The bible
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📖 The Bible
Bible = Book
Scripture = Writings
The Bible is called Scripture because it contains the words that God spoke and commanded people to write down. It is also called God’s Word.
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Original Languages
Old Testament (OT) → Hebrew
New Testament (NT) → Greek
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Bible Translations
Literal Translation
* ESV
* NASB
Transliteral
* NIV
Paraphrase
* The Message
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Inspiration
Inspiration means God guided and influenced the writers while allowing them to use their own personalities.
The writers wrote exactly what God wanted them to write.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
God-Breathed
* God-breathed means inspired by God.
* God breathed out His Word through human authors.
* Scripture comes from God.
* It is useful for teaching and living as God wants.
2 Peter 1:16–21
* God inspired men through the Holy Spirit.
* The Holy Spirit guided the writers.
* They wrote God’s message, not their own ideas.
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Who Wrote the Bible?
* God used many different people to write the Bible.
* There were several dozen writers.
* Some books have unknown authors.
* Job
* Hebrews
* Even though many people wrote the Bible over hundreds of years, it tells one unified story because God guided the writers.
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Four Ways God Gave His Word
1. Direct Revelation
God told the writers exactly what to write.
2. Eyewitness Accounts
The writers recorded what they personally saw.
3. Investigation
The writers interviewed people and researched events.
Example: Luke 1:1–4
4. Historical Records
The writers used other historical documents and records.
The Holy Spirit guided each method so everything written was true.
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Words and Actions
People communicate in two basic ways:
* Words
* Actions
God reveals Himself through:
* His Words → The Bible
* His Actions → Ultimately through Jesus Christ
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Key Definitions
Bible = Book
Scripture = Writings
Inspiration = God guided the writers while allowing them to use their own personalities.
God-breathed = The Scriptures come from God.
Things to Memorize
* Bible = Book
* Scripture = Writings
* OT = Hebrew
* NT = Greek
* ESV & NASB = Literal
* NIV = Transliteral
* The Message = Paraphrase
* God-breathed = Inspired by God
* The Holy Spirit guided the writers.
* Many writers, but one unified story.