The Bible | The Bible Teaches

How can we know God and His will? Through the Bible: the Word of God. In this lesson, we will discover why we can trust the Bible as a safe guide for our lives.

The Inspiration of the Bible

Who is the true author of the Bible?

Only the prophets and apostles The Holy Spirit, who moved holy men to write Religious leaders throughout the centuries The early church

What does it mean to say the Bible is 'inspired'?

That it is a beautiful and inspiring book That the writers had good ideas That it is 'breathed by God' — God guided the writers That it was written in a trance

“The Bible points to God as its author; yet it was written by human hands; and in the varied style of its different books it presents the characteristics of the several writers.” — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, GC v.3

The Purpose of the Bible

What is Scripture profitable for?

Only for historical information For teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness Only for use in church services For theological debates

What does God's Word do in our lives?

It complicates our path It is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path It only condemns us It is optional for faith

The Authority of the Bible

How did Jesus treat the Scriptures?

As optional suggestions As human traditions With final authority: 'It is written' As inferior to oral tradition

What did Jesus say about the permanence of the Scriptures?

That they need to be updated That they will pass away with time That heaven and earth will pass away, but His words will not pass away That they are valid only for the time when they were written

How should we test doctrines and teachings?

By church tradition By the opinion of the majority By the Law and the Testimony — the Scriptures By personal feelings

The Reliability of the Bible

What does the fulfillment of biblical prophecies demonstrate?

Historical coincidences That God knows the end from the beginning — the Bible is reliable Luck of the biblical writers Flexible interpretations

Can the Bible be understood by ordinary people?

No, only experts can understand it Yes, the entrance of Your words gives light and understanding to the simple Only with the help of intermediaries It is impossible to understand it

“The Bible was designed to be a guide to all who wish to become acquainted with the will of their Maker.” — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, GC 521.3

How to Study the Bible

What attitude should we have when studying the Bible?

Critical and skeptical Indifferent and superficial With gentleness, receiving the word implanted Seeking to confirm our own ideas

And Now?

The Bible is our safe guide:

It is inspired by God: The Holy Spirit guided the writers
It is authoritative: Jesus treated it as the final Word
It is reliable: Fulfilled prophecies prove its divine origin
It is understandable: God wants everyone to understand it

My Decision

I accept the Bible as the inspired Word of God and the final authority for my faith and practice. I commit myself to studying it daily, asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to understand it and apply it in my life.

Yes, I believe and accept this truth.

2) The Bible