I. The name "Bible" means books.

A. There are 66 books in the the Bible.

1. There are 39 books in the Old Testament.
2. There are 27 books in the New Testament

B. Other names for the Bible.

1. "book"  Psalm 40:7
2. "holy scriptures" Romans 1:2
3. "word of God"  Luke 11:28
4. "sword of the Spirit"   Ephesians 6:17

C. Over 40 authors and written over about a 1500 years.

A. God is the source.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness"  (II Timothy 3:16).   Literally it is "breathed out" by God.

B. The Holy Spirit gave God's Words to men.

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost"  (II Peter 1:21)

C. Men under the guidance of the Holy Spirit then wrote these words down.

1.  Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible.

"And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,  That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee"  (Deuteronomy 31:24-26).

2. David wrote the Psalms.

"And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand"  (Luke 20:42).

3. The prophet, Jeremiah wrote the book of Jeremiah.
4. Some of the disciples of Jesus wrote the Gospels.
5. Paul wrote a number of the New Testament books.

D. The Languages:

1. The O.T. was basically written in Hebrew and completed between 300 to 270 B.C.
2. The N.T. was basically written in Greek and completed about 100 A.D.
3. Our English Bible is a translation from these languages.

E. God through the Holy Spirit has preserved His Word.

"The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever"  (Psalms 12:6-7).

"LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.  They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants"  (Psalms 119:89-91).

"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"  (Matthew 5:17-18).

1. In the Old Testament God used:

a. Priests (Joshua 8:34-35).
b. Scribes (Ezra 7:10-11, Nehemiah 8:1-2).

2. In the New Testament God used the priesthood of Believers.  (Revelation 1:1-2).

A. It was divided into two parts.

1. Historically

a. The Old Testament begins with God and creation and continues to about 400 B.C.
b. The New Testament begins with the birth of Jesus and continues until about 96. A.D.

2. By Content

a. The Old Testament is known as the book of the Law and was based upon an covenant agreement that God made with man.
b. The New Testament is the new covenant agreement that God made with man through Jesus.

B. Divisions (open to the index of your Bible).

1. The Pentateuch = Is the book of the Law.
2. Eleven Historical books from Joshua to Esther.
3. Poetical books such as Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.
4. Prophets.

a. Major = wrote big books.
b. Minor = wrote smaller books

5. Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).
6. The book of Acts
7. The Epistles (letters)

a. Epistles of Paul (pastoral)
b. General Epistles (James, I and II Peter, I, II, and III John, and Jude).

8. The book of Revelation

C. The theme of the Bible is reconciliation.

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation"  (II Corinthians 5:19).

A. It is the revelation of God to man.

1. It is the record of God's revelation.   (Genesis 1:1)
2. It becomes present revelation of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit.   (John 5:39).

B. It is the source of our faith.  (Romans 10:17).
C. Paul gives the purpose.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works"  (II Timothy 3:16-17).

1. Doctrine = Truth held and taught.
2. Reproof = Bring proof of wrong believing or doing.
3. Correction = How to correct problems.
3. Instruction in righteousness = How to live in right standing before God.

That:
1. You may be "perfect" = complete / mature.
2. You may be "thoroughly furnished unto all good works".

D. Word to describe the Bible.

1. Seed.  (Matthew 13:3-8).
2. Twoedged sword.  (Hebrew 4:12).
3. Lamp & light. (Psalm 119:105).
4. Milk. (I Peter 2:2).
5. Fine gold (above). (Psalm 119:127).
6. Meat. (Hebrews 5:12-14).
7. Bread (compared to).  (Matthew 4:4).
8. Mirror. (Exodus 38:8, James 1:23, I Corinthians 13:12).
9. It is God Instruction Manual for this life.

E. How to use the Bible.

1. Read aloud daily and study  (Psalm 119, II Timothy 2:15).
2. Meditate (ponder or think at length).  (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:1-3).
3. Memorize & quote.  (Psalm 119:11).
4. Confess (say what the Bible says).  (Matthew 4:1-11).
5. Remind God of His Word.  (Genesis 32:12)

A. Recommended translation.

1. The King James
2. New King James

B. Get a good reference Bible

1. With column references.
2. Index
3. Concordance

A. Ask God to reveal to you His Word.  "The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant"  (Psalms 25:14).

B. Some principles of Biblical interpretation are:

1. Scripture  interprets Scripture.
2. Context  is very important.

a. Bible as a whole.
b. Within the book.
c. Within the paragraph.

3. Culture is important.
4. The historical context is also important.
5. The character of the author is important.
6. We should understand the nature of different types of literature. (Literally unless otherwise indicated).

a. Poetry as ...
b. History as ...
c. Prophecy as ...
d. Parables ... with one basic meaning.

7. We  should discover the purpose of the writing.
8. We should take the clear passage over the obscure.
9. We should take the many passages over the few.
10. Does it make sense?
11. One of the most deceptive and greatest dangers is to take one truth to the exclusion of others.
12. We must be cautious of being the Lone Ranger in interpretation.
13. Revelation is often progressive in nature.
14. Application is essential.
    http://alternative-counseling.org/doc/navigating-script.html

 ASK God how it applies in your life.

C. Obey by the grace of God.
D. The Bible is to be the authority for our faith, therefore we are to test the spirits by the Word of God. (I John 4:1).

A. READING the Bible. (Revelation 1:3).
B. MEMORIZING (engrafting) the Word of God in you. (James 1:21).
C. MEDITATING  on the Word of God. (Joshua 1:8, Psalms 1:1-3).
D. OBEYING the Word (I Timothy 4:15).

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