The MacArthur Bible Handbook
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About this ebook
The MacArthur Bible Handbook is the ultimate book-by-book survey of the Bible, including charts, graphs, and illustrations from today's leading expository teacher.
A unique reference tool that is committed to quality and biblical teaching—will help you easily understand each book of the Bible, its historical context, and its place in Scripture.
Bible Book Basics at a Glance!
- The meaning of each Bible book's name
- Who wrote it
- The date and setting
- The theme and purpose
- Its key words, verses, and chapters
- How Christ is presented (even in the Old Testament)
- Its contribution to the Bible as a whole
- A broad summary of the events and highlights it records
- A detailed outline of the book
MacArthur has put in over 60,000 hours of sermon preparation time in his 35 year ministry!
John F. MacArthur
Widely known for his thorough, candid approach to teaching God's Word, John MacArthur is a popular author and conference speaker. He has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, since 1969. John and his wife, Patricia, have four married children and fifteen grandchildren. John's pulpit ministry has been extended around the globe through his media ministry, Grace to You, and its satellite offices in seven countries. In addition to producing daily radio programs for nearly two thousand English and Spanish radio outlets worldwide, Grace to You distributes books, software, and digital recordings by John MacArthur. John is chancellor of The Master's University and Seminary and has written hundreds of books and study guides, each one biblical and practical. Bestselling titles include The Gospel According to Jesus, Twelve Ordinary Men, Twelve Extraordinary Women, Slave, and The MacArthur Study Bible, a 1998 ECPA Gold Medallion recipient.
Read more from John F. Mac Arthur
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The MacArthur Bible Handbook - John F. MacArthur
The MacArthur Bible Handbook
John MacArthur
Thomas Nelson Publishers
Nashville
Copyright © 2003 by Thomas Nelson Publishers
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotation in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., P. O. Box 141000, Nashville, Tennessee, 37214.
Published in association with the literary agency of Wolgemuth & Associates, Inc.
All Scripture used is taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Material for all introductory text, notes, commentary, maps, and charts are taken from the following sources: How to Get the Most Out of God’s Word by John MacArthur, Jr., © 1997 by Word Publishing, The MacArthur Quick Reference Guide to the Bible by John MacArthur, © 2001 by John MacArthur (published by W Publishing Group), The MacArthur Student Bible (John MacArthur, general editor) © 2000 by Word Publishing, The MacArthur Study Bible (John MacArthur, general editor) © 1997 by Word Publishing. W Publishing Group (Word Publishing) is a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. All material used by permission.
Produced with the assistance of The Livingstone Corporation (). Project staff includes Christopher Hudson, Pete Gregory, Mary Horner Collins, Kirk Luttrell, Ashley Taylor, Rosalie Krusemark, and Greg Longbons.
ISBN 0–7852-4968–0
Contents
Index of Tables, Charts and Maps
How to Use the MacArthur Bible Handbook
Introduction to the Bible
How We Got the Bible
How to Study the Bible
Guides to the Biblical Books:
Introduction to the Pentateuch
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 and 2 Samuel
1 and 2 Kings
1 and 2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Introduction to the Intertestamental Period
Introduction to the Gospels
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
Appendices:
Overview of Theology
The Character of Genuine Saving Faith
Read Through the Bible in a Year
Monies, Weights, and Measures
Index of Tables, Charts and Maps
Hebrew Old Testament
Chronology of Israel in the Pentateuch
Chronology of Old Testament Patriarchs and Judges
Garden of Eden
Adam to Israel’s Twelve Tribes
How Old Were the Patriarchs?
Nations of Genesis 10
Egyptian Pharaohs
The Life of Moses
The Plan of the Tabernacle
The Furniture of the Tabernacle
The Exodus from Egypt
The Levitical Offerings
Jewish Feasts and Christ Fulfills Israel’s Feasts
Placement of Tribes in the Israelite Encampment
The Conquest of Canaan
Joshua’s Preparation for Ministry
Israel’s Judges
The Judges of Israel
The Period of the Judges
The Story of Ruth
The Family Tree of Ruth
Kinsman-Redeemer
Harmony of the Books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles
Chronology of Old Testament Kings and Prophets
The Kingdom of David
The Life of David
The Life and Ministry of Samuel
The Philistine Threat
Plot Development of 2 Samuel
The Spread of Solomon’s Fame
The Divided Kingdom
The Babylonian Empire
The Kings of Israel and Judah
Solomon’s Temple
The Chronicles’ Sources
The Temples of the Bible
Post-Exilic Returns to Jerusalem
Time Line of Nehemiah
Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s Day
Seven Attempts to Stop Nehemiah’s Work
Jewish Feasts
The Historical Chronology of Esther
Biographical Sketch of Job
A Comparison of Satan’s Theology with That of Job’s Friends
God’s Challenge to Job
Historical Background to Psalms by David
Types of Psalms
Messianic Prophecies in the Psalms
Notable Teachers in Scripture
The Vanities
of Ecclesiastes 1:2; 12:8
Locations in the Song of Solomon
Local Color in the Song of Solomon
Couples in Love
God’s Judgment on the Nations
Isaiah’s Description of Israel’s Future Kingdom
Fulfilled Prophecies from Isaiah
Major Trials of Jeremiah
Babylon Dominates
Illustrations of God’s Judgment
Second Kings, Jeremiah, and Lamentations Compared
Ezekiel’s Temple
Ezekiel’s Sign Experiences
The Holy District
The Ultimate Restoration of Israel
God’s Judgment on Edom
Ten Miracles in Jonah
The Temples of the Bible
Outline and Chronology of Haggai
Zechariah’s Visions
The Coming of Christ
Chronology of the Old Testament
Introduction to the Intertestamental Period
Expansion Under the Maccabees
Roman Control of Palestine
Chronology of Intertestamental Period
Chronology of the New Testament
Introduction to the Gospels
