UNIT - A I

BIBLE INTRODUCTION
CONTENTS

LESSON ONE - THE BIBLE

LESSON TWO - HOW WAS THE BIBLE WRITTEN

LESSON THREE - SUPPOSED CONTRADICTIONS

LESSON FOUR - DOCTRINE

LESSON FIVE - HOW WE GOT OUR BIBLE 1

LESSON SIX - HOW WE GOT OUT BIBLE 2

LESSON SEVEN - JESUS CHRIST IN THE BIBLE

LESSON EIGHT - DISPENSATIONAL TRUTH

LESSON NINE - STUDY OF NUMBERS IN THE BIBLE

LESSON TEN - PARABLES, TYPES & FIGURES OF SPEECH

LESSON ELEVEN - HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE 1

LESSON TWELVE - HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE 2

ALPHA BIBLE COURSE

P.O. Box 155
Hood River, OR 97031
 Lesson One

THE BIBLE
A. THE NAMES AND TITLES OF THE BIBLE:

1. The Bible: The English word “Bible” comes from the Greek words “Biblios” and “Biblion”
which mean “the Book”. Ancient books were written upon the biblus or papyrus reed. From
this custom came the Greek word that finally came to be applied to the sacred books.

It is not called “Biblos” because there are sixty-six books but because of its pre-eminence
over all books. It is not merely a book but it is the book that stands high above all other
books, as the heaven is high above the earth. It is named “THE BOOK” in Psalm 40:7 and
Hebrews 10:7.

This title was given us by John Christianson of Constantinople (398-404 A.D.).

References: Mark 12:26, Luke 3:4, Luke 20:42, Acts 1:20, Acts 7:42, Psalm 40:7 and
Hebrews 10:7.

2. The Word of God: Of all the names given to the Bible, this title is perhaps the most
significant, impressive and complete. It expresses the thought that the Bible is God speaking
to man. It signifies divine authority and is used frequently in the Old Testament and about
forty times in the New Testament.

References: Mark 7:13, Romans 10:17, Hebrews 4:12.

3. The Scriptures: This designation is found once in the Old Testament in Daniel 10:21. It
was used more frequently in the early church than it is at present. This title is found in the
New Testament some fifty-two times. It comes from the Latin word meaning “writing.”

References: Matthew 22:29, Luke 24:27, John 5:39, Acts 17:11, Romans 1:2, II Timothy
3:15, II Peter 3:16.
 i. The Old and New Testaments: The word “testament” means “covenant,” and by this
term, God was pleased to designate the relation that existed between Himself and His
people. “Testament” is used thirteen times in the Authorized version, but is translated
“covenant” in the Revised version. The Old Testament or Covenant was given at Mt.
Sinai and deals with the calling and history of the Jewish nation.

The New Testament or Covenant was made in the upper room and is concerned with the
history and application of the redemption wrought by Jesus Christ.

References: Luke 22:20, II Corinthians 3:6, Hebrews 9:15 and Hebrews 12:24.

ii. The Oracles: Oracles originally meant the place where the Word of God was kept and
from which it was communicated. This designation is found approximately fourteen
times in the Old Testament and four times in the New Testament.

References: II Samuel 16:23, Psalm 28:2, Acts 7:38, Romans 3:2, Hebrews 5:12 and I
Peter 4:11.

iii. The Precepts: The precepts are prescribed truths. It means, “placed in trust” and has to
do with the conduct and conscience of man.

iv. The Statutes: This term means “fixed obligations” and comes from the root word
meaning, “to engrave.” These statutes are fixed and engraved by the hand of God.

v. The Commandments: God’s Word is given with authority and lodged with us as a
trust. Not to obey the Word of God is an act of rebellion.

vi. The Judgments: God’s judgments were made in infinite wisdom. The Bible is a guide
that is just and right.

B. THE DIVISIONS OF THE BIBLE:

1. Into Testaments:

Old and New Testaments.

2. Into Books:

a. The English division of the Old Testament (Thirty-nine books).

 i. Pentateuch (five books): Genesis, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Exodus and Numbers.

ii. History (twelve books): Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I & II Samuel, I & II Kings, I & II
Chronicles and Esther.

iii. Poetry (five books): Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon.

iv. Prophecy (seventeen books): Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel,

Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai,
Zechariah and Malachi.

b. The Hebrew division of the Old Testament (twenty-four books).

The Old Testament division is referred to in Luke 24:44. The Hebrews never spoke of I
& II Samuel or of I & II Kings until the translation of the Septuagint Bible in 285 BC.
When seventy Jews began to translate into the Greek, they found that it took so much
space that they divided some books into two books. The poetical books were not divided
either.

c. The English division of the New Testament (Twenty-seven books).

i. Gospels (four books): Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

ii. Historical (one book): Acts of the Apostles.

iii. Epistles (twenty-one books): Romans, I & II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians,

Philippians, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon,
Hebrews, James, I & II Peter, I & II & III John and Jude.

iv. Prophecy (one book): Revelation.

3. Into Chapters:

There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible and they are manmade. Credit for this is given to
Stephen Langdon who died in 1227 A.D. Originally, chapter division was thought to have
been done by Cardinal Sancto who died in 1263, but Stephen Langdon is still given credit
for the work. The division of the Bible into chapters was done for the purpose of a Latin
concordance. Some divisions are unfortunate, but this has been retained in all following
translations.
 4. Into Verses:

There are 31,163 verses in the Bible. This division is also manmade and was done in 1550
A.D. by Sir Robert Stevens. The Geneva Bible, printed in 1560, was the first Bible to be
printed in verse form. The Revised Version of 1881 does not have the verse division.

There are 3,566,480 letters in the Bible.

C. THE SYMBOLS OF THE BIBLE:

1. A Critic or Discerner:

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful… a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

This is the only place in the Bible where the word “critic” occurs. How presumptuous for
men to dare to be critics of the Bible when it has been given to be our critic.

2. A Lamp or Light:

Like the star in the East, it will lead any honest seeker to Jesus. Like the seven-branched
candlestick in the tabernacle, it shines with a perfect light upon divine things. Like the fiery
pillar, it lights up the whole pathway of the child of God throughout his wilderness journey.

References: Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:130, Proverbs 6:23 and II Peter 1:19.

3. A Mirror:

Like a mirror, the Bible shows man, as he really is “guilty before God.” This is the first step
that leads to God.

References: II Corinthians 3:18 and James 1:25.

4. A Laver:

As water cleanses by separating from the body those outward stains which defile it, so the
Word of God has a cleansing effect by teaching the heart to shrink from every form of sin
which would defile the inner life.
 References: Ephesians 5:26, Psalm 119:11 and John 15:3.

5. Food:

a. Milk for babes: I Corinthians 3:2 and Hebrews 5:12-13.

b. Bread for the hungry: Deuteronomy 8:3 and Isaiah 55:1-2.
i. Strong meat for men: I Corinthians 3:2 and Hebrews 5:12-14.
ii. Honey: Psalm 19:10 and Psalm 119:103.

6. Gold:

God has provided in His Word such lasting wealth that all the riches of the world are in
comparison as nothing.

Reference: Psalm 19:10.

7. Fire:

References: Jeremiah 20:9 and Jeremiah 23:29.

8. Hammer:

Some men’s hearts are hard as rock and it takes the steady beating of the Word to break
them.

Reference: Jeremiah 23:19.

9. Sword:

Reference: Ephesians 6:17.

10. Seed:

a. We should sow in all places (Isaiah 32:20).

b. We should sow at all times (Ecclesiastes 11:6).
c. Soil should be prepared by love and compassion (Psalm 126:6).
 Lesson Two

HOW WAS THE BIBLE WRITTEN

A. GOD ONLY WROTE THREE TIMES:

We have the record of God writing only three times:

1. The Ten Commandments written on tables of stone: “And he gave unto Moses, when he had
made an end of communing with him upon Mt Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone,
written with the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18).

