BIBLE DOCTRINE

THE INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES–2 TIM. 3:16,17

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THE INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES

Memory Verse: 2 Tim. 3:16,17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

“If we do not build upon the impregnable rock of infallible Scripture we shall ever be at the mercy of the latest whims and fancies.”–Edward J. Young
I. THE IMPORTANCE OF INSPIRATION.
A. Our Knowledge Of All Other Doctrines Rest On The Scriptures.
There is a reason why that most Confessions of Faith start with the Inspiration of the Scriptures. It is the foundation upon which all our belief rests.
1. Our knowledge of creation, sin, and Biblical history, must rest on the Bible.
2. Our knowledge of prophecy rests on the Bible.
3. Our knowledge of Christ’s Virgin Birth, sinless life, substitutionary death, resurrection, ascension and Second Coming rest on the Bible.
4. Our knowledge of heaven, hell, salvation and eternal life rest on the Bible. In fact we have no true spiritual knowledge, unless we have an infallible, inerrant Bible.
B. Inspiration Is Important Because The Bible Itself Claims To Be Inspired.
1. If we cannot believe the Bible in this, how can we believe anything else it says?
a. 2 Tim. 3:16-17. Many times in the Old Testament the declarations are prefaced or concluded with “Hear the word of the Lord” or “Thus saith the Lord” or some similar statement. This is found over (1) 500 times in the Pentateuch,
b. 1200 times in the Prophets and (3) 300 times in the other Old Testament books.
2. If we give up this doctrine it will be only a matter of time until we have to give up other precious doctrines.
3. God has magnified His word above His name. Psa. 138:2
II. THE MEANING OF INSPIRATION.
A. The Definition Of Inspiration.
1. “Inspiration of God” (2 Tim. 3: 16) is the translation of the Greek “THEOPNEUSTOS”. This word comes from “Theos”, “God”, “Pneo”, “to breath”. In other words the Scriptures were God breathed.
2. This goes with…
a. 2 Pet. 1:21, which says, “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Vine says this word “moved” means that they were “borne along” or “impelled” by the Holy Spirit’s power.
3. The Holy Spirit was the speaker and human beings were guided inerrantly in writing it down by the Spirit’s power. (a)-3 Acts 1:16. Compare Acts 28:25,26 and Isa. 6:8-10. See Heb. 3:7. Compare Heb. 10:15,16 where he is quoting Jer. 31:33 and showing that it is not just Jeremiah, but that it is the Holy Ghost who is speaking. See 2 Sam. 23:2.
B. The Extent Of Inspection.
1. The Scriptures are VERBALLY inspired. This means the very words were given, not just the thoughts.
a. 1 Cor. 2:9-13 refers to “words” given by the Spirit.
b. Jesus declared that the “jot” (smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet) would not pass away from the law. Matt. 5:18
c. Every word of God is pure. Prov. 30:5
2. The Scriptures are PLENARILY inspired. “Plenarily inspired” means that it is full and entirely inspired of God and that it is complete.
a. All the Bible is the Word of God and pure. Psa. 12:6
b. It is the complete Word of God and nothing can be taken from it or anything added. Rev. 22:18-19
c. We mean the 66 books of the Bible. The 39 OT books were all included in the Hebrew Bible. We do not accept the apocrypha and other spurious books.
d. The 27 NT books are also the Word of God.
(1) Paul claimed his epistles to be the Word of God. 1 Thess. 2:13
(2) Peter claimed inspiration for Paul’s writings as well as the others. 2 Pet.  3:15,16
C. The Result Of Inspiration.
1. The Bible does not have error mixed with truth. John 17:17
2. The Bible is infallible and inerrant.
a. “Infallible” means “not fallible, not capable of error, never wrong.”
b. “Inerrant” means “not erring, making no mistake.”
3. Therefore the Bible is true on any subject which it deals with including history, geography, science, etc., as well as salvation.

THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS–PSALM 68:17; MARK 13:32

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THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS
PSALM 68:17; MARK 13:32
Introduction:

Angel = (Greek) – a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God.
The mythologies of nearly all the ancient nations speak of such beings as angels. In the Bible the angels of God are mentioned from Genesis to Revelations. They are mentioned 108 times in the Old Testament and 165 times in the New Testament.
I. ANGELS ARE ESTABLISHED BY THE TEACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD
A. In the Old Testament
1. Here they are mentioned as being great in number, Psalm 68:17 “The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.”
2. Here they are mentioned as being great in strength, Psalm 103:20, “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”
B. In the New Testament,
1. Here the angels are ministering to the Lord Jesus, Matthew 4:11, “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. God does not share all of His knowledge with them.”
2. Here it is noted that the Lord does not share all of His knowledge with the angels, Mark 13:32, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”

II. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ANGELS
A. They are created beings, Psalm 148:2, 5, “Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 5Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.”
1. When were they created? The Bible does not tell us this.
2. How were they created? “for he commanded, and they were created.”
B. They are spirit beings, Hebrews 1:13-14, “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14-Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
“Angels in their ordinary form of being are spirits without physical bodies. This does not, however, deny the possibility of their materialization.” (E. H. Bancroft)
C. Angels are personal beings to whom personal characteristics are ascribed; they are intelligent, voluntary, active and therefore personal agents, 2 Samuel 14:20.
D. Angels do not marry, Matthew 22:30, “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.”
E. Angels do not die, Luke 20:35-36.
F. Angels are swift beings, Matthew 26:53.
G. Angels are powerful beings
1. They have superhuman power, Psalm 103:20.
2. They have delegated power, that is, they are not almighty, but the power that God gives them to accomplish His will, 2 Thessalonians 1:7
H. Angels are glorious beings, Luke 9:26.
I. Angels are numerous beings, Revelation 5:11.

III. THE MORAL NATURE OF ANGELS
A. All angels are created holy
1. God’s character would not allow otherwise, Genesis 18:25.
2. God’s creative work demonstrates the fact, Genesis 1:21.
3. God’s record of their sin demonstrates the fact, Jude 6
B. Many angels are obedient and confirmed in goodness, Matthew 25:31.
C. Many angels are disobedient and confirmed in wickedness, 2 Peter 2:4.

IV. WHAT DO ANGELS DO OR HOW ARE THEY EMPLOYED?
The Greek word “angelos” means “one sent,” “a messenger.” Holy angels then are God’s servants or messengers. They do His will in many ways.
A. Good angels…
1. Are involved in the direct worship of God, Matthew 18:10, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” See also Psalm 99:1; Isaiah 6:2; Daniel 7:10.
2. Rejoice in God’s work, Luke 15:10.
3. Execute God’s will, Psalm 103:20.
4. Guide and guard believers, Psalm 91:11; Acts 8:26.
5. Minister to God’s people, Hebrews 1:14.
6. Will accompany Christ at His return, Matthew 25:31
a. They will aid in the separation of the righteous from the wicked, Matthew 13:49,
b. They will aid in the punishment of the wicked, 2 Thessalonians 1: 7-8
B. Evil Angels…
1. Oppose God’s purposes, Zechariah 3:1, See also Daniel 10:10-14.
2. Afflict God’s people, 2 Corinthians 12:7.
3. Execute Satan’s purposes, Ephesians 6:11-12.

THE PRESERVATION OF THE SCRIPTURES–LESSON 2

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THE PRESERVATION OF THE SCRIPTURES
LESSON 2

Memory Verse: Isa.40:8, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”

In our last lesson we found that the Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God, without any error, and infallible.
In this lesson we are studying the providential preservation of this Word of God, so that we can say that the King James Version is God’s Holy Word!! Read: Matt. 5:17,18.