The Roman Empire in the New Testament Era
Harmony of the Gospels
A Brief Overview of Christ’s Life
A Brief Overview of Christ’s Ministry
The Ministry of Jesus Christ
Christ’s Passion Week
The Parables of Jesus
Christ’s Trails, Crucifixion, and Resurrection
The Baptism of Jesus
The Life of Jesus
The Miracles of Jesus
The Plan of Herod’s Temple
New Testament Women
Palestine
The Seven Signs
The I AM
Statements
Titles of Jesus
The Career of the Apostle Paul
Paul’s First and Second Journeys
Paul’s Third and Fourth Journeys
Major Sermons in Acts
Ministry of the Apostles
Ministries of the Holy Spirit
The Nations of Pentecost
The City of Rome
Kingdom-Style Mentoring
Appearances of the Risen Christ
The Agora of Corinth
The Cities of Galatia
Law and Grace
The City of Ephesus
The Glories of Christ
The Preeminence of Christ
Titles of Christ
Communities with Christian Churches
A Comparison of Emphases in 1 and 2 Thessalonians
A Comparison of Paul’s Two Roman Imprisonments
Timothy’s Ministry
How Love Works in Philemon
Christ’s Superiority
James and the Sermon on the Mount
Faith Alive
Suffering in Divine Perspective
Living Among Pagans
The Life of Peter
The Life of John
Profile of an Apostate
The Seven Churches
The Seven Churches of Revelation
How to Use the MacArthur Bible Handbook
The Bible is an extraordinarily intricate and complex book. Study and appreciation of Scripture can be a daunting task. The MacArthur Bible Handbook has been designed to facilitate informed study and advanced understanding of Scripture through an accessible format. It does not replace your Bible; it simply offers you a source of answers for the kinds of questions that might discourage your personal study. By checking the Handbook, you should be able to get back quickly to the Bible.
If you already own a study Bible, you will note many similarities between the MacArthur Bible Handbook and your Bible notes. There are, however, some features you will probably not find in your study Bible. In any case, having these materials at your side as you study the Scriptures will help you to stay focused on God’s Word itself.
QUICK TUTORIAL
1. Take a look at the Contents. As you read the entries, note which ones seem unfamiliar to you. Turn to those features and make sure you keep a mental record of what you find. Entries like harmonies and chronologies will be of great value to you when you are studying certain parts of Scripture.
2. Open to one of the Bible book entries. Note the features that you will find in each of those introductions:
Title and Its Meaning
Author and Date of the Book
Background and Setting—historical notes about the book
Key People in the Book
Historical and Theological Themes—broad biblical themes throughout the book
Key Doctrines in the Book—central teachings in the book
God’s Character in the Book—key aspects of God’s character illustrated
Christ in the Book—how Christ can be found in that book
Key Words in the Book—significant words used
Interpretive Challenges—difficult themes or concepts in the book
Outline—formal structure of the book
Meanwhile, in other parts of the world …—global historical context of the book
Answers to Tough Questions about the book
Further Study—basic questions for reflection as you read
Using the MacArthur Bible Handbook may seem a little awkward at first, but with practice, you will find it to be a rich resource of information as you study God’s Word.
Introduction to the Bible
The Bible is a collection of 66 documents inspired by God. These documents are gathered into two testaments, the Old (39) and the New (27). Prophets, priests, kings, and leaders from the nation of Israel wrote the OT books in Hebrew (with two passages in Aramaic). The apostles and their associates wrote the NT books in Greek.
The OT record starts with the creation of the universe and closes about 400 years before the first coming of Jesus Christ.
The flow of history through the OT moves along the following lines:
Creation of the universe
Fall of man
Judgment flood over the earth
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel)—fathers of the chosen nation
The history of Israel
Exile in Egypt—430 years
Exodus and wilderness wanderings—40 years
Conquest of Canaan—7 years
Era of Judges—350 years
United Kingdom—Saul, David, Solomon—110 years
Divided Kingdom—Judah/Israel—350 years
Exile in Babylon—70 years
Return and rebuilding the land—140 years
The details of this history are explained in the 39 books divided into 5 categories:
The Law—5 (Genesis—Deuteronomy)
History—12 (Joshua—Esther)
Wisdom—5 (Job—Song Of Solomon)
Major Prophets—5 (Isaiah—Daniel)
Minor Prophets—12 (Hosea—Malachi)
After the completion of the OT, there were 400 years of silence, during which God did not speak or inspire any Scripture. That silence was broken by the arrival of John the Baptist announcing that the promised Lord Savior had come. The NT records the rest of the story from the birth of Christ to the culmination of all history and the final eternal state; so the two testaments go from creation to consummation, eternity past to eternity future.
While the 39 OT books major on the history of Israel and the promise of the coming Savior, the 27 NT books major on the person of Christ and the establishment of the church. The four gospels give the record of His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Each of the four writers views the greatest and most important event of history, the coming of the God-man, Jesus Christ, from a different perspective. Matthew looks at Him through the perspective of His kingdom; Mark through the perspective of His servanthood; Luke through the perspective of His humanness; and John through the perspective of His deity.
The Book of Acts tells the story of the impact of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Lord Savior—from His ascension, the consequent coming of the Holy Spirit, and the birth of the church, through the early years of gospel preaching by the apostles and their associates. Acts records the establishment of the church in Judea, Samaria, and into the Roman Empire.
The 21 epistles were written to churches and individuals to explain the significance of the person and work of Jesus Christ, with its implications for life and witness until He returns.
