Back to Basics

What is the Bible?

February Give me the

Bible

What is the Bible?• The account of God’s

work and purpose for this world and His creation.

• Jesus is the focal point! John 1:1-4, 14, Rev. 19:11

• Bible, (βιβλος, biblos) – book. Used some 45 times in the NT.

Facts about the Bible• A collection of 66

books; 39 – OT; 27 – NT• Written by 40 different men from varied

background, 3 languages, 3 continents, over 1600 years – Yet it’s message is united.

• Various literary styles

Facts about the Bible• The first book to be

mass produced with movable type(the Gutenberg Bible – 1450 AD)

• #1 best seller of alltime – 5 billion+ copies since 1815.Sells around 50 per minute

• Complete Bible in 340 languages , with portions in at least 2100 languages.

Called:• The book –

Heb. 10:7• The Law of the Lord –

Psa. 19:7• The Word of God –

Heb. 4:12, Luke 11:28, Eph. 6:17

Called:• Word of Christ –

Col. 3:16• The Gospel –

Rom. 1:16• The word of life –

Phil. 2:16

Called:• Words of the Lord –

Psalm 12:6, 1 Pet. 2:25• Holy scripture, scripture–

John 5:39, Rom 1:2Acts 17:11, 2 Tim. 2:15

• Oracles of God – 1 Pet. 4:11, Rom. 3:2, Heb. 5:12, Acts 7:38

Described:• Inspired–

2 Tim. 3:16,17θεόπνευστος, theophneustos- the breath of God!

• Truth – John 17:17, Psa. 119:151, 160ἀλήθεια, alatheia – actual, upright

Described:• A sword–

Eph. 6:17, cf. Heb. 4:12Able to engage the enemyPierce the heart

• Perfect – Psa. 19:7, Jas. 1:25Not lacking anything, without error

Described:• Living and powerful–

Heb. 4:12IT works and is effective

• A Lamp (light) – Psa. 119:105, 2 Pet. 1:19, cf. John 3:21It enlightens, reveals & exposes

Described:• Food –

Matt. 4:4, 1 Pet. 2:2Heb. 5:12-14IT nourishes, gives us strength

• A mirror– James 1:22-25Reflects our image, reveals

Described:A fire – Jer. 23:29, ““Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” cf. 1 Pet 1:22, Jer. 20:9 It purifies us, tests us

Described:• A hammer –

Jer. 23:29IT can break down barriers, break through the hardened heart

• Seed – Luke 8:11, 1 Pet. 1:23-25It can grow within us

Described:• Enduring –

1 Pet. 1:25, Psa. 119:160It will not end nor be defeated.

• These descriptions demonstrate the impact His word can have in our lives if we apply it – Matt. 7:21-23, Jas. 1:25

What can the Bible do?• It reveals God –

Rom. 1:16, 17• Gives us life, leads us to

salvation – John 20:30-31, 1 Cor. 15:1-2

What can the Bible do?• Gives us faith –

Rom. 10:17• Makes us complete

2 Tim. 3:16,17

What can the Bible do?• All that we need

to be godly – 2 Pet. 1:3-5

• It is a resource that governs our life for good, teaches us how to get along, manage relationships, live morally, etc.

What can the Bible do?• It gives us refuge

as we deal with troubles• It gives us hope beyond this life

in a world that robs us of hope.

• “The Bible was not given for our information, but for our transformation.”

D. W. Moody

Back to Basics

What does the Bible mean to

you?