2. Judgment on Belshazzar’s wall: “In the same hour came forth finger’s of a man’s hand, and
wrote over against the candlestick… and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote”
(Daniel 5:5).

3. The message of grace written by our Lord in the dust of the floor of the temple: “But Jesus
stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not” (John
8:6).

The first time was the giving of the LAW that was broken by man. The last time was a special
act of GRACE that was trampled underfoot by man.

B. THE BIBLE HAS ONLY ONE AUTHOR:

In writing the Bible, God used forty men over a period of some 1,600 years. Although there
were so many men used over such a long time, it is quite evident that the Bible has only one
author. The Bible is the product of one Master Mind.

A reverent and careful study of the Bible will acquaint the student with its AUTHOR.

C. THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN BY INSPIRATION:

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (II Timothy 3:16).
 If God inspires every scripture, then there can be no scripture that isn’t inspired by God.

“Given by inspiration of God” comes from one Greek word meaning “God-breathed.”

“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” (II Peter 1:20-21).

D. DEFINITION OF INSPIRATION:

“Inspired," means literally “God-breathed.” It comes from the Greek word “theopneustos” or
“God breathed out.” It is the strong conscious inbreathing of God into men. The Bible, therefore
is just as much the Word of God as though God spoken every word of it with His own lips. The
Scriptures are the result of divine inbreathing just as human speech is uttered by the breathing
through a man’s mouth.

“Holy men of God, qualified by the infusion of the breath of God, wrote in obedience to the
divine command, and were kept from all error, whether they revealed truths previously
unknown or recorded truths already familiar” (II Peter 1:20-21—Evans).

We cannot explain the manner in which the Holy Spirit enabled the writers to accomplish the
task. God chose a vessel, a human personality, and used that human personality as His vocal
chords.

All Scripture is God-breathed. This means that no Scripture is inspired more than any other
Scripture.

E. DEFINITION OF REVELATION:

“Revelation” is that act of God by which he directly communicates truth not known before to
the human mind. “Revelation” discovers new truth while “Inspiration” superintends the
communication of that truth. All in the Bible has not been “revealed” but all “inspired.”

F. DEFINITION OF ILLUMINATION:

“Illumination” is the influence of the Spirit upon the minds of men that they might understand
spiritual things. Spiritual illumination is conditioned by yielding to the Holy Spirit.

References: I Corinthians 2:14 and Matthew 16:17.

 Illumination is a divine action of the mind of men. Revelation is a divine revealing of the mind
of men. If we are speaking of TRUTH, then it is proper to use the word “revelation.” If we are
speaking of the MIND and HEART of man, then it is proper to use the word “illumination.”
The revelation of truth illuminates man’s mind and heart.

G. THE EXTENT OF INSPIRATION:

We believe in the plenary of full inspiration. Partial inspiration is incorrect. There are those who
say that the Bible contains the Word of God. We believe that the Bible is the Word of God.
There is a great difference between these two statements: “The Bible contains the Word of God”
and “The Bible is the Word of God.” Let us make certain that we know the difference.

H. WHY WE BELIEVE IN THE FULL INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE:

1. Jesus gave the Old Testament His full sanction (Matthew 5:18).
2. It is the product of one Master Mind. Although it contains sixty-six books, written by forty
writers over 1,600 years, it has ONE AUTHOR.
3. The types, symbols and ceremonies reveal it as divine. E.g. Christ in the tabernacle.
4. Bible prophecies stamp it as being divine (I Peter 1:10-11). A tremendous amount of Bible
Prophecy has been literally fulfilled in our own lifetime.
5. Moral standards of the Bible prove it to be divine (I Peter 1:16).
6. The Creator of man is the Author of the Bible. Only in this way could the Bible reveal man
to himself as it does.
7. It reveals the only way of salvation; so plain, yet deep.
8. By its fruits we know the Bible is divine (Romans 11:33).
9. The Bible will outlast the universe (Psalm 119:89, Matthew 5:18).
10. The world recognizes it as divine. It is the “ROCK.” It has been translated into more
languages than any other book. Whole libraries have been written to interpret it and before it
sages bow.

I. DEFINITION OF VERBAL INSPIRATION:

“Verbal Inspiration” means that each word was inspired in the original writings. Mistakes could
have been made by the translators but impossible in the original. If the Bible is verbally inspired
there should be, there can be, no errors in it; God could not make a mistake. If on the other hand
it is not fully and verbally inspired then the assumption is that some parts are from God, while
other parts are purely human. In these latter parts we should naturally expect to find errors. If
the thoughts only are inspired then the Bible contains the Word of God, but is not such in its
essence. This of course is error. We believe absolutely in Verbal Inspiration.
J. REASONS FOR VERBAL INSPIRATION:

1. The writers themselves say so.

Moses—Exodus 20:1. God spake these words.
Moses—Exodus 24:4. Moses wrote all the words of the Lord.
Moses—Exodus 25:1. These are the words, which the Lord hath commanded.
David—II Samuel 23:2. His Word was in my tongue.
Isaiah—Isaiah 1:2. The Lord has spoken.
Jeremiah—Jeremiah 1:4. The Word of the Lord came unto me.
Jeremiah—Jeremiah 1:9. I have put my words in thy mouth.
Amos—Amos 1:1. The words which he saw concerning Israel.
Ezekiel—Ezekiel 1:3. The Word of the Lord came expressly to Ezekiel.
John—Revelation 1:1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave him.

2. The writers often did not understand what they wrote. God gave the words but not
necessarily the thoughts. “The prophets have enquired…” They were not ministered unto
themselves but unto us (I Peter 1:10-12).

Daniel did not understand all he wrote (Daniel 12:8-9).

Did David understand about the parting of the garments and the piercing of the hands and
feet? (Psalm 22:18; Psalm 22:16).

3. The Bible would be incorrect if it were not verbally inspired.

a. Importance is placed upon simple words. (E.g. Hebrews 12:17 quoting from Haggai 2:6
“Yet once more.”)
b. Importance is placed upon the tense of a verb. (E.g. Galatians 3:16 “S”—seed—not
seeds.)

4. The science of the Bible is absolutely correct although many of the popular ideas of that day
were incorrect. (E.g. the earth was flat, etc.)

5. The testimony of Christ proves that the Bible was verbally inspired. (E.g. Matthew 5:18 “jot
or tittle.” We might say that the crossing of a “t” or the dotting of a “I.” Luke 24:44—All
things must be fulfilled which were written.

6. If part of the Bible is divine and part human, who can tell which is which?
 Lesson Three

THE SUPPOSED CONTRADICTIONS

OF THE BIBLE
The Bible, when correctly interpreted, never contradicts itself. We are listing here a few of the
supposed contradictions with the proper explanations. This is another proof of the infallibility of the
Bible.

If we find a Scripture that apparently contradicts some other passage of Scripture, we should pray
and ask the Lord for a proper understanding. As soon as we have the proper understanding, there is
no longer any contradiction.

A. TWO ACCOUNTS OF THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT:

“And seeing the multitudes, he went up onto a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples
came to him” (Matthew 5:1). “And he came down with them, and stood in the plain” (Luke
6:17).

Are these Scriptures contradictory? Did Jesus preach the sermon in the mountain or upon the
plain? Which one is correct? The answer simply is this: There are TWO sermons. One of them
was preached in the mountain while the other was preached upon the plain. The first sermon
was preached to the disciples and the other was preached to the crowd.

We should note that Matthew was not present at the Sermon on the Mount, which is recorded in
his gospel, but he was present when Jesus repeated the sermon upon the plain. This becomes
clear when we read the following verses: Matthew 9:9 and Luke 6:15.

B. MATTHEW 28:19 AND ACTS 2:38:

“…Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew
28:19). “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38).
 These Scriptures are not contradictory. Jesus did not tell His disciples to baptize, using the
names, “Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” He told them to baptize in the NAME of the Father, Son
and Holy Ghost. Note that “NAME” is in the singular not plural. What is that NAME? The
words Father, Son and Holy Ghost are not names but titles pointing to ONE PERSON who has
ONE NAME. That name is JESUS.

