Psalm 118:8-9 8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

The Amazing Book

Basics of the Bible 2 Sections (Old Testament, New Testament) 66 Books Old Testament: 929 Chapters New Testament: 260 Chapters Total 1189 Chapters 31,173 verses

Basics of the Bible Shortest Chapter in the Bible Psalm 117 594 Chapters Before Psalm 117 Longest Chapter in the Bible Psalm 119 594 Chapters After Psalm 119 594+594+1(Psalm 118)=1189 total chapters

Basics of the Bible Total #of chapters: 1189 31,173 verses—means the middle verses is Psalm 118:8-9 Psalm 118:8-9: It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes At the center of the Bible it tells us to trust in the Lord

What does the Bible say about itself? Bible is God’s Word 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is God-breathed” 2 Peter 1:20-21 “Above all you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

What does the Bible say about itself? God’s word has been around from the beginning John 1:1-5, John 1:14 God’s word isn’t going away anytime soon Psalm 119:89 “Your word, o Lord is eternal it stands firm in the heavens” Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever” Matthew 5:18 “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of the pen will by any means disappear from the law until everything is accomplished.”

What Describes the Word of God? Sword Ephesians 6:17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.” Jesus used the sword of the spirit against Satan Matthew 4:1-11 Light in the Darkness, Understanding Proverbs 6:23, Psalm 119:30

Reliability of the Bible 3 Tests to test the reliablity of the Bible Bibliographic Test: How accurate are the copies that we have today? Internal Test: Do the writers of the Bible claim their writings as true? External Test: What does outside evidence say about the Bible?

Reliability of the Bible: Bibliographic Test Manuscript Evidence for Ancient Writings Author Written Earliest Copy Time Span # Manuscripts Caesar 100-44 B.C. 900 A.D. 1,000 yrs 10 Plato 427-347 B.C. 1,200 yrs 7 Thucydides 460-400 B.C. 1,300 yrs 8 Tacitus 100 A.D. 1100 A.D. 20 Suetonius 75-160 A.D. 950 A.D. 800 yrs Homer (Iliad) 900 B.C. 400 B.C. 500 yrs 643 New Testament 40-100 A.D. 125 A.D. 25-50 yrs 14,000

Reliability of the Bible: The Internal Test Do the writers of the Bible believe what they wrote? John 19:35, 21:24 1 John 1:1-4 2 Peter 1:16-18 Luke 1:1-4

Reliability of the Bible: The External Test Bible is a collection of historical documents Law of Moses Daniel 5 accuracy Critics want to discredit Luke Greek, Roman, Jewish sources mention Jesus Secular letter found comparing the death of Jesus, Socrates, Pythagoras

What is the Word of God to Us? 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work Comforts us: Romans 15:4 Strengthen our Faith: Romans 10:17, Psalm19:8, 119:130 Helps protects us from sin: Psalm 119:11

The Word of God Judges John 12:47-48 Hebrews 4:12-13 “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attutdes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account”

The Bible’s Call Acts 17:10-12; Study the Bible James 1:22-25; Do what it says 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Be prepared Deut 32:46-47; Take God’s word to heart Romans 1:16; Power of God’s Salvation