The NT closes with Revelation, which starts by picturing the current church age, and culminates with Christ’s return to establish His earthly kingdom, bringing judgment on the ungodly and glory and blessing for believers. Following the millennial reign of the Lord Savior will be the last judgment, leading to the eternal state. All believers of all history enter the ultimate eternal glory prepared for them, and all the ungodly are consigned to hell to be punished forever.
To understand the Bible, it is essential to grasp the sweep of that history from creation to consummation. It is also crucial to keep in focus the unifying theme of Scripture. The one constant theme unfolding throughout the whole Bible is this: God for His own glory has chosen to create and gather to Himself a group of people to be the subjects of His eternal kingdom, to praise, honor, and serve Him forever and through whom He will display His wisdom, power, mercy, grace, and glory. To gather His chosen ones, God must redeem them from sin. The Bible reveals God’s plan for this redemption from its inception in eternity past to its completion in eternity future. Covenants, promises, and epochs are all secondary to the one continuous plan of redemption.
There is one God. The Bible has one Creator. It is one book. It has one plan of grace, recorded from initiation, through execution, to consummation. From predestination to glorification, the Bible is the story of God redeeming His chosen people for the praise of His glory.
As God’s redemptive purposes and plan unfold in Scripture, five recurring motifs are constantly emphasized:
the character of God
the judgment for sin and disobedience
the blessing for faith and obedience
the Lord Savior and sacrifice for sin
the coming kingdom and glory
Everything revealed on the pages of both the OT and NT is associated with those five categories. Scripture is always teaching or illustrating: (1) the character and attributes of God; (2) the tragedy of sin and disobedience to God’s holy standard; (3) the blessedness of faith and obedience to God’s standard; (4) the need for a Savior by whose righteousness and substitution sinners can be forgiven, declared just, and transformed to obey God’s standard; and (5) the coming glorious end of redemptive history in the Lord Savior’s earthly kingdom and the subsequent eternal reign and glory of God and Christ. It is essential as one studies Scripture to grasp these recurring categories like great hooks on which to hang the passages. While reading through the Bible, one should be able to relate each portion of Scripture to these dominant topics, recognizing that what is introduced in the OT is also made more clear in the NT.
Looking at these five categories separately gives an overview of the Bible.
1. THE REVELATION OF THE CHARACTER OF GOD
Above all else, Scripture is God’s self-revelation. He reveals Himself as the sovereign God of the universe who has chosen to make man and to make Himself known to man. In that self-revelation is established His standard of absolute holiness. From Adam and Eve through Cain and Abel and to everyone before and after the law of Moses, the standard of righteousness was established and is sustained to the last page of the NT. Violation of it produces judgment, temporal and eternal.
In the OT, it is recorded that God revealed Himself by the following means:
creation—primarily through man—who was made in His image
angels
signs, wonders, and miracles
visions
spoken words by prophets and others
written Scripture (OT)
In the NT, it is recorded that God revealed Himself again by the same means, but more clearly and fully:
creation—the God-man, Jesus Christ, who was the very image of God
angels
signs, wonders, and miracles
visions
spoken words by apostles and prophets
written Scripture (NT)
2. THE REVELATION OF DIVINE JUDGMENT FOR SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE
Scripture repeatedly deals with the matter of man’s sin, which leads to divine judgment. Account after account in Scripture demonstrates the deadly effects in time and eternity of violating God’s standard. There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible. Only four of them don’t involve a fallen world: the first two and the last two—before the Fall and after the creation of the new heaven and new earth. The rest is the chronicle of the tragedy of sin.
In the OT, God showed the disaster of sin—starting with Adam and Eve, to Cain and Abel, the patriarchs, Moses and Israel, the kings, priests, some prophets, and Gentile nations. Throughout the OT is the relentless record of continual devastation produced by sin and disobedience to God’s law.
In the NT, the tragedy of sin becomes clearer. The preaching and teaching of Jesus and the apostles begin and end with a call to repentance. King Herod, the Jewish leaders, and the nation of Israel—along with Pilate, Rome, and the rest of the world—all reject the Lord Savior, spurn the truth of God, and thus condemn themselves. The chronicle of sin continues unabated to the end of the age and the return of Christ in judgment. In the NT, disobedience is even more flagrant than OT disobedience because it involves the rejection of the Lord Savior Jesus Christ in the brighter light of NT truth.
3. THE REVELATION OF DIVINE BLESSING FOR FAITH AND OBEDIENCE
Scripture repeatedly promises wonderful rewards in time and eternity that come to people who trust God and seek to obey Him. In the OT, God showed the blessedness of repentance from sin, faith in Himself, and obedience to His Word—from Abel, through the patriarchs, to the remnant in Israel—and even Gentiles who believed (such as the people of Nineveh).
God’s standard for man, His will, and His moral law were always made known. To those who faced their inability to keep God’s standard, recognized their sin, confessed their impotence to please God by their own effort and works, and asked Him for forgiveness and grace—there came merciful redemption and blessing for time and eternity.
In the NT, God again showed the full blessedness of redemption from sin for repentant people. There were those who responded to the preaching of repentance by John the Baptist. Others repented at the preaching of Jesus. Still others from Israel obeyed the gospel through the apostles’ preaching. And finally, there were Gentiles all over the Roman Empire who believed the gospel. To all those and to all who will believe through all of history, there is blessing promised in this world and the world to come.
