LESSON 7 – THE BIBLE ITS SUBJECT AND PURPOSE
Bible – Subject and Purpose
John 20:30-31
John 21:25
Colossians 1:12-23
Ignorance
Humility
Spirituality
Power
INTRODUCTION
What is God trying to say in the 66 books which make up the Bible? In John 20:30‑31, 21:25 John gives the reason for his writing, looking back over 60 years to the time of the Lord's ministry. Here he sees the purpose of the incarnation, life and death of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He has written these to record the signs that truly indicated that Jesus Christ was truly God and the Saviour. The reason John writes and by implication the reason all the other authors write is that one might have concrete evidence of the way of salvation; that nothing is missing for walking through life as God intended. It is God’s Word with God’s purpose fulfilled; man has the way of salvation made very plain.
The primary subject of the Bible is the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament we have the Lord Jesus Christ in his pre-incarnate form as a Christophony and through the sacrificial system and in prophecies.
The Bible is a “history” book ‑ His story. The Bible is about Him. Everything looks towards Him, at Him, or back to Him. There is no other celebrity other than the Lord. All teaching that is Biblical has this theme. Beware of the preacher who leaves you with thoughts of the preacher, rather than praise for the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Colossians 1:12‑23, Paul sings a hymn of praise about the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the whole purpose of Scripture. Paul says that he is writing this to give us God's plan for your salvation and sanctification. Paul states that he is a "diakonos", a minister or server at tables. The minister is a servant of the people who ensures they are fed with spiritual food. He was committed to serve the people whom the Lord had provided for him, to serve them with doctrine.
The reason that we know about subjects such as salvation is that people like Paul under the guidance of the Holy Spirit wrote it down. The purpose of this book is that we might do what the apostles did, and more beside; that we might walk with Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, and have all the necessary facts.
In verses 15‑18 we see the purpose is also that we should serve him for who he is and what he has done. He comes from eternity past to create, to become man, provide salvation and to be the Lord of eternity. The Bible covers the period from eternity past to eternity future entering into time to give us instructions as to how we are to live in time and shows us in a small way what it is going to be like in eternity.
What Paul does in these three verses, the Bible does in its sixty six books. It shows how time fits, and how you fit into the big picture. The unbeliever is not in touch with the reality of the big picture whilst often the believer is either ignorant, or forgets the big context. We are part of a big plan and it is only when sometimes we are subject to major testing that we focus on this. The only celebrity in the Bible is the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not to look at men, circumstances or ourselves, we are to look at Him.
THERE ARE FOUR SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF OUR LORD
[a] He is the creator ‑ Colossians 1:16 ‑ there is a person, there is a plan, there is a personality behind the physical world. This universe did not happen by chance. The Bible tells us that there is a mind behind it.
[b] The Lord Jesus Christ is a ruler and is not an impersonal creator who is letting His creation tick over. He rules not out of the world but involved in the world. He is a sovereign supreme ruler. This means that history is not out of his control. Everything that is happening is happening under his guidance. Not all things are good but they are under his overall control. There is an answer to evil and the problems that evil causes.
[c] He is the incarnate Word Genesis 1 John 1 ‑ He is the "logos" of John 1 and has made himself known; He was made flesh and has not left man in the dark. Every other religion we have man talking about their concept of God, only in Christianity do you have God become man telling us his policy.
[d] The Lord Jesus Christ is our Saviour, which again makes Christianity unique. God has a plan of salvation for “whosoever will” may come. It is the record of the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ and the impact that it has.
Man also has a very major part in the Bible. The history of man is also given in the Scriptures. From the beginning it stresses the eternal life dimension in the history of man. It is a good introduction to archaeology and anthropology, as well as ancient history.
Recommended challenging reading for Anthropology is the author, Arthur Custance ‑ The Doorway Papers which gives this subject from a Biblical viewpoint. Genesis is history. There is a lot of history of the emergence of man in Genesis chapters 10‑12 with the linguistic and cultural background for most of the people of the world being given. It is interestingly accurate as well as being unique. Whilst not being a history text book what history is contained in it is absolutely accurate and as such it is first class history. Archaeologists over the last 200 years have confirmed the Bible account in many ways with their finds especially in the Middle East.
There are many examples of people being convicted and converted by the evidence of the Scriptures as to their accuracy and truth providing they look at them in depth and honestly. If you study the Scriptures they will come to life. The Bible is to Show the Glory of God
The purpose of the Bible ‑ According to the written Word of God one supreme purpose is revealed in all that God has done or will do from the beginning of creation to the outermost reaches of eternity. This supreme purpose is the manifestation of the glory of God. For this one purpose angels were created, the material universe was designed to reflect that glory and man was created in the image and likeness of God.
