Study 01

The Word of God

Understanding the Bible - its purpose, authority, and inspiration

1. THE WORD OF GOD

The Bible: in Greek ta biblia means “the books”, 66 books (39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament).

The Bible was written in a span of 1500+ years (from the 15th century B.C. to the 1st century A.D.); by approximately 40 authors from various backgrounds (shepherd, priest, scribe, king, fisherman, tax collector, physician, Pharisee); and it was written in 3 languages (Hebrew and small portions in Aramaic in the Old Testament, Greek in the New Testament) and in 3 continents (Asia, Africa and Europe).

1. With Which Purpose is the Bible Given?

📖 John 17:17, 14:6 (KJV)

John 17:17:

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

John 14:6:

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The Word of God is truth: the thoughts contained in the Bible are pure from human defilement (see Psalm 12:6); therefore its principles apply to every age and every culture (see Isaiah 40:8).

Jesus Himself is truth: the Bible reveals who He is and His plan for mankind (see 1 John 1:1-4).

📖 Psalm 12:6; Isaiah 40:8; 1 John 1:1-4 (KJV)

Psalms 12:6:

6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Isaiah 40:8:

8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

1 John 1:1–4:

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

2. With Which Authority does the Bible Claim to State the Truth?

📖 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV)

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.

It claims to be inspired by God: in Greek theopneustos literally means “God breathed”.

3. How was the Bible Inspired?

📖 2 Peter 1:21 (KJV)

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.

The Scriptures came directly from God, but He used holy men as His coworkers by inspiring them through the Holy Spirit.

Though its authors came from various backgrounds, lived in different ages and, in most cases, never met each other, the Bible never contradicts itself. Its internal consistency is an evidence of its inspiration.

4. The Bible answers the deepest questions of the human heart: Origin, Meaning, Morality and Destiny.

📖 Revelation 4:11; Jeremiah 29:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Revelation 21:1-5 (KJV)

Revelation 4:11:

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Jeremiah 29:11:

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

2 Timothy 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.

Revelation 21:1-5:

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

Origin: Where do we come from?

The Bible teaches that we are not the result of fate nor exist by chance. God wanted and planned our lives. To be a human being means to be a wonderful creature, created in the image of God (see Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 139:13-14).

📖 Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-14 (KJV)

Genesis 1:26-27:

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Psalm 139:13-14:

13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Meaning: What is life's purpose?

The Bible teaches that there is a purpose behind our existence: God has a plan for your life and He desires you to discover it and live it.

Morality: How should we live?

The Word of God is full of instruction on God’s will for His creatures and gives us discernment to distinguish between good and evil.

Destiny: Where are we going?

The Bible contains many prophecies about the times we are living in. History is not a chaotic succession of events, but it is moving toward a specific destination. God has promised to put an end to this world of suffering and offers us the opportunity to live eternally in a perfect world.

5. What are Some of the Benefits of Reading the Bible?

📖 Psalm 119:9, 11, 28, 50, 97-99, 105, 130, 162 (KJV)

9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

Reading and studying the Word of God makes your life pure (v. 9), gives strength to resist temptation and face trials (v. 11, 28), comfort in pain (v. 50), intelligence and spiritual insight (v.97-99,130), provides guidance for your decisions (v. 105) and gives joy to the heart (v. 162).

6. Why is It Important to Read and Study the Bible?

📖 Matthew 4:4 (KJV)

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

The Word of God is like bread; as food is essential to our body, so is the Bible to our spirit. You may eat physical bread and have physical life, but it will never give you spiritual life. The Word of God is food for the spirit; by feeding on it we have life in its truest sense.

7. What Experience did Bible Writers Have with the Word of God?

📖 Psalm 119:72,103,140,148,162; Jeremiah 15:16; Job 23:12 (KJV)

Psalm 119:72,103,140,148,162:

72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

Jeremiah 15:16:

16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Job 23:12:

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.

Abraham Lincoln said: “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this Book”.

In the Bible, we can read the experience that men and women like us had with God and His Word.

Their experience can become yours. Even if today you do not enjoy reading the Bible, it will become your delight if you choose to treat it as it really is: your greatest need.

8. What does the Bible say about God’s feelings toward you?

📖 Isaiah 43:1,4; Isaiah 54:10 (KJV)

Isaiah 43:1,4:

1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

Isaiah 54:10:

10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

The Bible says that “God is love” (see 1 John 4:8). Love cannot exist without communication, whether physical or verbal. It is natural to expect a God of love to want to communicate with His creatures: for this purpose, He gave us His Word.

Jesus said that the “things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart” (see Matthew 15:18); therefore, the Word of God is a revelation of God’s heart: from Genesis to Revelation we find a disclosure of the character of God. The Bible is a long love letter that our Father wrote to us. The more you grasp His love for you, the more you will delight in and hunger for God’s Word.

Even if the Word of God is for all humanity it is His Word for you personally; every word is meant to help you in the different circumstances of life (see Psalm 34:8). God longs us to know Him as He really is and to experience His love. Just like a person who wants to know you must spend time with you personally, asking directly to you things regarding yourself, so to know God we must go to Him directly from the source: the Bible.

📖 1 John 4:8; Matthew 15:18, Psalm 34:8 (KJV)

1 John 4:8:

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Matthew 15:18:

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

Psalm 34:8:

8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Appeal

📖 Isaiah 55:3a (KJV)

3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live;

The Bible is what it claims to be: the Word of God; then, should it not be considered the most important book on earth? If God Himself wanted to communicate with you, it is the greatest of all privileges to know what He said: would you like to know more about the Bible?