Jesus expected obedience, not just a repetition of the words He used. Peter obeyed the
commission and did exactly what Jesus had said. In fact, a person has not obeyed Matthew
28:19 unless they have been baptized in the NAME of JESUS.

Certainly there is no contradiction between these two Scriptures.

C. PAUL’S SUPPOSED MISTAKE:

“And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand” (Numbers 25:9). “…And
fell in one day three and twenty thousand” (I Corinthians 10:8).

There is no contradiction here. In the book of Numbers, the total is given but the Apostle Paul,
writing under inspiration, stated that 23,000 died in one day. The other thousand died on a
different day.

D. MATTHEW’S SUPPOSED MISTAKE:

“Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, And they took the
thirty pieces of silver…” (Matthew 27:9).

In the prophecy of Zechariah, we read this prophecy of Jesus being sold for thirty pieces of
silver; whereas there is nothing about it in the prophecy of Jeremiah. Therefore it is claimed by
some that this is a mistake made by Matthew.

Matthew, writing under inspiration, wrote that Jeremiah spoke these words. Could not this be
just as correct as Jude 14 regarding the prophecy of Enoch’s although a similar prophecy is in
Zechariah 14:5? Jeremiah could have spoken it as well as Zechariah but still spoken by
Jeremiah and Enoch respectively.

E. DAVID NUMBERING THE PEOPLE:

 “And there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the
men of Judah were five hundred thousand men” (II Samuel 24:9). “And all they of Israel were a
thousand thousand and a hundred men that drew sword” (I Chronicles 21:5).

The explanation for the apparent contradiction here is simply this: Samuel tells us that the
valiant men that drew the sword were 800,000 while Chronicles states that all Israel were
1,100,000. There were 300,000 men who could not be called valiant.

F. GENEALOGIES OF OUR LORD:

Matthew 1—This is traced back on Joseph’s side to show Christ as the legal heir to the throne
of Israel.

Luke 3—This is traced back on Mary’s side to Adam emphasizing Christ’s true humanity and to
show Him as the promised seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15).

G. INSCRIPTION ON THE CROSS:

Matthew 27:37—“This is Jesus the King of the Jews.”

Mark 15:26—“The King of the Jews.”
Luke 23:28—“This is the King of the Jews.”
John 19:19—“Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.”

It is claimed that this is a contradiction because it is different in each of the Gospels. However,
when we put these together, the difference disappears: “This is Jesus of Nazareth the King of
the Jews.”

Undoubtedly the total inscription was written and only part of it recorded in the various gospels.

H. THE CONVERSION OF SAUL:

“And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man”
(Acts 9:7). “And they that were with me saw indeed the light and were afraid; but they heard
not the voice of him that spake to me” (Acts 22:9).

The explanation here is that the men with Saul saw a light and heard the sound of a voice; but to
the men, the sound of the voice did not express words that they understood. Jesus was speaking
to Saul and he was the only one who understood what was being said.
I. OTHER SUPPOSED CONTRADICTIONS:

There are other “supposed” contradictions and mistakes in the Bible, but the examples given
here in this lesson are sufficient to prove that there is no mistake in the Bible. The error is
always in our understanding of the Bible, never in the Word of God. The Bible is absolutely
accurate and infallible. How important it is that we study the Bible and understand the message
it contains. We should never attempt to change the Word of God in the slightest manner.
 Lesson Four

DOCTRINE
A. THE MEANING OF DOCTRINE:

The word “doctrine” means “teaching” or “truth.” It is impossible to teach the Bible without
teaching doctrine. Doctrine is the backbone and framework of all teaching and preaching. It
gives strength, form and beauty to the message we proclaim.

B. SOUND DOCTRINE:

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” (II Timothy 4:3).

Sound doctrine is the teaching of God’s Word in purity and truth without error or darkness. It is
teaching which is wholesome and healthful. If you are sound in body, you are healthy; if you
are sound in doctrine, you have spiritual health. Sound doctrine exalts Jesus and denounces sin.
It faithfully points out the suffering that follows a life of sin; it inspires faith in the hearer and
leads him to a life of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Sound doctrine leaves the
believer with a heart full of deep peace and rest in Jesus.

In these days of apostasy, many are not willing to endure sound doctrine. A spirit of
restlessness, discontent and dissatisfaction enters in and the professing Christian begins to look
for a thrill, excitement or something sensational. They become unstable and unsettled and are
like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. They become wells without water,
clouds that are carried with the tempest. Because of this, they depart from the faith, giving heed
to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.

When we endure sound doctrine, we are perfectly happy and content with God’s Word alone.
When heaven and earth have passed away, the Word of God will still be standing. The Bible is
that which will lead us to Jesus and save our souls. It alone is truth, for it alone is infallible.

C. IMMUTABILITY OF DOCTRINE:
 The Word of God does not change and is absolutely eternal and unchangeable in its nature. This
means that there is no true doctrine apart from that taught by the apostles and there is the great
necessity of continuing steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine.

“The truth of the Lord endureth for ever” (Psalm 117:2).

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of
bread, and in prayers” (Acts 4:42).

D. THE IMPORTANCE OF DOCTRINE:

The importance of Bible Doctrine may be seen in the following Scriptures:

“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (I Timothy 4:13).

“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt
both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (I Timothy 4:16).

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16).

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour
in the word and doctrine” (I Timothy 5:17).

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
longsuffering and doctrine” (II Timothy 4:2).

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that
abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son”(II John 9).

E. THE PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARDS DOCTRINE:

The proper approach to the study of God’s Word is to have a healthy hunger to know TRUTH
for the sake of TRUTH alone. There are many motives for the study of the Bible; but above all
others, this should be the most important.

We should never search into God’s Word simply to win an argument or to defend a certain
position. We should always search for and seek after TRUTH for the sake of TRUTH alone.
F. PRINCIPLES TO BE REMEMBERED IN UNDERSTANDING DOCTRINE:

1. Truth comes by Divine Revelation. There is no better teacher of Divine truth then the Holy
Spirit, the Author of the Bible. Many truths are mysteries that are hidden from the
unregenerate mind and can only be understood as the Spirit makes them clear.

“When he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness
unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (I Corinthians
2:14).

2. Next to the Holy Spirit, Scripture is the best interpreter of the Bible.
3. Truth is in agreement with the whole tenor of Scripture. Doctrine should never be
established on one isolated passage of Scripture unless that doctrine is at the same time in
harmony with the entire Bible.
4. Truth is always well balanced and sound. Extreme viewpoints are more likely to be in error
than the middle of the road belief.
5. Truth always exalts Jesus Christ. Any teaching that degrades Jesus is erroneous.
6. Truth always has a sanctifying effect in the life of a believer. A man’s daily walk will tell
whether or not he is a believer of true doctrine.

G. HOW TO STUDY A BIBLE DOCTRINE:

1. By the use of an analytical concordance or topical Bible, trace the doctrine through the Bible
and collect all references. By taking time to write all these references out in long hand, the
student is more likely to receive a true understanding of what the entire Bible has to say
about the subject.
2. By comparing all these Bible references, write a definition of the doctrine. Ask yourself
these questions: What do these references have in common? Where do they differ?
Remember that the Bible never contradicts itself.
3. Relate the references to their immediate context and the total pattern of Biblical truth. Study
each reference in the light of its context and evaluate the presence of this doctrine within the
total pattern of the biblical revelation.
4. Apply the doctrine to personal experience. Is this a doctrine for believers or unbelievers? In
what way must it be applied to the lives of those to whom it is addressed?
5. Summarize the doctrine. Write a paragraph or more stating your conclusions.
 Lesson Five

HOW WE GOT OUR BIBLE

A. MANUSCRIPTS:

The Bible was originally written on long sheets of parchments and then rolled on wooden
rollers. These were called “manuscripts” meaning, “written by the hand.” The men who copied
the Word of God on these manuscripts were called “scribes.” These manuscripts were very
expensive and had to be read to the congregation.

