1. 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.

2. The Amazing Book

3. 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

4. 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
(Psalm 118)=1189 total chapters

5. 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

6. 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.”

7. 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.”

8. 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

9. 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?

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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”

15. 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