The Bible is God’s Holy Word.
The Bible, also called “Scripture“ and “God’s Word”, is the verbally inspired, inerrant Word of God. It is without error or fault in its original writings and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and in practice.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,and for training in righteousness, that the Man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” -2 Timothy 3:16-17
“For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”-2 Peter 1:21
“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth”- John 17:17
The Bible consists of 66 books in two divisions called the Old Testament and the New Testament
It was written over 1500 years by over 40 authors in 3 languages (Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic).
What is meant by “verbally inspired”? God did not write the words physically himself. He used people from every walk of life, inspired by Him, to record the events in the Bible.
More copies of the Bible have been sold than any book in history.
Common Questions:
A few of the common questions asked about the Bible include:
Is the Bible True?
Can It be Trusted?
It is Reliable?
Why Should I Care?
Why Read the Bible?
Why Study the Bible?
On the first 3 questions, as I am not a Bible Scholar, I will point you to great Resources below for your further study at the end of this post. The remaining questions are discussed next.
Why Should I Care?
God is the creator and father of us all. It is God’s love letter to each and every one of us. He loves you and desires a relationship with YOU.
The Bible was written for us. God’s messages for His children.
Have You Read the Bible?
If not, ask yourself- Why? For a variety of reasons many people choose to reject the Bible without ever reading it. Some people ignore the Bible because they are too busy.
Yet the Bible’s claims are profound.
From the loving benefits promised in the Bible to your eternal destiny, it is a wise decision to examine the Bible’s claims for yourself, non-Christian and Christian alike.
Your good questions have good answers.
From a logical, unemotional standpoint, you owe it to yourself to investigate
the most read book in the world! If you are a non- Christian, you need to be certain that ignoring God and choosing not to believe in Jesus as your Savior, is truly the decision you want to make.
Read How To Receive Eternal Salvation
Online BIBLE If you are reading this post, you have access to a Bible online. It is one click away -see Resources below.
I recommend reading one of the Gospels first. The Book of John is a great place to begin.
Why Should Christians Read the Bible?
Many Christians are familiar with the Bible and know some of its content but have never read the entire Bible. I encourage you to read it. God loves us and instructs us through the Bible.
Why Study the Bible?
It is vital to establish a consistent, daily habit of sitting quietly for a time of prayer
(God is near us when we pray) and for genuine study of the Bible.
To grow in the knowledge of the Lord and have a vibrant relationship with God, each of us must spend time with Him.
Imagine how poor your relationships with your friends, co-workers, spouse or children would be, if you did not spend quality time with them.
To flourish in our spiritual lives and in the lives of others we cannot be complacent toward the things of God.
Have you become complacent? Seek Him with all your heart.
When I skimp on my time with God I dishonor Him, elevating myself and my worldly “to do” list as more important than my Abba Father, I grieve the Holy Spirit within me and short change myself and others in the process.
I cannot be all that God has planned for me, if I don’t begin my day in prayer and continue to pray during the day as life unfolds.
I need God’s direction and guidance. I desire to do His will for my life each day.
When I don’t spend time with him, I am wasting so much of the time he so graciously has given me, missing the blessings He has for me and others.
How can you or I or be a vessel through which he blesses others without seeking Him in consistently in prayer, in studying His Word and in seeking His will??
He loves each of us and desires a deep abiding relationship with you and with me.
Do you know Him?
“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you…”- James 4:8
When you find yourself drifting away from God, often unintentionally, your priorities become apparent. Sadly we all drift. The cares and lures of this world entice us away from God. (1 John 2:15 -17).
Return to God and he will return to you. (Hebrews 10:14-25)
Community– Be sure to assemble together with other believers to love and encourage one another. Attend a church, bible studies and small groups that study together
Love GOD and Others
‘”Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” -Luke 10:27
RESOURCES
Podcasts,Devotionals, Bible Studies, Sermons and Articles are all available ONLINE , in bookstores and through local churches.
ONLINE BIBLE
Read the Bible. You can find a copy of the Bible online at Bible Hub. On the home page click on the blue arrow (far right side of the page) to begin reading the Bible. You will also find Links at the Top of the page to select your Language including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Russian, Spanish (and 40 others), Version, Topics, Tools etc.
Audio Bibles are available online. Click here for BibleGateway Audio Bible. Under “choose a reader” I prefer Max McLean. Check it out.
Audio and Video Podcasts Subscribe Video Podcasts or Audio Podcasts. Listen or watch on phone or computer.
I download Audio Podcasts to my iPhone (listen while exercising or driving in my car.
APP- I use the iPhone app RSSRadio -Podcast downloader- blue colored icon
InTouch Ministries with Dr. Charles Stanley – Radio or TV
Running to Win with Dr. Erwin Lutzer
Desiring God with John Piper – Essential Resources
Online Bible Study and Search Resources
BibleGateway.com One of my favorite resources
Crosswalk.com Great search tool. I really like the Religion Today Newswire section
StudyLight.org Advanced bible study
BlueLetterBible.org
Biblia.com
Common QUESTIONS– Recommended Reading:
How Do We Know the Bible is True? -Dr. Jason Lisle
How Do We Know the Bible is True? -Robert Vilarde, Focus on the Family
Can the Bible be Trusted? – I suggest the following BOOKS:
Case for Christ by Lee Strobel available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble etc.
Why Study the Bible– -Robert Vilarde, Focus on the Family
Crazy Love by Francis Chan – Book and Workbook
OVERVIEW of the BIBLE
The books of the Old and New Testament may be divided into groups. Without going into Church history there are number of ways Bible Scholars have divided the Bible into parts or sections. Below is a fairly common listing.
The Old Testament
– Written before the birth of Jesus Christ. Contains 39 books.
The Law -also know as the Pentateuch:
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
History
Joshua, Judges, Ruth ,1Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Ester
Poetry
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
Prophets
Major Prophets– Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
Minor Prophets– Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habbakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
The New Testament
-written after the Birth of JESUS
Gospels
Matthew,Mark, Luke, John
Church History
Acts
Letters or Epistles
Letters written by Paul – Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews
Letter written by Others or General Epistles– James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude
Prophecy
Revelation
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