1. We Believe

2. The purpose of GENESIS is to begin the story of the Covenant.

3. The purpose of EXODUS is to explain how God’s presence came to dwell among his chosen people Israel.

5. The Purpose of Leviticus is to tell the people how to preserve God’s presence among them

6. Content of Leviticus: Providing the instructions for purity and holiness so that they can continue to enjoy the blessing of God that his presence brings

7. Management of sacred space (Tabernacle) Sacred status (as God’s people) Sacred time (in the festivals) Management of sacred space (Tabernacle) Sacred status (as God’s people) Sacred time (in the festivals)

8. Big Idea of Leviticus HOLINESS… 10:3; 11:45; 18:5 God is holy- the sum total of all his attributes God expects his people to be holy God is serious about holiness

9. The Purpose of Numbers is to contrast the faithfulness of God with the faithlessness and rebellion of Israel.

13. Top Ten Comments Overheard During the Wandering in the Wilderness 10. Gershom just hit me! 9. Your compass is BUSTED! We’re going in circles! 8. If your goat nuzzles me one more time, I’m gonna sacrifice him! 7. I think that Red Sea thing was just an optical illusion 6. Mom, are we having manna again?! 5. It’s soooooo written in stone! 4. And I thought the flodd was a bummer! 3. Check out this sand angel I just made! 2. “C’Mon Moses, Aren’t they more like guidelines? 1. Are we there yet?

14. The content of Numbers: 40 Years in the Wilderness God kept his covenant promises to make them a numerous people, and bring them to the land. But the people grumbled from the beginning, rebelled against God’s leadership, and refused to enter the land. They not only ended up wandering in the wilderness, but they wandered into false worship as well.

15. Some generations fail and lose benefits and privileges, but God faithfully offers new opportunities for faithfulness Submission to God and trust in his plan and provision are essential to God’s people

16. God is patient but does not take disobedience lightly God is faithful to his promises God provides for his people (6:24-26; 14:18-19; 23:19; 24:17; 32:23)

17. Question(s) of the Week: Copying the Bible How did we get our Bible? How can we trust “imperfect” scribes? How can we trust the text when It comes from fragments?

20. THE COW WENT OVER TEH MOUNTAIN THE COW WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN THE COW WNT OVER THE MOUNTAIN THE CROW WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN

21. Types of documents The importance of Oral Tradition The work of Scribes

22. The Dead Sea Scrolls The Septuigent The integrity of manuscript evidence & ancient texts

23. From SPC Constitution: What We Believe We believe that the entire Bible is the Divinely Inspired Word and Revelation of God, and therefore our only authority for faith and practice. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21.

24. From Other Evangelical Organizations: Bethel Seminary We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. Trinity International University We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men and the Divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life

25. We can trust that the Bible is the inspired, authoritative, reliable Word of God- in spite of the human task of copying the text throughout the ages… communicating what who God is and what God wants for us (namely, a personal God who desires a relationship with us)

26. The Anvil? God’s Word The Anvil? God’s Word (author unknown) Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime Then looking in, I saw upon the floor Old hammers, worn with beating years of time “How many anvils have you had”, said I, “To wear and batter all these hammers so?” “Just one,” said he, and then, with twinkling eye, “The anvil wears the hammer out you know.” And so, thought I, the anvil God’s word, For ages, skeptic blows have beat upon; Yet through the noise of falling blows was heard, The anvil is unharmed…. The hammer’s gone.