4. THE REVELATION OF THE LORD SAVIOR AND SACRIFICE FOR SIN
This is the heart of both the OT, which Jesus said spoke of Him in type and prophecy, and the NT, which gives the biblical record of His coming. The promise of blessing is dependent on grace and mercy given to the sinner. Grace means that sin is not held against the sinner. Such forgiveness is dependent on a payment of sin’s penalty to satisfy holy justice. That requires a substitute—one to die in the sinner’s place. God’s chosen substitute—the only one who qualified—was Jesus. Salvation is always by the same gracious means, whether during OT or NT times. When any sinner comes to God, repentant and convinced he has no power to save himself from the deserved judgment of divine wrath, and pleads for mercy, God’s promise of forgiveness is granted. God then declares him righteous because the sacrifice and obedience of Christ is put to his account. In the OT, God justified sinners that same way, in anticipation of Christ’s atoning work. There is, therefore, a continuity of grace and salvation through all of redemptive history. Various covenants, promises, and epochs do not alter that fundamental continuity, nor does the discontinuity between the OT witness nation, Israel, and the NT witness people, the church. A fundamental continuity is centered in the cross, which was no interruption in the plan of God, but the very thing to which all else points.
Throughout the OT, the Savior and sacrifice are promised. In Genesis, He is the seed of the woman who will destroy Satan. In Zechariah, He is the pierced one to whom Israel turns and by whom God opens the fountain of forgiveness to all who mourn over their sin. He is the very One symbolized in the sacrificial system of the Mosaic law. He is the suffering substitute spoken of by the prophets. Throughout the OT, He is the Messiah who would die for the transgressions of His people; from beginning to end in the OT, the theme of the Lord Savior as a sacrifice for sin is presented. It is solely because of His perfect sacrifice for sin that God graciously forgives repentant believers.
In the NT, the Lord Savior came and actually provided the promised sacrifice for sin on the cross. Having fulfilled all righteousness by His perfect life, He fulfilled justice by His death. Thus God Himself atoned for sin, at a cost too great for the human mind to fathom. Now He graciously supplies on their behalf all the merit necessary for His people to be the objects of His favor. That is what Scripture means when it speaks of salvation by grace.
5. THE REVELATION OF THE KINGDOM AND GLORY OF THE LORD SAVIOR
This crucial component of Scripture brings the whole story to its God-ordained consummation. Redemptive history is controlled by God, so as to culminate in His eternal glory. Redemptive history will end with the same precision and exactness with which it began. The truths of eschatology are neither vague nor unclear—nor are they unimportant. As in any book, how the story ends is the most crucial and compelling part—so with the Bible. Scripture notes several very specific features of the end planned by God.
In the OT, there is repeated mention of an earthly kingdom ruled by the Messiah, Lord Savior, who will come to reign. Associated with that kingdom will be the salvation of Israel, the salvation of Gentiles, the renewal of the earth from the effects of the curse, and the bodily resurrection of God’s people who have died. Finally, the OT predicts that there will be the uncreation
or dissolution of the universe, and the creation of a new heaven and new earth—which will be the eternal state of the godly—and a final hell for the ungodly.
In the NT, these features are clarified and expanded. The King was rejected and executed, but He promised to come back in glory, bringing judgment, resurrection, and His kingdom for all who believe. Innumerable Gentiles from every nation will be included among the redeemed. Israel will be saved and grafted back into the root of blessing from which she has been temporarily excised.
Israel’s promised kingdom will be enjoyed, with the Lord Savior reigning on the throne, in the renewed earth, exercising power over the whole world, having taken back His rightful authority, and receiving due honor and worship. Following that kingdom will come the dissolution of the renewed, but still sin-stained creation and the subsequent creation of a new heaven and new earth—which will be the eternal state, separate forever from the ungodly in hell.
Those are the five topics that fill up the Bible. To understand them at the start is to know the answer to the question that continually arises—Why does the Bible tell us this? Everything fits into this glorious pattern. As you read, hang the truth on these five hooks and the Bible will unfold, not as 66 separate documents, or even two separate testaments—but one book, by one divine Author, who wrote it all with one overarching theme.
My prayer is that the magnificent and overwhelming theme of the redemption of sinners for the glory of God will carry every reader with captivating interest from beginning to end of the story. Christian—this is your story. It is from God for you—about you. It tells what He planned for you, why He made you, what you were, what you have become in Christ, and what He has prepared for you in eternal glory.
John MacArthur
How We Got the Bible
Ever since Eve encountered Satan’s barrage of doubt and denial (Gen. 3:1–7), mankind has continued to question God’s Word. Unfortunately, Eve had little or no help in sorting through her intellectual obstacles to full faith in God’s self-disclosure (Gen. 2:16, 17).
Now the Scripture certainly has more than enough content to be interrogated, considering that it’s comprised of 66 books, 1,189 chapters, 31,173 verses, and 774,746 words. When you open your English translation to read or study, you might have asked in the past or are currently asking, How can I be sure this is the pure and true Word of God?
A question of this kind is not altogether bad, especially when one seeks to learn with a teachable mind (Acts 17:11). The Scripture invites the kinds of queries that a sincere student asks. A whole host of questions can flood the mind, such as:
Where did the Bible come from?
Whose thinking does it reflect?
Did any books of the Bible get lost in time past?
What does the Scripture claim for itself?
Does it live up to its claims?
Who wrote the Bible—God or man?
Has Scripture been protected from human tampering over the centuries?
How close to the original manuscripts are today’s translations?
How did the Bible get to our time and in our language?
Is there more Scripture to come, beyond the current 66 books?
Who determined, and on what basis, that the Bible would be composed of the traditional list of 66 books?
If the Scriptures were written over a period of 1,500 years (ca. 1405 B.C. to A.D. 95), passed down since then for almost 2,000 years, and translated into several thousand languages, what prevented the Bible from being changed by the carelessness or ill motives of men?
Does today’s Bible really deserve the title The Word of God
?
Undoubtedly, these questions have bombarded the minds of many. A study of the Scriptures alone settles all questions to the extent that there is no need to be bothered by them again. Scripture gives this assurance.
