1-The Bible - KJV

1. The Bible Is Inspired by God.
2 Peter 1:21 For the _prophecy_ came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy _Ghost_.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for _instruction_ in _righteousness_:

2. The Bible, As God's Word, Is True and Dependable.
Psalms 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy _righteous_ _judgments_ endureth for ever.

Psalms 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. [7] Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt _preserve_ them from this _generation_ for ever.

3. God's Word Is Eternal.
Matthew 24:35 _Heaven_ and earth shall pass away, but my _words_ shall not pass away.

4. God Gives Us the Scriptures for Various Reasons.
Romans 15:4 For _whatsoever_ things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the _scriptures_ might have hope.

2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy _scriptures_, which are able to make thee wise unto _salvation_ through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

5. The Scriptures Point to Jesus.
John 5:39 Search the _scriptures_; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which _testify_ of me.

6. The Holy Spirit Will Help Us to Understand.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of _himself_; but _whatsoever_ he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

7. Our Hearts Must Be Open to Spiritual Things.
1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which mans _wisdom_ teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; _comparing_ spiritual things with spiritual.

8. We Must Compare Scripture with Scripture.
Isaiah 28:9-10 Whom shall he teach _knowledge_? and whom shall he make to _understand_ _doctrine_? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. [10] For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

9. Truth Comes to Open Minds.
John 17:17 _Sanctify_ them through thy truth: thy _word_ is truth.

John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the _doctrine_, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of _myself_.

10. Important Characteristics of the Bible.
(1) Its unity: The Bible at first sight appears to be merely a collection of ancient literature. However, considering that it was written by approximately forty authors over a period of nearly sixteen hundred years, its unity is amazing. The plan of salvation is revealed progressively from Genesis to Revelation. There is unity in its theme: The Messiah is promised throughout the Old Testament and declared in every New Testament book to have come in the person of Jesus Christ. And there is complete harmony of teaching: The doctrines of the Old and New Testament are the same.

(2) The history it portrays: The Old Testament embodies the oldest history of any people in the world. William F. Albright, the greatest archaeologist of the twentieth century, wrote, "hebrew national tradition excels all other in its clear picture of tribal and family origins. In Egypt and Babylonia, in Assyria and Phoenicia, in Greece and Rome, we look in vain for anything comparable. There is nothing like it in the tradition of the Germanic peoples. Neither India nor China can produce anything similar. "-The Biblical Period From Abraham to Ezra (new York: Harper, Torch Book, 1963), p. 27.

(3) Its survival: The Bible, compared with other ancient writings, has more manuscript evidence than any other piece of classical literature-in spite of early attempts by Roman emperors to destroy it. For example, there are more than five thousand known Greek manuscripts of the New Testament in existence. Homer's Iliad is second with only 643 manuscripts that have survived.

The reason for this phenomenon is the Holy Spirit, the real author of God's Word. He inspired all the human authors and ensured that the biblical historians presented an accurate picture. He watched over the history and preservation of the Bible.

Contributed by: Gerard Pfandl, Associate Director of the Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference. Taken from "the Prophetic Gift", Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, December 31, 2008.

Next Bible Study: 2-Who God Is

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