Foundations: How does God speak to me?
Dec 30, 2015
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
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
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.
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.