“The Bible - The Word of God”
This first lesson is designed to help you establish faith in the Bible, for it is the Word of God. Keep in mind that the Bible is not a book of philosophy, although it is philosophical. Do not go to the Bible for a scientific treatise. However, there is no discrepancy between ascertained facts of science and the Bible. The Bible is not a book of history, but is found to be accurate when recording history. The Bible was given to man from God, revealing Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God the Son, the only Savior (John 14:6). He is the center and the circumference. It is Christ from Genesis to Revelation (John 5:39).
Someone has said of the Bible: “Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be right.”
- The Bible claims to be the inspired Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16,17).16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
- II. The Bible is a difficult book (1 Cor. 2:1416).14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
- III. The Bible is a book of oneness (2 Pet. 1:21).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.
- IV. The Bible claims special power (Heb. 4:12).12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
- V. The Bible commands the believer to study the scriptures (2 Tim. 2:15).15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.