Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

Basic Bible Facts The Bible is really a library of 66 books written by 40 authors over 1,600 years –Despite varied backgrounds (kings, a farmer, fishermen, a lawyer, a doctor and a cowboy, among others), and years of separation in their work, their work flows in perfect harmony The underlying theme describes man’s fall into sin and God’s plan to restore his fellowship with man

There Are 2 Main Divisions The Old Testament, which contains 39 books The New Testament, which contains 27 books

Dividing the Old Testament 5 books of law (Gen., Ex., Lev., Num., Deut.) 12 books of history (Josh., Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Sam., 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chron., Ezra, Neh., Esther) 5 books of poetry (Job, Ps., Prov., Ecc., Song of Sol.) 5 major prophets (Isa., Jer., Lam., Ezek., Dan.) 12 minor prophets (Hos., Joel, Amos, Obad., Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Hab., Zeph., Haggai, Zech., Mal.)

Dividing the New Testament 4 gospels (Matt., Mark, Luke, John) 1 book of history (Acts) 21 letters (Rom., 1 & 2 Cor., Gal., Eph., Phil., Col., 1 & 2 Thes., 1 & 2 Tim., Titus, Phile., Heb., James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2, 3 John, Jude) 1 book of prophecy (Revelation)

Before the World Was Formed God planned before he created man He planned to make man a free moral agent, that is, that man would have the right to choose to do or not do God’s will (Acts 5:4) He planned to be prepared if man should fall –1 Peter 1:18-20 –Ephesians 1:3-4, 10

The Creation Man was formed by God out of the dust of the ground and created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26) God made a special garden and placed the man in it to dress and keep it (Genesis 2:7-15) God’s one law was that man could not eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17; notice man had the freedom of choice) Woman was created to be a suitable helper for man (Genesis 2:18)

The Fall Satan became the father of lies by adding just one word (Genesis 3:4; John 8:44) Satan told a partial truth that made sin attractive (Genesis 3:5, 7, 22) He fully used the love of the world (1 John 2:15-17) –He appealed to fleshly desire by telling Eve it was good for food –He aroused her desire through sight (“pleasant to the eyes”) –He took advantage of wrongful pride through causing her to think it to be “desired to make one wise”

God’s Plan While in the Garden of Eden, man enjoyed a close relationship with God (Genesis 3:8) –Man’s sin placed a barrier between him and God (Isaiah 59:1-2) In God’s words to the serpent, God presented the first great foreshadowing of his plan to send Christ to restore that relationship (Genesis 3:15) –In Jesus’ death on the cross, he suffered a painful bruise like one might get on the heel –In Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, he dealt a mortal, or head, wound to Satan

The Patriarch Noah The head of the family (patriarch) would direct his family as God directed him God spoke to Noah, instructing him to build an ark of gopher wood (Genesis 6:12-14; Hebrews 11:7) As Noah and his family came forth from the ark, he led his family in worship to God (Genesis 8:15-20) Noah’s righteousness caused God to bless his family and promise never to destroy the world by water again (Genesis 8:21-9:1)

The Patriarch Abraham When God spoke to Abraham, certain blessings accompanied obedience (Genesis 12:1-4) God knew he would be a good spiritual leader to all in his house (Genesis 18:18-19) Abraham obeyed even in the most difficult circumstances and taught his son to obey as well (Genesis 22:1-13; 26:1-3, 6; Hebrews 11:17-19)

The Law of Moses The law was delivered only to Israel through Moses (Exodus 19:3-6; John 1:17) –The Gentiles may have continued to worship God under the direction of their fathers (Acts 10:1-4) The disobedient were punished (Leviticus 10:1- 2; 1 Corinthians 10:1-10; Judges 2:10-14) The law showed man could not live a sinless life, but had no provision for the removal of sin

The Purpose of the Law The law showed man his need for a perfect sacrifice Its purpose was to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:19-25) Its stories serve as an example to us of how God will deal with disobedient man (1 Corinthians 10:11)

Jesus Fulfilled the Law Jesus did not come to destroy but to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17-18) –He was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) –He was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) –He carried man’s sins to the cross, despite being rejected by the very ones he came to save, was crucified between 2 thieves, but buried in a rich man’s tomb (Isaiah 53:1-12)

Jesus’ Death, Resurrection and Ascension In his death, Jesus took the old law out of the way, put his law into force, tearing down the wall dividing Jew and Gentile and removing sin, the barrier between God and man. –Colossians 2:14 –Hebrews 9:11-17, 22 –Ephesians 2:11-16)

Jesus’ Death, Resurrection and Ascension Jesus’ death was the last great proof he is God’s anointed. –Acts 2:22-26 Jesus’ ascension points to the manner of his return. –Acts 1:9-11

In Jesus’ Body, the Church Gentiles and Jews –were granted repentance to life (Acts 10:34-36, 40, 42-43; 11:15-18) –are one in the church (Ephesians 2:16; Galatians 3:26-28) –thus, peace can be preached to all (Ephesians 2:17-19)

In Jesus’ Body, the Church Christians are built on the foundation of Christ and are a temple in which God can live. –1 Corinthians 3:9, 16 –Ephesians 2:20-22) In Christ, fellowship with God is finally restored through the blood of his Son. –1 John 1:3-7