Psalm 119:16 (NIV)
I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
Understanding the Bible:
The Bible is a collection of 66 books.
It was written over a period of 1600 years, in over a dozen countries, on three continents by 40 people, in three different languages. (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek)
The Bible was written by poets, prophets, farmers, kings, soldiers, shepherds, princes, priests, historians, fisherman, tax collectors, scholars, businessmen and doctors.
The Bible was written in caves, ships, palaces, prisons, and deserts.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
God breathed = inspired
Verbal Plenary Theory = “God inspired the complete text(s) of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, including both historical and doctrinal details.”
The BOOKS of the BIBLE:
Law Books (5) – Genesis-Deuteronomy
History Books (12) – Joshua–Esther
Poetry Books (5) Job – Song of Solomon
Prophecy Books (17)
5 Major Prophets: Isaiah – Daniel
12 Minor Prophets: Hosea – Malachi
The Gospels (4) – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
The Book of Acts – The historical record of the first Church
The Epistles (21) – Romans-Jude
The Revelation – Prophecy of the last days and eternity
The PLOT of the Bible is SALVATION.
The Mirror Image
God and righteous people in Paradise — God and redeemed people in Paradise
Satan and sin enter (separated from God) — Satan and sin exit
The world judged and destroyed — The world judged and destroyed
“One World” Government system — “One World” Government system
12 Tribes/Israel God’s holy people — 12 Disciples/Church God’s holy people
The SUBJECT of the Bible is JESUS.
John 5:39 (NLT)
“You search the Scriptures (The OT) because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!”
The OBJECT of the Bible is YOU.
John 3:16 (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
The VERB of the Bible is GIVE.
1 John 3:16 (NIV)
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
God didn’t just HAVE love, He GAVE it.
Romans 12:1 (NIV)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
The Bible is the greatest story ever told!