SCRIPTURES’ SELF CLAIMS
Take the Bible and let it speak for itself. Does it claim to be God’s Word? Yes! Over 2,000 times in the OT alone, the Bible asserts that God spoke what is written within its pages. From the beginning (Gen. 1:3) to the end (Mal. 4:3) and continually throughout, this is what Scripture claims.
The phrase the Word of God
occurs over 40 times in the NT. It is equated with the OT (Mark 7:13). It is what Jesus preached (Luke 5:1). It was the message the apostles taught (Acts 4:31; 6:2). It was the Word the Samaritans received (Acts 8:14) as given by the apostles (Acts 8:25). It was the message the Gentiles received as preached by Peter (Acts 11:1). It was the word Paul preached on his first missionary journey (Acts 13:5, 7, 44, 48, 49; 15:35, 36). It was the message preached on Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 16:32; 17:13; 18:11). It was the message Paul preached on his third missionary journey (Acts 19:10). It was the focus of Luke in the book of Acts in that it spread rapidly and widely (Acts 6:7; 12:24; 19:20). Paul was careful to tell the Corinthians that he spoke the Word as it was given from God, that it had not been adulterated, and that it was a manifestation of truth (2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2). Paul acknowledged that it was the source of his preaching (Col. 1:25; 1 Thess. 2:13).
Psalms 19 and 119, plus Proverbs 30:5–6, make powerful statements about God’s Word that set it apart from any other religious instruction ever known in the history of mankind. These passages make the case for the Bible being called sacred
(2 Tim. 3:15) and holy
(Rom. 1:2).
The Bible claims ultimate spiritual authority in doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness because it represents the inspired Word of Almighty God (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). Scripture asserts its spiritual sufficiency, so much so that it claims exclusivity for its teaching (cf. Is. 55:11; 2 Pet. 1:3, 4).
God’s Word declares that it is inerrant (Pss. 12:6; 119:140; Prov. 30:5a; John 10:35) and infallible (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). In other words, it is true and therefore trustworthy. All of these qualities are dependent on the fact that the Scriptures are God-given (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21), which guarantees its quality at the Source and at its original writing.
In Scripture, the person of God and the Word of God are everywhere interrelated, so much so that whatever is true about the character of God is true about the nature of God’s Word. God is true, impeccable, and reliable; therefore, so is His Word. What a person thinks about God’s Word, in reality, reflects what a person thinks about God.
Thus, the Scripture can make these demands on its readers.
So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.
Deut. 8:3
I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
Job 23:12
THE PUBLISHING PROCESS
The Bible does not expect its reader to speculate on how these divine qualities were transferred from God to His Word, but rather anticipates the questions with convincing answers. Every generation of skeptics has assailed the self-claims of the Bible, but its own explanations and answers have been more than equal to the challenge. The Bible has gone through God’s publishing process in being given to and distributed among the human race. Its several features are discussed below.
REVELATION
God took the initiative to disclose or reveal Himself to mankind (Heb. 1:1). The vehicles varied; sometimes it was through the created order, at other times through visions/dreams or speaking prophets. However, the most complete and understandable self-disclosures were through the propositions of Scripture (1 Cor. 2:6–16). The revealed and written Word of God is unique in that it is the only revelation of God that is complete and that so clearly declares man’s sinfulness and God’s provision of the Savior.
INSPIRATION
The revelation of God was captured in the writings of Scripture by means of inspiration.
This has more to do with the process by which God revealed Himself than the fact of His self-revelation. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. . .
(2 Tim. 3:16) makes the claim. Peter explains the process, . . . knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit
(2 Pet. 1:20, 21). By this means, the Word of God was protected from human error in its original record by the ministry of the Holy Spirit (cf. Deut. 18:18; Matt. 1:22). A section of Zech. 7:12 describes it most clearly, . . . the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets.
This ministry of the Spirit extended to both the part (the words) and to the whole in the original writings.
CANONICITY
We must understand that the Bible is actually one book with one Divine Author, though it was written over a period of 1,500 years through the pens of almost forty human writers. The Bible began with the creation account of Genesis 1, 2, written by Moses about 1405 B.C., and extends to the eternity future account of Revelation 21, 22, written by the apostle John about A.D. 95. During this time, God progressively revealed Himself and His purposes in the inspired Scriptures. But this raises a significant question: How do we know what supposed sacred writings were to be included in the canon of Scripture and which ones were to be excluded?
Over the centuries, three widely recognized principles were used to validate those writings which came as a result of divine revelation and inspiration. First, the writing had to have a recognized prophet or apostle as its author (or one associated with them, as in the case of Mark, Luke, Hebrews, James, and Jude). Second, the writing could not disagree with or contradict previous Scripture. Third, the writing had to have general consensus by the church as an inspired book. Thus, when various councils met in church history to consider the canon, they did not vote for the canonicity of a book but rather recognized, after the fact, what God had already written.
With regard to the Old Testament, by the time of Christ all of the OT had been written and accepted in the Jewish community. The last book, Malachi, had been completed about 430 B.C. Not only does the OT canon of Christ’s day conform to the OT that has since been used throughout the centuries, but is does not contain the uninspired and spurious Apocrypha, that group of fourteen rogue writings written after Malachi and attached to the OT about 200–150 B.C. in the Greek translation of the Hebrew OT called the Septuagint (LXX), appearing to this very day in some versions of the Bible. However, not one passage from the Apocrypha is cited by any NT writer, nor did Jesus affirm any of it as He recognized the OT canon of His era (cf. Luke 24:27, 44).
By Christ’s time, the OT canon had been divided up into two lists of 22 or 24 books respectively, each of which contained all the same material as the 39 books of our modern versions. In the 22-book canon, Jeremiah and Lamentations were considered as one, as were Judges and Ruth. Here is how the 24-book format was divided.