At the beginning skins of parchments were known as “scrolls.”

The Jewish scribes exercised the greatest possible care in copying the Hebrew manuscripts.
Each new copy had to be made from an approved manuscript, written with a special kind of ink,
upon sheets made from the skin of a “clean” animal. The writers had to pronounce aloud each
word before writing it, and on no account was a single word to be written from memory. They
were to reverently wipe their pen before writing the name of God in any form, and to wash their
whole body before writing “Jehovah.” The new copy was carefully examined with the original,
and if there was even one incorrect letter, the whole copy was rejected. In Hebrew documents of
the Old Testament, any variations introduced by the copyists amounted to less than one-
thousandth of the entire text.

The Hebrew language was originally written entirely in consonants without any vowels and
spacing to divide the words.

The name JEHOVAH was simply written JHVH. If we were to write the Lord’s prayer in this
manner it would look like this: RFTHRWHCTNHVNHLLWDBTHYNM…

B. SEPTUAGINT:

About 227 BC seventy scholars at Alexandria, Egypt began a translation of the Old Testament
into the Greek language. This Greek translation of the Old Testament was known as the
SEPTUAGINT that was a Latin word meaning seventy. The Septuagint was widely circulated
and was used as the basis for many future translations.
 It is said that it was in the Septuagint that the present familiar titles, by which the various books
of the Bible are known, were first adopted. The order in which they were arranged has been
followed ever since although it is quite different from that of the original Hebrew Scriptures.

This translation was a loose and free translation and was faulty in many respects. It was in
existence in the time of our Lord but neither He nor the apostles ever made use of it.

It is most probable that our Lord spoke Aramaic.

C. THE VULGATE:

The vulgate was a Latin translation of the Septuagint version of the Old Testament and of the
original Greek of the New Testament. It means, “to make common or public” (vulgar). It was
made in North Africa and was revised in the 4th century by Jerome.

For a thousand years this was the standard Bible in the Catholic Church. The common people
could not read Latin. The leader read to the people. During the dark ages, God’s Word was
locked up in the Latin language.

D. JEROME:

Jerome was one of the ablest scholars of the 4th century. He was born in 340 AD in Dalmatia.
He then studied in Rome and was baptized in the year 360.

He studied the Hebrew language and lived as a hermit not far from Antioch from 373 to 379. He
returned to Rome, traveled through Palestine and Egypt. He went to Bethlehem in 386 and as
head of the monastery, he made his headquarters there till his death in 420.

The older Latin versions of the Bible were crude and Pope Damascus proposed to Jerome that
he would make a revision. He completed the New Testament in the year 388. He then translated
the Old Testament using the ancient Hebrew manuscripts. The result of Jerome’s work was the
Vulgate that is still in use in the Roman Catholic Douay Bible.

E. FIRST ANGLO-SAXON TRANSLATION:

In the year 450 the Anglo-Saxon language was introduced into England by the invaders.
However, for many centuries the Word of God was only available in handwritten copies of the
Latin Vulgate. Because of this it was available only to the learned and rich. Nevertheless it had
sufficient influence in the land that paganism died out.
 In the eighth century Venerable Bede, one of the greatest literary men of those times, translated
the Psalms and the Gospels into the Anglo-Saxon language. He died in the year 735.

Alfred the Great who was crowned King at the age of twenty-two was a man of prayer and a
lover of the Bible. He instituted great reforms and expressed a desire that every youth should be
able to read the Scriptures before studying any other subject.

He ordered a translation of the whole Bible to be made into Anglo-Saxon but did not live to see
its completion.

England was conquered by the Normans under William the Conqueror in 1066 after which the
English language was introduced and the country became priest-ridden.

F. FIRST ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

John Wycliffe, the great Reformer, was born around the year 1320. He became a lecturer at
Oxford, one of the ablest theologians and scholars in England at that time. He was convinced
that the Bible was God’s Word and he determined to give it to the people of the English tongue.

He translated the whole Bible into the English language from the Latin Vulgate. It was divided
into chapters, and although it was copied in handwriting, its circulation was large. Some one
hundred and fifty manuscripts survive.

The translation took about twenty-two years to accomplish and each copy took ten months to
write out. Each copy would cost about $800.00 in our money to buy. Those who could not
afford to buy a copy would pay a large sum to be able to read it one hour each day. Sometimes a
load of hay would be given in exchange for a few pages of it.

The Roman Catholics opposed this translation and eventually forbade the reading of this
English Bible under penalty of death. History records a long list of martyrs who died at the
stake rather than give up this English Bible.

Wycliffe died of paralysis in 1384. Forty years after his death the Roman Catholic authorities
dug up his bones and burned them, scattering the ashes on the River Swift.

Wycliffe’s Bible was printed in four volumes in 1850.

Wycliffe has been called “Morning Star of the Reformation.”

 The principle that directed his life was his claim, “The Sacred Scriptures are the property of the
people and one that no one should be allowed to wrest from them.”

G. THE INVENTION OF PRINTING:

Gutenburg who is said to have printed a Bible invented printing in Europe around 1450. Caxton
introduced printing into England in 1476 about which time some of the Old Testament was
printed in Hebrew. This invention increased the circulation of the Scriptures.

H. WILLIAM TYNDALE:

In 1525 Tyndale, one of the Protestant reformers and a contemporary of Luther, made another
English translation. He was the first to publish and print an English New Testament. He had to
do this partly at Cologne and partly at Worms. He worked under great difficulty, in exile,
poverty and distress. Several editions were printed.

The Testaments were smuggled into England in bales of cotton, sacks of flour, etc. The
Catholics made every effort to prevent it and burned thousands of copies.

He translated from Greek and his translation was very accurate. He also translated the
Pentateuch and the book of Jonah into English. In 1535 he issued a Revised Version of the New
Testament from original Greek.

In 1536 Tyndale was first strangled and then burnt at the stake by the Roman Catholic
authorities. His last words were, “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes!”

I. THE FIRST PRINTED ENGLISH BIBLE:

Miles Coverdale first printed the whole Bible in English in 1535. This Bible also contained the
apocryphal books. Coverdale died in 1568.
 Lesson Six

HOW WE GOT OUR BIBLE

(Continued)
A. FIRST AUTHORIZED VERSION OF THE BIBLE:

Thomas Cromwell induced Henry VIII to grant a license for the issue of the Bible in English.
This was done by John Rogers and was known as “Matthews Bible.” It was unpopular because
of comments in the margin against the Roman Catholic Church.

In 1539 Coverdale and others brought a reprint without the marginal comments. The King gave
his approval and this became the Authorized Version. It was ordered to be in every parish
church and chained to the pulpit where the people flocked to hear the Word of God read.

B. THE GENEVA BIBLE:

In 1553, Queen Mary came to the throne and was queen for 4 1/2 bloody years. The printing,
importation and circulation of Bible were prohibited. During her reign Ridley, Cranmer,
Latimer and over three hundred Bible loving men were burnt at the stake.

In 1558, Queen Elizabeth came to the throne at the age of twenty-five. She inaugurated her
reign by pressing to her lips and to her heart a copy of the Bible. This brought about a great
change that caused everyone to rejoice.

In 1560 appeared a very important edition of the Bible known as the “Geneva Bible.” It was
called the Geneva Bible because a number of reformers had fled to Geneva during the
persecution under Queen Mary. While in Geneva, they translated this new Bible directly from
the original Hebrew and Greek.

The Geneva Bible was smaller in size and became popular. It was the Bible used by
Shakespeare, Cromwell and John Bunyon. It was this Bible that was brought to America by the
Pilgrims.

