STUDY – 1 THE SACRED SCRIPTURES
1- By what name are the sacred writings of the Bible commonly known?
“Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the comer?” Matthew 21:42.
2- What other title is given the Bible?
“And he answered and said unto them, my mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” Luke 8:21.
Note: It is interesting to note that the word Bible does not occur in the Bible itself. It is derived from the Latin biblia, or “little books”. The Greek word biblia in turn is derived from byblus, or papyrus, the name of ht material upon which ancient books were written. The Latin biblia is treated as singular, thus referring to the unity of the Bible as a whole. The Greek biblia is plural, calling attention to the fact that the Bible is a collection of many books. See Funk and Wagnalls New Standard Encyclopaedia, 1945 edition.
The Bible has 66 books and was written by 35 or 40 men over a period of some 1.500 years. The books are called the “Word of God.” Or the “Scriptures.” “Scriptures” means “writings”. Thus “Sacred Scriptures” means “Sacred Writings.”
A- THE SCRIPTURES GIVEN
3- How were the Scriptures given?
“All scriptures is given by inspiration of God.” 2 Timothy 3:16.
“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.” 2 Peter 1:21.
4- Who, therefore, did the speaking through these men?
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.” Hebrews 1:1.
B- THE PURPOSE OF THE SCRIPTURES
5- For what purpose were the Scriptures written?
“All scriptures 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- What does God design that His Word shall be to us today?
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105.
C- THE DIVISIONS OF THE SCRITURES
7- What Three general divisions did Jesus refer to in the writings of the Old Testament?
“And he said unto them. These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.” Luke 24:44.
8- Upon what evidence did Jesus bases His Messiahship?
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27.
Note: When Christ spoke of the Scriptures he meant the Old Testament, for the New Testament had not yet been written.
9- What estimate did Job place upon the words of God?
“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips: I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23: 12.
10- How firm was the faith of Isaiah in the word of God?
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Isaiah 40:8.
STUDY – 2 HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE
A- BIBLE APPROVAL OF PERSONAL STUDY
1- What did Christ say concerning the study of the Scriptures?
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me:” John 5:39.
2- For what were the Bereans commended?
“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.
Note: “If God’s Word were studied as it should be,” says a modern Bible student, “men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose that is rarely seen in these times. But there is but little profit derived from a hasty reading of the Scriptures. One may read the whole Bible through, and yet fail to see its beauty or comprehend its deep and hidden meaning. One passage studied until its significance is clear to the mind, and its relation to the plan of salvation is evident, is of more value than the perusal of many chapters with no define purpose in view and no positive instruction gained.”
B- THE SPIRIT OF GOD AND THE BIBLE
3- Who alone comprehends the things of God?
“God what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:11.
4- How thoroughly does the Spirit search out the hidden treasures of truth?
“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:10.
5- What is one purpose for which the Holy Spirit was sent?
“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.
6- Why cannot the natural man receive the things of the Spirit?
“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.” 1 Corinthians 2:14.
C- PLACE OF PRAYER IN BIBLE STUDY
7- For what spiritual enlightenment should everyone pray?
“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Psalm 119:18.
8- For what spiritual gift did the apostle Paul pray?
“That the God of our Lord Jesus of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.” Ephesians 1:17.
9- Upon what conditions is an understanding of divine things promised?
“Yes, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding: if thou seekest her as silver, and searches for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:3-5.
D- RESULTS OF SINCERE BIBLE STUDY
10- What are the Scriptures able to do for one who believes them?
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15
11- What great blessing did Christ confer upon His disciples after His resurrection?
“Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.” Luke 24:45.
12- How did Christ reprove those who, though familiar with the letter of the Scriptures, failed to understand them?
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” Matthew 22:29.
13- Whom did Jesus pronounce blessed?
“But he said, Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:28.
STUDY – 3 POWER IN THE WORD OF GOD
A- THE POWER OF GOD`S WORD IN NATURE
1- Through what agency did God create the heavens?
