Foundation Study
The Bible
What do these verses say about the Bible?
1. 2 Timothy 3:15-17
Notes
The Bible provides the information necessary for salvation.
Creation tells us God is immeasurably glorious, infinitely powerful, eternally existent, and inherently good. (Psalm 19:1-6, Romans 1:18-20, Acts 14:17) It is informative about God but not instructive about salvation. Only Scripture contains the knowledge a person must know to be in a right relationship with God. What is known about God through creation is called general revelation. What is known about God through Scripture is called special revelation. Only special revelation informs us of our need for salvation and how to be saved.
Resource: What Happens To Those Who Never Hear?
Creation tells us God is immeasurably glorious, infinitely powerful, eternally existent, and inherently good. (Psalm 19:1-6, Romans 1:18-20, Acts 14:17) It is informative about God but not instructive about salvation. Only Scripture contains the knowledge a person must know to be in a right relationship with God. What is known about God through creation is called general revelation. What is known about God through Scripture is called special revelation. Only special revelation informs us of our need for salvation and how to be saved.
Resource: What Happens To Those Who Never Hear?
The Bible is authored by God.
The term 'inspired' means "originating from." It indicates that the content of the Scripture originated from God and was God-breathed. A.D. Litfin states, “God’s words were given through men, by the Holy Spirit, so that their writings are without error.”1 Author Mark Taylor adds, “Scripture is true, reliable, authoritative, permanent and powerful because it comes from God himself.”2 God authored the content of the Scripture, and man recorded it.
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The most immediate application of the term 'Scripture' in 2 Timothy 3:16, is the Old Testament. However, the broader application applies to the entire Bible. The inspiration of the New Testament is confirmed by Peter in 2 Peter 3:16, where he refers to Paul's writings as Scripture (which means divine in origin), and by Paul in 1 Timothy 5:18, where he cites the Old Testament as New Testament writings. We see again, confirmation by John in Revelation 1:2 where he refers to the New Testament as the Word of God. Author Paul Enns says, "The New Testament Scriptures are equally inspired with the Old Testament Scriptures.3
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The Bible was written to reveal who God is, who we are, and how we can be redeemed by God's grace through God's Son for God's glory. — David Platt |
The Bible is...
- Inspired. Meaning it originated from God. (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:16, 20-21)
- Inerrant. Meaning it is without error. (Psalm 18:30, 19:7, 119:160)
- Infallible. Meaning it is incapable of error. (Hebrews 6:18, Numbers 23:19, Matthew 5:48, Titus 1:2)
- Verbal plenary. Meaning the above applies to every word. (Proverbs 30:5).
The Bible is reliable, trustworthy, and authoritative in all matters it addresses.
The Bible is incredibly practical.
The Holy Spirit uses the words of Scripture to accomplish the following:
- Inform us about what is right; righteousness. (Psalm 19:7, 119:104-105)
- Expose our disobedience; rebellion. (Hebrews 4:12-13; 1 Corinthians 10:11)
- Change our wrongdoing; repentance. (Proverbs 15:31)
- Show us how to live again for God; restoration. (Psalm 119:9, 11)
- A. Duane Litfin, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck (Ed.), (Spokane: Olive Tree Bible Software, Version 6.5.3 © 1998-2019.) Notes on 2 Timothy 3:15-17
- Mark Taylor, The NLT Study Bible, (Olive Tree Bible Software, Version 6.5.3 © 1998-2019.) Notes on 2 Timothy 3:15-17
- Paul Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology (Chicago: Moody, 1989), 128
2. 2 Peter 1:16, 20-21
notes
The Bible contains the true words about God.
It is not the musings of men about a divine being. It is the actual word of God, provided to men, about Himself. It is given through a few men, for all people, for all time. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Thomas Constable says, “The gospel is not the kind of message man would invent if he could, nor is it a message he could invent if he would.”1 Author Dane Ortlund adds, "The Bible is one long attempt to deconstruct our natural vision of who God actually is."2
The Bible is authored by the Spirit of God.
The term 'moved' in 2 Peter 2:21 is a term that describes the wind filling the sail of a boat. The Holy Spirit filled the authors of Scripture, such that they spoke and wrote what God intended, yet were actively involved in the process. MacArthur states, "God the Holy Spirit superintended them so that, using their own individual personalities, thought processes, and vocabulary, they composed and recorded without error the exact words God wanted written."3
It is not the musings of men about a divine being. It is the actual word of God, provided to men, about Himself. It is given through a few men, for all people, for all time. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Thomas Constable says, “The gospel is not the kind of message man would invent if he could, nor is it a message he could invent if he would.”1 Author Dane Ortlund adds, "The Bible is one long attempt to deconstruct our natural vision of who God actually is."2
The Bible is authored by the Spirit of God.