The Geneva Bible was a very important Bible for the following reasons:
  It used the more easily read Roman type.
 It used the first whole Bible that was divided into verses.
 It was the first whole Bible to use italics for those words the translators added for the sake of
English idiom and which were not in the original text.
 It was the first to omit the apocryphal books since their introduction into the Septuagint.

C. THE BISHOP’S BIBLE:

In 1568, a committee of bishops brought out the Bishop’s Bible. It was a very expensive
edition, a poor translation and never became popular. It was used only a short time.

D. THE DOUAY BIBLE:

In 1582, Roman Catholics translated the New Testament at Rheims. In 1610, they translated the
Old Testament at Douay. This Bible includes the Apocrypha. It was translated from the Latin
Vulgate and contains gross errors that cannot be supported by the original Hebrew and Greek.

E. THE APOCRYPHA:

The Apocrypha is fourteen books included in the Roman Catholic Bible and are not in the
Protestant Bible. “Apocrypha” means “hidden” or “secret.” These books are not included in the
Protestant Bible because:
 The Scriptures are self contained and absolutely complete with nothing lacking.
 There is no reference to the Apocrypha in the New Testament.
 There are three solemn warnings against adding to the Bible:
 Moses: “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish
ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I
command you” (Deuteronomy 4:2).
 Solomon: “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee and thou be found a liar”
(Proverbs 30:6).
 John: “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that
are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of
this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life…” (Revelation 22:18-
19).
 Orthodox Jews or the Christian Church does not acknowledge the Apocrypha as being
inspired.
 The Apocrypha contains a great deal of legendary nonsense and some gross historical errors.

F. KING JAMES VERSION:

 The King James Version appeared in 1611. This is the translation now used by most English-
speaking people. Forty-seven scholars authorized by King James made an exhaustive study of
earlier versions. Ancient Hebrew and Greek texts were studied in order to obtain the best
results. It has held first place for over three hundred and fifty years.

The forty-seven translators were divided into groups whom were given certain sections of the
Bible to translate. Their work was then submitted for the approval from all the others. The
whole Bible was then given to a committee of six whom worked nine months examining the
complete text.

The English language has changed somewhat in the last three hundred and seventy-five years.
The earliest printing had many words spelled much different and this was modified about one
hundred years later.

Here are two verses from the 1611 printing: “Yea though I walke through the valley of the
shadowe of death, I will feare no evill: for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staffe, they comfort
me. Thou preparest a table before me, in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head
with oyle, my cuppe runneth over” (Psalm 23:4-5).

G. REVISED VERSION:

In 1870 nearly one hundred men from different denominations met at Westminster and for over
ten years worked at revising the Authorized Version.

In 1881 the Revised New Testament was published. The demand for this version was so great
that two million copies were ordered before it was published. Every word from the beginning of
Matthew to the end of Romans was telegraphed from New York to Chicago. This was the
longest telegraphic message ever sent up to that time.

In 1885 the Revised Version of the whole Bible was issued. The Old Testament was also
revised at Westminster but it took fifteen years to accomplish.

In this version paragraphs were introduced.

H. AMERICAN STANDARD VERSION:

This version was issued in 1905. It also took fifteen years to accomplish and divide the Bible
into paragraphs.
I. REVISED STANDARD VERSION:

In 1929 the copyright of the American Standard Version was transferred to the International
Council of Religious Education, a body related to 40 major Protestant denominations. This
council appointed a committee to revise the Standard Version.

The Revised Standard Version of the New Testament was published in 1496 and the complete
Bible was issued in 1952.

This version reflects liberal theology. We see this in the translation of the word “virgin” etc.

J. OTHER TRANSLATIONS:

There are other translations into modern English that may be used: Moffat, Weymouth,
Amplified, etc. These help in the study of the Bible and may be used as a source of reference.
However, it is wise to keep to the Authorized King James Version as the main text of the Word
of God as this is the version that God has used above all others in the salvation of souls.

K. LOVE FOR THE BIBLE:

When we realize the long hours of toil that have been invested into the translations, and that
many men gave their lives in order that we might have the Bible, how we should devoutly love
our Bibles.

Above all this, it is God’s Word and for this reason alone, we should ever cherish it and hide it
away in our hearts.
 Lesson Seven

JESUS CHRIST IN THE BIBLE

Some have believed that the Bible is a record of man’s religious discoveries, and of his progress as
he gropes his way for a truer concept of God. This is not true. The Bible is the record of God’s
unfolding revelation of Himself and of His own entrance into the world as the God-man, Jesus
Christ.

The Bible is God’s portrait album, and although it contains portraits of many saints and sinners,
there may be found on every page a portrait of Him. What we see when we open our Bible is “the
face of Jesus Christ” (II Corinthians 5:6) “who is the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15).

As the planets revolve around the sun, so the truths of the Bible may be said to revolve around Jesus
Christ.

The Bible is the written Word; Jesus is the living Word. The entire written Word is centered around
the living Word.

Jesus is the Author of the Bible. In every part of the Bible, we are introduced to the Author.

A. JESUS CHRIST IS IN OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY:

“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the
things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall
receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43).

The Old Testament prophecies all point forward to Jesus Christ giving a great deal of
information concerning His coming and His ministry. We shall content ourselves with just a
few examples:
 Genesis 3:15—Seed of the woman.
 Isaiah 7:14—Virgin birth.
 Isaiah 53:1-12—Christ’s sufferings at Calvary.
  Psalm 22:16-18—Piercing His hands and feet; Parting His garments.

There are altogether about one thousand prophecies in the Bible; about eight hundred in the Old
Testament and about two hundred in the New Testament. Of those in the Old Testament, no less
than three hundred and thirty-three center on Jesus Christ.

B. JESUS CHRIST IS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT TYPES:

The Old Testament is full of types of which Jesus Christ is almost always the anti-type. Again
we shall not attempt in dealing with a large number of these but content ourselves with the
consideration of a few examples.

1. JACOB’S LADDER (Genesis 28).

The word “ladder” really means “stair way.” Jacob saw a stairway and angels ascending and
descending. There is no other ladder in mentioned in Scripture. The ladder reached to God.

Jesus Christ is the Anti-type as explained in John 1:45-51. Jesus is the ladder by which God
came down to man. God was on earth in Christ. If there is no virgin birth than God didn’t
come down.

Jesus could love you from Heaven, but He couldn’t save you from there. The ladder touched
earth and Heaven. It was set up on earth by way of the virgin birth. Then it touched Heaven
by way of the ascension. Man can never enter Heaven in any other way.

2. THE BAZEN SERPENT (Numbers 21).

This is one of the types that Jesus pointed out to us (John 3:14-15). The Israelites were
sinful and were murmuring against God. As judgment, fiery serpents were sent among them.
When the people cried to Moses for aid, God instructed Moses to construct a serpent of
brass and lift it up on a pole. All that was necessary was to look—“look and live.”

There is no man or woman living who has not the poison of the serpent bite. We are sinners
under the sentence and shadow of death. The poison of the serpent is the poison of sin.

Brass in the Scripture is typical of judgment. So the serpent of brass on the pole speaks of
judgment. Christ was judged in our stead. The anti-type gives us judgment, for Christ on the
cross was judged.
 A look at the serpent on the pole brought life. The serpents brought death, but the look
brought life.

3. MANNA (Exodus 16).

The manna was the wilderness food for the Israelites. Jesus Christ is the anti-type as stated
in John 6:30-58.

Manna came down from Heaven. Christ is the bread that comes down from Heaven. They
didn’t have to understand the manna; all they had to do was eat. All we have to do is accept
Christ; we don’t have to understand. Manna rested on the earth only a little while; the thirty-
three years of Christ’s life was brief in the face of eternity. Manna came then and has never
come since; Christ came once as a Savior.

The Old Testament is full of types pointing forward to Jesus Christ. It is possible to name a long
list of such types: Adam, Aaron, Isaac, Jonah, Joseph, The Passover Lamb, The Cities of
Refuge, The Tabernacle in the Wilderness, The High Priest and his garments, etc.

