Bible Truths – Comprehensive Study Notes

Section 1 – The Scriptures

Lesson 1 – Belief in the Existence of God

  • Foundational truth: belief in God undergirds all religious knowledge (Heb 11:6; Prov 1:7).
  • Existence of God is revealed, not proven; Bible writers present it as fact.
  • Seven lines of evidence that foster belief:
    • Revelation of God in Scripture.
    • Existence & design of the material universe.
    • Universal conviction of a Supreme Being.
    • Innate human urge to worship.
    • Universal moral consciousness (right vs. wrong).
    • Jesus’ own faith in the Father.
    • Fulfilled biblical prophecy.
  • Conclusive evidence = personal experience; testimonies: Jesus (Jn 7:29), Jeremiah (Jer 10:10), Job (Job 19:25), Paul (2 Tim 1:12), David (Ps 42:2).

Lesson 2 – How God Has Revealed Himself

  • Core premise: God speaks (Heb 1:1).
  • Six avenues of revelation: nature (Ps 19:1-4), history, human lives, prophets (Am 3:7), Scripture, and supremely Jesus Christ (Jn 1:18).
  • Scripture = interpretative lens for all revelation.

Lesson 3 – The Written Word

  • Bible = written record of divine revelation; 6666 books; written over
    \approx 1600\text{ yr} by ~35 authors.
  • Arrangement: OT – Law, Poetry, Prophecy; NT – History, Letters, Prophecy.
  • Languages: OT mainly Hebrew (some Aramaic); NT Koine Greek; first full English translation – Wycliffe (1382); KJV (1611).

Lesson 4 – The Reliability of the Bible

  • Claims: God-breathed (2 Tim 3:16-17), Spirit-prompted (2 Pet 1:21).
  • Christ’s view: Scripture cannot be broken (Jn 10:35).
  • Evidences:
    • Fulfilled prophecy (e.g., Dan 2; Isa 46:9-10).
    • Transformed lives (1 Pet 1:23).
    • Archaeology: confirms historical/geographical details.

Lesson 5 – How to Study the Bible

  • Importance: revelation of God’s will (Jos 1:8); intellectual & moral elevation (SC 90).
  • Primary requisite = spiritual disposition: reverence, humility, prayer, receptivity, obedience (1 Cor 2:14).
  • Study principles: correct reading, grammar, word meaning, context, historical setting, compare passages (Lk 24:27).
  • Benefits: discernment (Heb 5:13-14), wisdom unto salvation (2 Tim 3:15-17), sanctification (Jn 17:17), strength vs. sin (Eph 6:12-17), spiritual growth (1 Pet 2:2).

Section 2 – Creation & the Godhead

Lesson 6 – God the Creator

  • Creation = distinctive divine attribute (Gen 1:1).
  • Christ & Spirit co-creators (Jn 1:1-3; Col 1:16; Gen 1:2).
  • Redemption = re-creation (2 Cor 5:17; Jn 3:3).
  • Sabbath & 3-Angels’ Message uphold Creator-worship (Ex 20:8-11; Rev 14:6-7).

Lesson 7 – Creation of Our Earth

  • Six literal days (Ex 20:11).
  • Creation ex nihilo by divine word (Ps 33:6,9; Heb 11:3).
  • Magnitude & maintenance (Col 1:16-17; Heb 1:3).

Lesson 8 – Creation of Man

  • Purposeful act: dominion & image-bearing (Gen 1:26-28; Isa 45:18).
  • Original condition: holy, rational, harmonious (PP 45).
  • Provision: food, home, work, companionship (Gen 1-2).
  • Scripture vs. evolution: man distinct, created perfect, garden home, son of God.
  • Christ affirmed Genesis (Mt 19:4-8).

Lesson 9 – Memorial of Creation (Sabbath)

  • Instituted at Eden (Gen 2:1-3) – God rested, blessed, sanctified.
  • Purpose: memorial of creation, sign of allegiance & sanctification (Ex 20:8-11; Ex 31:13; Rev 14:7).
  • Enduring: kept by Christ (Lk 4:16), expected after ascension (Mt 24:20), in new earth (Isa 66:22-23).

Lesson 10 – The Trinity

  • Three Persons (Mt 28:19): Father, Son, Spirit.
  • Attributes of Father: personal, loving, just, supreme.
  • Son: eternal, equal, Creator, Revealer, Redeemer (Jn 1:1-3; Phil 2:5-11).
  • Holy Spirit: third Person; reproves, guides, comforts, indwells (Jn 16; Rom 8:26).