In the inscrutable wisdom of God even sin was permitted and redemption was provided with a view towards the realization of this supreme purpose. The purpose behind everything is the glory of God.
The purpose of the Bible was to explain the unfolding drama of redemption for the glory of God. The purpose of our salvation is the glory of God. In the endless ages of eternity every living creature will praise God for what He has done. They will magnify His name because they will see His glory in everything that He has provided.
Why do we serve Christ in the church ‑ that He may be glorified. Everything in our lives should revolve around two words ‑ "His glory". Why do we suffer ‑ His glory, why do we have pressure ‑ His glory.
The centrality of the truth that God's plan will lead to His glory in that when all things are seen finally His name will be glorified. We do not have all the answers but we are confident in Him who has all the answers.
The Bible is God's message to man
The Bible records that, angels, men and the universe were created for His glory. Psalms 19.
The nation Israel was formed for the glory of God.
Salvation is for the glory of God.
All Christian service should be done for the glory of God
Our desire and passion should be that God is glorified in us.
Our death should be to the glory of God.
We are to share the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible is different from any other book in the world. It stands supreme in reflecting the place of man and his opportunity of salvation, the supreme character and work of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Saviour and gives all and in detail the infinite glories that belong to God himself. It is the one book that reveals the Creator to the creature and discloses the plan by which man with all his imperfections can be reconciled and be in eternal fellowship with the eternal God.
The purpose of the Bible ‑God's Glory, the subject ‑ the Lord Jesus Christ. Our response – is to get to know the subject and let the purpose be fulfilled in our lives to His glory forever.
DOCTRINES
IGNORANCE
1. On a number of occasions believers are commanded not to be ignorant. As the Bible is the mind of Christ (1Corinthians 2:16) the more we know about the Scriptures the less our ignorance of God's viewpoint.
2. The areas of ignorance deal with past, present and future events.
3. PAST - Due to pride.
That God's righteousness is by faith rather than by man's works. (Romans 10:3) "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."
That God has a future for Israel (Romans 11:25, 26)
That believers should not be ignorant, of the history or the Scriptures pertaining to how God dealt with Israel in the past (1Corinthians 10:1-4).
4. PRESENT - Due to immaturity of the believer.
To the existence and use of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1).
To the use of suffering in the Christian life for development (2 Corinthians 1:8).
To Satan's devices in deceiving believers (2 Corinthians 2:11).
5. FUTURE - To the existence of the translation or rapture of the Church as a source of comfort to church age believers (1Thessalonians 4:13-18).
HUMILITY
1. Humility is to be sought - Zephaniah 2:3
2. Humility is manifest in restraint - Luke 6:28-29
3. Humility is produced by the Holy Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23
4. Humility is essential in teaching - 2 Timothy 2:25
5. Humility is essential in learning. - James 1:21
6. Humility is valuable to God. - Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5
7. Humility is the path to promotion - 1 Peter 5:6
8. Humility gives proper self evaluation. - Romans 12:3
9. Examples of humility
a) Moses - Numbers 12:3
b) David - 2 Samuel 16:11
c) Jeremiah - Jeremiah 26:14
d) Stephen - Acts 7:60
e) Paul - 2 Timothy 4:16
10. Evidences of humility
a) Forbearance to others - Ephesians 4:2, 6:9, Colossians 3:13
b) Endurance in trials - 1 Corinthians 13:7, James 1:12
c) Compassion - 1 Thessalonians 2:7
d) Peaceability - James 3:17
11. Humility was the primary characteristic of Christ - Isaiah 53:7, Matthew 11:29, 21:5
12. Promises to the humble - Psalm 22; 26, 37:11, 147:6, Isaiah 29:19
SPIRITUALITY
1. All Born Again Spirit Filled Christians have the Holy Spirit indwelling them. When we allow Him to control our lives, we are said to be "filled with the Spirit" or "walking in the Spirit".
2. The filling of the Holy Spirit can be lost by
a) Grieving the Spirit - by sin
b) Quenching the Spirit - by not submitting to His leading
c) This is called being carnal, or controlled by the flesh, the old sin nature.
3. The filling of the Holy Spirit can be regained by
a) confessing sin (1 John 1:9)
b) surrendering your life to God (Romans 12:1-2)
c) This is called being spiritual, or controlled by the Holy Spirit.