C. JESUS CHRIST IS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT OFFERINGS AND SACRIFICES:

Every offering and sacrifice, of which the Old Testament is full, points to Jesus Christ, from
every conceivable point of view.

In Genesis we have the sacrifice for the individual—Isaac in Genesis 22:13.

In Exodus we have the sacrifice for the household—Passover in Exodus 12:3.
In Leviticus we have the sacrifice for the nation—Leviticus 4:13-15.
In John we have the sacrifice for the world—John 3:16.

D. JESUS CHRIST IS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT:

The entire New Testament is the record of the life and ministry of our Lord in bringing
salvation to mankind. Each division of the New Testament gives us a different aspect of His life
and ministry.

1. THE GOSPELS:

Matthew wrote for the Jews and set forth Jesus as King. Here God says to us, “Behold thy
King” (Matthew 21:5).
 Mark wrote for the Romans and sets forth Christ as the true Servant and Son of God. Here
God says to us, “Behold My Servant” (Isaiah 42:1).

Luke wrote for the Greek and sets forth Christ as the Son of Man. Here God says to us,
“Behold the Man” (Isaiah 40:9).

2. ACTS AND THE EPISTLES:

In the book of Acts and the Epistles we see Jesus Christ living and ministering to His
church.

3. REVELATION:

In Revelation, Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In fact, the entire
prophecy is the “Revelation of Jesus Christ.”
 Lesson Eight

DISPENSATIONAL TRUTH
A dispensation is a period of time during which God deals in a particular way with man in respect
to sin and man’s responsibility. Unless a person understands the dispensation he cannot understand
the Bible and it becomes a book of confusion.

The word “dispensation” means “administration.”

“For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel
is committed unto me” (I Corinthians 9:17).

During a dispensation, man is tested to respect of obedience and to some specific revelation of the
will of God.

If we consider the tribulation as a separate dispensation there are eight dispensations. In this study
we shall consider eight dispensations although some may disagree and place the tribulation period
in the church age or dispensation of grace.

A. DISPENSATION OF INNOCENCE:

1. Period of Time: The length of time is not known. It began with the creation of man and
ended with the fall of man (Genesis 1:26 through Genesis 2:23).
2. Man’s Responsibility: Man must choose whether he will believe God’s Word or the
statements of Satan.
3. Man’s Failure and the Consequences: Man chose to believe Satan rather than God.
Judgment came upon mankind, the earth and Satan. The necessity of the Savior is seen and
the promise of a Savior is given.

B. DISPENSATION OF CONSCIENCE:

1. Period of Time: This period lasted from the fall of man to the flood—1656 years (Genesis 3
through 7).
 2. Man’s Responsibility: Man is to choose between doing good and doing evil. He insists on
evil.
3. Man’s Failure and Consequences: Man proves to be exceedingly wicked and judgment
through the flood comes as a result. God’s mercy is seen by saving eight people to begin a
new dispensation.

C. DISPENSATION OF HUMAN GOVERNMENT:

1. Period of Time: This dispensation lasted from the flood to the confusion of tongues at Babel
(427 years).
2. Man’s Responsibility: Noah was given the responsibility to govern for God.
3. Man’s Failure and Consequences: Noah revealed that man is unable to govern himself and
therefore unable to govern others. The building of the Tower of Babel was an organized
political and religious rebellion against God. The consequence of man’s failure was the
confusion of tongues and the dispersion of the people.

D. DISPENSATION OF PROMISE:

1. Period of Time: This period lasted from the call of Abraham to the Exodus—430 years
(Genesis 11:10 through Genesis 15:21).
2. Man’s Responsibility: Abraham was to stay in the land that God had given to him, and not
to go down to Egypt, a type of the world.
3. Man’s Failure and the Consequences: Abram doubts God’s Word and goes down to Egypt
for food. Finally Jacob’s entire house went down to Egypt. The result was slavery in Egypt,
sin and idolatry. Divine mercy is seen in the deliverance and preservation of Israel.

E. DISPENSATION OF LAW:

1. Period of Time: This dispensation lasted from Sinai to Calvary; from the Exodus to the
Cross (1491 years).
2. Man’s Responsibility: Israel was to keep the law that included the Ten Commandments and
all social and civil law.
3. Man’s Failure and the Consequences: They failed to keep the law, and they crucified the
only one who did keep the law.

F. DISPENSATION OF GRACE (Holy Ghost and Church Dispensation):

1. Period of Time: From the Day of Pentecost to the Rapture of the Church.
 2. Man’s Responsibility: Man is to believe in and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and to
obey the Gospel.
3. Man’s Failure and the Consequences: Man became a lover of himself, of money, of pleasure
and a rejecter of Jesus Christ. The result is that God gives them up to unbelief and eternal
judgment.

G. DISPENSATION OF JUDGMENT OF TRIBULATION:

1. Period of Time: This period will last from the rapture of the church to the millennium.
2. Man’s Responsibility: Man is to recognize and worship God; he is to refuse to take the mark
of the beast.
3. Man’s Failure and the Consequences: Man refuses to repent. The result is utter destruction
and Armageddon.

H. THE KINGDOM DISPENSATION:

1. Period of Time: From the return of Christ to the Great White Throne Judgment (1,000
years).
2. Man’s Responsibility: Man is to obey God and submit to the King and also to worship Him.
3. Man’s Failure and the Consequences: Man gives feigned obedience but when given a choice
he follows Satan. The result is complete destruction by fire.

I. EACH DISPENSATION ENDS IN A WORLD CRISIS:

Innocence—Expulsion of man from the Garden.

Conscience—The flood.
Human Government—Confusion of tongues.
Promise—Bondage of the chosen race.
Law—The Cross of Christ.
Grace—The rapture of the Church.
Tribulation—The binding of Satan.
Kingdom—Fire from Heaven.

J. IN EACH DISPENSATION GOD COMES DOWN:

Innocence—God came down to the Garden.

Conscience—God talked to Noah.
Human Government—God said, “Let us go down.”
Promise—“I am come down” (burning bush).
 Law—Incarnation of Christ.
Grace—The Lord shall descend.
Tribulation—Coming to earth.
Kingdom—Still upon earth.

K. DISPENSATIONAL TRUTH IS IMPORTANT:

Dispensational truth is very important in rightly dividing the Word of Truth. One must never
take truth that belongs to a past dispensation and apply it to neither the present, nor a truth that
belongs to a future dispensation and try to apply it to the present.

We shall be content in giving only one example of this: The 144,000 belong in the Tribulation
Dispensation, not in the Church Dispensation.
 Lesson Nine

NUMBERS IN THE BIBLE

As we study the Bible we are impressed with the significance that numbers have in God’s Word.
Every detail of the Scriptures is important and this is very evident with the study of numerals.

Let us be careful that we do not place an importance upon this study that God never intended. It
would be wholly impossible to build a doctrine upon the significance of the various numerals in the
Bible. It is sufficient to recognize that God has placed a certain meaning upon each numeral. Such
recognition should strengthen our faith in the fact that there was one Author of the Bible and that
the Scripture is the product of one supreme mind.

A. NUMBER ONE: The number one is a primary number. All other numbers depend on ONE. It
precedes and produces all other numbers.

The number one is God’s number. Without Him nothing could exist.

The number one stands alone, independent of all others. God is independent; we are dependent.

God is ONE who has a solution for every problem. His Word has been given to us as the ONE
BOOK, the ONLY BOOK.

B. NUMBER TWO: The number two is the number of division and separation. Number two
affirms that there is a difference.

God divided the night from the day. There is a separation of the saved and unsaved. The human
race is divided into TWO classes. There is the first Adam who failed; there is the second Adam
who brought salvation.

There are many Two’s in Scripture: Old Testament and New Testament; Law and Grace; Strait
gate and the wide gate; Narrow way and the broad way; Cain and Abel; Ishmael and Isaac, etc.

