2. THE BIBLE IS A BOOK OF ONENESS

            READ (II PETER 1: 21)

3. THE BIBLE CLAIMS SPECIAL POWERS

            READ (HEBREWS 4: 12)

4. THE BIBLE COMMANDS THE BELIEVER TO STUDY THE SCRIPTURES.

            READ (II TIMOTHY 2: 15)

1. THE BIBLE CLAIMS TO BE THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD.

"All scripture is given by the inspiration of God."(II Timothy 3: 16-17) By inspiration we mean that the Holy Spirit exerted His supernatural influence upon the writers of the Bible. Therefore the Scriptures are God inspired word for word. By this we mean that every word in the original, is fully and equally inspired in all its teachings. The Bible does not just contain the word of God, it is the word of God.

The writers of the Bible did not write by natural inspiration, or an act of the human will. "Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (II Peter 1: 21) David said "The Spirit of the Lord spoke to me, and His word was on my tongue" ( II Sam. 23: 2 OT)                                                                                          

            (1) The Holy Spirit is the Author of the Bible (II Peter 1: 21).

            (2) Man is the instrument used by the Holy Spirit to write the Bible.

            (3) Results: the infallible Word of God. Therefore the Bible is free from error

                  and absolutely trustworthy. (Ps. 119: 89 also Matt 24: 35).         

2. THE BIBLE IS A BOOK OF ONENESS (II PETER 1: 21)

The oneness or unity of the Bible is a miracle. It is a library of 66 books, written by over 35 different authors, in a period of approximately 1500 years. Represented in the authors is a cross section of humanity, educated and uneducated, including kings, fishermen, public officials, farmers, and physicians. Included in the subjects are religion, history, law, science, poetry, drama, biography, and prophecy. Yet its various parts are as harmoniously united as the parts of the human body.

For 35 authors, with such varied backgrounds, to write on so many subjects over a period of approximately 1500 years in absolute harmony is a mathematical impossibility. It could not happen! Then how do we account for the Bible. The only adequate explanation is "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

3. THE BIBLE CLAIMS SPECIAL POWERS (HEBREWS 4: 12)

" For the Word of God is quick and powerful"

(1) The Bible claims dividing powers as a sword. The Bible will separate man from sin (Ps 119: 11 OT), or sin will separate man from the Bible (Isa  59: 2 OT).     

(2) The Bible claims reflecting power  as a mirror (James 1: 22-25). In the Bible we see ourselves as God sees us--as sinners (Rom 3:23).

(3) The Bible claims cleansing power as water (Eph 5: 26). David prayed that God would "wash him from iniquity" and "cleanse him from his sin” (Ps51:2OT).                                                          

(4) The Bible claims reproductive power as a seed (I Peter 1: 23).   We are children of God , because we have been born into the family of God by the incorruptible seed of God. This is the new birth (John 3: 1-7).

(5) The Bible claims nourishing power as food (I Peter 2:2) The Bible is spiritual food for the soul. No Christian can remain strong in the Lord and not study the Word of God.

4. THE BIBLE COMMANDS THE BELIEVER TO STUDY THE SCRIPTURES.

"Study to show thyself approved unto God" is a command. (II Tim 2: 15). As you study the Bible, you will discover that it does not contain the Word of God--it is the Word of God. You must also keep in mind that the Word of God contains the Words of God as well as the words of Satan, demons, angels and man-- both good and bad. God is truth and cannot lie. Satan "is a liar and the father of it" (John 8: 44) Man is natural and is therefore limited and does not always speak the truth.

To illustrate: (Matt 22:15-46). In this portion of Scripture we have the words of Jesus of the Pharisees, of the Herodians, and of the Sadducces. The Pharisees, Herodians and Sadducces were trying to entangle Jesus in His teachings, that they might accuse Him of breaking God's law. There words were spoken with evil intent, revealing the thinking of the natural man, along with the words of God that came from the lips of Jesus.

As you study the Bible, ask yourself these questions:

(1) Who is speaking, God, demon, angel or man?

 

(2) How can this Scripture be applied to my own life to make me a better Christian?