1. 2 Tim.3:16-17;2:15 - How much of the Bible is inspired?

  --- In what four ways does it perfect workers for God's salvation ministry?

2nd Tim.3:16-17 NKJ  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

What was Timothy told to do so that he could interpret truth correctly?

2 Tim.2:15. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2. 2 Pet.1:19-21,1,17-18 - What is Prophecy like?

Who inspired the Bible prophets to speak and to write?

2 Pet.1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, ...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.

Did Peter believe that Jesus was his God, Lord and Savior? (Cf.vs.11,16)

2 Pet.1: 1. LB -- FROM: SIMON PETER, a servant and missionary of Jesus Christ.

TO: All of you who have our kind of faith. The faith I speak of is the kind that Jesus Christ our God and Savior gives to us. How precious it is, and how just and good he is to give this same faith to each of us.

  ---He calls Him "God and Savior" (v.1 LB). The original Greek supports this more literal translation: "our God, even the Saviour Jesus Christ." Furthermore Peter saw the glory of Christ's Coming Kingdom! - What does Peter say is more sure than an eyewitness experience?

"When you consider the wonderful truth of the prophets' words, then the light will dawn in your souls and Christ the Morning Star will shine in your hearts." v.19 LB.

  --- The written word, leads us to The Living Word by whom the worlds were made. (Cf. 2 Pet.3:1-6; Jn.1:1-3)

3. Amos 3:7 - Through whom does God reveal his secrets?

Amos 3:7. Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

4. Deut.29:29 - To whom do the revealed secrets belong?

Deut.29:29. The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

5. Job 23:12 - How highly did Job regard God's word?

Job 23:12. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

   ---Note: Jer.15:16. Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: ...

   ---Joy, rejoicing and faith come to those who "eat" God’s Word.

6. Ps.119:103-105 - (note v.130) What is God's word like?

Ps.119:103 NKJ - How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. 105. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 130. The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.

7. Prov.2:3-5 – What else is God’s Word of knowledge like?

Prov.2:3-5. TE - Yes, beg for knowledge; plead for insight. Look for it as hard as you would for silver or some hidden treasure. If you do, you will know what it means to fear the Lord and you will succeed in learning about God.

   ---The Word of God is like: a fire and a hammer - Jer.23:29; a fire in my bones – Jer.20:9; bread – Matt.4:4; seed – Lu.8:11; wheat – Jer.23:28. It is the Law of our God Isa.1:10;2:3;5:24. It was made a reproach, derision, and a burden. –Jer.20:8;23:36.

8. Eph.6:17; Heb.4:12 – What offensive weapon is God’s word like?

Eph.6:17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:   --- Heb.4:12. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

  ---God’s two-edged sword, the Old and the New Testaments are represented as two witnesses, two candlesticks or two lampstands, two olive trees, and two prophets. (Read Rev.11:3-12 - During the 1260-year dark ages the light of the Bible was under sackcloth of traditions but it still had power to convert and many guarded the sacred scriptures with their lives. In 1793 the French Assembly abolished Christianity, rejected God and burned all Bibles. For three and one half years truth was dead in their streets. Then the Bible was brought back into use to help stop the flood of crime that swept over the land. Since that time Bibles "ascended up to heaven" and have been printed by the millions of copies.)

   ---Note: -Rev.11:3-12. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, ... These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. ... And ...the beast .. shall overcome them, and kill them...10. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice... because these two prophets tormented them... And...the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet....

9. Rom.15:4 – Why was the Old Testament written?

Rom.15:4..Whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

10. 1 Thess.2:13 - How should we regard the New Testament?

1 Thes.2:13. - For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

11. 1 Cor.2:12-13 - How should we study the Bible? Should we limit our study to one text, or should we compare passages from the different books?

12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God,...13. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

12. Isa.28:10 - When we teach Bible doctrines should we compare different verses and read a little here and a little there?

Isa.28:10. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

  ---(Verses 9-13 indicate that when God used this simple and best method of instruction the humble accepted but the proud were trapped. This text also supports the teaching of small portions at a time with many repetitions. (Cf.Deut.6:7)

13. Acts 17:11,3 - Why were the Bereans more noble than the Thessalonians?

Acts 17:11. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

What was Paul able to prove from the Old Testament?

Acts 17:3. Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

   --- In addition to proving Jesus to be the Christ, Paul gave the good news that we can have eternal life through the death of Jesus for our sins.

14. John 5:39,46-47; 17:17 - Of whom did Jesus say that the Old Testament testified?   --- Who did Moses write about?  --- Should we believe Moses? ----Why?

Jn.5:39. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.---  46. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.  47. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

Through what are we sanctified? ---made holy and fit for heaven?

Jn.17:17. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

15. Rev.19:13-14 - What is the name given to the victorious King Jesus as he comes flying on his white horse down through the corridors of heaven?

Rev.19:11-14  – Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns... He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.

If we expect to join Him and his army of triumph we should take and use today the spiritual armor God has provided! Let us remember the one offensive weapon that will assure us victory is "THE WORD OF GOD". Jesus is the Living Word and the Bible is the written Word. When we accept Jesus into our heart and the Bible into our mind we can have the assurance of victory and eternal life.

        May God bless you,   

         Edward Graves

 

PS     "The Bible is our rule of faith and doctrine. There is nothing more calculated to energize the mind and strengthen the intellect than the study of the word of God. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts or give vigor to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible.

    "If God’s Word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose that are rarely seen in these times." -– E. G. White, Gospel Workers, p. 249-

 

       BIBLE TRUTHS LIVE ON

I searched the land for knowledge grand,

For truths eternal that would stand!

I found great, wondrous, lofty themes

Of men's high hopes and glorious dreams.

But when I kept back just the best

And read these gems so well expressed

I stood amazed, for what I'd heard

Was echoes from God's Holy Word.

         Edward Graves