What do you know about the Bible?

The Bible is: The record of our beginning, but not the beginning of God (Gen. 1:1, John 1:1-18). “The mind of God in language adapted to the mind of man” (1 Cor. 2:10-12), therefore inspired (2 Peter 1:20-21).

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 contains 39 books The New Testament 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., Eze., 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 God planned 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 Gen. 1 & 2 – God, perfection, and innocence God formed man in His image (Gen. 1:26) God made a special garden and placed man in it to dress and keep it (Gen. 2:7-15) God’s one law was man could not eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:16-17; man had the freedom of choice) God created woman to be a suitable helper for man (Gen. 2:18) God’s relationship with them was personal (Gen. 3:8)

The Fall Satan added 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 – lust of the flesh –He aroused her desire through sight (“pleasant to the eyes”) – lust of the eye –He appealed to her pride (“desired to make one wise”) – pride of life

God’s Plan Gen. 3 onward – man’s sin placed a barrier between him and God (Isaiah 59:1-2) God’s words to the serpent presented the first great foreshadowing of his plan to send Christ to restore that relationship (Genesis 3:15) –Jesus was uniquely the seed of woman (only) –Jesus’ death on the cross was a painful heel bruise –Jesus’ resurrection from the dead delivered a mortal head wound to Satan

God spoke through patriarchs or heads of families. Adam was the first patriarch through whom God spoke, directing his family as God directed him.

The Patriarch Noah When God spoke to Noah, instructing him to build an ark of gopher wood, he led his family in obedience (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 (Genesis 8:21-9:1)

The Patriarch Abraham When God spoke to Abraham, certain blessings accompanied obedience (Genesis 12:1-4) Covenant=conditions+promises 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 to Israel through Moses (Exodus 19:3-6; John 1:17) –The Gentile patriarchs 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 revealed man could not live a sinless life, but had no provision for the removal of sin

The Purpose of the Law Help man identify sin Help man better understand the nature of God - Its stories serve as an example to us of how God will deal with disobedient man (1 Corinthians 10:11) Direct man to Christ (Galatians 3:19-25)

The books of history: Describe man’s failure to obey God, as well as man’s successes in keeping His will. Give accurate details of the lineage of Christ. Give accurate details of God’s providential care in preserving the Jewish nation until Christ came.

The books of the prophets: Spoke of God, sin, and redemption Spoke of God’s wrath in judgment (without repentance) Spoke of the Messiah, the Christ

Jesus came 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 ones he came to save –He was crucified between 2 thieves, but buried in a rich man’s tomb (Isaiah 53:1-12)

Jesus’ Death, Resurrection and Ascension Jesus’ death was the last great proof He was God’s anointed (Acts 2:22-26) Jesus’ resurrection was made known to eyewitnesses whose testimony verify this historical event (John 20) Jesus’ ascension points to the manner of his return (Acts 1:9-11)

In Jesus’ Body, the Church: Fellowship with God was finally restored through the blood of his Son (1 John 1:3-7) Gentiles and Jews were granted repentance to life (Acts 10:34-36, 40, 42-43; 11:15-18) and became one in the church (Ephesians 2:16; Galatians 3:26-28), thus, peace can be preached to all (Ephesians 2:17-19) Christians are built on the foundation of Christ -- they are a temple in which God can live (1 Corinthians 3:9, 16; Ephesians 2:20-22)

The letters to Christians were needed: To instruct so as to increase faith To encourage and exhort To address matters of worship To address areas of authority/government To address areas of service To admonish and rebuke To reveal great things to come – victory

What you know about the Bible is a beginning. Understanding the Bible, the mind of God, is the next very important step!