The Bible – Resources
“What is the
Bible?”
GotQuestions?org.
“Questions
About the Bible.”
GotQuestions?org
Contains list of
topics under this general heading, with links to articles.
Gideon Bible
introduction
In many Bibles
printed by the Gideons (
http://www.gideons.org),
the following statement about the Bible can be found. I also found
this text at the following links.
The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of
salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its
doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true,
and its decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, 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
too, Heaven is opened and the gates of Hell disclosed.
Christ is its 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, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.
It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be
remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards
the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred
contents.
“Survey Course
of the Bible: 1. Introduction to the Bible”
This is a simple
presentation providing a basic introduction to the Bible.
“Word of God in
the Bible.” Nave's Topical Bible Concordance Online.
VERSES
Deuteronomy
11:18-23 [18] Therefore you shall lay up these my words in
your heart and in your soul. You shall bind them for a sign on
your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. [19]
You shall teach them your children, talking of them, when you
sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie
down, and when you rise up. [20] You shall write them on the door
posts of your house, and on your gates; [21] that your days may
be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which
Yahweh swore to your fathers to give them, as the days of the heavens
above the earth. [22] For if you shall diligently keep all these
commandments which I command you, to do them, to love Yahweh your
God, to walk in all his ways, and to cling to him; [23] then will
Yahweh drive out all these nations from before you, and you shall
dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourselves.
Deuteronomy
17:18-20 [18] It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his
kingdom, that he shall write himself a copy of this law in a book,
out of that which is before the priests the Levites. [19] It shall
be with him, and he shall read from it all the days of his life;
that he may learn to fear Yahweh his God, to keep all the
words of this law and these statutes, to do them; [20] that his heart
not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he not turn aside from
the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left; to the end that
he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children, in the
midst of Israel.
Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth,
but you shall meditate on it day and night,
that you may observe to do according to all that is written
therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then
you shall have good success.
1 Samuel 15:22-26
[22] Samuel said, “Has Yahweh as great delight in burnt offerings
and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Yahweh? Behold, to obey is
better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. [23] For
rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as
idolatry and teraphim. Because you have rejected Yahweh’s word,
he has also rejected you from being king.” [24] Saul said to
Samuel, “I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of
Yahweh, and your words, because I feared the people, and obeyed their
voice. [25] Now therefore, please pardon my sin, and turn again with
me, that I may worship Yahweh.” [26] Samuel said to Saul, “I will
not return with you; for you have rejected Yahweh’s word,
and Yahweh has rejected you from being king over Israel.”
Psalm 1:1-3
[1] Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the
wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of
scoffers; [2] but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he
meditates day and night. [3] He will be like a tree planted by the
streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf
also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 19:7-11
[7] Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s
testimony is sure, making wise the simple. [8] Yahweh’s precepts
are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh’s commandment is pure,
enlightening the eyes. [9] The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring
forever. Yahweh’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether.
[10] More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb. [11]
Moreover by them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is
great reward.
Psalm 119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your
word.
Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against
you.
Psalm 119:97-104
[97] How I love your law! It is my meditation all day. [98] Your
commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are
always with me. [99] I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your testimonies are my meditation. [100] I understand more than
the aged, because I have kept your precepts. [101] I have kept my
feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word. [102] I
have not turned aside from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
[103] How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my
mouth! [104] Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I
hate every false way.
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
Proverbs 30:5-6
[5] “Every word of God is flawless. He is a shield to those
who take refuge in him. [6] Don’t you add to his words, lest he
reprove you, and you be found a liar.
Isaiah 5:24
Therefore as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as the dry
grass sinks down in the flame, so their root shall be as rottenness,
and their blossom shall go up as dust; because they have rejected
the law of Yahweh of Armies, and despised the word of the Holy One of
Israel.
Isaiah 55:10-11
[10] For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky, and
doesn’t return there, but waters the earth, and makes it grow and
bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater; [11] so
shall my word be that goes out of my mouth: it shall not return
to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall
prosper in the thing I sent it to do.
Jeremiah 6:19-20
[19] Hear, earth! Behold, I will bring evil on this people, even the
fruit of their thoughts, because they have not listened to my
words; and as for my law, they have rejected it. [20] To what
purpose comes there to me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet cane
from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your
sacrifices pleasing to me.”
Jeremiah 8:4-10
[4] “Moreover you shall tell them, ‘Thus says Yahweh: “‘Shall
men fall, and not rise up again? Shall one turn away, and not return?
[5] Why then have the people of Jerusalem fallen back by a perpetual
backsliding? They cling to deceit, they refuse to return. [6] I
listened and heard, but they didn’t say what is right. No one
repents of his wickedness, saying, “What have I done?” Everyone
turns to his course, as a horse that rushes headlong in the battle.
