The Bible

The Bible is a pretty amazing book. When I began to study it, I simply fell in love with it. It has so much depth, that sometimes you find that a passage that you have read several times suddenly applies to you personally. This is when the Holy Spirit ‘quickens’ it to you, or makes it come alive in you.

Here Are Some Interesting Thoughts About The Bible

• The Bible has 66 separate books, written by about 44 authors over a period of many centuries, yet the overall theme and thrust is the same throughout. Try to get even two authors to do that today, let alone 44.

• The word ‘bible’ is from the Latin word biblia, meaning books or collections of writings.

• The Bible encompasses history, genealogy, prophecy, allegory, inspiration, patterns for living, moral values, standards of behavior, encouragement, types and shadows, poetry, parables, miracles, current events, scientific facts, archaeological facts, spiritual principles, songs, and more.

• The Bible confirms and instructs about itself. This happens across books, across the Old and New Testaments and across authors. Below are 10 Points about the claims of the Bible with scriptural examples. As you read during your study time, you may come across other verses that carry these messages.

1. The Bible Declares That it is God’s Word

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13

2. The Bible Says That The Word of God Will Endure Forever

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 1 Peter 1:25

3. The Bible Says That Holy Men of God Wrote the Bible

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. 1 Peter 25

4. The Bible Claims To Be Divine Revelation

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

And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant… 2 Samuel 7:28

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

5. The Bible Tells Us that God gave us the Bible to reveal Jesus Christ, to give knowledge of eternal life, to give hope to mankind, and to transform lives into His image

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. John 5:39

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. John 20:31

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4

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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

6. The Bible Tells Us how to use the Bible: Read it, Listen to it, Study it, Believe it, Search it, Memorize it.

I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be READ unto all the holy brethren. 1 Thessalonians 5:27

But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that HEAR the word of God, and KEEP it. Luke 11:28

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

When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they BELIEVED the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. John 2:22

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. Acts 17:11

Thy word have I HID in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

7. The Bible Says To Use The Bible Every Day, Prayerfully

And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them… Deuteronomy 17:19

8. The Bible Tells Us What To Expect From The Bible:

It will purify your life
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psalm 119:9

It will feed your spirit
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Deuteronomy 8:3

It will give you direction
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

It will provide a mighty spiritual weapon
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God… Ephesians 6:17

It will make it possible to pray according to God’s will
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7

It will enable you to live fruitfully and prosper
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psam 1:3

9. The Bible Tells Us How to Meditate On Scripture. After you read the Bible: Meditate on it; Ask questions; Decide to obey it

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8

I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. Psalm 119:15

10. The Bible Tells Us How To Protect Ourselves from being misled or from misusing the Bible:

Declare your intention
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 4:2

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you right from wrong
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. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:13, 14

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26

Trust God’s Word to be able to accomplish what it says it will accomplish
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged 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. Hebrews 4:12

_______

There are lots of ways to study and read your Bible. You can read it out loud to your family, or you can read it to yourself. You can read it a chapter at a time, or a few verses. You can read it straight through or with commentaries. You can sing Bible verses and you can memorize them. You can use a Bible dictionary, a concordance, or a guide. You can play Bible games or read testimonies.

You can study a single passage, a single chapter or a single book. you can study a biblical person or a biblical time frame or era. You can study a topic or an event. You can study a concept or a thread. You can find new ways to read and study as the Holy Spirit reveals them to you.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

Your Bible is a very Perfect Gift

Blessings your way,
Chandra Lynne