214_

New Testament 27__ 260 7,959_

Longest book of the Bible: Psalms (150 chapters; 2,461 verses)_____

Shortest book of the Bible: 3 John (1 chapter; 15 verses)___________

Longest chapter of the Bible: Psalm 119 (176 verses)_______________

Longest verse of the Bible: Esther 8:9_(90 words)_________________

Shortest verses of the Bible: John 11:35; 1 Thess. 5:16_____________

Bird’s-Eye View of the Bible:

OLD TESTAMENT NEW TESTAMENT

Amount of material 2/3 of the Bible 1/3 of the Bible____

Years of history About 3,500 years__ About 100 years___

Key words (John 1:17) ______Law_______ ___ Grace_______

Jesus Christ revealed in Pictures & prophecies _ Person_______

John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Timeline of the Bible:

Period of Bible History Bible Books

4,000 – 2,000 B.C. History of the Ancient World Gen. 1-1

2,000 – 400 B.C. History of Israel Gen. 12—Mal. 4

400 – 4 B.C. Intertestament Period None

4 B.C. – A.D. 33 History of Jesus Christ Matt. 1—John 21

A.D. 33 – 95 History of the Early Church Acts 1—Rev. 22

God and His Work are Revealed in the Bible:

God the Father is revealed…

His work in creation (Gen. 1-2)

His work in salvation (Gen. 3—Rev. 22)

1. The need for salvation (Gen. 3-11)

2. The preparation for salvation (Gen. 12—Mal. 4)

3. The completion of salvation (Matt. 1—Rev. 22)

God the Son (Jesus Christ) is revealed…

1. Prophecies and pictures of His coming (Gen. 3—Mal. 4)

2. The record of His life and ministry (Matt. 1—Jn. 21)

3. The spread of the Gospel and growth of His church (Acts 1-28)

4. The deeper understanding of Christ and His work (Rom. 1—Jude)

5. The final revelation of Christ and His glorious kingdom (Rev. 1-22)

God the Holy Spirit is revealed…

1. He is active in creation (Gen. 1-2)

2. He empowers some people for specific tasks (Gen. 3—Mal. 4)

3. He is involved in Christ’s birth, life, and ministry (Matt. 1—Jn. 21)

4. He ministers to and through all believers (Acts 1—Rev. 22)

Major Themes in the Bible:

1. The golden thread of God’s grace and glory

2. The black thread of sin and death

3. The scarlet thread of blood redemption

Only four chapters in the Bible (Gen. 1-2 and Rev. 21-22) describe a world that is free from sin and its curse. The rest of the story (Gen. 3—Rev. 20) reveals God’s gracious plan to save mankind and judge evil.

The Importance of Knowing Your Bible:

• “It is indispensable to any interesting and fruitful study of the Bible that a general knowledge of it be gained” (C. I. Scofield, The Scofield Study Bible).

• “If I could have only one wish for God’s people, it would be that all of us would return to the Word of God, that we would realize once for all that His Book has the answers. The Bible is the authority, the final resting place of our cares, our worries, our griefs, our tragedies, our sorrows, and our surprises” (Chuck Swindoll, Growing Deep in the Christian Life).

• “In Scripture, the person of God and the Word of God are everywhere interrelated, so much so that whatever is true about the character of God is true about the nature of God’s Word. God is true, impeccable, and reliable; therefore, so is His Word. What a person thinks about God’s Word, in reality, reflects what a person thinks about God” (John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible).

Know Your Bible – Part 1

A Survey of God’s Word

The Bible is a Unique Book:

1. The Bible is unique in its______________________________________________

The word “Bible” comes from the Greek word, biblia, which means “writings or rolls.” The Bible is a collection of 66 books written over a period of 1,500 years by 40 different human writers using 3 different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek). God chose to reveal Himself and His plan over many years in different ways (Heb. 1:1-2).

2. The Bible is unique in its______________________________________________

In spite of persecution, criticism, and abuse, the Bible has survived and thrived for a long time. It is like an anvil that has worn out many hammers. All Bibles or portions of Scripture were hand-copied until the Gutenberg Bible in 1455 A.D. Portions of the Bible have now been translated in thousands of languages.

