How To Understand The Bible - Lesson 3

Lesson 3 of How To Understand The Bible

Understanding The Layout Of The Bible

I.                    The Divisions

a. The Old Testament

b. The New Testament

II.                  What is The Purpose Of The Divisions?

a. Testament – proof, formal statement of beliefs, same as will, covenant between God and humankind

b. It is the division that shows what God’s covenant was in the old, and then now what His covenant is with Christ

III.                The Division Layouts

a. Old Testament (39 Books)

          i. 5 – Books of the Law

         ii. 12 – Books of History

        iii. 5 – Books of Poetry

       iv. 5 – Major Prophets

        v. 12 – Minor Prophets 

b. New Testament (27 Books)

          i. 4 – Gospels

         ii. 1 – History

        iii. 13 – Pauline Epistles

        iv. 8 – General Epistles

         v. 1 – Book of Victory

IV.                What does the Bible layout as a timeline?

a)      3 Different Ages

  i. Patriarchal Age – 2500 Years

 ii. Mosaical Age – 1500 Years

iii. Christian Age – Current

b)      What makes each one of these ages distinctive?

i. Patriarchal

1.       Patriarch = Father

2.       Oral Law

3.       God spoke to the Fathers of the household directly

(Ex. God to Abraham)

4.       No specific place of worship

5.       Started from the Beginning of time – Mount Sinai for all man (Gentiles continued under this law until death of Christ – Rom. 2:14)

                              ii. Mosaical Age

1.       Came from God through Moses

2.       Written Law

3.       Spritual Laws with Governing Laws

4.       They had the Tabernacle and Temple

5.       Jerusalem was the place of worship

6.       Started at Mount Sinai – Death of Christ (Ex. 20)

                             iii. Christian Age

1.       Started from the teachings of Christ

2.       The Church is the focus

3.       No specific place of worship other than with God’s people

4.       Written law put into the hearts of man (Jer. 31:33)

5.       Started on Day of Pentecost – Present Day (Acts 2)

c)       What Are The Detailed Historical Periods Of The Bible?

                                                                    i.            Pre-flood Period (Genesis 1-7)

                                                                  ii.            After Flood Period (Genesis 8-11)

                                                                iii.            The Hebrew Family (Genesis 12-50)

                                                                 iv.            The Egyptian Bondage (Exodus 1-13)

                                                                   v.            The Wilderness Wanderings (Exodus 14 – Deuteronomy 34)

                                                                 vi.            Conquest and Settlement of Canaan (Joshua – 1 Samuel 8)

                                                               vii.            The United Kingdom (1 Samuel 9 – 1 Kings 11)

                                                             viii.            The Divided Kingdom (1 Kings 12 – 2 Kings 17)

                                                                 ix.            Babylonian Captivity and Restoration (2 Kings 25 – Nehemiah)

                                                                   x.            The Inter-Biblical Period (Persion, Greek, Roman Periods mentioned in Daniel)

                                                                 xi.            The Life Of Christ (Matthew – John)

                                                               xii.            The Establishment and Expansion of Christianity (Acts – Revelation)

How To Understand The Bible - Lesson 2

Lesson 2 of How To Understand The Bible

Can We Understand

I.                    Is the Bible able to be understood?

a.       Understanding is detrimental to do His commands (Psalm 11:10)

b.      Happiness comes through Understanding (Proverbs 3:13)

c.       Commanded to get Understanding (Proverbs 4:5)

d.      Commanded to get Understanding (Proverbs 4:7)

e.      Understanding is to be close to kinsmen (Proverbs 7:4)

f.        Understanding is pleading out (Proverbs 8:1)

g.       Understanding is to have knowledge of the Holy (Proverbs 9:10)

h.      Understanding gives favor (Proverbs 13:15)

i.        It is better to get Understanding than gold (Proverbs 16:16)

j.        We are to buy Understanding (Proverbs 23:23)

k.       When you read, you may Understand (Ephesians 3:4)

l.        The word EVIDENCE in Hebrews 11:1 implies something that can be seen, therefore it is something that can be understood!

i.                    You cannot have faith without Understanding!