4. Only the Holy Spirit in us can produce good works acceptable to God - anything in our own strength is unacceptable (Romans 8:8-9, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
5. The spiritual believer
a) Imitates God. (Ephesians 5:1, 1 John 3:9)
b) To glorify Christ. (John 7:39, John 16:14)
c) Fulfils the Law. (Romans 8:2-4, Romans 13:8)
6. In the Bible the human race is divided in three Categories:-
a) Natural Man - A person born physically alive, but not regenerated. He may be highly sophisticated, civilised, gentle and kind, but is completely ignorant of any spiritual phenomena. (1 Corinthians 2:14) Equivalent to the cold person in the church in Laodicea.
b) Carnal Man - A person regenerated or born again but living his life under the power of his carnal/fleshly body. Prolonged activity in this area produces a Christian who is still a baby. (1 Corinthians 3:1-4). Equivalent to the lukewarm person in the church of Laodicea.
c) Spiritual Man - A person regenerated and living generally in the power of the Holy Spirit. He discerns the difference between the things of God and man. (1 Corinthians 2:11-13) He has fellowship with God in his daily life. (Ephesians 5:18-20) Equivalent to the hot person in the church of Laodicea.
7. Carnality
a) The believer still possesses his fleshly/carnal desires even after recieving salvation (1 John 1:8, Romans 7:14,15).
b) The natural carnal/fleshly man is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).
c) The believer under the control of his fleshly body and mind is called carnal (1Corinthians 3:1-3, Romans 7:14).
d) The fleshly man frustrates bona fide production in the life of the believer (Romans 7:15).
e) Adamic Sin Nature is acquired at the point of physical birth (Psalm 51:5, Romans 5:12)
f) We are therefore considered spiritually dead at the point of physical birth (Romans 5:12).
g) The fleshly man has several facets: areas of weakness produces sins, areas of strength produces human good. It has trends towards asceticism or lasciviousness. In many cases asceticism is considered to be spirituality.
h) The sinful flesh is not found in the resurrection body.
POWER
1. Five Greek words for power.
a) Dunamis - from which we get dynamite - inherent power.
b) Energes - from which we get energy - operational power.
c) Kratos - part of our word autocratic - ruling power.
d) lscuous - endowed power.
e) Exhusios - authoritative power or authority.
2. God's power is available to all believers.
a) God the Father's power. (1 Peter 1:5)
b) God the Son's power (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10)
c) God the Holy Spirit's power. (Acts 1:8)
d) The power of the Word. (Hebrews 4:12)
e) Kingdom of God power. (1 Corinthians 4:20)
Bible – Subject and Purpose
John 20:30-31
John 21:25
Colossians 1:12-23
Ignorance
Humility
Spirituality
Power
INTRODUCTION
What is God trying to say in the 66 books which make up the Bible? In John 20:30‑31, 21:25 John gives the reason for his writing, looking back over 60 years to the time of the Lord's ministry. Here he sees the purpose of the incarnation, life and death of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He has written these to record the signs that truly indicated that Jesus Christ was truly God and the Saviour. The reason John writes and by implication the reason all the other authors write is that one might have concrete evidence of the way of salvation; that nothing is missing for walking through life as God intended. It is God’s Word with God’s purpose fulfilled; man has the way of salvation made very plain.
The primary subject of the Bible is the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament we have the Lord Jesus Christ in his pre-incarnate form as a Christophony and through the sacrificial system and in prophecies.
The Bible is a “history” book ‑ His story. The Bible is about Him. Everything looks towards Him, at Him, or back to Him. There is no other celebrity other than the Lord. All teaching that is Biblical has this theme. Beware of the preacher who leaves you with thoughts of the preacher, rather than praise for the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Colossians 1:12‑23, Paul sings a hymn of praise about the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the whole purpose of Scripture. Paul says that he is writing this to give us God's plan for your salvation and sanctification. Paul states that he is a "diakonos", a minister or server at tables. The minister is a servant of the people who ensures they are fed with spiritual food. He was committed to serve the people whom the Lord had provided for him, to serve them with doctrine.
The reason that we know about subjects such as salvation is that people like Paul under the guidance of the Holy Spirit wrote it down. The purpose of this book is that we might do what the apostles did, and more beside; that we might walk with Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, and have all the necessary facts.
In verses 15‑18 we see the purpose is also that we should serve him for who he is and what he has done. He comes from eternity past to create, to become man, provide salvation and to be the Lord of eternity. The Bible covers the period from eternity past to eternity future entering into time to give us instructions as to how we are to live in time and shows us in a small way what it is going to be like in eternity.
What Paul does in these three verses, the Bible does in its sixty six books. It shows how time fits, and how you fit into the big picture. The unbeliever is not in touch with the reality of the big picture whilst often the believer is either ignorant, or forgets the big context. We are part of a big plan and it is only when sometimes we are subject to major testing that we focus on this. The only celebrity in the Bible is the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not to look at men, circumstances or ourselves, we are to look at Him.