Section 3 – Sin

Lesson 11 – Nature of Sin

  • Sin = rebellion/lawlessness (1 Jn 3:4); dethroning God for self (Isa 14:12-14).
  • Condition of heart, not just acts (Mt 5:27-28).
  • Consequences: moral defilement, separation, death (Isa 59:2; Rom 6:23).

Lesson 12 – Origin of Sin

  • Began with Lucifer (Eze 28; Isa 14).
  • Created perfect, fell through pride; mystery of iniquity (GC 492-493).
  • Banished; now wages war on earth (Rev 12:7-9).

Section 4 – Redemption

Lesson 13 – The Great Controversy

  • Cosmic conflict over God’s law & character (Rev 12; Ps 19:7).
  • Manifest throughout OT & NT; ends with destruction of Satan (Rev 20:10).

Lesson 14 – Plan of Redemption

  • Stages: justification (legal pardon, imputed righteousness), sanctification (imparted holiness), glorification (immortal body at Advent).
  • Provision meets guilt, unrighteousness, weakness—through Christ’s incarnation, sinless life, atoning death.
  • Salvation = complete: forgiveness (Col 1:14), righteousness (Rom 3), power (Rom 1:16), eternal life (Jn 3:16); only in Christ (Acts 4:12).

Lesson 15 – Life of Christ

  • OT prophecies: birth (Mic 5:2), sinless life & atonement (Isa 53), resurrection (Ps 16:10).
  • Incarnation: fully divine & human (Jn 1:14).
  • Sinless life (1 Pet 2:22) by reliance on Father, model for believers.
  • Atoning death: crucifixion (Mt 27), substitution (1 Pet 3:18).
  • Resurrection validates salvation (1 Cor 15).
  • Ascension & promised return (Acts 1:9-11; Jn 14:1-3).

Lesson 16 – Experiencing Salvation

  • Available to all (Jn 3:16) yet effective for believers (Mk 16:16).
  • Steps: repentance (Acts 2:38), confession (Prov 28:13), acceptance of Christ (Rom 10:9-13), consecration (Rom 12:1).
  • God’s acts: forgiveness, justification (2 Cor 5:21), adoption (1 Jn 3:1).
  • Obedience & fellowship are fruits (Jn 14:15; Gal 2:20).

Lesson 17 – Kingdom of God

  • Present spiritual kingdom (Lk 17:21) via new birth (Jn 3).
  • Future kingdom of glory established at Advent (Dan 2:44; Mt 6:10).

Section 5 – Intercession

Lesson 18 – Christ’s Ministry in Heaven

  • Only mediator (1 Tim 2:5); true High Priest of heavenly sanctuary (Heb 8:1-5; 7:25).
  • Culminates in judgment and restoration (Acts 3:19-21).

Lesson 19 – Day of Atonement (OT type)

  • Leviticus 16: yearly judgment of Israel; cleansing of sanctuary; typifies final judgment & sin eradication; Azazel = Satan assuming sin responsibility.

Lesson 20 – Cleansing of the Sanctuary

  • Prophecy: 23002300 years (Dan 8:14) = sanctuary cleansed.
  • 70-week segment (Dan 9) anchors start at 457 BC; end in 1844 → beginning of heavenly investigative judgment.

Lesson 21 – Hour of Divine Judgment

  • Judgment has three phases: investigative (since 1844, in heaven), review (millennium), executive (post-millennium destruction of wicked).
  • Records: Book of Life, remembrance, sin record.
  • Standard: God’s law & relation to Christ (Eccl 12:13-14; Jn 3:36).
  • Three-angels’ message announces judgment hour (Rev 14:6-7).

Section 6 – Advent

Lesson 22 – Return of Christ

  • Promise repeated (Jn 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; Rev 22:20).
  • Visible, personal, worldwide, in glory with angels (Mt 24:27-31; Rev 1:7).
  • Events: resurrection of righteous dead, translation of righteous living, destruction of wicked, desolation of earth.
  • Admonitions: watch, be ready, sanctified (Mt 24:44; 1 Th 5:23).

Lesson 23 – Signs of Christ’s Return

  • Know nearness, not day/hour (Mt 24).
  • National: wars.
  • Social: lawlessness, perilous times (2 Tim 3).
  • Religious: false prophets, spiritualism, papal dominance, world-wide gospel.
  • Physical: great earthquake (1755), dark day (1780), falling stars (1833); famines, pestilence, roaring sea.