3. The Bible is unique in its______________________________________________

The Bible covers a wide range of subjects. It traces God and His plan from eternity past to eternity future. It reveals truth about earthly things and heavenly things, divine things and demonic things, natural things and supernatural things. It presents the truth of Christ’s perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. It contains the message of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It is also unique in its ability to speak of things yet future through what is called prophecy. Over one-fourth of the Bible was prophetic at the time it was written. The Bible is the only religious book in the world that contains prophecy, a fact that is not surprising since God alone knows the future.

4. The Bible is unique in its______________________________________________

Scripture has the authority of God. It is relevant to all times and cultures. No other book has had such a profound influence on individuals or the history of the world. Other books may inform us, but the Bible has the ability to transform us as we understand it and apply it personally.

Someone has written this magnificent tribute to the Bible:

This Book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the blessedess of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be saved, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Christ is its grand subject, our good is its design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given to you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

We should approach the Bible with this attitude and prayer: Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law (Ps. 119:18).

Another writer penned these words:

As the vivid rainbow hearkens every eye to an upward glance, so the Bible draws men irresistibly to its message. The rainbow does not distinguish between the eye of a poor man and the eye of a king. Its attraction and promise are the same for all who behold, if only they have the eyes to see.

The person who will not read and study the Bible due to neglect or laziness is no better off than the person who cannot read and study it because he is blind or has no Bible.

The Bible by the Numbers:

BOOKS CHAPTERS VERSES

Entire Bible __________________________________________________

Old Testament __________________________________________________

New Testament __________________________________________________

Longest book of the Bible: ________________________________________________

Shortest book of the Bible: ________________________________________________

Longest chapter of the Bible: ______________________________________________

Longest verse of the Bible: ________________________________________________

Shortest verses of the Bible: _______________________________________________

Bird’s-Eye View of the Bible:

OLD TESTAMENT NEW TESTAMENT

Amount of material _________________________________________________

Years of history _________________________________________________

Key words (John 1:17) _________________________________________________

Jesus Christ revealed in _________________________________________________

John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Timeline of the Bible:

Period of Bible History Bible Books

4,000 – 2,000 B.C. History of the Ancient World ________________________

2,000 – 400 B.C. History of Israel ________________________

400 – 4 B.C. Intertestament Period ________________________

4 B.C. – A.D. 33 History of Jesus Christ ________________________

A.D. 33 – 95 History of the Early Church ________________________

God and His Work are Revealed in the Bible:

God the Father is revealed…

His work in___________________________________ (Gen. 1-2)

His work in___________________________________ (Gen. 3—Rev. 22)

1. _______________________________________for salvation (Gen. 3-11)

2. _______________________________________ for salvation (Gen. 12—Mal. 4)

3. _______________________________________ of salvation (Matt. 1—Rev. 22)

God the Son (Jesus Christ) is revealed…

1. _______________________________________ of His coming (Gen. 3—Mal. 4)

2. The record of________________________________________ (Matt. 1—Jn. 21)

3. The spread of the Gospel and_______________________________ (Acts 1-28)

4. The deeper understanding of____________________________ (Rom. 1—Jude)

5. The final revelation of______________________________________ (Rev. 1-22)

God the Holy Spirit is revealed…

1. He is active in____________________________________________ (Gen. 1-2)

2. He empowers_______________________________________ (Gen. 3—Mal. 4)

3. He is involved in_____________________________________ (Matt. 1—Jn. 21)

4. He ministers________________________________________(Acts 1—Rev. 22)

Major Themes in the Bible:

1. The golden thread of________________________________________________

2. The black thread of_________________________________________________

3. The scarlet thread of________________________________________________

Only four chapters in the Bible (Gen. 1-2 and Rev. 21-22) describe a world that is free from sin and its curse. The rest of the story (Gen. 3—Rev. 20) reveals God’s gracious plan to save mankind and judge evil.

The Importance of Knowing Your Bible:

• “It is indispensable to any interesting and fruitful study of the Bible that a general knowledge of it be gained” (C. I. Scofield, The Scofield Study Bible).

• “If I could have only one wish for God’s people, it would be that all of us would return to the Word of God, that we would realize once for all that His Book has the answers. The Bible is the authority, the final resting place of our cares, our worries, our griefs, our tragedies, our sorrows, and our surprises” (Chuck Swindoll, Growing Deep in the Christian Life).

• “In Scripture, the person of God and the Word of God are everywhere interrelated, so much so that whatever is true about the character of God is true about the nature of God’s Word. God is true, impeccable, and reliable; therefore, so is His Word. What a person thinks about God’s Word, in reality, reflects what a person thinks about God” (John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible).

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