II.                  What is required to have understanding?

a.       Apply your heart to Understanding (Proverbs 2:2)

b.      Lift up your voice for Understanding (Proverbs 2:3)

c.       Attend to know Understanding (Proverbs 4:1)

d.      Bow your ear to Understanding (Proverbs 5:1)

e.      Be of an Understanding heart (Proverbs 8:5)

f.        Want Understanding (Proverbs 9:4)

g.       Go in a way of Understanding (Proverbs 9:6)

h.      Be simple and want Understanding (Proverbs 9:16)

III.                Why do so many people claim that the Bible cannot be understood?

a.       Not taught correctly on this matter

b.      To justify their own beliefs or actions

c.       To not be offensive to others who believe other ways

d.      To please their mind in not wanting to say they are wrong

e.      To follow after family traditions

IV.                Is the Bible able to be understood alike?

a.       Illustration: Measurement, mathematics, etc.

b.      Would a JUST God give man something that is a matter of Life and Death for eternity that could not be understood alike? (John 8:31-32)

c.       Jesus prayed for unity and NOT Diversity (John 17:20-23)

d.      God’s plea for man is to be ONE and NOT Diverse (I Cor. 14:33)

e.      God is NOT the Author of Confusion (! Cor. 14:33)

f.        In what things are we commanded to be united

  i.  Speak the same thing (1 Cor. 1:10)

 ii.  Same Mind (1 Cor. 1:10)

iii. Same Judgment (1 Cor 1:10)

                     g.    Paul spoke the same thing to EVERY CONGREGATION and did not change it up (1 Cor. 4:17)

Conclusion:

1. Simple Logic and the Law of Rationality PROVES that we can understand the Bible and Understand it alike.

2. May we all put away our pride and thoughts and understand the Bible the way it is MEANT TO BE UNDERSTOOD.

How Do We Understand The Bible - Lesson 1

(This is a study we are doing at our Wednesday night services and I am sharing with permission. Since the source did not ask to be credited, I will withhold their name so as not to give my location away.)

Lesson 1 of How Do We Understand The Bible

Evidences For The Bible

I.                    Unity of the Bible – over 40 writers, over 1,600 years, and no contradictions.

II.                  Prophecy

a.       Over 300 prophecies of Christ and all were fulfilled

b.      Over 24 prophecies fulfilled in just on 24 hour time frame at the crucifixion

c.       Psalm 22

d.      Isaiah 53

e.      Etc.

III.                Factual Accuracy

a.       Historical Accuracy

b.      Tribes – been proven to have existed in the areas mentioned

c.       Geography – all areas mentioned are exactly where they are mentioned with no discrepancy.

IV.                Foreknowledge

a.       Acts 20:30 – Knowledge of how the breakoff would occur

b.      1 Timothy 4:1-5 – The Great Apostasy

c.       2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 – The Great Apostasy (The Catholic Church)

V.                  Scientific Accuracy With Foreknowledge

a.       Medicine

i.                    Genesis 17:12 = Circumcision on 8^th day (clotting highest)

ii.                  Numbers 19:16-18 = Antibacterial soap

iii.                Leviticus 17:11 = Life of the body is in the blood

iv.                 Leviticus 11:1-5 = Safe foods, don’t eat pork (parasites)

v.                   Leviticus 11:15 = Not eat natural dead animals (bacteria)

b.      Physics

i.                    Genesis 2:1 = Finished (action done in the past, never to occur again)

ii.                  Wearing out as a garment = Hebrews 1:11, Isaiah 51:6, Psalm 102:26

c.       Oceanography

i.                    Genesis 6:15 = Dimensions of the ark (sea worthy)

ii.                  Psalm 8:8 = Paths in the sea

iii.                Ecclesiastes 1:7 = All rivers run into the sea

iv.                 Job 38:16 = Fresh water springs in the ocean

d.      Astronomy

i.                    Isaiah 40:22 = Circle of the earth

ii.                  Psalm 19:4-6 = Sun has an orbit

iii.                Job 38:19 = Light travels in a way

iv.                 Job 38:24 = Light is parted

e.      Biology

i.                    After their own kind = Genesis 1:11, 12, 21, 24

ii.                  Acts 17:25 = God is the Giver of life

iii.                1 Corinthians 15:39 = 4 different fleshes

Do You Abide In The Doctrine Of Christ?

"Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son" - 2 John 9

Do you abide in the doctrine of Christ?

