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.
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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).
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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