C. NUMBER THREE: The number three is the number of union, approval and completeness.
 There is the THREE fold testing of man: lust of the flesh, lust of the eye and the pride of life.
There are THREE enemies of man: world, flesh and the devil. Man is body, soul and spirit.
There are three that bear witness in earth: Spirit, water and blood.

D. NUMBER FOUR: The number four is the creation number. It has special reference to the
earth. One the fourth day the creation of material things were completed.

There are four directions: North, East, South and West.

There are four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

There were four kinds of soil in the parable: wayside, stony, thorny and the good.

There are four Gospels that give the life of our Lord upon earth.

E. NUMBER FIVE: The number five is significant of God’s grace.

The pillars of the outer court in the Tabernacle were five cubits apart and five cubits high.

There were five titles given to our Lord in Isaiah 9:6: Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God,
The Everlasting Father and The Prince of Peace.

There are five ministries named in Ephesians 4:11: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and
Teachers.

Jesus took five loaves and fed the five thousand.

F. NUMBER SIX: The number six is man’s number. This number brings to light the sad state of
human incompleteness.

Man was created on the sixth day. Six days were to mark the number of man’s labor.

Goliath was six cubits tall; he wore six pieces of armor; his spear’s head weighed 600 shekels of
iron.

Nebuchadnezzar set up an image 60 cubits high and six cubits wide. Six kinds of musical
instruments played to denote the time to worship the image.

The number of the Anti Christ is 666 (Revelation 13:8).

G. NUMBER SEVEN: The number seven denotes divine fulness, perfection and completeness. It
is one of the perfect numbers and comes from a Hebrew word meaning “to be full” or “to be
satisfied.”

In Revelation there are seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven personages, seven
vials, seven dooms, seven new things.

There are seven better things in Hebrews.

There are seven sayings on the cross.

God rested on the seventh day.

We are to forgive 70 times 7.

H. NUMBER EIGHT: The number eight is the number of resurrection.

On the eighth day there is a new beginning. The first day of the week is a resurrection day.

Eight people were saved in the flood.

A Jewish child was circumcised on the eighth day.

David was the eighth son of Jesse while Solomon was the eighth son of David.

The writers of the New Testament were eight in number: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul,
James, Peter and Jude.

I. NUMBER NINE: The number nine is the number of judgment and finality.

The number nine is the number of judgment and finality.

Jesus was nailed to the cross at nine o’clock in the morning and died at the ninth hour of the
day.

There is the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit given in Galatians 5:22-23 and speaks of finality for
there is nothing more needed.

Likewise there are the nine gifts of the Spirit as recorded in I Corinthians 12:8-10.
J. NUMBER TEN: The number ten is another perfect number. It speaks of perfection in divine
order and human responsibility.

The human body has five fingers on each hand—ten in all. The ten toes speak of human
responsibility in divine walk

In the Ten Commandments we see the completeness of God’s claim.

The completeness of God’s judgment is seen in the Ten Plagues.

Man’s responsibility in stewardship is to give God one-tenth.

K. NUMBER ELEVEN: The number eleven speaks of disorder and imperfection.

Eleven speaks of the disorder just before the midnight hour.

When Judas betrayed Jesus, it left eleven disciples that spoke of incompleteness.

L. NUMBER TWELVE: This number speaks of governmental perfection and rule.

Our Lord chose twelve disciples. There were twelve tribes of Israel.

The wall of New Jerusalem has twelve foundations. The length, breadth and height of the city
are 12,000 furlongs.
 Lesson Ten

PARABLES, TYPES AND FIGURES

OF SPEECH
In order to understand and interpret the Bible correctly, the student of the Bible must be familiar
with the various expressions and figures of speech in the Bible. We shall make no attempt to give
an exhaustive study of these, but rather just to mention some of the more common ones.

A. PARABLE:

A parable teaches a spiritual truth by analogy from a natural situation. The word “parable”
implies a “placing along side of” for purposes of comparison. The essential element of a parable
is the spiritual lesson to be taught.

A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. It may or may not be a true story. A
parable is an extended simile.

Jesus gave us the reason why He taught in parables: “And with many such parables spake he
the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them”
(Mark 4:33-34).

There were two reasons why parables were used: 1) To make truth known to the sincere disciple
of our Lord who really does desire to understand; and 2) To hide the truth from the idly curious,
the one who really does not desire to understand.

Because of this, we need spiritual wisdom and divine revelation in the interpretation of a
parable. It is important to relate the story to the background of social customs of that time. It is
necessary to understand how much of the parable was interpreted by the speaker or by the
context.

We should not try to establish any doctrine on a parable. However, the parable can throw light
on the doctrine. Remember, it was meant to be an illustration of a truth. Also we must be careful
 that we do not read into the parable more than what was meant. We should look for the parable
to illustrate one main spiritual truth.

B. ALLEGORY:

An allegory is sometimes called a prolonged metaphor. It is often an involved narration of an

artificial event or story in which all the details are determined by the realities they point to and
the message they are meant to convey. Thus in an allegory there need by no attempt to be true to
life, whereas a parable always presents a real familiar life situation.

One of the most famous examples of an allegory is Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress.” A well
known allegory in the Bible is found in the story of the two sons of Abraham representing the
two covenants (Galatians 4:22-31).

C. TYPE:

A type is a divinely appointed illustration of some Spiritual truth. A type is a shadow cast on the
pages of Old Testament history by a truth whose full embodiment or antitype is found in New
Testament revelation.

Our English word “type” is derived from the Greek “tupos” which occurs sixteen times in the
New Testament. The Greek word is very striking and has many shades of meaning. It is
translated by such words as, “print,” “figure,” “pattern,” etc.

Types may be classified as follows:

 A person—Adam, Isaac, Jonah, etc.
 An event—Deliverance from Egyptian bondage, The wilderness journey, The conquest of
Canaan, etc.
 A thing—Veil of the tabernacle, Brazen serpent, etc.
 Rituals—The offerings, The Passover, etc.

Types have these characteristics:

 They are thoroughly rooted in history.
 They are prophetic in nature.
 They are designed as a part of redemptive history.
 They are Christ centered.
 They have spiritual meaning in both dispensations.

A true type must be:

  A true picture of the person or thing in prefigures.
 Of divine appointment.
 A picture which prefigures something future.

A study of types is not easy. It calls for much time, work and prayer. Nevertheless a study of
typology is very important for a true understanding of God’s Word.

A type must never be used to teach a doctrine, but only to illustrate a doctrine that is clearly
taught elsewhere.

D. ANTITYPE:

Certain Old Testament items and practices are called types of New Testament truths. The New
Testament realities are the antitypes. Thus we can see the relation between type and antitype of
the Tabernacle, its priests and its offerings.

E. SHADOW:

You can never have a shadow without a body to cast the Shadow. In the Old Testament you
have the shadow, but in the New Testament you meet the body which cast the shadow.

F. SIMILE:

A Simile is where one thing is likened to another by direct statement. Generally the words
“like” or “as” are used.

“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water…” (Psalm 1:3).

“As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country” (Proverbs 25:25).

“…I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal” (I Corinthians 13:1).

G. METAPHOR:

A metaphor is where one thing is likened to another by implication. Words are taken from their
literal meaning and given a new and striking use. “And are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 23:1).
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).
 Here is a comparison of these two figures of speech: 1) Metaphor—Isaiah 40:6 “flesh is grass,”
Psalm 100:3 “sheep of his pasture” and 2) Simile—I Peter 1:24 “flesh is as grass,” Isaiah 53:6
“We like sheep.”

H. PERSONIFICATION:

A personification is a figure of speech whereby an inanimate object, an object of nature, an

abstract idea are given attributes of life. E.g. Numbers 16:32 “earth opened her mouth.”