Doctrine: a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group
Synonyms of doctrine: creed, credo, dogma, belief, teaching, ideology, tenet, maxim, canon, principle, precept

Abide: accept or act in accordance with
Synonyms of abide: comply with, obey, observe, follow, keep to, hold to, conform to, adhere to, stick to, stand by, act in accordance with, uphold, heed, accept, go along with, acknowledge, respect, defer to

Ask yourself, do you:

Comply with the teaching of Christ?
Obey the teaching of Christ?
Observe the teaching of Christ?
Follow the teaching of Christ?
Keep to the teaching of Christ?
Hold to the teaching of Christ?
Conform to the teaching of Christ?
Adhere to the teaching of Christ?
Stick to the teaching of Christ?
Stand by the teaching of Christ?
Act in accordance with the teaching of Christ?
Uphold the teaching of Christ?
Heed the teaching of Christ?
Accept the teaching of Christ?
Go along with the teaching of Christ?
Acknowledge the teaching of Christ?
Respect the teaching of Christ?
Defer to the teaching of Christ?

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" - James 1:22

Interesting Bible Facts

(I saw this in an old church bulletin and thought I'd share. I haven't fact-checked, so I hope there are no errors.)

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE BIBLE - Author Unknown

About forty men were engaged in the writing of the Bible, during a period of about 1,600 years - that is, from 1500 B.C. to A.D. 100.

These men wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1: 21). 

They wrote not in words of human wisdom, but in words divinely taught. (1Corinthians 2: 13).

The longest verse in the Bible is Ester 8:9; it contains ninety words. Did you know that this verse is more than twice as long as the shortest chapter in the Bible?

The nineteenth chapter of 2 Kings and the thirty-seventh chapter of Isaiah are nearly identical.

The Old Testament was translated into Greek in Alexandria, Egypt, about 270 B.C.

The Bible holds the distinction of being the first printed book; it was first reprinted in 1450.

The first Bible printed in this country was in the Indian language in 1663. This translation was made and published by John Eliot, the so-called “Apostle to the Indians.”

This is the earliest example of the whole Bible translated and printed in a new language for the purpose of evangelization.

The first English Bible printed in this county was in 1782.

The first translation of the Bible made in America was printed in 1808. It was the work of Charles Thomson.

The first translation of the New Testament published in America was printed in 1826 by Alexander Campbell. It first appeared under the title, “Sacred Writings”; later, “Living Oracles.” It was largely

a compilation of the works of Doddridge, Macknight, and George Campbell.

The Bible continues to be the best seller in the world.

More Interesting Facts About The Bible
- Added by the Preacher

It is not generally known that Noah Webster, author of the famous “Webster Dictionary” and the
“Blue-back Speller,” made a translation of the Bible, which was published in 1833.

The King James Version of the Bible was first published in 1611.

The Revised Version of the whole Bible was issued in 1885.

The American Standard edition was published in 1901.

The Bible was divided into chapters by Cardinal Hugo in 1250.

The New Testament was divided into verses by Sir Robert Stephens in 1551.

The whole Bible, divided into chapters and verses, first appeared in 1560 in what is known as the
“Geneva Bible.” It was so called because it was prepared by the Reformers in Geneva. It is also called the “Breeches Bible,” because Genesis 3:7 is translated: “They sewed fig leaves together and made themselves breeches.”

The Bible is the most translated book in the world. It has been translated into more different languages
and dialects than any other book that has been written.

It is the only book that reveals the origin, mission, and destiny of man.

It is the best book in the world.

BBS 15 - The Judgment, Heaven, And Hell

(Posted with permission from the International Bible Teaching Ministries website. This is Beginning Bible Studies Lesson 15 - The Judgment, Heaven, And Hell http://ibtministries.org/viewcourse.php?crid=48. You can sign up for their free classes and receive an instructor to help you with these Bible Studies.)

The day of judgment is coming! God will judge the world. He has appointed His Son, Jesus Christ, to be the judge.  "God . . . commands all men everywhere to repent . . . He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained"  (Acts 17:30,31). The judgment will take place on the day that Christ comes again.

NONE WILL ESCAPE

No person can escape the judgment! All who have ever lived will be there. All who are now living will be there. All who will live in the future will be there. The rich will be judged, the poor will be judged. Kings, presidents, and the common man will be judged. All will be judged alike.  "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive . . . according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10).

ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS

We will be judged according to our works!  All the good things we have done will be revealed. All of the bad things we have done will be revealed. "Who will render to each one according to his deeds:  eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor; and immortality; but to those who . . . do not obey . . . indignation and wrath" (Romans 2:6-8).

HELL

All the wicked and all who have never obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ will be cast into Hell. Hell is a place which was prepared for the Devil and his angels. "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41).