THERE ARE FOUR SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF OUR LORD
[a] He is the creator ‑ Colossians 1:16 ‑ there is a person, there is a plan, there is a personality behind the physical world. This universe did not happen by chance. The Bible tells us that there is a mind behind it.
[b] The Lord Jesus Christ is a ruler and is not an impersonal creator who is letting His creation tick over. He rules not out of the world but involved in the world. He is a sovereign supreme ruler. This means that history is not out of his control. Everything that is happening is happening under his guidance. Not all things are good but they are under his overall control. There is an answer to evil and the problems that evil causes.
[c] He is the incarnate Word Genesis 1 John 1 ‑ He is the "logos" of John 1 and has made himself known; He was made flesh and has not left man in the dark. Every other religion we have man talking about their concept of God, only in Christianity do you have God become man telling us his policy.
[d] The Lord Jesus Christ is our Saviour, which again makes Christianity unique. God has a plan of salvation for “whosoever will” may come. It is the record of the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ and the impact that it has.
Man also has a very major part in the Bible. The history of man is also given in the Scriptures. From the beginning it stresses the eternal life dimension in the history of man. It is a good introduction to archaeology and anthropology, as well as ancient history.
Recommended challenging reading for Anthropology is the author, Arthur Custance ‑ The Doorway Papers which gives this subject from a Biblical viewpoint. Genesis is history. There is a lot of history of the emergence of man in Genesis chapters 10‑12 with the linguistic and cultural background for most of the people of the world being given. It is interestingly accurate as well as being unique. Whilst not being a history text book what history is contained in it is absolutely accurate and as such it is first class history. Archaeologists over the last 200 years have confirmed the Bible account in many ways with their finds especially in the Middle East.
There are many examples of people being convicted and converted by the evidence of the Scriptures as to their accuracy and truth providing they look at them in depth and honestly. If you study the Scriptures they will come to life. The Bible is to Show the Glory of God
The purpose of the Bible ‑ According to the written Word of God one supreme purpose is revealed in all that God has done or will do from the beginning of creation to the outermost reaches of eternity. This supreme purpose is the manifestation of the glory of God. For this one purpose angels were created, the material universe was designed to reflect that glory and man was created in the image and likeness of God.
In the inscrutable wisdom of God even sin was permitted and redemption was provided with a view towards the realization of this supreme purpose. The purpose behind everything is the glory of God.
The purpose of the Bible was to explain the unfolding drama of redemption for the glory of God. The purpose of our salvation is the glory of God. In the endless ages of eternity every living creature will praise God for what He has done. They will magnify His name because they will see His glory in everything that He has provided.
Why do we serve Christ in the church ‑ that He may be glorified. Everything in our lives should revolve around two words ‑ "His glory". Why do we suffer ‑ His glory, why do we have pressure ‑ His glory.
The centrality of the truth that God's plan will lead to His glory in that when all things are seen finally His name will be glorified. We do not have all the answers but we are confident in Him who has all the answers.
The Bible is God's message to man
The Bible records that, angels, men and the universe were created for His glory. Psalms 19.
The nation Israel was formed for the glory of God.
Salvation is for the glory of God.
All Christian service should be done for the glory of God
Our desire and passion should be that God is glorified in us.
Our death should be to the glory of God.
We are to share the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible is different from any other book in the world. It stands supreme in reflecting the place of man and his opportunity of salvation, the supreme character and work of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Saviour and gives all and in detail the infinite glories that belong to God himself. It is the one book that reveals the Creator to the creature and discloses the plan by which man with all his imperfections can be reconciled and be in eternal fellowship with the eternal God.
The purpose of the Bible ‑God's Glory, the subject ‑ the Lord Jesus Christ. Our response – is to get to know the subject and let the purpose be fulfilled in our lives to His glory forever.
DOCTRINES
IGNORANCE
1. On a number of occasions believers are commanded not to be ignorant. As the Bible is the mind of Christ (1Corinthians 2:16) the more we know about the Scriptures the less our ignorance of God's viewpoint.
2. The areas of ignorance deal with past, present and future events.
3. PAST - Due to pride.
That God's righteousness is by faith rather than by man's works. (Romans 10:3) "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."
That God has a future for Israel (Romans 11:25, 26)
That believers should not be ignorant, of the history or the Scriptures pertaining to how God dealt with Israel in the past (1Corinthians 10:1-4).
4. PRESENT - Due to immaturity of the believer.
To the existence and use of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1).
