Book of Books Part 8 Studying the Scriptures Mentone August 3, 2019

1. Book of Books Part 8 Studying the Scriptures Mentone August 3, 2019

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4. Our Mission Empowering our members to take the Three Angels’ Messages to all the world

5. (1) The Primacy of Scripture Jesus is the living Word; the Bible is the written word John 6:63 “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” The Living Manna (Jesus) and the “written manna” (His words)

6. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” II Peter 1:19

7. Satan’s attack has always been against the word of God Genesis 3 “Yea, hath God said?” or, “Did God really say?…” An attack against God’s word led to disobedience to His command, which brought about disaster That strategy has never changed!

8. (2) “From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise (sophia: compare “philosophy,” “sophistry,” “sophomore,” etc.) for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” II Timothy 3:15

9. (3) “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.” II Timothy 3:16,17

10. (4) “For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12, KJV

11. For the word of God is quick (zao: “living” compare “protozoa,” “zoology,” “zoo,” “Zoey”) It is “living” because it is given by God’s “breath,” the Holy Spirit It is “living” because even though it is from ancient times, it still speaks to the souls of mankind today

12. The body of Adam came alive when God breathed into him “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7

13. For the word of God is quick (zao: “living”) The “body” of the church came alive when Jesus breathed on them “And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” John 20:22; Acts 2

14. (5) The Bible changes lives! A murderer in Idaho is converted An aimless, cave-living youth becomes a powerful evangelist/pastor A young Catholic woman finds truth in God’s Word Your story!

15. (6) Evidence of Authenticity Internal harmony Prophetic fulfillments Archeological confirmations Converted lives

16. (7) Manuscripts, Translations and Versions Is the KJV (and other “Received Text”) translation to be preferred? Should we make the “Battle of the Bibles” our focus and campaign against other versions? Should we be intelligent regarding the history of Bible and its translations?

17. Manuscripts, Translations and Versions Should we be prepared to defend our distinctive doctrines even from translations other than the KJV? Should we be charitable and respectful if a believer uses a translation other than the KJV (or any other Textus Receptus text)?

18. Book of Books Part 8 Studying the Scriptures Mentone August 3, 2019

19. How the Books of the Bible are Arranged

20. How the Books of the Bible are Arranged Not in strict chronological order Arranged by category of content Mostly chronological within each category

21. Old and New Testament Categories History Literature Prophecy

22. Old and New Testament Categories History: Genesis - Esther Literature: Job – Song of Solomon Prophecy: Isaiah - Malachi

23. Old and New Testament Categories History: Matthew - Acts Literature: Romans - Jude Prophecy: Revelation

24. Guidelines for Studying the Scriptures

25. “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are

26. some things hard to understand, which those who are untaught and unstable twist (strebloo: “to twist, turn, torture, put to the rack.” The related noun streble means “an instrument of torture.” Latin: tortuosus) to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You, therefore, beloved,

27. since you now these things before hand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory now and forever. Amen.” II Peter 3:14-18

28. Note: It is possible to mishandle and misinterpret the Scriptures It is a very dangerous thing to do, and could lead to eternal loss Jesus asked, “How readest thou?” It is possible to make the Bible say anything you want

29. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15, KJV

30. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15

31. “Be diligent to present yourself… Spoudazo: “to use speed, to make effort, be prompt or earnest, exert oneself, hasten” “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace.” II Peter 3:14

32. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God,… Paristimi:para (“beside” compare “parallel”) + istimi “to stand” “And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.” Mark 14:47, see also 69, 70)

33. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15 Orthotomeo: ortho (“correct” compare “orthodontist”) + tomeo (“cut” compare “tonsillectomy”)

34. “These (in Berea) were more fair-minded (eugenes“good” + “birth,” “beginning”) than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11

35. What is a correct approach to and a proper method of Bible study? What tools are available to aid in the study of the Scriptures

36. Read the Bible! Believe it is a unique, divine Book Be “diligent”; that is, be consistent, faithful, persevering, fair and reasonable to the words, punctuation, grammar and text

37. Make the Scriptures your “daily bread” Approach in humility Approach prayerfully, asking for the Holy Spirit’s wisdom to guide Set aside personal bias and preconceived notions

38. Believe that the Bible has one Author (the Holy Spirit) and that it doesn’t contradict itself Always consider the context of a passage Don’t just read the verse; read the verse before and the verse after to get the full meaning

39. “Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.” Matthew 24:40

40. “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.” Matt. 24:38-40

41. Pull together all the texts regarding one subject Discern prayerfully where the “weight of evidence” exists Don’t be surprised if there might be one or two texts which at first glance may seem to “point the other way”

42. For those few texts that seem to say something different, do your best to find a way to harmonize them with the texts that are in the majority Don’t base a major bible teaching on just one isolated text. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses, let all things be established”

43. “And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’” Luke 23:43

44. “And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’” Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you today, you will be with Me in Paradise.’” Luke 23:43

45. Approach and Method Commentaries may have their place, but the best aids are a good concordance and the Spirit of Prophecy (the writings of Ellen G. White)

46. Approach and Method If you read through the Bible and the companion Spirit of Prophecy materials, you will gain an education superior to almost any seminary

47. The Spirit of Prophecy (writings of Ellen G. White): Is not above or equal to Scripture in authority Does not contradict Scripture In many cases complements Scripture “A telescope doesn’t change the stars, it just makes them easier to see”

48. A few examples of how the Spirit of Prophecy helps us understand Scripture better

49. “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:11, 12, KJV

50. “When Satan quoted the promise, ‘He shall give His angels charge over thee,’ he omitted the words, ‘to keep thee in all Thy ways;’ that is, in all the ways of God’s choosing.” Desire of Ages, p. 125