The term 'moved' in 2 Peter 2:21 is a term that describes the wind filling the sail of a boat. The Holy Spirit filled the authors of Scripture, such that they spoke and wrote what God intended, yet were actively involved in the process. MacArthur states, "God the Holy Spirit superintended them so that, using their own individual personalities, thought processes, and vocabulary, they composed and recorded without error the exact words God wanted written."3
- Thomas Constable, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament (Walvoord and Zuck (Ed.), (Olive Tree Bible Software, Version 6.5.3 © 1998-2019.) Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:13
- Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly (Wheaton: Crossway, 2020) 147 Kindle
- John MacArthur, MacArthur Study Bible Notes (ESV) (Olive Tree Bible Software, Version 6.10.0, © 1998-2021) Notes on 2 Peter 2:21
3. Revelation 22:18-19
notes
The Bible is complete.
The content of Scripture was progressive (unfolding) until its competition. Luke 16:16 Today, the content of Scripture is finished; the canon is closed. There is no additional revelation or new prophecy for this age. Divine punishment and eternal judgment await anyone who tampers with God's revelation (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:6). This includes those who falsely claim to speak on behalf God (Jeremiah 14:14, 23:16, 28:15, 29:31). Ryrie states, "The New Testament has greater priority as the source of doctrine. Old Testament revelation was preparatory and partial, but New Testament revelation is climactic and complete."1
Resource: View The Canon of Scripture.
The content of Scripture was progressive (unfolding) until its competition. Luke 16:16 Today, the content of Scripture is finished; the canon is closed. There is no additional revelation or new prophecy for this age. Divine punishment and eternal judgment await anyone who tampers with God's revelation (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:6). This includes those who falsely claim to speak on behalf God (Jeremiah 14:14, 23:16, 28:15, 29:31). Ryrie states, "The New Testament has greater priority as the source of doctrine. Old Testament revelation was preparatory and partial, but New Testament revelation is climactic and complete."1
Resource: View The Canon of Scripture.
- Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology: A Popular, Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth, (Chicago: Moody, 1999), 16, Kindle
4. John 17:17
notes
The Bible enables spiritual maturity. The term 'sanctify' means "to set apart". It communicates the ideas of holiness and maturity. Scripture is an essential part of the spiritual growth process. The more a believer allows the Holy Spirit to use the Scriptures to fill the heart, the more that person grows spiritually. The more a person grows, the more he or she becomes involved in the plans and purposes of God. (1 Thessalonians 2:13; Psalm 19:7)
The Bible is truth. Owing to its exclusive claim about being true, anything that disagrees with the Bible is false. All writings about God that do not agree with the Scripture are, by deduction, not true. The truth claim of the Bible answers the age-old question asked by Pilate in John 18:38: "What is truth?" Richard Wurmbrand puts it this way, “God is the truth... And the Bible is the truth about the truth.”1 (2 Samuel 7:28; Psalm 119:43, 151, 160; Revelation 19:9, 21:5, 22:6)
The Bible is truth. Owing to its exclusive claim about being true, anything that disagrees with the Bible is false. All writings about God that do not agree with the Scripture are, by deduction, not true. The truth claim of the Bible answers the age-old question asked by Pilate in John 18:38: "What is truth?" Richard Wurmbrand puts it this way, “God is the truth... And the Bible is the truth about the truth.”1 (2 Samuel 7:28; Psalm 119:43, 151, 160; Revelation 19:9, 21:5, 22:6)
- Richard Wurmbrandt, Tortured for Christ (Bartlesville: Living Sacrifice, 1998) Location 1285, Kindle
5. Matthew 4:4
notes
The Bible is essential. Consuming the content of the Scripture is as essential to spiritual health as consuming food is to physical health. Healthy living requires eating both physical and spiritual food. Just as going without physical food makes one physically weak, going without spiritual food makes one spiritually weak. The Word of God nourishes us as we read it, meditate upon it, and apply it (Deuteronomy 8:3, 32:47; Joshua 1:8; Matthew 22:29).
6. Hebrews 4:12
notes
The Bible is alive. Even though the Bible is thousands of years old, it's a living document. The voice of the God resounds through it to convict, convert, counsel, encourage, and enlighten. God uses the Scripture to speak to our innermost thoughts, reveal our genuine attitudes, surface our deepest feelings, and address our most important needs. Zane Hodges says, "The inner life of a Christian is often a strange mixture of motivation, both genuinely spiritual and completely human. It takes a supernaturally discerning agent such as the Word of God to sort these out and expose what is of the flesh."1 (1 Corinthians 2:11-13; Luke 24:32; Romans 1:16)
- Zane Hodges, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament (Walvoord and Zuck (Ed.), (Olive Tree Bible Software, Version 6.5.3 © 1998-2019.) Notes on Hebrews 4:12
7. Psalm 19:7-8
notes
The Bible is a blessing. It refreshes, enlightens, and directs. It provides hope, supplies joy, and gives wisdom. The Bible brightens life. A.P. Ross says, “Joy and guidance fill the soul of the one who meditates on and follows God’s commands.”1 Romans 15:4; Psalm 119:14, 98–100, 105.
