I will make a strong attempt to present the study here as kind of an easy worksheet so that you can print out each mail message and follow along. I do suggest you follow along instead of passively reading; the design of these are such that it should not take very long. Our main goal is to get information out of the Bible clear and intact, maintaining the context of the text verifiable by all following along. +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | THE FOLLOWING SEGMENT IS AN EXPLORATION OF THE BIBLE Consequently, we are discovering what the Bible says about itself and any claims it may happen to make that we might look for and test. This is not a "The Bible is true because it says it is" justification -- this is a study of the Bible's reflection upon itself. Just like when you open an instruction book to a VCR it tells you what the manual addresses, what it doesn't, what sections are where, who to call, proper use of the VCR and manual, etc. This is the equivalent of a preface, introduction, table of contents, reader audience, letter from the editor, or the "how to read this book" section present in a book. - - - *IF* the Bible really is truth, then it ought to make some bold claims about that and we should be able to find out how it was written, plus we can ask some insightful questions. *IF* the Bible is not really truth, then any claims it makes are hot spots we can target, plus we can locate contradictions and question them. Consequently, we want to look at everything we can find that the Bible says about itself, regardless of whether we believe it or not right now. This will be determined later. The context of this forum's segment is not what we say or think, but what text we physically find in the Bible. USEFUL READING An aid to starting would simply be to read PSALM 119:9-16, 105-112 before hitting the questions below. This reading will give a general overview making the questions easier to answer. 1. WHAT THE SCRIPTURES ARE 1.1) What three basic divisions comprised the Scriptures in Christ's day? LUKE 24:44,45 ______________________________________________________ The 39 books of the Old Testament were written before the birth of Christ, and the 27 books of the New Testament were written after His birth. These two testaments make up the Bible, and although written over a 1600-year period by a variety of writers, it shows unusual unity and harmony. The Old Testament predicts many things which we can understand fully only by studying the New Testament. And the New Testaments constantly quotes from and refers to the Old Testament. Someone has said: "The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed; the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed." 2. What part of the New Testament was already recognized as Scripture in Peter's day? 2 PETER 3:15,16 _____________________________________________________ HOW THE SCRIPTURES WERE GIVEN 2.1) Although men did the writing, who was responsible for the inspiration and content of the Scriptures? 2 TIMOTHY 3:16 ______________________________________________________ 2.2) How much of the Bible is inspired? 2 TIMOTHY 3:16 ______________________________________________________ 2.3) Through whom did God convey His messages to chosen men of God? 2 PETER 1:21 _________________________________________________ The Bible authors wrote that which the Holy Spirit impressed on their minds. We might say that it was God's thought passed along to us through human agents. David put it this way: "The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue" (2 SAMUEL 23:2) 3. WHY THE SCRIPTURES WERE GIVEN 3.1) What four reasons does Paul give for studying the Bible? 2 TIMOTHY 3:16 _________________________________________ Doctrine -- "Doctrine" means "teaching," "guide," "rule." Reproof -- The Scriptures will often tell us, "Thou art the man" (2 SAMUEL 12:7) Correction -- Not only do the Scriptures reprove, but tell us the correct way to lead us to the power that is about to keep us from sinning. So instead of being told what is wrong, we are told what is right to prevent from doing wrong. "The word of God is quick, and powerful" (HEBREWS 4:12). "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (PSALMS 119:11). When we start to do something wrong, God's law comes to mind all we have to do is recognize it. Jesus knew the Scriptures and used them to withstand the temptations of Satan (MATTHEW 4:4,7,10). Instruction and Learning -- One verse of Scripture is worth a whole book of man's words. "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple" (PSALMS 119:130). "What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord" (JEREMIAH 23:28). Why take less when we may choose the wheat? 3.2) When Paul was writing to the Roman believers, what other benefits did he mention that one receives from the study of the Bible? ROMANS 15:4 _________________________________________________________ 3.3) What is the real goal of all Bible Study? John 5:39 "Search the scriptures; for in them you think ye have eternal life: and they are they which ___________ of ________." 2 Peter 1:19 "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where-unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a ________ that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the ___________ arise in your hearts." John 17:3 "And this is life _______, that they might know thee the only true God, and ________ Christ, whom thou hast sent." John 14:7 "If ye had know _______, ye should have known my _______ also." The Day Star which Peter mentioned (2 Peter 1:19) is one of the names of Jesus. Through the Scriptures we get to know Jesus, the most important Person in all the world to know, for He is the Source of eternal life. To become better aquainted with Him, to develop a meaningful relationship with Him, is the supreme goal of all Bible study. 