The Hebrew Old Testament
Law • Prophets • Writings
1. Genesis • A. Former Prophets • A. Poetical Books
2. Exodus • 6. Joshua • 14. Psalms
3. Leviticus • 7. Judges • 15. Proverbs
4. Numbers • 8. Samuel (1 & 2) • 16. Job
5. Deuteronomy • 9. Kings (1 & 2) • _____
_____ • B. Latter Prophets • B. Five Rolls (Megilloth)
_____ • 10. Isaiah • 17. Song of Solomon
_____ • 11. Jeremiah • 18. Ruth
_____ • 12. Ezekiel • 19. Lamentations
_____ • 13. The Twelve (minor prophets) • 20. Ecclesiastes
_____ • _____ • 21. Esther
_____ • _____ • C. Historical Books
_____ • _____ • 22. Daniel
_____ • _____ • 23. Ezra-Nehemiah
_____ • _____ • 24. Chronicles (1 & 2)
The same three key tests of canonicity that applied to the OT also applied to the NT. In the case of Mark and Luke/Acts, the authors were considered to be, in effect, the penmen for Peter and Paul respectively. James and Jude were written by Christ’s half-brothers. While Hebrews is the only NT book whose authorship is unknown for certain, its content is so in line with both the OT and NT, that the early church concluded it must have been written by an apostolic associate. The 27 books of the NT have been universally accepted since ca. A.D. 350–400 as inspired by God.
PRESERVATION
How can one be sure that the revealed and inspired, written Word of God, which was recognized as canonical by the early church, has been handed down to this day without any loss of material? Furthermore, since one of the Devil’s prime concerns is to undermine the Bible, have the Scriptures survived this destructive onslaught? In the beginning, he denied God’s Word to Eve (Gen. 3:4). Satan later attempted to distort the Scripture in his wilderness encounter with Christ (Matt. 4:6, 7). Through King Jehoiakim, he even attempted to literally destroy the Word (Jer. 36:23). The battle for the Bible rages, but Scripture has and will continue to outlast its enemies.
God anticipated man’s and Satan’s malice towards the Scripture with divine promises to preserve His Word. The very continued existence of Scripture is guaranteed in Isaiah 40:8, The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever
(cf. 1 Pet. 1:25). This even means that no inspired Scripture has been lost in the past and still awaits rediscovery.
The actual content of Scripture will be perpetuated, both in heaven (Ps. 119:89) and on earth (Is. 59:21). Thus the purposes of God, as published in the sacred writings, will never be thwarted, even in the least detail (cf. Matt. 5:18; 24:25; Mark 13:3; Luke 16:17).
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Is. 55:11
TRANSMISSION
Since the Bible has frequently been translated into multiple languages and distributed throughout the world, how can we be sure that error has not crept in, even if it was unintentional? As Christianity spread, it is certainly true that people desired to have the Bible in their own language, which required translations from the original Hebrew and Aramaic languages of the OT and the Greek of the NT. Not only did the work of translators provide an opportunity for error, but publication, which was done by hand copying until the printing press arrived ca. A.D. 1450, also afforded continual possibilities of error.
Through the centuries, the practitioners of textual criticism, a precise science, have discovered, preserved, catalogued, evaluated, and published an amazing array of biblical manuscripts from both the Old and New Testaments. In fact, the number of existing biblical manuscripts dramatically outdistances the existing fragments of any other ancient literature. By comparing text with text, the textual critic can confidently determine what the original prophetic/apostolic, inspired writing contained.
Although existing copies of the main, ancient Hebrew text (Masoretic) date back only to the tenth century A.D., two other important lines of textual evidence bolster the confidence of textual critics that they have reclaimed the originals. First, the tenth century A.D. Hebrew OT can be compared to the Greek translation called the Septuagint or LXX (written ca. 200–150 B.C.; the oldest existing manuscripts dates to ca. A.D. 325). There is amazing consistency between the two, which speaks of the accuracy in copying the Hebrew text for centuries. Second, the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947–1956 (manuscripts that are dated ca. 200–100 B.C.) proved to be monumentally important. After comparing the earlier Hebrew texts with the later ones, only a few slight variants were discovered, none of which changed the meaning of any passage. Although the OT had been translated and copied for centuries, the latest version was essentially the same as the earlier ones.
The NT findings are even more decisive because a much larger amount of material is available for study; there are over 5,000 Greek NT manuscripts that range from the whole testament to scraps of papyri which contain as little as part of one verse. A few existing fragments date back to within 25–50 years of the original writing. NT textual scholars have generally concluded that (1) 99.99 percent of the original writings have been reclaimed, and (2) of the remaining one hundredth of one percent, there are no variants substantially affecting any Christian doctrine.
With this wealth of biblical manuscripts in the original languages and with the disciplined activity of textual critics to establish with almost perfect accuracy the content of the autographs, any errors which have been introduced and/or perpetuated by the thousands of translations over the centuries can be identified and corrected by comparing the translation or copy with the reassembled original. By this providential means, God has made good His promise to preserve the Scriptures. We can rest assured that there are translations available today which indeed are worthy of the title, The Word of God.
The history of a full, English translation Bible essentially began with John Wycliffe (ca. A.D. 1330–1384), who made the first English translation of the whole Bible. Later, William Tyndale was associated with the first complete, printed NT in English, ca. A.D. 1526. Myles Coverdale followed in A.D. 1535, by delivering the first complete Bible printed in English. By A.D. 1611, the King James Version (KJV) had been completed. Since then, hundreds of translations have been made—some better, some worse. Today, the better English translations of the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures include: (1) New King James Version (NKJV); (2) English Standard Version (ESV); (3) New International Version (NIV); and (4) New American Standard Bible (NASB).