We love the Bible as a bride loves her husband’s letters, not for the paper they are, but for the person who speaks through them. — Lausanne #6
We love the Bible as a bride loves her husband’s letters, not for the paper they are, but for the person who speaks through them. — Lausanne #6
- Allen P. Ross, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament (Walvoord and Zuck (Ed.), (Olive Tree Bible Software, Version 6.5.3 © 1998-2019.) Notes on Psalm 19:7-8
8. Romans 1:16
notes
The Bible is powerful. We derive our word for dynamite from the Greek word for power. The message of the substitutional death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has the power to convert anyone who trusts in it. God uses the words of Scripture to radically transform a person's character, and redirect the destiny of a person's soul. (James 1:21; 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1:24; Jeremiah 23:29) Additionally, memorizing Scripture gives victory over sin. (Psalm 119:11)
9. 1 Corinthians 10:11
notes
The Bible is a warning. The accounts of God’s judgment in Scripture are meant to serve notice to those who follow in the footsteps of the disobedient. God is both severe and kind. (Romans 11:22) Author David Lowery says, “The same God who disciplined... with death would do it again.”1 (Hebrews 10:31; 1 Corinthians 10:6, 11:27-29; Acts 5:1–11; Psalm 119:67, 71).
- David L. Lowery, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament (Walvoord and Zuck (Ed.), (Olive Tree Bible Software, Version 6.5.3 © 1998-2019.) Notes on 1 Corinthians 10:11.
10. James 1:22
notes
The Bible is designed to be applied. The Bible is not just for reading, it's for reading, and obeying. What matters most is applying the truth, not just learning about it. God desires Bible readers that are knowledgeable AND responsive. (Matthew 7:24–27, 12:50, 28:20; Luke 6:46; James 2:17, 4:17).
11. Video Resources
notes
- What is the Bible? (5:47) Bible Project
- The Story of the Bible (5:37) Bible Project
- Literary Styles in the Bible (5:27) Bible Project
- Ancient Jewish Meditation Literature (4:30) Bible Project
- Plot in Biblical Narrative (5:12) Bible Project
- Character in Biblical Narrative (5:27) Bible Project
- Setting in Biblical Narrative (5:45) Bible Project
- Design Patterns in Biblical Narrative (6:07) Bible Project
- The Art of Biblical Poetry (5:22) Bible Project
- Metaphor in Biblical Poetry (5:11) Bible Project
- The Book of Psalms (5:30) Bible Project
- The Prophets (5:18) Bible Project
- Biblical Law (6:18) Bible Project
- The Books of Solomon (5:27) Bible Project
- The Gospel (5:46) Bible Project
- Parables of Jesus (5:42) Bible Project
- New Testament Letters: Historical Context (5:20) Bible Project
- New Testament Letters: Literary Context (5:30) Bible Project
- How to Read The Bible: Apocalyptic Literature (6:57) Bible Project
- Can we trust the 66 books of the Bible? (1:32) John Piper
- The Authority of Scripture (1:48) Tim Keller
- What It Means The Bible Is Self-Authenticating. (3:05) The Gospel Coalition
- Is The Bible Truly God’s Word? (4:25) Got Questions?
- Inerrant vs Infallible (1:52) John MacArthur
- How Did We Get The Bible (3:30) 3 Minute Theology
- Why you can rely on the canon, (8:43) the Gospel Coalition
- The Story of the Bible in a nutshell, (4:23) David Platt
- How is the Bible divinely inspired? (3:30) Three Minute Theology
- What is inerrancy? (3:30) Three Minute Theology
- What is divine revelation? (3:30) Three Minute Theology
- Is the Bible infallible? (3:15) Dr. Brown
- No, the Church Didn’t Create the Bible (5:59) The Gospel Coalition
- What does “Inspiration” mean in 2 Timothy 3:16 (4:36) Ligonier Ministries?
- Why is the Bible reliable? (5:37) Tim Keller, The Veritas Forum
- Carson and Kruger, Persistent Myths about the New Testament, (6:57) The Gospel Coalition
- Miguel Nunez on Whether We Can Trust the Bible. (5:27) the Gospel Coalition
- What is the purpose of the Bible? (3:09) David Platt
- Why is it so important to believe in biblical inerrancy? (6:03) Got Questions
- Top Three Reasons the Bible is Reliable (3:36) J. Warner, Wallace
- Why Should I Believe The Bible? (7:11) Got Questions
Which Scripture was the most meaningful to you? Explain.