LTRBE Seminar | Section 2: Background of the Bible
Section 2: Background of the Bible
BACKGROUND
- Holy Bible - "Separate Book"
- 66 Books
Old Testament - 39 books
New Testament - 27 books - 40+ writers
kings and peasants, doctors and fishermen, princes and herdsmen, poets and laborers, rich and poor, educated and illiterate - Written over a period of 1600 years
- 2,930 characters in 1,551 places
- Every imaginable literary form (poetry, prose, etc.)
Even with so many different writers, subjects, etc., all parts of the Bible agree with one another. Though the writers were divided by class, period, country, and disposition, there is wonderful harmony in all they wrote. There is no contradiction, no disagreement. Whence came this wonderful unity? From God! They all wrote by divine inspiration. They were God's agents, proclaiming His message unto Humanity.
INSPIRATION
- God is the Author
- 2 Tim. 3:15-17
- All scripture is Inspired - "God Breathed"
- Scripture is sufficient in itself - Examples
- David - 2 Samuel 23:1-2
- Jeremiah - Jer. 30:1-2 - How often you read in the Bible
- "Thus saith the LORD . . . "
- "The word of the LORD came unto me saying . . . " - Men recorded God's words not their own
- 1 Peter 1:10-12
- 2 Peter 1:19-21 - God's Word never fails, nor should it be added to
- Is. 40:6-8
- Prov. 30:5-6 - The Bible is the Source of Truth
- Ps. 19:7-9
- perfect, sure, right, pure, true, righteous
IMPORTANCE OF STUDY
- Makes us wise unto salvation
- 2 Tim. 3:15-17 - Gives us Hope
- Romans 15:4 - Power of God unto Salvation
- Romans 1:16-17 - Neglect brings death
- Prov. 13:13 - Prepares us to give an answer and contend for the faith
- 1 Pet. 3:15
- Jude vs. 3-4 - Provides direction for daily living
- Psalm 119:105
- Joshua 1:8
HOW READEST THOU?
It is one thing to read the Bible through,
Another thing to learn and read and do.
Some read it with desire to learn, and read
But to their subject pay but little heed;
Some read it as their duty every week,
But no instruction from the Bible seek;
While others read it with but little care,
With no regard to how they read or where;
Some read it as a History, to know
How people lived two thousand years ago,
Some read it to bring themselves into repute,
By showing others how they can dispute;
While others read because their neighbors do,
To see how long it takes to read it through.
Some read it for the wonders that are there,
How David killed a lion and a bear;
While others read it with uncommon care,
Hoping to find some contradictions there.
Some read as though it did not speak to them
But to the people at Jerusalem.
One reads it as a book of mysteries,
And won't believe the very thing he sees;
One reads with father's specs upon his head,
And sees the thing just as his father said;
Some read to prove a pre-adopted creed,
Hence understanding but little as they read,
For every passage in the book they bend
To make it suit that all important end.
Some people read, as I have often thought,
To teach the Book, instead of being taught;
And some there are who read it out of spite,
I fear there are but few who read it right.
One thing I find, and you may find it too,
The more you read, the more you find it true;
But this to find, an open eye is needful,
With often prayer, and humble heart all heedful;
The man who reads with pride or inattention,
Will only find full causes of dissension,
The man who reads with modest penetration,
Will find the joy of comfort and salvation.
Wonderful
Posted by: Mabel Wayne | January 01, 2008 at 04:08 PM