Lesson 1 - The Bible

1. Some Basic Facts About the Bible: The word Bible means BOOK (biblos) The Bible is the OLDEST book in the world. The Bible is the all-time BEST-SELLER. The Bible is the most widely distributed book in the world. The Bible is the most TRANSLATED book in the world. The complete Bible can be found in 275 languages. Portions of the Bible have been translated into close to 2,000 languages.

2. The Divine Origin of the Bible

2. The Divine Origin of the Bible A. Internal Evidence - The Bible claims GOD as its author. 1)The Old Testament Claims to Divine authorship (not exhaustive) "The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. (2 Sam 23:2)  Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth. (Jer 1:9)

2. The Divine Origin of the Bible a) In Genesis chapter 1 the words "God said…" appears 9 times. b) In Malachi "Thus saith the Lord…" appears 23 times. c) In one form or another "God said…" appears in the Old Testament 3,808 times.

2. The Divine Origin of the Bible 2) The New Testament Claims to Divine authorship (not exhaustive)  I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. (Gal 1:11-12)  And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. (1 Th. 2:13)

2. The Divine Origin of the Bible 3) The names the Bible uses to describe itself point to a Divine origin.  "Word of God" - 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:23  "living words" - Acts 7:38  "very words of God" - Romans 3:2  "Holy Scriptures" - Romans 1:12

2. The Divine Origin of the Bible 4) The Unity of the Bible  Bible is made up of 66 books: 27 New Testament 39 Old Testament Bible is written in three languages: HEBREW; ARAMAIC; GREEK. Writing of the Bible covers a 1,500 year time span. Bible was written on 3 different continents. Bible had at least 40 human authors. None of these authors, writing in different languages, over a large span of time, from differing backgrounds and geographical locations, disagree on any point and never contradict each other. This diversity and unity can only be explained by DIVINE Revelation.

2. The Divine Origin of the Bible B. External Evidence - Outside Proofs that the Bible is Divine 1) Fulfilled Prophecy There are over 300 Old Testament Prophecies concerning Jesus that have been fulfilled! 29-33 prophecies were fulfilled on the day of Jesus' crucifixion. Many other prophecies have been fulfilled that are too numerous to mention here.

2. The Divine Origin of the Bible 2) Scientific Accuracies * SPHERICAL shape of the earth.  He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. (Isaiah 40:22)

2. The Divine Origin of the Bible * Earth is suspended in nothing  He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing. (Job 26:7)

2. The Divine Origin of the Bible * STARS are innumerable  He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars--if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." (Gen 15:5)

2. The Divine Origin of the Bible * The Hydrologic Cycle.  He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight. (Job 26:8)  "He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams; the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind. (Job 36:27-28)  The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again. (Eccl 1:6-7)

2. The Divine Origin of the Bible * Concept of ENTROPY  In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. (Psalm 102:25-26)

2. The Divine Origin of the Bible * Nature of Health, Sanitation, and Sickness (Lev. 12-14)

3. The Value of the Bible A. The Bible tells us about Christ and reveals the way of SALVATION. B. The Bible is the AUTHORITY for right and wrong. C. The Bible is the FOOD and STRENGTH for the Christian.

3. The Value of the Bible  Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Mat 4:4)  "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32)  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. (1 Pet 2:2)

3. The Value of the Bible D. The Bible is the Christian's HOPE.  "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3)