Origins and definitions
What is the definition Scripture?
Romans 16:26 – But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith …
Luke 8:21 – And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
Remark: The Scriptures, also known as the Word of God, are the writings of prophets inspired by God.
Who is the actual author of the Scriptures?
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 …
2 Peter 1:21 – 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.
How did the psalmist refer to the Word of God?
Psalm 119:105 – Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
What structure does the first part of Scripture have?
Luke 24:44 – And he 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. *
On which foundation did the ministry of Jesus stand?
Luke 24:27 – And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
What structure does the second part of Scripture have?
Luke 1:1-4 – Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
2 Peter 3:15-16 – And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. **
Why are these two parts referred to as New and Old Testaments?
Exodus 24:8 – And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words.
Jeremiah 31:31 – Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah …
Luke 22:20 – Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Remark: The word “testament” comes from the Latin testamentum, which was used to translate the Greek word διαθήκη (diathēkē), meaning “covenant”. In Hebrew, the word for covenant is בְּרִית (berit).
The validity of Scripture
What attributes does the author of the Scriptures possess?
Titus 1:2 – In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began …
Deuteronomy 32:4 – He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Then what attributes does the product of this author possess?
John 17:17 – Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
How are the Scriptures to be treated?
John 10:35 – If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken …
What is the danger if Scripture is misunderstood and misused?
2 Peter 3:16 – As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
How did Job treat the word of God?
Job 23:12 – Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
How did God validate his Word?
Psalm 138:2 – I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
Remark: God made promises to Abraham and his other followers in his own name (e.g. Hebrews 6:13-14)
How long will the Word of God prevail?
Isaiah 40:8 – The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Matthew 24:35 – Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
The purpose of Scripture
What is the purpose of the Scriptures?
Luke 24:32 – And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Through what are our hearts touched?
Galatians 3:8 – And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
John 8:56 – Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
Remark: Abraham and the prophets were already aware of the gospel (see Romans 1:1-4).
What is the gospel preached in the scriptures?
Galatians 3:22 – But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Acts 18:28 – For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
Remark: The word ‘gospel’ comes from the Greek term meaning ‘good news.’
Why is it important to accept Jesus as Christ revealed in the Scriptures?
John 5:39 – Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
John 17:3 – And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Remark: The good news is that through Christ salvation and eternal life are possible.
How should those who know the Scriptures and the Gospel respond?
Acts 8:32,35 – The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth… / [35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
What is promised to those who truly believe and live out that faith?
John 7:38 – He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Footnotes
* The Old Testament consists of the Law of Moses (the first five books), the writings of the Prophets, and the poetic and wisdom books, chiefly represented by the Psalms. Historical accounts are also interwoven throughout the Prophetic writings.
** The New Testament consists of the accounts of Jesus’ life (the Gospels), which Luke refers to as “declarations,” as well as a large portion of epistles (letters) written by the apostles. Additionally, it includes the book of Revelation.