Foundations:How does God speak to

me?

Forgiveness

New Life

Salvation

God's ReservoirGod's Word

(Bible)

Sacraments

Forgiveness

New Life

Salvation

Baptism and Lord's Supper

The “Means of Grace”

The Bible

Old Testament New Testament

Writers Moses, kings, prophets

Evangelists, apostles

Language Hebrew Greek

Books 39: history, poetry, prophecy

27: history, letters, prophecy

The Bible

Old Testament New Testament

Time 1500 – 400 B.C. A.D. 40 – 100

Content History of God’s people Israel and promise of the Savior to come

The Good News (Gospel) of Jesus and letters for Christian churches

2 Peter 1:21

Prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

John 14:26

The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness

Where the Bible came from

1. The Holy Spirit inspired (breathed into) men to write the Bible

John 17:17 John 10:35

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth

The Scripture cannot be broken

Luke 16:19-31 Revelation 22:18

If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.

I warn everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book

Where the Bible came from

1. The Holy Spirit inspired (breathed into) men to write the Bible

2. Because of this we believe that the Bible is

a. The Word of God

b. True in every part

c. Sufficient, telling us all we need to know

The Uniqueness of the Bible

John 7:17 If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.

2 Timothy 1:11-12 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

Romans 3:20 Romans 6:23a

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather through the law we become conscious of sin.

For the wages of sin is death

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path

The two main doctrines (teachings) of the Bible are. . .

1. The Law, which shows us our sin and need for a Savior and, after conversion, guides us in thankful living

Romans 1:16 Luke 2:11

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

The two main doctrines (teachings) of the Bible are. . .

1. The Law, which shows us our sin and need for a Savior and, after conversion, guides us in thankful living

2. The Gospel which shows us our Savior and creates saving faith in him, and after conversion inspires thankful living

John 20:31

These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

The main purposes of the Bible

1. To bring us to faith in Jesus Christ and thus save us.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The main purposes of the Bible

1. To bring us to faith in Jesus Christ and thus save us.

2. To equip Christians for God-pleasing living as God’s children.

To think about

What are some things about the Bible that seem difficult to understand?

Do you have any favorite stories or parts of the Bible? Why are they favorites?