"Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel
of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His
law doeth he meditate day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2
of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His
law doeth he meditate day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2
BASIC INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE LEAVING EARTH
II Timothy 2:15 -- "Study to show yourself
approved unto God......rightly dividing the
word of truth."
Joshua 1:8
The Word of Our God Shall Stand Forever! - Isaiah 40:8
First a little theological study to enlighten the reader about the Bible and whether or not it is the Word of God.
This Bible under consideration is not the New World Translation of the Watchtower Society; better known as Jehovah's Witnesses. This book is not the Catholic Bible containing the Apocrypha or "hidden books." This Book is not just a version of the Protestant church and did not originate in the Latin language. It was first penned in Hebrew and Aramaic (Old Testament) and in Greek (New Testament). There are many interesting facts about the Bible; some of which I will share now.
The things presented below are not generally taught in churches but rather in Bible colleges or Bible Seminaries, but I believe they should be taught in churches as well.
The very word Bible comes from the Greek plural biblia meaning "the books." The word scripture comes from the Latin meaning "the writings."
Ephesians 6:17 and Hebrews 4:12 call the Bible the "Word of God."
The Bible claims to be inspired – "and Godsaid" or it's equivalent is used over
2600 times in the Bible itself.
The history, law, psalms and prophecies were written by men under special
inspiration from God Exodus 24:4, II Kings 17:13, Joshua 3:9 and Zechariah 7:12).
Christ endorsed the Old Testament, quoted it and lived according to its teachings.
The apostles endorsed scripture and Peter endorsed Paul's writings as scripture
II Peter 3:5-16)
.
Authorship - The Bible was written by men whose honesty and integrity were above question.
Contents – It is the most sublime revelation of God the world knows.
Influence – The Bible brings salvation to nations and individuals.
Accuracy – There is a total absence of the absurdities found in other religious books.
Unity – There are Sixty six books by forty authors of varied backgrounds, written over a period of almost 1600 years, covering a variety of topics, yet carrying unity of theme and purpose coming from one superintending mind.
Circulation – The Bible is the most widely read book and the highest selling book of all time in hundreds of languages worldwide.
Timelessness –It is ancient and yet totally modern and applicable to any generation.
Its many fulfilled prophecies - especially the many concerning the life and death and resurrection of Christ confound those who challenge it.
The Bible's remarkable Preservation - in spite of the many attempts to discredit it or destroy it the Bible will stand long after many other books have passed out of remembrance. The Bible itself declares that the Word of God will stand forever!
The Authority of the Bible
Differences of opinion over the source of authority include:
Roman Catholicism– The Bible is an authoritative collection of writings. Scripture belongs in the church that gathered them. On April 28, 1546 the Council of Trent said that tradition is equal to the Bible.
Reformation Protestantism – The Bible is a collection of authoritative writings. Authority is in the scriptures themselves.
Inspiration
Inspiration is the means by which God communicated His message to man. It means the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit on the writers of scripture. God influenced the accurate recording of the scriptures. There are no degrees of inspiration.
II Timothy 3:16 – Verbal plenary inspiration meaning that the Holy Spirit so directed men in their choice of subject matter and words that the words they used were God's words in the style of the writer. Plenary means that all parts of scripture are equally inspired. Some would argue with this thinking that the words of Christ were more inspired than Peter or Paul or any of the Biblical authors, but they would have to deny the clear teaching of scripture itself to accept that theory. II Timothy 3:16-17 states, "ALL scripture is given by inspiration of Godand is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
Erroneous views of Inspiration
Natural Inspiration – Inspired in the same sense as other great works. A remarkable human book written by people with religious genius.
Conceptual Inspiration – Only the writer's thoughts were inspired – not the words. This concept is obviously foolish because thoughts are words.
Partial Inspiration – Only certain parts are inspired. The Bible contains but isn't God's Word. This is the belief of many in this generation; in and out of the church. We like the verses that please us and loathe the verses that challenge us, convict us and discipline us. More than anything we talk about God's love as if his anger, judgment and justice could not be true. Pass the sweets please!
Mechanical Dictation – The Writers were totally passive. All decisions concerning the choice of words were made by the Holy Spirit. (The writers were like mere robots). This concept ignores style, temperament and personal feeling and suggests complete uniformity. A comparison of the Psalms of David and the writings of Paul the Apostle should lay this theory to rest.
The Canon of Scripture
The word canon comes from the Greek kanon and the Hebrew quaneh. The basic meaning is reed, rod or bar for measuring or a standard to measure by. In the study of scripture it means the list of books accepted as Holy Scripture.
The church didn't create the canon but they acknowledged that certain books were God's Word.
The Pseudepigraphical Books were fictitious books by men claiming to be apostles and prophets.
The Synod of Jamnia (AD 90) – a group of rabbis ratified (approved) the existing
Hebrew Canon. This was considered the final stage in fixing the Jewish Canon.
The New Testament standard of canonicity was based on the following:
Apostlicity – from or authorized by an apostle.
Doctrinal Content – had to agree with Old Testament teaching and oral transmission of the apostle's teaching.
Inspiration – was there unmistakable evidence that the book was "God Breathed?"
Universality – does the book have universal appeal in the churches?