3.4) Where is the source of truth? JOHN 17:17 _________________________________________________________ JOHN 14:6 _________________________________________________________ Jesus is truth, and His Word is truth. There is no contradiction between them. We can't separate Jesus from His Word, the Bible, and we can't separate the written Word from Jesus, the Living Word. We find saving truth about Jesus in the Scriptures. In fact, the apostle John emphasizes this in the very first chapter of his gospel: "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (JOHN 1:14). So if we want to know what God is like, or what God's law and His government are like, we can look at Jesus. And we find the life of Jesus revealed in the Word of God. This clarifies why John called Jesus the Word. 3.5) By what name did John the Revelator call Christ when he was describing the second coming? REVELATION 19:13 ____________________________________________________ 4. HOW CAN WE SIFT TRUTH FROM ERROR 4.1) What did the Bereans do to check whether Paul was teaching them truth? ACTS 17:11 ___________________________________________________________ The is a good example for us to follow. When Paul preached to them, these people brought his teaching to the test of the Scriptures. They checked everything he told them by the Word of God. The gospel commission involves the teaching of God's truth by every believer (ROMANS 10:14-15), but we are warned against false teachers and given a standard by which we may judge the teaching of every man. In the same way the Bereans did, we need to keep searching the Bible for ourselves so that we may be able to test every religious teaching by the great standard of God's inspired Word. If it does not harmonize fully with the Bible we make know it is false teaching. But when we find that it agrees with what is taught in the Word, then we should accept it and follow it. 4.2) If we would be sure of being able to distinguish truth from error, what attitude did Jesus tell us to have when we study the Scriptures? JOHN 7:17 _____________________________________________________________ If we are willing to obey, Jesus promises that we will recognize truth. We may not know all of his will right now. We may not even understand today what our Lord may ask of us tomorrow, but whatever it may be, we are to be willing to accept and obey it. If that is our attitude, Jesus assures us that He will direct us into all truth as we compare scriptures with scriptures. 4.3) What is promised those who follow what they learn as they study God's Word? LUKE 11:28 __________________________________________________________ To help us sort out truth from error, to help us discover the matchless charms of Jesus, the Son of God, who left all heaven to come down and reveal God's love for us, to help us apply the Scriptures to our own lives, Jesus has not only pronounced a special blessing, but has also promised us the special help of His Holy Spirit. 4.4) How will the Holy Spirit help us as we study God's Word? JOHN 14:26 _____________________________________________ 4.5) How may we receive the help of the Holy Spirit as we study the Bible? LUKE 11:13 __________________________________________________________ Here is the secret. Open your heart to God in prayer before studying His Word will aid you in a correct understanding and assure you of God's presence by His Spirit. Old gems of truth will shine with new luster and the discovery of new truth will strengthen your faith and enlarge your understanding of God. Best of all, Jesus will become a Living Presence in your life. TEN THINGS THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT JESUS Since the Bible claims in its text that it has close ties to Jesus, then we also examine what the Bible states about Jesus. *IF* the Bible is truthful in this regard, we have a new bidirectional tool: studying the Bible can assist in studying Jesus, and studying Jesus can assist in studying the Bible. *IF* the Bible is false in this regard, then any discrepancy we find between Jesus and the Bible can be examined closer. Consequently, either point works to our advantage to draw out what the Bible says about Jesus. We can draw out testable facts from this excercise. Remember, again, we are looking at what the text states in this context, not our own personal beliefs. USEFUL READING Take a break from studying and read JOHN 1:1-4, COLOSSIANS 1:12-22, and HEBREWS 1:1-4. Resume when done. 5. WHO IS JESUS 5.1) Who does the Bible claim Jesus to be? JOHN 3:16 ___________________________ MATTHEW 3:17 ________________________ Jesus once asked His disciples, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets" (MATTHEW 16:3,14). The people were willing to believe that Jesus was some prophet raised from the dead, or Elijah returned from heaven, but because He came as a humble teacher, without the pretense and pomp of a ruler, not many people were willing to accept Him as the Son of God, the Saviour of men. Fact 1 -- The Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus is the Son of God. 6. THE RELATIONSHIP OF JESUS TO GOD 6.2) What relationship did Jesus claim with His Father? JOHN 10:30 _______________________________________ {Reference Question 6.2 below.} 6.3) How did the apostle John describe this relationship? John 1:1,14 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the _________ was ______ .... And the Word was made _______ and dwelt among us." (See also Hebrews 1:8) The Greek word translated the Word means the thought of God expressed. Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). He is not simply "a" god but "the" God, which is superior to all other created things (Colossians 1:18). "For it was by God's own decision that the Son has in Himself the full nature of God" (Colossians 1:19). We need have no anxiety about the Godship of Jesus Christ. In reading the Bible you will discover an identity, a oneness, between God and Jesus Christ throughout. At times it is difficult to tell whether it is speaking of the Father or the Son. Christians gladly accept the definition of Moses in Deuteronomy 6:4: "The Lord our God is one Lord." {See Question 6.3 below.} We cannot completely explain these mysteries, but we can think of some comparisons: A ship's rope gathers its strength from three strands wound together to form but one rope. A flower may have three petals, yet they unite in one plant. Fact 2 -- The Scriptures make plain that Christ is one with God and is called God. 7. CHRIST BEFORE BETHLEHEM 7.1) What do the Scriptures say of Christ's existence before He was born in human flesh? MICAH 5:2 "...whose goings forth have been from of _____, from _____________." JOHN 17:5 Jesus claimed to have been with the Father "_________ the world was." The pre-existence of Christ is a doctrine that was most definitely taught by Jesus. "I came down from heaven," He emphatically declared (John 6:38). {See Question 7.1 below.} "From the days of eternity," said one writer, "the Lord Jesus Christ was one with the Father; He was 'the image of God, the image of His greatness and majesty,' 'the outshining of His glory.' It was manifest this gory that He came to our world." Fact 3 -- Christ existed with God before the creation of our world. 8. CHRIST AND CREATION 8.1) What part did Christ have in the work of creation? HEBREWS 1:1-2 "He made the ___________." {See Question 8.1 below.} COLOSSIANS 1:16 ____________________________________________________ JOHN 1:1-3 "______________ were made by him; and without him was not ______________ that was made." This "Word," who created all things, was none other than Christ, as verses 10 and 14 clearly show, and this might Creator is able also to create new life in us. That is why Paul says, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [or creation]" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Fact 4 -- Christ cooperated with God the Father in the work of creation. 9. THE BIRTH OF JESUS 9.1) In what way was the birth of Jesus supernatural? ISAIAH 7:14 ___________________________________ MATTHEW 1:18 Mary "was found with child of the _______________." (see also verses 22-23) This is known as the incarnation. Christ was not a new being, but He appeared in human form. Fact 5 -- Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born in the flesh of a virgin -- the God-Man. 10. JESUS IS TEMPTED 10.1) Did Jesus have to struggle with temptation as we do? HEBREWS 4:15 _____________ With what results? _____________________ Because the Son of God lived a sinless life in the flesh, He accomplished five things: (1) He demonstrated that, by the indwelling power of God, the law of God could be kept by converted man (John 15:10; Romans 8:3-4). (2) His righteous life is now available to cover man's past sins (Romans 5:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21). (3) His is able to sympathize with man's struggle against sin (Hebrews 4:15). (4) He has successfully revealed God to man (John 14:4-8). (5) He is in a position to impart overcoming power to all who are tempted (Philippians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13). Fact 6 -- Jesus overcame temptation and lived a sinless life. 11. THE DEATH OF JESUS 11.1) What did Jesus' death accomplish for us? ROMANS 5:8 ____________________ MATTHEW 26:27-28 "He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my ________ of the new testament, which is _______ for many for the __________ [forgiveness] of sins." Fact 7 -- The Bible teaches that Jesus died to make possible the forgivenes of our sins. 12. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS 12.1) Why does Jesus have the keys of death? REVELATION 1:17-18 ___________________ The resurrection of Jesus is a doctrine that distinguishes Christianity from all other religions. Budda, Confucius, Mohammed, and the founders of other religious movements are still in their tombs. Jesus alone points to an empty tomb as evidence of divine power and of His conquest over death. No fact connection with the life of Christ is so firmly supported as the fact of the resurrection. [Scrounge a copy of Observations on the History and Evidence of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, by Dr. West.] 12.2) If the resurrection of Jesus were not a fact, how would that affect us? 1 CORINTHIANS 15:17-18 _____________________________________ The resurrected Christ is a living Christ. It is only the power of the living Christ, the power of the resurrection, that can change the life of a man and save him. Paul sought to know "the power of his resurrection" as a daily experience, that he might at last be raised in the resurrection of the just (Philippians 3:10-11). The resurrection of Christ is thus a sample and pledge of ours. "Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming" (1 Corinthians 15:23). Fact 8 -- Jesus rose a victor over death, thus providing assurance of our resurrection from the grave. 13. WHAT JESUS IS DOING NOW 13.1) What happened to Jesus 40 days after His resurrection? ACTS 1:9-11 _______________________________________________________ 13.2) What position does Jesus now have? HEBREWS 8:1 _______________________________________________________ 13.3) As our High Priest, what does He do for us? HEBREWS 7:24-25 ___________________________________________________ Christ ascended to heaven to become our mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), to serve as out advocate (attorney) (1 John 2:1). We need a representative in heaven who understands our problems. Jesus does. He was "made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest" (Hebrews 2:17). That is why we are encouraged to come in reverent boldness to His throne of mercy for grace and power (Hebrews 4:!6). Fact 9 -- Since ascending to heaven, Jesus has been mediating in our behalf. 