Lesson 02
“The Bible The Inspired Word of God”
1. Is the Bible inspired by God or is it a book of fables?
2 Peter 1:16, 21: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. . . . For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
2. What claim does the Bible make about itself?
2 Timothy 3:16: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance tells us that inspiration means: divinely breathed.
3. Why is the Bible important to us?
1 Corinthians 10:11: “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
Psalms 119:105: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
2 Timothy 3:15: “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
[Further Study]
Romans 15:4 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
4. What has God included in His word to help build confidence in its divine inspiration?
Isaiah 42:9: “Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
Isaiah 46:9-10: “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”
Most Bible prophecies (predictions) have already met their fulfillment, and it is exciting to see how God is able to foretell future events with 100% accuracy. We will take time in another lesson to study into these wonderful things.
5. Of whom do the Scriptures testify?
Luke 24:27, 44: “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. . . . And he (Christ) said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”
John 5:39: “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
6. What does the Bible say we should do with God’s Word?
Psalms 119:11: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
7. What are some other reasons for studying the Bible?
Acts 17:11: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
2 Timothy 2:15: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
[Further Study]
Isaiah 8:20 “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
8. As we assimilate God’s Word what will it do for us?
Jeremiah 15:16: “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart; for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.”
Romans 15:4: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
[Further Study]
1 Timothy 4:16 “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
9. Numerous times in this lesson we have mentioned the word of God; who is the word? John 1:1, 14: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
The Word of God is not just a book. The word of God is a person, namely Jesus Christ, and the written Word reveals His character.
10. Since it is dangerous to base our beliefs on one verse of Scripture, what should we do?
Isaiah 28:9-10: “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.”
1 Corinthians 2:13: “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
11. How important is it to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit before we study the Bible?
John 14:26: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
John 16:13: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
[Further Study]
1 Corinthians 2:10, 14 “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. . . . But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
12. Is it safe to accept someone else’s conviction as to what constitutes truth? Jeremiah 17:5: “Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.”
[Further Study]
Acts 17:11: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Isaiah 30:1 “Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:”
“God has given us His word that we may become acquainted with its teachings and know for ourselves what He requires of us. . . . It is not enough to have good intentions; it is not enough to do what a man thinks is right or what the minister tells him is right. His soul’s salvation is at stake, and he should search the Scriptures for himself. However strong may be his convictions, however confident he may be that the minister knows what is true, this is not his foundation. He has a chart pointing out every waymark on the heavenward journey, and he ought not guess at anything. It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the Scriptures what is truth, and then to walk in the light and encourage others to follow his example. We should day by day study the Bible diligently, weighing every thought and comparing Scripture with Scripture. With divine help we are to form our opinions for ourselves as we are to answer for ourselves before God.” The Great Controversy, page 598.