Moral Effect – does it edify and transform lives for the good of all?
Now there are many other facts relating to canon, however I will not belabor them simply because everyone isn't inclined to theological studies, and I don't want to weary my readers.
This Bible under consideration is not the New World Translation of the Watchtower Society; better known as Jehovah's Witnesses. This book is not the Catholic Bible containing the Apocrypha or "hidden books." This Book is not just a version of the Protestant church and did not originate in the Latin language. It was first penned in Hebrew and Aramaic (Old Testament) and in Greek (New Testament). There are many interesting facts about the Bible; some of which I will share now.
The things presented below are not generally taught in churches but rather in Bible colleges or Bible Seminaries, but I believe they should be taught in churches as well.
The very word Bible comes from the Greek plural biblia meaning "the books." The word scripture comes from the Latin meaning "the writings."
Ephesians 6:17 and Hebrews 4:12 call the Bible the "Word of God."
The Bible claims to be inspired – "and Godsaid" or it's equivalent is used over
2600 times in the Bible itself.
The history, law, psalms and prophecies were written by men under special
inspiration from God Exodus 24:4, II Kings 17:13, Joshua 3:9 and Zechariah 7:12).
Christ endorsed the Old Testament, quoted it and lived according to its teachings.
The apostles endorsed scripture and Peter endorsed Paul's writings as scripture
II Peter 3:5-16)
.
Authorship - The Bible was written by men whose honesty and integrity were above question.
Contents – It is the most sublime revelation of God the world knows.
Influence – The Bible brings salvation to nations and individuals.
Accuracy – There is a total absence of the absurdities found in other religious books.
Unity – There are Sixty six books by forty authors of varied backgrounds, written over a period of almost 1600 years, covering a variety of topics, yet carrying unity of theme and purpose coming from one superintending mind.
Circulation – The Bible is the most widely read book and the highest selling book of all time in hundreds of languages worldwide.
Timelessness –It is ancient and yet totally modern and applicable to any generation.
Its many fulfilled prophecies - especially the many concerning the life and death and resurrection of Christ confound those who challenge it.
The Bible's remarkable Preservation - in spite of the many attempts to discredit it or destroy it the Bible will stand long after many other books have passed out of remembrance. The Bible itself declares that the Word of God will stand forever!
The Authority of the Bible
Differences of opinion over the source of authority include:
Roman Catholicism– The Bible is an authoritative collection of writings. Scripture belongs in the church that gathered them. On April 28, 1546 the Council of Trent said that tradition is equal to the Bible.
Reformation Protestantism – The Bible is a collection of authoritative writings. Authority is in the scriptures themselves.
Inspiration
Inspiration is the means by which God communicated His message to man. It means the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit on the writers of scripture. God influenced the accurate recording of the scriptures. There are no degrees of inspiration.
II Timothy 3:16 – Verbal plenary inspiration meaning that the Holy Spirit so directed men in their choice of subject matter and words that the words they used were God's words in the style of the writer. Plenary means that all parts of scripture are equally inspired. Some would argue with this thinking that the words of Christ were more inspired than Peter or Paul or any of the Biblical authors, but they would have to deny the clear teaching of scripture itself to accept that theory. II Timothy 3:16-17 states, "ALL scripture is given by inspiration of Godand is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
Erroneous views of Inspiration
Natural Inspiration – Inspired in the same sense as other great works. A remarkable human book written by people with religious genius.
Conceptual Inspiration – Only the writer's thoughts were inspired – not the words. This concept is obviously foolish because thoughts are words.
Partial Inspiration – Only certain parts are inspired. The Bible contains but isn't God's Word. This is the belief of many in this generation; in and out of the church. We like the verses that please us and loathe the verses that challenge us, convict us and discipline us. More than anything we talk about God's love as if his anger, judgment and justice could not be true. Pass the sweets please!
Mechanical Dictation – The Writers were totally passive. All decisions concerning the choice of words were made by the Holy Spirit. (The writers were like mere robots). This concept ignores style, temperament and personal feeling and suggests complete uniformity. A comparison of the Psalms of David and the writings of Paul the Apostle should lay this theory to rest.
The Canon of Scripture
The word canon comes from the Greek kanon and the Hebrew quaneh. The basic meaning is reed, rod or bar for measuring or a standard to measure by. In the study of scripture it means the list of books accepted as Holy Scripture.
The church didn't create the canon but they acknowledged that certain books were God's Word.
The Pseudepigraphical Books were fictitious books by men claiming to be apostles and prophets.
The Synod of Jamnia (AD 90) – a group of rabbis ratified (approved) the existing
Hebrew Canon. This was considered the final stage in fixing the Jewish Canon.
The New Testament standard of canonicity was based on the following:
Apostlicity – from or authorized by an apostle.
Doctrinal Content – had to agree with Old Testament teaching and oral transmission of the apostle's teaching.
Inspiration – was there unmistakable evidence that the book was "God Breathed?"
Universality – does the book have universal appeal in the churches?
Moral Effect – does it edify and transform lives for the good of all?
Now there are many other facts relating to canon, however I will not belabor them simply because everyone isn't inclined to theological studies, and I don't want to weary my readers.
Hebrews 4:12
