THE SCRIPTURES
INTERACTIVE BIBLE STUDY
Are they relevant? Study what the Bible teaches about the reliability, relevance and authority of the scriptures.
"And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God." Mark 12:24
To begin, click on the "Start" button. Use the "Next" and "Back" buttons to navigate through the study.
Are they relevant? Study what the Bible teaches about the reliability, relevance and authority of the scriptures.
"And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God." Mark 12:24
To begin, click on the "Start" button. Use the "Next" and "Back" buttons to navigate through the study. Is the Bible relevant?
Many people have concerns and confusions about the relevancy of the Scriptures in today's world. This discourages Bible study and learning its true worth. Some common views are listed below:- A. The Bible is made up of allegories and only general themes, not specific instructions from God.
- B. The Bible was written ages ago and has little relevance today.
- C. The Bible we have today has changed too much from the original writings so that we cannot rely on it.
- D. The Bible is the authoritative and reliable word of God.
Can the Bible be Trusted?
Before we examine the scriptures to see what the Bible has to say for itself on this matter, let’s first consider reasons why we can trust the Bible.
- It provides a cohesive storyline - Many different authors wrote the Bible over hundreds of years, yet they provide a consistent, harmonized and ever-clarifying story.
- Prophecy has come true - Events foretold in the Bible have come to pass. Study the book of Daniel and learn about some of these remarkable events.
- It testifies of a higher power - Every time you read the Bible, something new can be learned. It is a channel of life-changing power, containing sound advice, proven wisdom and timeless concepts that testify of a higher power.
- The Holy Spirit convicts you to believe - As you read the Bible, the Spirit of God prompts you to embrace truth and leads you into the truth.
Is our modern version of the Bible reliable?
Let's also consider some points that give evidence to the reliability of our modern Bible:
- Manuscripts - Many manuscripts from the Bible are still available, and have been compared with the Bibles we use today. Scrolls found in 1947 near the Dead Sea (dated as far as 200 years before Christ) contain the same message as the Bibles of today. There are many portions of the New Testament dating as far back as the second century which show further evidence of reliability.
- Archaeology - Archaeologists have found names of places and people mentioned in the Bible that some doubted ever existed. These finds continue to prove that the Bible is correct.
- Original Words - Most modern Bibles have been translated into our language directly from the original language used. Meanings of words do change. However, when a certain verse seems to contradict another, referencing the original words can help clarify the verse.
The Entire Bible is God's Word
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2 Tim. 3:16 - "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
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2 Peter 1:20-21 - Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture 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."
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No prophecy in the Scriptures was written without the aid of the Holy Spirit.
Scriptures in the Old and New Testaments reference each other and are inseparably intertwined. Both teach that ALL of the Bible is reliable and inspired. All are inspired by the same God.
God Reveals Secrets in the Bible
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Amos 3:7 - "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."
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If you want to know God's secrets and the future, study what the prophets wrote. They have been proven over and over to be 100% accurate.
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Matthew 13:35 - "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world."
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The words of Jesus, also written in the Bible, reveal God's secrets.
God Requires us to Obey His Words
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Deut. 18:18-19 - "I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him."
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God speaks through prophets and requires us to hearken (Hebrew = obey, understand, listen).His prophets have recorded God's instructions in the Bible so we can know His will for our lives. In fact, if you have the opportunity to learn, God requires it.
Without God's Word We Are Erring Fools
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Mark 12:24 - "And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God."
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Plainly stated, if we do not know the Scriptures, we will err.
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Luke 24:25 - "Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken."
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It does matter to Jesus, whether or not we believe His prophets.
God's Word Will Always Come True
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Deut. 18:20-22 - "But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other Gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him."
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All prophecy in the Bible has occurred just as foretold by the prophets.
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Daniel 2:28 - "But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;"
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Daniel told the king of four earthly kingdoms that would come to pass. Those kingdoms, along with other prophecies have all occurred exactly as foretold (see the prophecy presentations for more info).
God's Word Will Last Forever
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Isaiah 40:8 - "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."
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The Hebrew word translated into "Stand" means to rise, abide, endure, remain, accomplish.
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Matthew 24:35 - "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
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God's word will outlast everything in this world.
The Bible Points Us to Salvation
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John 14:6 - "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
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Jesus is the only way to eternal life. Even if you've never heard the name of Jesus, if you are saved, it will be because of His sacrifice and ministry on your behalf.
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John 5:39 - "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
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...and the Scriptures are where we learn about Jesus.
God's Word is the World's Best Designed Puzzle
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2 Peter 3:2 - That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour."
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Bible writers lived at different times in different places doing different things. Yet, when all the verses are put together they show harmony and unity.
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Luke 21:44 - "And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me."
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If people, who did not know each other and were separated by hundreds of years, would come to a certain place and each lay down a piece of a puzzle made by them, it would be amazing to discover that they fit and complete a picture!
Review the Original Question: Is the Bible Relevant?
Many people have concerns and confusions about the relevancy of the Scriptures in today's world. This discourages Bible study and learning its true worth. Some common views are listed below:
- A. The Bible is made up of allegories and only general themes, not specific instructions from God.
- B. The Bible was written ages ago and has little relevance today.
- C. The Bible we have today has changed too much from the original writings so that we cannot rely on it.
- D. The Bible is the authoritative and reliable word of God.
Answer: D
The Bible is the authoritative and reliable word of God.
The Bible is the authoritative and reliable word of God.
End of Study
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Copyright ©2020 Dennis Wagner. Reproduction and/or distribution of this Bible study is encouraged. However, no part of this Bible study may be modified in any way without the written consent of the copyright holder. For comments and questions, please contact us.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV). Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The "NIV" and "New International Version" are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV). Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The "NIV" and "New International Version" are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
All scripture is inspired. The Greek word translated to inspire means "Divinely Breathed".