Part 2 – Understanding the Bible
(John 1:1 NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(Matthew 7:24-25 NIV) “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
Understanding the Bible
The more you understand something, you love it more. The same is true with the Word of God.
- The word “Bible” means Book.
- It was written over a period of 1600 years in over a dozen countries on three continents by people from all walks of life (in three languages)
Poets, prophets, princes, kings, sailors, soldiers, attorneys, doctors, farmers, scholars, shepherds, priests, historians, fishermen, tax collectors, and businessmen.
Caves, ships, homes, palaces, prisons, and deserts.
How did they come up with the same story?
- There were about 40 writers but only one Author.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The Bible is not in chronological order. It is grouped by the type of book.
Overview of the Old Testament
- Law – 5 books – Genesis through Deuteronomy
- Historical – 12 books – Joshua through Esther
- Poetical – 5 books – Job through Song of Solomon
- Prophetical – 17 books
- 5 Major Prophets – Isaiah through Daniel
- 12 Minor Prophets – Hosea through Malachi
Overview of the New Testament
- Gospels – 4 books – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
- Acts – historical record of the early church
- Epistles – 20 books – Romans through Jude
- Revelation – prophecy of the last days and eternity
The Plot – The Mirror Image
The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed, but the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed.
- God and righteous man in Paradise
Genesis 1-2
- Satan and sin enter
Genesis 3-5
- The world judged and destroyed
Genesis 6-9
- “One World” Government System
Genesis 10-11
- 12 Tribes / Israel, God’s holy people
Genesis 12 – Malachi
Jesus Christ
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
- 12 Disciples / Church, God’s holy people
Acts – Jude
- “One World” Government system
Revelation 6-19
- The world judged and destroyed
Revelation 6-19
- Satan and sin exit
Revelation 20
- God and redeemed man in Paradise
Revelation 21-22
The Subject – Jesus
(John 5:39 NLT) “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to Me!
The Verb – Give
(John 3:16 NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(1 John 3:16 CEV) We know what love is because Jesus gave his life for us. That’s why we must give our lives for each other.