I. THE DIVINE PRESERVATION OF THE SCRIPTURES IS NOT A NEW DOCTRINE.

A. Historic Confessions Of Faith Confirm It.
1. The Westminister Confession of Faith was adopted by the Presbyterians in 1646. It said: “The Old Testament in Hebrew, and the New Testament in Greek, being immediately inspired by God, and, by His singular care and providence, kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical, so as, in all controversies of religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them.” “Counterfeit or Genuine” by David Otis Fuller, p. 214.
2. The Swiss Declaration of 1675 said: “God saw it that His word, which is with power unto salvation to everyone who believes, was entrusted to writing not only through Moses the prophets and apostles but also He has stood guard and watched over it with fatherly concern to the present time that it not be destroyed by the cunning of Satan or by any other human deceit.” “Counterfeit or Genuine”, p. 181
3. The Second London Confession of Faith was issued by the Baptists in 1677 and it said: “The Old Testament in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek….being immediately inspired by God, and by His singular care and Providence kept pure in all Ages…. “Baptist Concessions of Faith”, by Lumpkin.
B. Historic Bible Teachers Declare It.
1. John Calvin (1509-1564) said: “But since we are not favored with daily oracles from heaven, and since it is only in the Scriptures that the Lord hath been pleased to preserve his truth in perpetual remembrance; it obtains the same complete credit and authority with believers, when they are satisfied of its Divine origin, as if they heard the very words pronounced by God himself.” “Counterfeit or Genuine”, by David Otis Fuller, p. 178.
2. John Owen (Puritan) said: “The providence of God hath manifested itself as no less concerned in the preservation of the writings, than of the doctrine contained in them. . . ” “The Divine Original”, Trinitarian Bible Society, cover.
3. John Burgon (1813-1888) said: “There exists no reason for supposing that the Divine Agent, who in the first instance thus gave to mankind the Scriptures of truth, straightway abdicated His office; took no further care of His work; abandoned those precious writings to their fate.”Counterfeit or Genuine” by David Otis Fuller, p. 178.
II. DIVINE PRESERVATION IS TAUGHT BY THE SCRIPTURES.
A. The Bible Warns Of Attempts To Corrupt It.
1. Satan said: “Yea, hath God said?” Gen. 3:1
2. “…. we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God…. ” 2 Cor. 2:17
3. The Old Testament warns about adding to or taking from the Word of God. Deut. 4:2
4. The NT contains a similar warning. Rev. 22:18-19
B. The Bible Infers Preservation Of The Scriptures.
1. Peter says that we have a “more sure word of prophecy. . .” 2 Pet. 1:19-21. Part of the prophecies were over 1500 years old, but still “sure”. Why? God preserved.
2. Every word of God is pure. Prov. 30:5-6. Parts of the Bible were over 500 years old when this was written.
3. Other Scriptures declare the same. 2 Psa. 19:7-11; John 5:45-47
4. It is inferred in the Great Commission and in other places. Matt. 28:18-20. Notice that the message of the church shall remain the same to the end of the world.
C. The Bible Declares The Preservation Of The Scriptures.
1. God’s Word is settled forever. Psa. 119:89
2. The Word of God shall stand forever. Isa. 40:8
3. Not one letter to pass away. Matt. 5:17-18. The Law was then 1500 years old.
4. The Scripture cannot be broken. John 10:35
5. The Word of God is incorruptible. 1 Pet. 1:23-25
6. The words will not pass away. Matt. 24:35. See also: Luke 4:4; 16:17; 21:33; and John 16:12-13.
III. WHICH BIBLE IN ENGLISH IS THE WORD OF GOD?
There are only two streams of Bibles that have come down to us today. One is the pure stream, the other is corrupt.
A. The KJV Is Of The Pure Stream And Is Based On The Right Texts.
1. We know that 85% to 95% of all Greek manuscripts are of the same type that the KJV was translated from.
2. This text type was the Bible of the Greek and Byzantine churches.
3. This was the text type of the Italic churches (not Roman); of the Gallic churches of Southern France; and of the Celtic churches of Great Britain.
4. This was the text of the Waldensian churches (Baptist) going back to the First Century. (See pages 194-215 of “Which Bible?” by David Otis Fuller, 5th edition)
5. It was the text of the Reformers. Luther, Calvin, etc.
6. It was the text of Tyndale and other English versions.
7. It was the Bible used by the revivalists, fundamentalists and church builders of the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries.
B. The Stream Of Corrupt Bibles.
1. Origen and a few others corrupted some manuscripts.
2. The two leading survivors of this corrupt stream.
a. Vatican (Codex B) became available in the 1860’s to scholars. Catholics claim to have had it for over 500 years. It was supposedly made in the 4th Century.
b. Codex Sinaiticus (Aleph) was found by Tischendorf in a waste basket that was about to be burned in the convent of St. Catherine near Mt. Sinai. (Both of these are a part of the 5% to 15% of manuscripts that do not agree with the 85% to 95%. They also do not agree among themselves).
3. The Latin Vulgate was based on these types.
4. The Jesuit Bible of 1582 and latter Roman Catholic Bibles agree with these.
5. The New Word Translation produced by the Jehovah’s Witnesses agrees with these.
6. All of the modern versions are based on these, including the Westcott & Hort Revised Version of 1881; the American Standard of 1901; the Revised Version of 1952; the New English Version; The Living Bible; the Good News Bible; the New International Version; and the New American Standard Version.

