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2
Timothy 3 : 14-17
But
as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become
convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned
it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures,
which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith
in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful
for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every
good work.
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Nehemiah
8 : 1-3
And
all the people gathered themselves together as one man into
the street that was before the water gate; and they spake
unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses,
which the LORD had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest
brought the law before the congregation both of men and
women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon
the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein
before the street that was before the water gate from the
morning until midday, before the men and the women, and
those that could understand; and the ears of all the people
were attentive unto the book of the law.
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Psalm
12 : 6
And the
words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in
a furnace of clay, purified seven times.
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Luke 24 : 25-27
He (Jesus)
said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of
heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did
not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter
his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets,
he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures
concerning himself.
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The Bible
is a collection of 66 writings by God brought to us through different
human authors who wrote during a period of 1,600 years. The 'collection'
is split into two sections; The old testament covering the years
before the birth of Jesus Christ and the new testament covering
the period during and following Jesus's time on Earth. The old
testament was written in Hebrew and Aramaic and contains history,
prophetic writings, wisdom, poetry and song. The new testament
was written in Greek and contains the gospels (descriptions of
the good news of the events of Jesus's life), an account of the
early Christian church in 'Acts', the letters of the disciples,
and the final prophetic vision of 'Revelation'.
The books
of the old testament point towards the coming of Jesus Christ
described in the new testament. In Luke 24.25-27 Jesus
teaches two men, that he joins after his death and resurrection,
"what was said in
all the Scriptures concerning himself". Jesus showed that
what is said in the old testament points to Him and finds its
fulfillment in Him.
There are
various English translations of the Bible, the most famous being
the King James version. Translations vary in a spectrum from word
to word, literal translations, to paraphrased versions that intend
to convey the meaning in a more accessible manner. Enderby Church
uses the NIV translation which is in a central position along
this spectrum.
The Bible
is the word of God and states the truth about everything it talks
about. 2 Timothy 3 14-17 reminds us that the Bible (here
mentioned as the scriptures) is 'God breathed'. That means the
Bible is the word of God that was put down by the bible's authors.
And, as noted in Psalm 12 : 6, God's word is flawless and
is always true. So if the Bible is God's word and God's word is
truth, then the Bible is truth. Indeed, beware of 'religions'
that ask you to study the Bible and another 'holy' book.
Nothing needs to be added to the Bible.
In our times
there are many guide books on how to cope with life that are bought
in their millions. These books may have some sound advice contained
in them, but the Bible is God's word and guidance, which contains
the best and most useful advice you can find. That is why, in
the passage from Nehemiah 8, the people of Israel turned to the
"book of the law", God's word. It is as relevant to
us now as it was all those years ago. When you have a difficult
choice to make or someone is giving advice (especially if it comes
'prophetically'), it is always wise to go back to the Bible to
see if it is in line with God's word. And by reading it regularly
you will have access to God's guidance and salvation.
We give
it more than our highest recommendation.
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There are
different approaches to reading the Bible. The important thing
is to take time to do it. In studying the Bible you will hear
God speak to you through the words on the page.
Firstly,
try to get a Bible translation that suits you. There are many
versions with different styles from the poetic, but hard to read,
to more contemporary, easy to read versions. Bibles also contain
different commentaries that can be of great help. There are software
programmes with many study tools that you can use, as well as
sites that give on-line access to the bible (See the links
page). Enderby Parish Church uses the New International Version.
When approaching
the Bible, keep in mind that it is the word of God. Therefore,
it is vital to pray, to ask God the Holy Spirit to help you understand
what you are reading. Read it deeply and expectantly and it will
reward your time. But how do you approach the Bible?
One way
is to read it from cover to cover over a set period of time. For
example, over one year, for which there are many books that give
you a day to day reading schedule with notes to help. This method
has the advantage of being able to read everything in context
and enabling you to see the whole sweep of the Bible. However,
some readings may seem irrelevant to you and leave you just reading
it to get it done. Also, do not feel guilty if you do not do the
day's 'appointed' reading or 'get behind'. Reading the Bible is
a discipline but should also be a joy not a chore.