14. CHRIST'S PROMISED RETURN 14.1) What promise did Jesus make His disciples the last evening He spent with them? JOHN 14:1-3 _______________________________________________________ 14.2) Which coming does Paul call this? HEBREWS 9:28 ______________________________________________________ The second coming of Christ is the climax of the gospel. It is the time of reward. Without it the cross loses its meaning. The cross is the seed sowing of God's love; the second coming is the harvest. It is home-coming for God's people, a reuniting with God's presence. Fact 10 -- The Scriptures testify that Jesus will come again. {See Question 14.2 below.} "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Such love on the part of God the Father and God, His Son -- Jesus Christ. Scripture further indicates that Jesus still holds out those hands -- hands, incidently, marked by His encounter with sin -- to us today in invitation: "Come to Me, all of you who are tired of carrying your heavy loads, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28). | | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ HERE ARE SOME PERSONAL QUESTIONS (AND OTHER TEXTUAL EXTRACTIONS) THAT FELL OUT OF MY DOING THE STUDY AS I WAS PREPARING IT FOR ENTRY: Q6.2: Do the scriptures mean that Jesus is the Father and the Father is Jesus, that they are one being? If YES, this messes up the trinity. If NO, there is some other way of reading this that fits scripture. Could this be talking about Jesus's character perfectly reflecting the Father's character? All good indications indicate this statement is true on the surface, but is there more...? The God-Head is treated as One, comprised of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost. By Jesus stating "I and My Father are one" this would support that He is part of the God-Head and that would support the identical character as well. ( 1 John 5:7 plainly states this. ) (Just as a husband and a wife act as one "legal" entity [the wife signing the check is as good as the husband, etc.], so appears to spiritually function the God-Head as one "spiritual" entity.) Q6.3: Does it make sense of Moses to speak of the Lord at this time? If NO, we need to explore why not. If YES, then this means that a pre-incarnate Christ was made known at that time. Genesis reeks of personal physical encounter of Adam with the Lord. Since the incarnation had not happened at then, Jesus would be pre- incarnate. It also appears at the time of the writing, God presented Himself as the God-Head ... providing the impression of a singular nature. Perhaps Richard can expound on this topic. Q7.1: If Christ claims to come from heaven, and this is not reincarnation, then He should have some definite knowledge of what's there and pass that on as well. John 14:2 has Jesus speaking about what's there and what He's about to do. Matt 5:12 and 6:20 speak of rewards in heaven and that they are great (Luke 6:23). Matt 5:16 states The Father is in heaven. Matt 22:30 says angels are in heaven and they don't marry (Mark 12:25). Luke 10:20 says our names are written in heaven. Joy is in heaven (Luke 15:7). Peace is in heaven now (Luke 19:38). Col 1:5 says hope is in heaven. An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away is in heaven waiting. Rev 4:2 a throne is in heaven. A temple of God is in heaven (Rev 11:19). We need to see if we can locate statements that claim these aren't in heaven and examine conflicts. Q8.1 Worlds? Plural? Is this support that there's other life out there in the universe? Or is it talking about physical planets? Job 1:6 certainly seems to imply that there's more out there than we currently have access to. Compare Job 38:7--there were "morning stars," or angels; "sons of God," like Adam, inhabitants of various worlds in this vast universe. Satan, who had usurped the dominion of this world (John 14:30; Eph.6:12), appeared before God to represent earth. See also Job 2:1-7. This window in Scripture gives us a view of the cosmic controversy which had developed. Q14.2 Does this mean there's something we're supposed to do to be ready to meet Him? ============================================================================= I wouldn't be surprised if this message generated a lot of response. I ask several things: A) This message is quite long; don't to an immediate reply and leave portions you're not responding to in the response. Keep 'em trim and sleek, reference just the verse. We all have tons of mail, and the shorter we keep them, the better. B) Do NOT fire back responses of "I agree with that" / "I don't agree with that" and write paragraphs of what you think. The context of this message was: Open your Bible and validate that text is there. We are on a premise finding mission: what picture is the Bible painting about itself and Jesus Christ. Validations will follow. Be careful of saying "well, I always took that verse to mean..." Read the question; read the surrounding text and verify the context is applicable (even if you see another way to take it). +--------+ | | Everything in the | | +---------+ is our collection process, whether we agree or not with the data collected. C) Organize a list of questions that we can toss on the "To Be Answered Whenever Possible" pile. If you can add any context (for one side, the other, or both) please jot it down so we don't miss any ideas. I'll keep a master list. D) The answers to these questions are out on the web. HOWEVER, you should attempt the study manually yourself. Print this message, grab your Bible, and have a whack at it. See http://www.wwco.com/religion/answers/study1.ans.html