Hell is a terrible place! The Bible uses three pictures to tell us how terrible Hell is:

• First, Hell is often described as a fire which never stops burning. Jesus said,"And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.  It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire - where the worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:47,48).
• Second, Hell is often described as a place of great darkness where people in pain and anguish weep and gnash their teeth, "And cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness.  There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth"  (Matthew 25:30).
• Third, Hell is described as the second death. "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8).

Hell is eternal! Those cast into Hell will be punished forever and ever. Jesus said,"And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (Matthew 25:46).

The Bible plainly teaches that Hell is a real place. It is a place of punishment for the wicked and for all who do not obey Christ.  "You who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and . . . do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power" (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

HEAVEN

On the Day of Judgment, the wicked and unbelievers will be cast into Hell, but the faithful Christians will receive eternal life. They will be given a home in Heaven which Jesus has prepared for them. "In My Father's house are many mansions . . . I go to prepare a place for you . . . I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  And where I go you know, and the way you know" (John 14:2-4).

Jesus is now preparing a place in Heaven for us if we will become his faithful disciples. Heaven is a beautiful place. In Heaven there are no bad things. There is no pain, sickness, sadness, trouble, or death. There is no hate or fear in Heaven. In Heaven there is only peace and happiness and every good thing.

The apostle John tells us about this beautiful home which Jesus is preparing for us. "I, John, saw the holy city . . . coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband . . . I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men . . . God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:1-4). Read Revelation 21 and Revelation 22, for a full description of the beautiful place called Heaven.

CONCLUSION

What about you? Are you prepared for the judgment? Prepare now so that you can have a home with Jesus in Heaven. Please let us know if we can assist you in becoming a Christian, a member of Christ’s church, "which He purchased with His own blood"(Acts 20:28).

BBS 14 - The Second Coming Of Christ

(Posted with permission from the International Bible Teaching Ministries website. This is Beginning Bible Studies Lesson 14 - The Second Coming Of Christ http://ibtministries.org/viewcourse.php?crid=47. You can sign up for their free classes and receive an instructor to help you with these Bible studies.)

Jesus is coming again!  This is clearly taught in the New Testament. "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2,3).

WHEN IS CHRIST COMING AGAIN?

When is Christ coming again? Since the time that Jesus went to Heaven, men have tried to say when He will return. Yet the Bible clearly teaches that no man knows when Christ will return.  "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matthew 24:36).

When will Jesus come again? The angels in heaven do not know. Jesus did not even know. No man knows. Only God knows. We must not say when Jesus will return because we do not know. We only know that He will return. We must believe this!  "For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

The "day of the Lord" refers to the second coming of Christ.  Christ’s second coming will be like a thief in the night. When does a thief steal? When you expect him to steal? No! A thief steals when he is not expected. So it will be with the second coming of Christ. Christ will come again when He is not expected.

HOW IS CHRIST COMING?

The apostles were told by the angels that Jesus would return the same way He went into Heaven. "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11).

It was Jesus who went into Heaven. It is Jesus who will be coming from Heaven.

Some people teach that Jesus has already returned. They teach that He returned in 1914, but many did not see Him. This teaching is not what the Bible says. The Bible says,"Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see HIm, even they who pierced Him.  And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of HIm.  Even so, Amen"(Revelation 1:7). Has Jesus returned yet? Have you seen Him? No! When Jesus comes again, every one will see Him. Those in the cities will see Him. Those in the villages will see Him. No one will miss seeing Him!

Again, we are told that when Christ returns He will be heard by everyone.   "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with a voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first" (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

Just as everyone will see Christ, everyone will hear Him too. The "shout," "the archangel’s call," and the sound of "the trumpet of God" all show the authority Christ has. They also show He has an important announcement to make.

WHY IS CHRIST COMING AGAIN?

The Bible gives several reasons why Christ is coming again. He is coming to raise the dead. Some people teach that the bad will never rise from the grave. Others teach that the good and bad will be raised at different times. But the Bible says, "The hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation" (John 5:28,29).

All faithful, obedient Christians will meet Christ in the air. From there they will go to Heaven with Him.  " For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17).

When Christ comes again, He will deliver up the kingdom to God. He is not coming to set up the kingdom. The kingdom is already here. The kingdom is the church. "Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power" (1 Corinthians 15:24).

The world will be destroyed at the second coming of Christ.  "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent hear; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10).

When Christ comes again, people will no longer live on the earth. The earth will be burned up by fire.