[7] Yes, the stork in the sky knows her appointed times; and the
turtledove, the swallow, and the crane observe the time of their
coming; but my people don’t know Yahweh’s law. [8] How do you
say, “We are wise, and Yahweh’s law is with us?” But, behold,
the false pen of the scribes has worked falsely. [9] The wise men are
disappointed. They are dismayed and trapped. Behold, they have
rejected Yahweh’s word.
What kind of wisdom is in them? [10] Therefore will I give
their wives to others, and their fields to those who shall possess
them: for everyone from the least even to the greatest is given to
covetousness; from the prophet even to the priest every one deals
falsely.
Amos 8:11-12
[11] Behold, the days come,” says the Lord Yahweh, “that I will
send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for
water, but of hearing Yahweh’s words. [12] They will wander from
sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; they will run back
and forth to seek Yahweh’s word, and will not find it.
Matthew 4:1-4
[1] Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be
tempted by the devil. [2] When he had fasted forty days and forty
nights, he was hungry afterward. [3] The tempter came and said to
him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become
bread.” [4] But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not
live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth
of God.’”
Matthew 7:24-27
[24] “Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does
them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock.
[25] The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and
beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the
rock. [26] Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do
them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand.
[27] The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and
beat on that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”
Luke 6:46-49
[46] “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the
things which I say? [47] Everyone who comes to me, and hears my
words, and does them, I will show you who he is like. [48] He is like
a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation
on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house,
and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock. [49] But
he who hears, and doesn’t do, is like a man who built a house on
the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and
immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Luke 11:27-28
[27] It came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of
the multitude lifted up her voice, and said to him, “Blessed is the
womb that bore you, and the breasts which nursed you!” [28] But he
said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God,
and keep it.”
John 5:37-40
[37] The Father himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You
have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form. [38] You
don’t have his word living in you; because you don’t believe him
whom he sent. [39] “You search the Scriptures, because you think
that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which
testify about me. [40] Yet you will not come to me, that you may
have life.
John 8:31-32
[31] Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If
you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. [32] You will
know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
John 12:47-50
[47] If anyone listens to my sayings, and doesn’t believe, I don’t
judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
[48] He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive my sayings, has one who
judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the
last day. [49] For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent
me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should
speak. [50] I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things
therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I
speak.”
John 17:17
Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.
John 20:30-31
[30] Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his
disciples, which are not written in this book; [31] but these are
written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son
of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
Romans 2:13
For it isn’t the hearers of the law who are righteous before God,
but the doers of the law will be justified
Romans 15:4
For whatever things were written before were written for our
learning, that through patience and through encouragement of the
Scriptures we might have hope.
1 Corinthians
10:1-12 [1] Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our
fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; [2]
and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; [3] and
all ate the same spiritual food; [4] and all drank the same spiritual
drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the
rock was Christ. [5] However with most of them, God was not well
pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. [6] Now these
things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil
things, as they also lusted. [7] Neither be idolaters, as some of
them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink,
and rose up to play.” [8] Neither let us commit sexual immorality,
as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.
[9] Neither let us test the Lord, as some of them tested, and
perished by the serpents. [10] Neither grumble, as some of them also
grumbled, and perished by the destroyer. [11] Now all these things
happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our
admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. [12]
Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t
fall.
Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which
is the word of God;
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching
and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
2 Timothy 2:15
Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who
doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
[KJV] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
[14] But you remain in the things which you have learned and have
been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. [15] From
infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make
you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. [16]
Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, [17]
that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every
good work.
Hebrews 4:12-13
[12] For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and
spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the
thoughts and intentions of the heart. [13] There is no creature that
is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open
before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.
James 1:22-25
[21] Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of
wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able
to save your souls. [22] But be doers of the word, and not only
hearers, deluding your own selves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of
the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face
in a mirror; [24] for he sees himself, and goes away, and immediately
forgets what kind of man he was. [25] But he who looks into the
perfect law of freedom, and continues, not being a hearer who
forgets, but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he
does.
1 Peter 1:10-12
[10] Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched
diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, [11]
searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which
was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ,
and the glories that would follow them. [12] To them it was revealed,
that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things,
which now have been announced to you through those who preached the
Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which
things angels desire to look into.