THE DOCTRINE OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH–MEMORY VERSE: ISA.7:14

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THE DOCTRINE OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH
MEMORY VERSE: ISA.7:14

I. THE VIRGIN BIRTH PROMISED.

A. It Was Promised In Prophecy.

1. Christ to be the seed of the woman. (a)-1 Gen. 3:15

2. Christ to be born of a virgin. (b)-1 Isa. 7:14
3. “A new thing…a woman shall compass a man.” Jer. 31:22

B. The Virgin Birth Implied In Prophecy.

1. All the families of the earth to be blessed. Gen. 12:3

2. David’s throne to be established forever. II Sam. 7:16
3. To rule on David’s throne forever and to do many other things prophesied, reveal
 that only a supernatural One could fulfill this prophecy. Isa. 9:6,7
II. THE VIRGIN BIRTH PROVIDED.

A. The Virginity Of Mary Stated.

1. Mary was espoused (promised in marriage), but not married to Joseph. (b)-2 Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:27; 2:5

2. Joseph and Mary had not come together. (b)-2 Matt. 1:18
3. He “knew her not” till she had brought forth her firstborn son. (b)-2 Matt. 1:25
4. Mary states her virginity. Luke 1:34

B. His Virgin Birth Was Affirmed.

1. Conceived by the Holy Ghost. (b)-3 Luke 1:35; Matt. 1:18,20

2. The O.T. Scriptures fulfilled. Matt. 1:22,23
3. The Word was made flesh. (b)-5 John 1:14
4. He was begotten by God. (b)-6; Psa. 2:7; John 3:16He was born at the right time. (b)-7 Gal. 4:4; Dan. 9:25
5. He was born at the right place. Micah 5:2
III. WITNESSES TO THE VIRGIN BIRTH.

A. New Testament Writers Affirm His Virgin Birth.

1. Matthew affirms it. Matt.1:18-25

2. Mark affirms it. “Jesus Christ the Son of God” Mark 1:1. This affirms His divine paternity. See also Mark 1:11; 9:7.
3. Luke affirms it. Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-7
4. John affirms it. John 1:1,14

a. John refers to Jesus as God’s “only begotten Son”. John 1:14,18; 3:16,18

b. John records the stupendous claims that Jesus made for Himself. John 8:58; 17:5; 10:30; 10:17,18; 20:31
5. Paul affirms the Virgin Birth. Phil. 2:6; (c)-2 I Cor. 15:47
B. The New Testament Miracles Confirm The Virgin Birth. He raised the dead, gave sight to the blind, made the deaf to hear, etc. Only the supernatural Son of God could do this.
IV. THINGS DEPENDENT UPON THE VIRGIN BIRTH.

