1. Back to Basics What is the Bible? February Give me the Bible

2. What is the Bible? The account of God’s work and purpose for this world and His creation. Jesus is the focal point! John 1:1-4, 14, Rev. 19:11 Bible, (βιβλος, biblos) – book. Used some 45 times in the NT.

3. Facts about the Bible A collection of 66 books; 39 – OT; 27 – NT Written by 40 different men from varied background, 3 languages, 3 continents, over 1600 years – Yet it’s message is united. Various literary styles

4. Facts about the Bible The first book to be mass produced with movable type (the Gutenberg Bible – 1450 AD) #1 best seller of all time – 5 billion+ copies since 1815. Sells around 50 per minute Complete Bible in 340 languages, with portions in at least 2100 languages.

5. Called: The book – Heb. 10:7 The Law of the Lord – Psa. 19:7 The Word of God – Heb. 4:12, Luke 11:28, Eph. 6:17

6. Called: Word of Christ – Col. 3:16 The Gospel – Rom. 1:16 The word of life – Phil. 2:16

7. Called: Words of the Lord – Psalm 12:6, 1 Pet. 2:25 Holy scripture, scripture– John 5:39, Rom 1:2 Acts 17:11, 2 Tim. 2:15 Oracles of God – 1 Pet. 4:11, Rom. 3:2, Heb. 5:12, Acts 7:38

8. Described: Inspired– 2 Tim. 3:16,17 θεόπνευστος, theophneustos - the breath of God! Truth – John 17:17, Psa. 119:151, 160 ἀ λήθεια, alatheia – actual, upright

9. Described: A sword– Eph. 6:17, cf. Heb. 4:12 Able to engage the enemy Pierce the heart Perfect – Psa. 19:7, Jas. 1:25 Not lacking anything, without error

10. Described: Living and powerful– Heb. 4:12 IT works and is effective A Lamp (light) – Psa. 119:105, 2 Pet. 1:19, cf. John 3:21 It enlightens, reveals & exposes

11. Described: Food – Matt. 4:4, 1 Pet. 2:2 Heb. 5:12-14 IT nourishes, gives us strength A mirror– James 1:22-25 Reflects our image, reveals

12. Described: A fire – Jer. 23:29, ““Is not My word like a fire?” says the L ORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” cf. 1 Pet 1:22, Jer. 20:9 It purifies us, tests us

13. Described: A hammer – Jer. 23:29 IT can break down barriers, break through the hardened heart Seed – Luke 8:11, 1 Pet. 1:23-25 It can grow within us

14. Described: Enduring – 1 Pet. 1:25, Psa. 119:160 It will not end nor be defeated. These descriptions demonstrate the impact His word can have in our lives if we apply it – Matt. 7:21-23, Jas. 1:25

15. What can the Bible do? It reveals God – Rom. 1:16, 17 Gives us life, leads us to salvation – John 20:30-31, 1 Cor. 15:1-2

16. What can the Bible do? Gives us faith – Rom. 10:17 Makes us complete 2 Tim. 3:16,17

17. What can the Bible do? All that we need to be godly – 2 Pet. 1:3-5 It is a resource that governs our life for good, teaches us how to get along, manage relationships, live morally, etc.

18. What can the Bible do? It gives us refuge as we deal with troubles It gives us hope beyond this life in a world that robs us of hope.

19. “The Bible was not given for our information, but for our transformation.” D. W. Moody

20. Back to Basics What does the Bible mean to you?