Another
approach is to use one of the many day by day bible notes that
are available. These give you short set readings from any part
of the Bible and will give a commentary on it to give you further
insight. You can choose themed notes, e.g. on prayer, or ones
that take you through various challenging issues. This approach
is more likely to engage your interest but may take the readings
out of context and may not give you a full view of the Bible.
Of course
you will learn from going to Church to hear teaching on the Bible
and, if you are a member of a midweek group that studies the Bible,
you will learn and read with the help and input of others.
The Bible
passage from Nehemiah 8 (quoted in the left column) reminds us
of the importance of taking time to turn to God's word. The nation
of Israel realised, as one man, that they needed to hear God's
laws and wisdom in order to build a new society and future. We
need to look to the Bible in the same way, but we also have the
good news of the new testament to read, which tells of salvation
through Jesus and a way to eternal life for all.
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 The
Bible is a collection of books of history, prophetic writings,
wisdom, poetry and letters written by God.
The
Bible is the word of God and is completely true
Many
Bible notes are widely available to guide your Bible reading.
When
reading the Bible you are gaining access to the ultimate guide
book on wisdom and salvation.
Various
English translations are available, some including commentaries
to help you understand the text.
An
active Christian life should involve regular Bible reading, if
possible.
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Eastons Bible Dictionary Definition of the
Bible
Bible,
the English form of the Greek name _Biblia_, meaning "books,"
the name which in the fifth century began to be given to the entire
collection of sacred books, the "Library of Divine Revelation."
The name Bible was adopted by Wickliffe, and came gradually into use
in our English language. The Bible consists of sixty-six different books,
composed by many different writers, in three different languages, under
different circumstances; writers of almost every social rank, statesmen
and peasants, kings, herdsmen, fishermen, priests, tax-gatherers, tentmakers;
educated and uneducated, Jews and Gentiles; most of them unknown to
each other, and writing at various periods during the space of about
1600 years: and yet, after all, it is only one book dealing with only
one subject in its numberless aspects and relations, the subject of
man's redemption.
It is divided into the Old Testament, containing thirty-nine books,
and the New Testament, containing twenty-seven books. The names given
to the Old in the writings of the New are "the scriptures"
(Matt. 21:42), "scripture" (2 Pet. 1:20), "the holy scriptures"
(ROM. 1:2), "the law" (John 12:34), "the law of Moses,
the prophets, and the psalms" (Luke 24:44), "the law and the
prophets" (GATT. 5:17), "the old covenant" (2 Cor. 3:14,
R.V.). There is a break of 400 years between the Old Testament and the
New.
The Old Testament is divided into three parts:, 1. The Law (Torah),
consisting of the Pentateuch, or five books of Moses. 2. The Prophets,
consisting of (1) the former, namely, Joshua, Judges, the Books of Samuel,
and the Books of Kings; (2) the latter, namely, the greater prophets,
Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, and the twelve minor prophets. 3. The
Hagiographa, or holy writings, including the rest of the books. These
were ranked in three divisions:, (1) The Psalms, Proverbs, and Job,
distinguished by the Hebrew name, a word formed of the initial letters
of these books, _emeth_, meaning truth. (2) Canticles, Ruth, Lamentations,
Ecclesiastes, and Esther, called the five rolls, as being written for
the synagogue use on five separate rolls. (3) Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah,
and 1 and 2 Chronicles. Between the Old and the New Testament no addition
was made to the revelation God had already given. The period of New
Testament revelation, extending over a century, began with the appearance
of John the Baptist.
The New Testament consists of (1) the historical books, viz., the Gospels,
and the Acts of the Apostles; (2) the Epistles; and (3) the book of
prophecy, the Revelation.
The division of the Bible into chapters and verses is altogether of
human invention, designed to facilitate reference to it. The ancient
Jews divided the Old Testament into certain sections for use in the
synagogue service, and then at a later period, in the ninth century
A.D., into verses. Our modern system of chapters for all the books of
the Bible was introduced by Cardinal Hugo about the middle of the thirteenth
century (he died 1263). The system of verses for the New Testament was
introduced by Stephens in 1551, and generally adopted, although neither
Tyndale's nor Coverdale's English translation of the Bible has verses.
The division is not always wisely made, yet it is very useful.
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