A. The Deity Of Christ.

B. The Lordship Of Christ.

C. The Saviourhood Of Christ.

D. The Bodily Resurrection Of Christ.

E. The Second Coming Of Christ.

F. The New Birth Of The Believer.

G. The Sons Relationship To The Father.

 

THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRUE GOD–MEMORY VERSE: MATT. 28:19

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THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRUE GOD
MEMORY VERSE: MATT. 28:19
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
I. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD ESTABLISHED.

A. The Existence Of God Established By Reason.

1. There is a universal belief in the existence of God.
a. This universal belief declared by the Bible. Acts 17: 28,29; Rom. 1:19-21,28,32, 2:15
b. Missionaries and explorers find that primitive people have a belief in God. “The existence of God and a future life is everywhere recognized in Africa.” So said David Livingstone, pioneer missionary and explorer in Africa.
2. The Universal Law of Cause and Effect. For every effect there must be a cause. Examples: watch, car, T.V., etc.

a. Intelligence and purposeful tendency in created things The planets and solar system. All matter can be compared to this. Molecules, electrons, neutrons, etc. Created creatures have intelligence and/or instinct.

b. Personality of man cannot be explained apart from God. c. The power that it takes to run the earth and all the universe came from God.

B. The Existence Of God Established By Scripture.

1. See all the Scriptures under (a) page 4 of Confession.

2. See also Jer. 10:10-16; Hab. 2:18-20. Contrast things said about the true God and the idols in these two passages.
3. The Scriptures declare there is only one God. 1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6
II. THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD.
A. He Is Holy.  This includes Righteousness and Justice.

1. He is declared to be holy. Ex. 15:11, I Pet. 1:16; Rev. 4:8; Isa. 6:3

2. See other Scriptures under.

B. He Is Love.  This includes Grace and Mercy. Love cannot be the fundamental attribute of God, because love always requires a standard, and this standard is found only in holiness.

C. The Many Attributes Of God.

We cannot study these at this time, but they are: Life, Spirituality, Personality, Tri-Unity, Self-existence, Eternity, Immutability, Omnipotence, Omnipresence, Omniscience, etc.

D. He Is Worthy Of Our Love.  Mark 12:30; 1 John 4:10.
III. THE TRI-UNITY OF GOD.

The word “Trinity” is not found in the Bible, but the Scriptures teach the doctrine of the Trinity.

A. The Trinity Of God Declared By Scripture.

1. Declared at the baptism of Christ. Matt. 3:16,17

2. Declared in the Great Commission. Matt. 28:19
3. Declared in Paul’s benediction. 2 Cor. 13:14
4. Also see: (c)-2 John 15:26; 1 John 5:7; Eph. 2:18

B. There Is Unity & Equality In The Godhead.

1. Unity of the Father and the Son. John 10:30; Deut. 6:4

2. Unity of the Father, the Son and the Spirit taught throughout the Scriptures.

C. The Three Are Recognized As God In The Scriptures.  The Trinity found in OT, but we will mostly use the NT.

1. The Father is recognized as God. John 6:27; I Pet. 1:2

2. Jesus Christ is recognized as God. John 1:1; 20:28; Titus 2: 13, 1 Tim. 3: 16.
3. The Holy Spirit is recognized as God. Acts 5:3,4; Gen. 1:2; John 3:8. Many other Scriptures prove that He is God.

What is your relationship to God?
(1) Is He your Father?
(2) Have you been born again?
(3) Are you serving God?
(4) Do you love God?
(5) Do you obey Him?
(6) Does His Spirit lead you?