THE BIBLE
Module 4 is all about the Bible. We’re going to answer the following questions: How did we get the Bible? What is the structure of the Bible? Why is the Bible so important? There are many translations. Are they accurate? Can I trust the Bible?
The Disciple John said that the Word become flesh and dwelt among them.
Module Bible Reading Assignment
John - Chapters 3 & 4
This Module is divided into five parts:
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BIBLE
STRUCTURE
IMPORTANCE OF THE BIBLE
TRANSLATIONS
MISCELLANEOUS
Brief History of the Bible.
The Bible was written over 2000 years ago. It remains the most read book in history.
However, for 1500 years, it was NOT available as it is today for the common person. Today, most households have at least one Bible in the home; but, most fail to read this personal “letter” from God written to each one of us
“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Luke 1 : 1-4
In the 1300s, John Wycliffe translated the Bible from the Latin Vulgate into the English language and risked excommunication for his efforts.
Two centuries later William Tyndale, a contemporary of Martin Luther, translated the New Testament directly from the Hebrew and Greek texts to produce the first genuine English translation.
How did we get the Bible?
13 minute video
Think about it. We can read God's word for ourselves.
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Think about it. We can read God's word for ourselves. 〰️
Roman Catholicism was the state religion in England. England was heavily taxed by the Vatican/Church in Rome. In 1376 the English Parliament noted that the taxes paid in England to Rome amounted to five times as much as those levied by the king (Hassell, History of the Church of God, 1886, p. 457).
The following verse in 2 Peter was used by the Catholic Church to prevent the distribution of personal copies of the Bible. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” 2 Peter 1: 20. Unfortunately, the Catholic Church and leadership became corrupt and used God’s word to control the people and enrich themselves.
William Tyndale wanted to get the word of God into the hands of the common person. With much personal sacrifice, Tyndale and others got the Bible translated into the English language, published and distributed to the people. Tyndale was burned at the stake for these actions on October 6, 1536.
Because of Tyndale and others, we now have access to the Bible. What a precious privilege!
The Dead Sea Scrolls
Why was this archeological find so important?
One of the most important archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century occurred by the Dead Sea in 1947. A young shepherd tossing stones in a cave struck old clay jars. He had discovered ancient treasure hidden in the caves of Qumran.
Between 1947 and 1956, scrolls and fragments from twelve caves were unearthed—now known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. Over 900 texts in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek were found, including every book of the Hebrew Bible, except Esther and Nehemiah. The largest biblical scroll was an almost complete text of the book of Isaiah!
The Dead Sea Scrolls were 1,000 years older than what had previously been considered the oldest manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible. Many closely resemble the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible preserved by Jewish scribes over the centuries.
Structure of the Bible.
Old Testament = Old Covenant = Old Relationship with God
New Testament = New Covenant = New Relationship with God via Jesus Christ
The Bible
The Bible was originally written in three languages
Those languages are Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Most of our Old Testament was written in Hebrew, which was the language the original readers spoke. A minor portion of the Old Testament was written in Aramaic. The New Testament was written in Greek, the commonly-spoken language of the time.
The Bible was written on three continents
Most was written in what is modern-day Israel (Asia). But some passages of Jeremiah were written in Egypt (Africa) and several New Testament epistles were written from cities in Europe.
Old Testament Covenants with various individuals (sinful people)
Noah
Abraham
Moses
David
New Testament Covenants with a perfect person (sinless person)
Jesus
Hebrews Chapter 9
A short & concise summary of each book in the Bible
Check out SUMBIBLE.COM
The Structure
of the Old Testament
As you read the Bible, understand that the Poetical & Prophetical Books “fit” into the storyline of the Historical Books.
See below. Taken from CreativeBibleStudy.com
THE OLD TESTAMENT OVERVIEW
the Bible PROJECT
12 minutes
The Structure
of the
New Testament
THE NEW TESTAMENT OVERVIEW
the Bible PROJECT
8 minutes
“An easy way to remember the number of books in each Testament”
OLD TESTAMENT
The word, “Old” has three (3) letters.
The word, “Testament” has nine (9) letters.
39
NEW TESTAMENT
The New Testament is the “product” of the Old Testament.
Multiply 3 times 9
27
The Story line of the Bible
CREATION OF A PERFECT ENVIRONMENT
TEMPTATION AND FALL OF MANKIND INTO SIN
GOD’S JUDGEMENT
THE FREE GIFT OF SALVATION
RESTORATION OF A PERFECT ENVIRONMENT
THUMB (Preparation) - All of the Old Testament points to Jesus
FINGER (Manifestations) - Four Gospel Accounts of the Life of Jesus
MIDDLE FINGER (Continuation) - Book of Acts is God’s Plan to reach the world
RING FINGER (Explanation) - The Epistles tell the Christian how to live
PINKY FINGER (Consummation) - The Revelation indicates the fulfillment of promise
Importance of the Bible.
John Jay
Founding Father, Abolitionist, Second Governor of New York and the First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
“The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next.“
“All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness;”
2 Timothy 3: 16
The Bible is INSPIRED means the Holy Spirit of God used the hand of man to write the Books of the Bible.
The Bible is INERRANT means the Bible, prior to translation, has zero errors / mistakes.
The Bible is INFALLIBLE means that God’s word is the truth and does not and will not fail.
“The Bible was not given for our information but for our transformation.”
D. L. Moody
The Book you need to read. [the Bible]
by David Perell
An excerpt from the article.
“I don’t care where you stand on faith. I’m not here to convert you. I’m here to improve how you think and educate yourself. If it gives you any comfort, know that I’m not a believer.”
In 1782, the United States Congress voted this resolution:
“The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.”
Translations
Taken from https://www.rocksolidfaith.ca/bible-translation-comparison/
Miscellaneous
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Old Testament AND New Testament Seminars
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You only invest one Sunday per Seminar (Old & New Testament).
Walk thru the Old Testament Workbook