To the use of suffering in the Christian life for development (2 Corinthians 1:8).
To Satan's devices in deceiving believers (2 Corinthians 2:11).
5. FUTURE - To the existence of the translation or rapture of the Church as a source of comfort to church age believers (1Thessalonians 4:13-18).
HUMILITY
1. Humility is to be sought - Zephaniah 2:3
2. Humility is manifest in restraint - Luke 6:28-29
3. Humility is produced by the Holy Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23
4. Humility is essential in teaching - 2 Timothy 2:25
5. Humility is essential in learning. - James 1:21
6. Humility is valuable to God. - Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5
7. Humility is the path to promotion - 1 Peter 5:6
8. Humility gives proper self evaluation. - Romans 12:3
9. Examples of humility
a) Moses - Numbers 12:3
b) David - 2 Samuel 16:11
c) Jeremiah - Jeremiah 26:14
d) Stephen - Acts 7:60
e) Paul - 2 Timothy 4:16
10. Evidences of humility
a) Forbearance to others - Ephesians 4:2, 6:9, Colossians 3:13
b) Endurance in trials - 1 Corinthians 13:7, James 1:12
c) Compassion - 1 Thessalonians 2:7
d) Peaceability - James 3:17
11. Humility was the primary characteristic of Christ - Isaiah 53:7, Matthew 11:29, 21:5
12. Promises to the humble - Psalm 22; 26, 37:11, 147:6, Isaiah 29:19
SPIRITUALITY
1. All Born Again Spirit Filled Christians have the Holy Spirit indwelling them. When we allow Him to control our lives, we are said to be "filled with the Spirit" or "walking in the Spirit".
2. The filling of the Holy Spirit can be lost by
a) Grieving the Spirit - by sin
b) Quenching the Spirit - by not submitting to His leading
c) This is called being carnal, or controlled by the flesh, the old sin nature.
3. The filling of the Holy Spirit can be regained by
a) confessing sin (1 John 1:9)
b) surrendering your life to God (Romans 12:1-2)
c) This is called being spiritual, or controlled by the Holy Spirit.
4. Only the Holy Spirit in us can produce good works acceptable to God - anything in our own strength is unacceptable (Romans 8:8-9, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
5. The spiritual believer
a) Imitates God. (Ephesians 5:1, 1 John 3:9)
b) To glorify Christ. (John 7:39, John 16:14)
c) Fulfils the Law. (Romans 8:2-4, Romans 13:8)
6. In the Bible the human race is divided in three Categories:-
a) Natural Man - A person born physically alive, but not regenerated. He may be highly sophisticated, civilised, gentle and kind, but is completely ignorant of any spiritual phenomena. (1 Corinthians 2:14) Equivalent to the cold person in the church in Laodicea.
b) Carnal Man - A person regenerated or born again but living his life under the power of his carnal/fleshly body. Prolonged activity in this area produces a Christian who is still a baby. (1 Corinthians 3:1-4). Equivalent to the lukewarm person in the church of Laodicea.
c) Spiritual Man - A person regenerated and living generally in the power of the Holy Spirit. He discerns the difference between the things of God and man. (1 Corinthians 2:11-13) He has fellowship with God in his daily life. (Ephesians 5:18-20) Equivalent to the hot person in the church of Laodicea.
7. Carnality
a) The believer still possesses his fleshly/carnal desires even after recieving salvation (1 John 1:8, Romans 7:14,15).
b) The natural carnal/fleshly man is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).
c) The believer under the control of his fleshly body and mind is called carnal (1Corinthians 3:1-3, Romans 7:14).
d) The fleshly man frustrates bona fide production in the life of the believer (Romans 7:15).
e) Adamic Sin Nature is acquired at the point of physical birth (Psalm 51:5, Romans 5:12)
f) We are therefore considered spiritually dead at the point of physical birth (Romans 5:12).
g) The fleshly man has several facets: areas of weakness produces sins, areas of strength produces human good. It has trends towards asceticism or lasciviousness. In many cases asceticism is considered to be spirituality.
h) The sinful flesh is not found in the resurrection body.
POWER
1. Five Greek words for power.
a) Dunamis - from which we get dynamite - inherent power.
b) Energes - from which we get energy - operational power.
c) Kratos - part of our word autocratic - ruling power.
d) lscuous - endowed power.
e) Exhusios - authoritative power or authority.
2. God's power is available to all believers.
a) God the Father's power. (1 Peter 1:5)
b) God the Son's power (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10)
c) God the Holy Spirit's power. (Acts 1:8)
d) The power of the Word. (Hebrews 4:12)
e) Kingdom of God power. (1 Corinthians 4:20)
