Introduction

Congratulations on beginning this brief but valuable study of the Bible. This lesson begins with the premise that the Bible (also called the “Scriptures”) is the inspired word of God. 

The Bible itself explains how God revealed the Scriptures, how they were written, and why God chose to reveal His word to mankind.

Where Did the Bible Come From?

The word “Bible” means “book of books.” The Bible is a collection of smaller books written by about 40 men of God over a period of 2000 years. It is literally a small library.

Those 40 men lived in different times, different cultures. Some were princes, some noble men, some farmers, and fisherman. Yet their writings all agree as though they came from one mind. How can that be? 

2 Peter 1:20-21: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Moses is one examples of men writing down words given to him by God.

Exodus 24:4: "And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel."

The books of the Bible are in perfect harmony with one another because the authors wrote God’s words and not their own. Through the inspired word of God, the Bible, God reveals Himself to mankind.

Is the Bible a book of mystery, too deep for the average person to comprehend, or can we understand God’s word? Do we need special interpreters to tell us what the Bible says, or did God reveal His words in an understandable way?  

Can We Understand the Bible?

In Ephesians 5:17, the apostle Paul instructed Christians in Ephesus, saying, "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

In Ephesians 3:3-4, Paul also affirmed that we can understand when we read his writings. "How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already ,by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ."

Acts 17:2-3: “Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”

In order for Paul to "reason" with people from the Scriptures, they must have the ability to understand and reason from the Scriptures.

That means we can and understand the Bible. God created us, so who better to reveal His will to us in an understandable way than Him?

God went to great lengths to reveal His word. What kind of information will we learn in the Bible? Is it a love letter? Is it a list of dos and don’ts? Is it a book of suggestions? Or is it something more? 

What kind of information does God reveal in the Bible?

In the Bible, God reveals truth to mankind. In John 17:17, Jesus prayed to the Father for all people who would believe in Him, saying, "Sanctify them by your word. Your word is truth."

Peter wrote that what we have through the knowledge of Jesus Christ is "all things that pertain to life and Godliness." In 2 Peter 1:3, Peter wrote, "as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue."

How do we learn the things necessary for life and godliness? Through the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

In Romans 10:17, Paul acknowledge that the source of the knowledge that leads to life and salvation is the word of God. Romans 10:17: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."