The Bible  

 

I.       ORIGIN

 

2 Tim 3:16  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

 

John 16:13  "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

 

2 Pet 1:20-21  But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation,  (21)  for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

 

          A.      36 men – 1500 years (provable

 

                   1.       Not one contradiction

                   2.       different backgrounds

                   3.       Different locations

                   4.       different eduction

 

          B.      Prophecy

 

                   1.       Will of God

                   2.       used HOLY MEN

                   3.       Not their own ideas & ways

                                      but

                   4.       Moved by Holy Spirit (God)

 

Heb 1:1-2  God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,  (2)  in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

 

 

 

 

          C.      How Ramsay Was Convinced

 

                   Over 100 years ago, William Ramsay, a young English scholar, went to Asia Minor with the expressed purpose of proving that the history given by Luke in his gospel and in the Acts was inaccurate.  His professors had confidently said that Luke could not be right.

          He began to dig in the ancient ruins of Greece and Asia Minor, testing for ancient terms, boundaries, and other items which would be a dead giveaway if a writer had been inventing this history at a later date as claimed.   To his amazement, he found that the New Testament Scriptures were accurate to the tiniest detail.  So convincing was the evidence that Ramsay himself became a Christian and a great biblical scholar.  We still look upon Sir William Ramsay's books as being a classic as far as the history of the New Testament is concerned.

 

II.      ITS PURPOSE

 

Psa 119:11  Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

 

Psa 119:105  Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

 

Jer 10:23  I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.

 

2Ti 3:15-17  and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  (16)  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  (17)  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

 

Joh 8:31-32  So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;  (32)  and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

 

Jam 1:21  Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

 

III.    COMPLETENESS

 

John 16:13  "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

 

2 Pet 1:3  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

Act 20:27  "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.

 

IV.     INDESTRUCTABLE

 

Mat 24:35  "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

 

1 Pet 1:25  BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER." And this is the word which was preached to you.

 

V.      THE BIBLE CONTAINS:

 

          A.      THE MIND OF GOD

 

          B.      THE STATE OF MAN

 

          C.      THE WAY OF SALVATION

         

          D.      THE HAPPINESS OF BELIEVERS

 

          E.      THE DOOM OF SINNERS

 

VI.     WARNS

 

Deu 4:2  "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

 

Pro 30:6  Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.

 

Rev 22:18-19  I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book;  (19)  and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.

 

Mark 7:7-9  'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'  (8)  "Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men."  (9)  He was also saying to them, "You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.

 

2 Tim. 4:2  preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

 

1 Pet. 4:11  Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 

Gal 1:6-10  I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;  (7)  which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.  (8)  But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!  (9)  As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!  (10)  For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

 

John 12:48  "He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.