SUMMING IT UP
God intended His Word to abide forever (preservation). Therefore His written, propositional, self- disclosure (revelation) was protected from error in its original writing (inspiration) and collected in 66 books of the Old and New Testaments (canonicity).
Through the centuries, tens of thousands of copies and thousands of translations have been made (transmission) which did introduce some error. Because there is an abundance of existing ancient OT and NT manuscripts, however, the exacting science of textual criticism has been able to reclaim the content of the original writings (revelation and inspiration) to the extreme degree of 99.99 percent, with the remaining one hundredth of one percent having no effect on its content (preservation).
The sacred book which we read, study, obey, and preach deserves to unreservedly be called The Bible or The Book without peer,
since its author is God and it bears the qualities of total truth and complete trustworthiness as also characterizes its divine source.
IS THERE MORE TO COME?
How do we know that God will not amend our current Bible with a 67th inspired book? Or, in other words, Is the canon forever closed?
Scripture texts warn that no one should delete from or add to Scripture (Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Prov. 30:6). Realizing that additional canonical books actually came after these words of warning, we can only conclude that while no deletions whatsoever were permitted, in fact, authorized, inspired writings were permitted to be added in order to complete the canon protected by those passages.
The most compelling text on the closed canon is the Scripture to which nothing has been added for 1,900 years.
For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Rev. 22:18, 19
Several significant observations, when taken together, have convinced the church over the centuries that the canon of Scripture is actually closed, never to be reopened.
The book of Revelation is unique to the Scripture in that it describes with unparalleled detail the end-time events that precede eternity future. As Genesis began Scripture by bridging the gap from eternity past into our time/space existence with the only detailed creation account (Gen. 1, 2), so there was a parallel silence after John delivered Revelation. This also leads to the conclusion that the NT canon was then closed.
Just as there was prophetic silence after Malachi completed the OT canon, so there was a parallel silence after John delivered Revelation. This leads to the conclusion that the NT canon was then closed also.
Since there have not been, nor now are, any authorized prophets or apostles in either the OT and NT sense, there are not any potential authors of future inspired, canonical writings. God’s Word, once for all delivered to the saints,
is never to be added to, but to be earnestly contended for (Jude 3).
Of the four exhortations not to tamper with Scripture, only the one in Revelation 22:18, 19 contains warnings of severe Divine judgement for disobedience. Further, Revelation is the only book of the NT to end with this kind of admonition and was written over twenty years after any other NT book. Therefore, these facts strongly suggest that Revelation was the last book of the canon and that the Bible is complete; to either add or delete would bring God’s severe displeasure.
Finally, the early church, those closest in time to the apostles, believed that Revelation concluded God’s inspired writings, the Scriptures.
So we can conclude, based on solid Biblical reasoning, that the canon is and will remain closed. There will be no future 67th book of the Bible.
WHERE DO WE STAND?
In April, 1521, Martin Luther appeared before his ecclesiastical accusers at the Diet of Worms. They had given him the ultimatum to repudiate his unwavering faith in the sufficiency and perspicuity of the Scriptures. Luther is said to have responded, Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason—I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other—my conscience is captive to the Word of God.... God help me! Here I stand.
Like Martin Luther, may we rise above the doubts within and confront the threats without when God’s Word is assailed. God help us to be loyal contenders of the faith. Let us stand with God and the Scripture alone.
THE BIBLE
This book contains: the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.
Its doctrine is holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be saved, and practice it to be holy.
It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here heaven is open, and the gates of hell are disclosed.
Christ is the grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.
Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, health to the soul, and a river of pleasure. It is given to you here in this life, will be opened at the judgment, and is established forever.
It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and condemn all who trifle with its contents.
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
1 Thess. 2:13
How to Study the Bible
Here are tips on how to get the most out of the study of this divine handbook.
These pointers will help answer the most crucial question of all, How can a young man cleanse his way?
The psalmist responds, By taking heed according to Your Word
(Ps. 119:9).
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO STUDY THE BIBLE?
Why is God’s Word so important? Because is contains God’s mind and will for your life (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). It is the only source of absolute divine authority for you as a servant of Jesus Christ.
It is infallible in its totality: The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple
(Ps. 19:7).
It is inerrant in its parts: Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar
(Prov. 30:5, 6).
It is complete: For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book
(Rev. 22:18, 19).
It is authoritative and final: Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven
(Ps. 119:89).
It is totally sufficient for your needs: . . . that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work
(2 Tim. 3:16, 17).
It will accomplish what it promises: So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it
(Is. 55:11).
It provides the assurance of your salvation: He who is of God hears God’s words…
(John 8:47; 20:31).
HOW WILL I BENEFIT FROM STUDYING THE BIBLE?
Millions of pages of material are printed every week. Thousands of new books are published each month. This would not be surprising to Solomon who said, Be admonished. . . . Of making many books there is no end
(Eccl. 12:12).
Even with today’s wealth of books and computer helps, the Bible remains the only source of divine revelation and power that can sustain Christians in their daily walk with God.
Note these significant promises in the Scripture.
The Bible is the source of truth: Sanctify them by Your truth; Your word is truth
(John 17:17).
The Bible is the source of God’s blessing when obeyed: But He said, ‘More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it’
(Luke 11:28).
The Bible is the source of victory: . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
(Eph. 6:17).
The Bible is the source of growth: As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby
(1 Pet. 2:2).
The Bible is the source of power: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek
(Rom. 1:16).
The Bible is the source of guidance: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path
(Ps. 119:105).
WHAT SHOULD BE MY RESPONSE TO THE BIBLE?