1 Peter 2:2
as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that with it
you may grow,
2 Peter 1:16-21
[16] For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made
known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we
were eyewitnesses of his majesty. [17] For he received from God the
Father honor and glory, when the voice came to him from the Majestic
Glory, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” [18]
We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the
holy mountain. [19] We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you
do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until
the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts: [20]
knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private
interpretation. [21] For no prophecy ever came by the will of man:
but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 3:1-2
[1] This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to
you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by reminding
you; [2] that you should remember the words which were spoken
before by the holy prophets, and the commandments of us, the
apostles of the Lord and Savior:
2 Peter 3:15-18
[15] Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our
beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him,
wrote to you; [16] as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of
these things. In those, there are some things that are hard to
understand, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do
to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. [17] You
therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware, lest
being carried away with the error of the wicked, you fall from your
own steadfastness.
STORIES
Exodus 4:10-16
[10] Moses said to Yahweh, “O Lord, I am not eloquent, neither
before now, nor since you have spoken to your servant; for I am slow
of speech, and of a slow tongue.” [11] Yahweh said to him, “Who
made man’s mouth? Or who makes one mute, or deaf, or seeing, or
blind? Isn’t it I, Yahweh? [12] Now therefore go, and I will be
with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak.” [13] He said,
“Oh, Lord, please send someone else.” [14] Yahweh’s anger was
kindled against Moses, and he said, “What about Aaron, your
brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Also, behold, he
comes out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his
heart. [15] You shall speak to him, and put the words in his mouth. I
will be with your mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what
you shall do. [16] He will be your spokesman to the people; and it
will happen, that he will be to you a mouth, and you will be to him
as God.
2 Kings 22
Josiah finds book
of law in temple
Jeremiah 1:4-10
[4] Now Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, [5] “Before I formed
you in the belly, I knew you. Before you came out of the womb, I
sanctified you. I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” [6]
Then I said, “Ah, Lord Yahweh! Behold, I don’t know how to speak;
for I am a child.” [7] But Yahweh said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I
am a child;’ for to whoever I shall send you, you shall go, and
whatever I shall command you, you shall speak. [8] Don’t be afraid
because of them; for I am with you to deliver you,” says Yahweh.
[9] Then Yahweh stretched out his hand, and touched my mouth; and
Yahweh said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. [10]
Behold, I have this day set you over the nations and over the
kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down and to destroy and to
overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Jeremiah 36:1-32
King cuts up
scroll, Jeremiah writes it again
Ezekiel 2:8-10
[8] But you, son of man, hear what I tell you; don’t be rebellious
like that rebellious house: open your mouth, and eat that which I
give you. [9] When I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me;
and, behold, a scroll of a book was therein; [10] He spread it before
me: and it was written within and without; and there were written
therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.
Ezekiel 3:1-4 [1] He
said to me, Son of man, eat that which you find. Eat this scroll, and
go, speak to the house of Israel. [2] So I opened my mouth, and he
caused me to eat the scroll. [3] He said to me, Son of man, cause
your belly to eat, and fill your bowels with this scroll that I give
you. Then I ate it; and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. [4] He
said to me, Son of man, go to the house of Israel, and speak my
words to them.
Matthew 4:1-11
[1] Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be
tempted by the devil. [2] When he had fasted forty days and forty
nights, he was hungry afterward. [3] The tempter came and said to
him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become
bread.” [4] But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not
live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth
of God.’” [5] Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set
him on the pinnacle of the temple, [6] and said to him, “If you are
the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will
put his angels in charge of you.’ and, ‘On their hands they will
bear you up, so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’”
[7] Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test
the Lord, your God.’” [8] Again, the devil took him to an
exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the
world, and their glory. [9] He said to him, “I will give you all of
these things, if you will fall down and worship me.” [10] Then
Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You
shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”
[11] Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.
Matthew 13:18-23;
Mark 4:14-20; Luke 8:11-15
The sower sows the
word
Acts 8:26-40
[26] But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise, and
go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.
This is a desert.” [27] He arose and went; and behold, there was a
man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of
the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to
Jerusalem to worship. [28] He was returning and sitting in his
chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. [29] The Spirit
said to Philip, “Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.”
[30] Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet,
and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” [31] He
said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged
Philip to come up and sit with him. [32] Now the passage of the
Scripture which he was reading was this, “He was led as a sheep to
the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent, so he doesn’t
open his mouth. [33] In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away.
Who will declare His generation? For his life is taken from the
earth.” [34] The eunuch answered Philip, “Who is the prophet
talking about? About himself, or about someone else?” [35] Philip
opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him
Jesus. [36] As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the
eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being
baptized?” [37] [] [38] He commanded the chariot to stand still,
and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch,
and he baptized him. [39] When they came up out of the water, the
Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see
him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing. [40] But Philip was
found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the Good News to all
the cities, until he came to Caesarea.
Acts 17:10-12
[10] The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to
Beroea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue. [11]
Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they
received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the
Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. [12] Many of
them therefore believed; also of the prominent Greek women, and not a
few men.