Lesson 24 – The Millennium

  • 10001000-yr period (Rev 20): righteous in heaven judging; earth desolate, Satan bound; second resurrection of wicked after 10001000 yrs; executive judgment, lake of fire; new earth.

Lesson 25 – Home of the Saved

  • New earth promised (2 Pet 3:13); sin & death gone (Rev 21-22); New Jerusalem; eternal fellowship with God (Rev 22:4).

Section 7 – Prophecy

Lesson 26 – Setting Up of Christ’s Kingdom (Dan 2)

  • Image metals = successive empires: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, divided Europe.
  • Stone = Christ’s eternal kingdom.

Lesson 27 – Empires of Prophecy (Dan 7)

  • Four beasts parallel Dan 2: Lion (Babylon), Bear (Medo-Persia), Leopard (Greece), Dreadful beast (Rome) with ten horns (Europe) & little horn (papacy) persecuting saints.
  • Judgment & kingdom given to saints.

Section 8 – Obedience

Lesson 28 – Law of God

  • Ten Commandments express God’s character & love; immutable, spiritual, comprehensive.
  • Functions: reveal sin, guide life, written on heart via new covenant (Heb 8).

Lesson 29 – Sabbath in the OT

  • Instituted at creation; kept before Sinai; sign of sanctification; reminder of Creator.

Lesson 30 – Sabbath in the NT

  • Observed by Jesus & apostles; no biblical change to Sunday; “Lord’s Day” = Sabbath.

Lesson 31 – Sunday in Scripture

  • First day has no sacred status in Bible; eight NT references show ordinary work/travel; no divine command.

Lesson 32 – Change of the Sabbath

  • Prophesied attempt to change times/law (Dan 7:25) fulfilled by papacy; Catholic documents claim authority for Sunday.

Lesson 33 – Seal of God & Mark of the Beast

  • Seal: God’s name in forehead; Sabbath = outward sign (Ex 31:13; Rev 14:1).
  • Mark: papal Sunday observance enforced by image-beast power (Rev 13); final test of allegiance.

Section 9 – Church

Lesson 34 – Church of Christ

  • Built on Christ (Mt 16:18); organized for service; gifts & discipline (Eph 4; 1 Cor 12); mission = gospel & 3rd-angel’s message.

Lesson 35 – Baptism

  • Ordinance of entrance; by immersion; symbolizes death/burial/resurrection; prerequisites: faith, repentance, instruction; promises Holy Spirit.

Lesson 36 – Commemorative Ordinances

  • Foot-washing (ordinance of humility) commemorates incarnation & cleansing.
  • Lord’s Supper: bread & wine memorialize Christ’s body & blood; observed till Advent.

Lesson 37 – Tithes & Offerings

  • God owns all; man = steward.
  • Tithe (10%) holy to Lord for gospel work; taught pre-Sinai (Abraham, Jacob), affirmed by Jesus; offerings = free-will gratitude; faithfulness brings blessing (Mal 3).

Lesson 38 – Prophetic Gift

  • Gift of prophecy present OT & NT; withdrawn during apostasy; restored in remnant (Rev 12:17; 19:10); manifested in ministry of Ellen G. White.

Lesson 39 – Tests of a True Prophet

  • Tests: harmony with Scripture & law, Christ-centered, good fruits, prediction fulfilment, practical & timely, not occult.

Section 10 – Health

Lesson 40 – Body Temple

  • Body belongs to God (1 Cor 6:19-20); must avoid defilement via diet, drink, thoughts; called to temperance & holiness.

Lesson 41 – Healthful Living

  • Original diet = plant-based; flesh after Flood but clean distinctions; unclean (e.g., swine) forbidden; alcohol, tobacco, narcotics harmful; health laws support physical & spiritual well-being.

Section 11 – State of the Dead

Lesson 42 – Nature of Man

  • Created a living soul by union of dust + breath; no innate immortality.
  • Death reverses process; immortality sought through Christ; granted at resurrection.

Lesson 43 – Condition in Death

  • Death = unconscious sleep; no thought, praise, return; righteous raised at Advent (1 Th 4:16); wicked after millennium; second death annihilates impenitent.

Section 12 – Devotion

Lesson 44 – Living the New Life

  • Fellowship: Christ in us via Spirit; growth through Word, prayer, service; joy & assurance.

Lesson 45 – New Life of Victory

  • Spirit-filled sanctification; armor of God; trials refine; victory through Christ, prayer, persistence; conditions for answered prayer: faith, obedience, humility, forgiveness, alignment with God’s will.