The Bible

"I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing" (Hosea 8:12)

This is the beginning of a very important study. It will enable you to know the blessings of this life and what you must do for eternal salvation in the life which is to come. Those who do not have this knowledge are lost, but those who have this knowledge and do not act upon it are in a worse condition, for the Bible says:

"...and the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them." (2 Peter 2:20-21)

"And that servant, which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required" (Luke 12:47-48)

Therefore, prepare yourself to receive these things gladly, with an open heart, and with all readiness of mind. If you will believe and obey, you will be greatly blessed.

This is a study of the Bible. If you do not have a Bible, do all within your means to secure one. It is the world's most amazing book. It took a longer time to write this book than any other book ever written, and it contains some of the oldest writings in the world. It has been translated into more languages than any other book and it was the first book that was ever printed. The impact that it has had on the world is greater than any other book, and it has the power to change your life.

The Bible claims to be the word of God:

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scriptures is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:20-21)

"Now we have received, not the spirst of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost speaketh" (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)

"All scripture is given by insiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

While other writings may make this claim, only the Bible has evidence necessary for conformation. For example, the Bible was written by about 40 different men on three different continents, in three different languages, over a period of 1600 years. Some of these men were kings, some were captives, some were prophets, some were scribes, some were doctors, some were shepherds, some were scholars, some were fishermen. They were from all walks of life. Yet, when you put all of their writings together, you have one book.

There are 39 books in the Old Testament, 27 books in the New Testament, 66 books in all; yet, when you put them all together they are one book. No single book of the Bible is complete without the whole, and the whole is incomplete without every single book. Together it has a theme, a plot, a conflict, a climax and a conclusion. It is the longest thread of thought woven in the fabric of history. These men wrote on some of the most controversial subjects in the world, yet all their writings harmonize. There is not one clash or contradiction in all they have to say.

Their writings make reference to the disciple of science, history, geography and topography; and in all cases the references are amazing in their accuracy. Archaeologists often use the Bible as a reference book and have come to appreciate it's reliability. In the field of science they often spoke beyond the bounds of the human learning of their time, and their statements were found to be correct only by later discoveries.

In the field of history they often recorded events which had not yet taken place. This recording of history before the events transpired is called prophecy. These were not mere guesses and broad general statements, but, rather, they involve the foretelling of hundreds of episodes in detail of both major and minor events which were not fulfilled until hundreds of years after the prophecies were made.

Unity, harmony, accuracy and fulfilled prophecy are but four of the reasons why it is impossible for this book to have originated with men alone. There is no other book like this. This is a book from God.

Yet the greatest proof of all is in the message that it brings. Here God reveals to man things which he cannot know through his own wisdom.

"But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prpared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God." (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)

This book tells us who we are, where we came from, why we are here and where we are going. Here God reveals to us that He was our Creator, that He is our ruler and that He shall be our judge. He shows us His favor and His wrath, His power and His patience, His judgement and His mercy. This is the greatest story ever told, the wonderful story of love. You shall see as you come to a knowledge of it's contents, that no man could write a book like this.