“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth…For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” Psalms 33:6-9; 148:5.
2- By what does Christ uphold all things?
“Upholding all things by the word of his power.” Hebrews 1:3.
B- AMAZING POWER OF THE WORD SPOKEN
3- Why were the people astonished at Christ’s teaching?
“And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.” Luke 4:32.
4- What testified to the power of the world of Christ?
“And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying. What a word is this! For with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.” Luke 4:36.
5- How did God heal His people anciently?
“He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Psalm 107:20.
6- How did the centurion show his faith in the power of Christ’s word to heal?
“The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” Matthew 8:8.
C- THE SEED OF GOD`S WORD WORKING IN US
7- What did Christ say is the seed of the kingdom of God?
“The seed is the word of God.” Luke 8:11.
8- Where should the word of Christ dwell?
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” Colossians 3:16. “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.
9- What nature is imparted through the promises of God?
“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4.
10- By what are believers made clean?
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” John 15:3.
11- How may a young man cleanse his way?
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.” Psalm 119:9.
12- What power has the word when hidden in the heart?
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11 – Psalm 17:4.
STUDY – 4 THE LIFE-GIVING WORD
A- THE WORD OF GOD A LIVING WORD
1- What was Peter’s testimony concerning Christ’s words?
“Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” John 6:68.
2- What did Christ declare His Father’s commandment to be?
“And I know that his commandment is life everlasting.” John 12:50.
B- JESUS AS THE LIVING WORD
3- What name is applied to Jesus as the revelation of the thought of God in the flesh?
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1. “And be was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called the Word of God.” Revelation 19:13.
4- What did this Word become?
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” John 1:14.
5- What was in the Word?
“And in him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4.
6- What is Jesus therefore also called?
“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.” 1 John 1:1.
C- JESUS AS THE LIVING BREAD
7- What did Jesus declare Himself to be?
“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” John 6:35.
8- What did He suggest that men should do with Him, the bread of life?
“As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as our fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.” John 6:57, 58.
9- What did Jesus really mean by our eating His flesh?
“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63.
STUDY – 5 CHRIST IN ALL THE BIBLE
A- GENERAL REFERENCES TO CHRIST
1- Of whom did Christ say the Scriptures testify?
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39.
2- Of whom did Moses and the prophets write?
“Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him. We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” John 1:45.
3- From whose words did Christ say the disciples ought to have learned of His death and resurrection?
“O fools, and slow heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” Luke 24:25, 26.
4- How did Christ make it clear to them that the Scriptures testify of Him?
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27.
5- Where in the Bible do we find the first promise of a Redeemer?
“And the Lord God said unto the serpent…will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Genesis 2:14, 15.
6- In what words was this promise renewed to Abraham?
“In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” Genesis 22:18 – Genesis 26:4; 28:14.
7- To whom did this promised seed refer?
“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not. And to seeds, as of many; but as of one. And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Galatians 3:16.
B- BIRTH, LIFE, SUFFERING, DEATH, RESURRECTION
8- Where was the Saviour to be born?
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come froth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2.
9- In what prophecy are Christ’s life, suffering, and death touchingly foretold?
In the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah.
10- Where is the price of Christ’s betrayal foretold?
“So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.” Zachariah 11:12 – Matthew 26:15.
11- Where in the Psalms are Christ’s dying words recorded?
“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Psalm 22:1 – Matthew 27:46 – “Into thine hand I commit my spirit.” Psalm 31:5 – Luke 23:46.
12- How is Christ’s resurrection foretold in the Psalms?
“For thou will not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” Psalm 16:10 – see Acts 2:25-31.
C- CHRIST´S SECOND COMING AND KINGDOM
13- In what words does Daniel foretell Christ’s receiving His kingdom?
“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Daniel 7: 13, 14.
14- How is Christ’s second coming described in the Psalms?
“Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.” Psalm 98:8, 9.
“Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.” Psalm 50:3, 4.
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