February 13, 2022

DOCTRINE: THE BIBLE

February 13, 2022

Charles Billingsley

 

Many books can help us as we journey through life—like a cookbook, for instance. Do you have a special book that has helped you tackle the unknown?

 

We are currently in a series that focuses on some of the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. We have examined the doctrine of the Trinity, (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit). Understanding the foundational truths will be invaluable as you navigate the mountaintops and valleys of daily life. Today, we examine the one Book in the world which was written by God and contains “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3), for “in it, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith” (Rom. 1:17)—the Holy Bible.

Focal Passage: 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12.           

Background

  • General revelation: What is meant by “general revelation”? Read Rom. 1:19-23. What are the two ways God has revealed Himself to all people throughout every age? What are some of the things in creation that show evidence there is a Creator who knows His creation intimately?
  • What is the second way? Read Genesis 20:9. Who recalls the background in this story of Abraham and Sarah? What did Abimelech, a Philistine king, inherently understand by his conscience? Is it only Christians who know right from wrong?
  • Special revelation: What do we mean by “special revelation”? Who did God choose for His supernatural communication? Were all those people qualified or extraordinary? Can you give some examples of them? Read 2 Peter 3:15b-16a. This is Peter writing about Paul! How should that encourage us?
  • There are three steps in God’s revelation from His heart to reach us. What did the men to whom God revealed His will, do with their knowledge (Revelation)? How do you envision them getting God’s word out to others (Inspiration)? Read Heb. 4:12. How do the words that are heard or read quicken and penetrate our hearts (Illumination)?

Read it

  • Read Psa. 144:3. When you read your Bible, do you have a sense of awe that God has said these things to you? What are some reasons you read your Bible? What are some of the things God has revealed in the OT and the NT? Is it necessary for your salvation that you understand everything you read?
  • Are you disciplined as you read, perhaps making yourself reread a passage when you realize your mind has wandered? What are some ways you have found that you get the most from your reading? Why are you committed to reading it?

Believe it

  • How can you explain the unity that flows through 66 books, over 1500 years, and 49 writers, yet meshing together to read as one single book?
  • As you sit down to have a time with God’s word, what is the most important thing that you expect from the reading? How do you know that God has “breathed” every verse in this Bible (2 Tim. 3:16).
  • Are there areas where Satan attacks you to cause you to question God’s Word, your faith, the forgiveness of your sins, or any other relationship factor, to destroy your peace?
  • Why has God revealed His love to us in this book?

Apply it

  • Read 1 John 5:2-3. In Deut. 11:13, God demands obedience. Many centuries later, John writes the same thing. Why? If someone is in a lifestyle of sin, yet continues it with no guilt after accepting salvation, are they truly saved?
  • Love God, love people. It sounds easy, but what are some very difficult commands that are hard for you to carry out?
  • Why do we hold back on obeying God completely? What is the cry of your heart?
  • We live out about 60-70% of what we say we believe. How can we strive to obey God more fully during the remainder of 2022?

Close

Over the past couple of centuries, we have lost much of the reverence that once was held for God, His church, and His Word. Yet through the years, the Bible has remained the number one best-seller, selling approximately one hundred million copies each year. The content sets this Book apart from any other, being the infallible, inerrant Word of God. He chose men who would be filled with the Spirit of God, who would listen as He “breathed” His word to them. Eventually, their scrolls or letters were canonized, and the 66 books chosen by Him were made into one. It is complete, and Jesus warns in Rev. 22:18-19 to neither add nor take away from the words of this Book. Any additional books that may be thought of as “lost” books have discrepancies that clash with the true Word.

The message is not too hard to understand, especially with translations of modern English. Yes, sometimes some commands are difficult to obey, but the result is a new level of joy when carried out, and an increase in faith. We read His word because we know it will reveal Him. We believe it because we have faith in Him. We apply it because He has asked us to tell the world about Him.

John concluded his gospel with these words: “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. (Jn. 21:25).

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