Because the Bible is so important and because it provides unparalleled eternal benefits, then these should be your responses:
Believe it (John 6:68, 69)
Honor it (Job 23:12)
Love it (Ps. 119:97)
Obey it (1 John 2:5)
Guard it (1 Tim. 6:20)
Fight for it (Jude 3)
Preach it (2 Tim. 4:2)
Study it (Ezra 7:10)
WHO CAN STUDY THE BIBLE?
Not everyone can be a Bible student. Check yourself on these necessary qualifications for studying the Word with blessing:
Are you saved by faith in Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 2:14–16)?
Are you hungering for God’s Word (1 Pet. 2:2)?
Are you searching God’s Word with diligence (Acts 17:11)?
Are you seeking holiness (1 Pet. 1:14–16)?
Are you Spirit-filled (Col. 3:16)?
The most important question is the first. If you have never invited Jesus Christ to be your personal Savior and the Lord of your life, then your mind is blinded by Satan to God’s truth (2 Cor. 4:4).
If Christ is your need, stop reading right now and, in your own words with prayer, turn away from sin and turn toward God: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast
(Eph. 2:8, 9).
WHAT ARE THE BASICS OF BIBLE STUDY?
Personal Bible study, in precept, is simple. I want to share with you five steps to Bible study which will give you a pattern to follow.
STEP 1—Reading. Read a passage of Scripture repeatedly until you understand its theme, meaning the main truth of the passage. Isaiah said, "Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little" (Is. 28:9, 10).
Develop a plan on how you will approach reading through the Bible. Unlike most books, you will probably not read it straight through from cover to cover. There are many good Bible reading plans available, but here is one that I have found helpful.
Read through the OT at least once a year. As you read, note in the margins any truths you particularly want to remember, and write down separately anything you do not immediately understand. Often as you read you will find that many questions are answered by the text itself. The questions to which you cannot find answers become the starting points for more in-depth study using commentaries or other reference tools.
Follow a different plan for reading the NT. Read one book at a time repetitiously for a month or more. This will help you to retain what is in the NT and not always have to depend on a concordance to find things.
If you want to try this, begin with a short book, such as 1 John, and read it through in one sitting every day for 30 days. At the end of that time, you will know what is in the book. Write on index cards the major theme of each chapter. By referring to the cards as you do your daily reading, you will begin to remember the content of each chapter. In fact, you will develop a visual perception of the book in your mind.
Divide longer books into short sections and read each section daily for 30 days. For example, the gospel of John contains 21 chapters. Divide it into three sections of 7 chapters. At the end of 90 days, you will finish John. For variety, alternate short and long books, and in less than three years you will have finished the entire NT—and you will really know it!
STEP 2—Interpreting. In Acts 8:30, Philip asked the Ethiopian eunuch, Do you understand what you are reading?
Or put another way, What does the Bible mean by what it says?
It is not enough to read the text and jump directly to the application; we must first determine what it means, otherwise the application may be incorrect.
As you read Scripture, always keep in mind one simple question: What does this mean?
To answer that question requires the use of the most basic principle of interpretation, called the analogy of faith, which tells the reader to interpret the Bible with the Bible.
Letting the Holy Spirit be your teacher (1 John 2:27), search the Scripture He has authored, using cross references, comparative passages, concordances, indexes, and other helps. For those passages that yet remain unclear, consult your pastor or godly men who have written in that particular area.
STEP 3—Evaluating. You have been reading and asking the question, What does the Bible say?
Then you have interpreted, asking the question, What does the Bible mean?
Now it is time to consult others to insure that you have the proper interpretation. Remember, the Bible will never contradict itself.
Read Bible introductions, commentaries, and background books which will enrich your thinking through that illumination which God has given to other men and to you through their books. In your evaluation, be a true seeker. Be one who accepts the truth of God’s Word even though it may cause you to change what you always have believed, or cause you to alter your life pattern.
STEP 4—Applying. The next question is: How does God’s truth penetrate and change my own life?
Studying Scripture without allowing it to penetrate to the depths of your soul would be like preparing a banquet without eating it. The bottom-line question to ask is, How do the divine truths and principles contained in any passage apply to me in terms of my attitude and actions?
Jesus made this promise to those who would carry their personal Bible study through to this point: If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them
(John 13:17).
Having read and interpreted the Bible, you should have a basic understanding of what the Bible says, and what it means by what it says. But studying the Bible does not stop there. The ultimate goal should be to let it speak to you and enable you to grow spiritually. That requires personal application.
Bible study is not complete until we ask ourselves, What does this mean for my life and how can I practically apply it?
We must take the knowledge we have gained from our reading and interpretation and draw out the practical principles that apply to our personal lives.
If there is a command to be obeyed, we obey it. If there is a promise to be embraced, we claim it. If there is a warning to be followed, we heed it. This is the ultimate step: we submit to Scripture and let it transform our lives. If you skip this step, you will never enjoy your Bible study and the Bible will never change your life.
STEP 5—Correlating. This last stage connects the doctrine you have learned in a particular passage or book with divine truths and principles taught elsewhere in the Bible to form the big picture. Always keep in mind that the Bible is one book in 66 parts, and it contains a number of truths and principles, taught over and over again in a variety of ways and circumstances. By correlating and cross-referencing, you will begin to build a sound doctrinal foundation by which to live.
ERRORS TO AVOID
As you interpret Scripture, several common errors should be avoided.
Do not draw any conclusions at the price of proper interpretation. That is, do not make the Bible say what you want it to say, but rather let it say what God intended when He wrote it.
Avoid superficial interpretation. You have heard people say, To me, this passage means,
or I feel it is saying. . . .
The first step in interpreting the Bible is to recognize the four gaps we