I. APOSTROPHE:

This word comes from the Greek word meaning, “to turn.” This figure of speech is a turning
from the readers or hearers, and addressing that which is absent as present, or addressing the
inanimate as living. E.g. I Corinthians 15:15 “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is
thy victory?”

J. HYPERBOLE:

This is a rhetorical figure to magnify an object beyond reality. It is an overstatement used for
the purpose of deep emphasis with no thought of deception. E.g. John 21:25 “… I suppose that
even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.”
 Lesson Eleven

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

A. HOW TO PREPARE FOR BIBLE STUDY:

1. A Bible student should own a good Bible. By a good Bible, we mean a well-bound Bible
that can be read without eyestrain. We recommend the KJV.

2. A Bible student should own a Bible in modern language. There are many Bibles of modern
versions available. Some popular ones that can be recommended are the Amplified Bible or
the New International Version. If a student can afford it, he could have several of these
modern version Bibles. By comparing one with the other, he can receive a great deal of help
in understanding the Scriptures.

3. A Bible student should own a good Concordance. Again there are several from which he
may choose. The important thing is to have one that will give him a complete summary of
all Scriptures on any one subject and that will trace any particular word through the entire
Bible.

4. A Bible student should possess a good notebook. Buying a cheap notebook is poor
economy. A loose-leaf notebook of excellent quality will last a lifetime.

B. THE SPIRITUAL PREPARATION NECESSARY FOR BIBLE STUDY:

1 A Bible student should be a born again believer. It is essential to have a personal

acquaintance with the Author of the Bible if we are to understand His Word. The
unregenerate man cannot understand spiritual truth. “For what man knoweth the things of a
man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but
the Spirit of God” (I Corinthians 2:11).

2. A Bible student should be fully persuaded of the inspiration of God’s Word. The Bible is
not just another book. It is God’s Word. We must approach the Bible on bended knee. The
Bible student must never put a question mark where God puts a period.
 3. A Bible student must have a love for the Bible. To be a successful student of the Bible there
should be a real passion to know the Bible.

4. A Bible student should pray for discernment. The knowledge of the Bible will depend upon
the revelation of God and the mind of the student being illuminated by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore it is essential that the student pray for guidance and understanding.

5. A Bible student should be willing to obey. If we are to know the Word, we must do the will
of God. It is impossible to full understand God’s Word if we have a spirit of rebellion.

6. A Bible student must study regularly and consistently. To make progress in Bible Study, it
should never be followed in a haphazard manner. There should be regular hours set aside for
the study of God’s Word.

C. THE BENEFITS OF BIBLE STUDY:

1. PERSONAL FAITH: As we study the Word, faith increases. The source of our faith is what
God has said and promised. “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of
God” (Romans 10:17).

2. A SANCTIFIED HOLY LIFE: There is a cleansing power in the Word of God. Moody
made this statement, “The Bible will keep you from sin or sin will keep from the Bible.”
How true this is!

3. PREPARATION FOR SERVICE: It is impossible to be a successful personal worker

without being able to use God’s Word. God honors His Word, not the person. It is the Word
that leads a soul to Christ, not just an argument. We must know the Word if we are to be a
soulwinner. “And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word
of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

4. POWER IN THE MINISTRY: If you use the Word of God you will have power in your
ministry. The Word is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction
in righteousness.

5. KNOWLEDGE: There is no greater source of knowledge than God’s Word. A man who is a
student of the Bible is a man of understanding and great knowledge.

6. BENEFITS GIVEN IN THE BIBLE ITSELF:

 Bible study will keep one from sinning against God (Psalm 119:11).
  Bible study protects against false doctrine (Acts 20:29-32).
 Bible study assures joy (Jeremiah 15:16).
 Bible study gives peace (Psalm 85:8).
 Bible study gives power over the evil one (I John 2:24).
 Bible study is a source of answered prayer (John 15:7).
 Bible study gives wisdom (Psalm 119:98, 100, 130).
 Bible study makes one complete (II Timothy 3:16-17).

The importance of Bible study cannot be over estimated.

D. SOME RULES FOR BIBLE STUDY:

1. A BORN AGAIN EXPERIENCE: Bible study is a discerning search for spiritual truth. Men
cannot receive this spiritual truth by their own innate wisdom. Spiritual truth only comes
through faith, spiritual discernment and revelation.

2. PREPARATION: Heart searching should precede Bible searching. Do not rush into God’s
presence and out again without taking time to free your mind of distractions to search your
soul and to sense the nearness of God. Try to be alone and uninterrupted.

3. NORMAL INTERPRETATION: In Bible interpretation we should use this principle, “when

the plain sense makes good sense we should seek no other sense.” A passage should be
taken literally unless the context shows that it is to be understood otherwise.

4. CONTEXTUAL CONSIDERATION: A text without a context is a pretext. Each word must

be evaluated in its usage in the sentence. A sentence must be considered in the light of the
paragraph. A paragraph must be studied in its relation to the chapter, the chapter to the
entire book. We may go one step further and consider the Bible itself in its relation to all
knowledge, whether spiritual or secular.

5. TRIPLE APPROACH: A text of Scripture may have a threefold interpretation. Its primary
meaning; its spiritual meaning as applied to our lives; and its symbolic or prophetical
meaning. An example of this may be given in reference to the messages addressed to the
seven churches in Revelation chapter one and two:
 There is the primary interpretation in the description of the churches existing in that day
and the exhortations given.
 There is the spiritual application as we apply these messages to our own hearts.
 There is the prophetical interpretation as we trace Church history by means of these
churches, each one describing a definite period in church history.
 Lesson Twelve

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

(Continued)
A. HOW TO STUDY A BOOK OF THE BIBLE:

1. Read the book through to find:

 The main theme of the book. Try to express in a sentence or two the main message
contained in the book.
 The key verses of the book. Write these out in long hand.

2. Learn what you can about the writer:

 What is given about the writer’s personality and biography in the book itself?
 Find out all you can about the writer in reference books.

3. Where is the book written? If possible this should be determined by reading the book itself.

4. When was the book written? Locate the time of the writing within the life span of the writer.

5. To whom was the book written? Give chapter and verse if the information is given in the
book.

6. What problem in the lives of the readers made the book necessary?

7. List by chapter and verse terms that are repeated. Also words, phrases or clauses that are
unique and unusual.

8. Define all the words and phrases that need appear difficult. Be certain that you understand
the meaning of every expression.

9. What does the book teach about Jesus Christ? Make a complete outline of what the book
teaches about Jesus.
 10. Study any major divisions in the structure of the book. Lest these divisions carefully and
clearly.

B. HOW TO STUDY A CHAPTER OF THE BIBLE:

There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible. Many of them, like Psalm 23 and I Corinthians 13 have
been favorites for generations. Some chapter divisions were unfortunate, but on the whole,
chapters make suitable units of study.

1. What is the theme of the chapter? Read the chapter through at one time and write a phrase
that would sum up the main thought of the chapter.

2. What is the key verse in the chapter? Write out this verse in long hand.

3. What people are mentioned in the chapter? Make a list of the people with information given
about each one.

4. What are the commands that we should obey?

5. What are the promises that we should claim?

6. What are the lessons that we should remember?

7. List the words and phrases that have a special appeal to you.

8. List all the difficult words and phrases and check the meaning of each one in a concordance
or Bible dictionary.

9. List all the words and phrases that are repeated in the chapter.

10. What does this chapter teach us about Christ? Make a complete outline of what this chapter
teaches about Jesus.

C. HOW TO STUDY A BIBLE DOCTRINE:

The chief aim of all Bible studies is to understand the doctrines of the Bible and be able to apply
them to our lives. For the young student it might be wise to begin by studying the doctrine as
given in one book and then expand the study from there.
 1. Collect all references to the doctrine. Trace all these Scriptures by the use of a concordance
or topical Bible. It is recommended that all the Scriptures be written with references in long
hand.

2. Compare all references to the doctrine. Trace all these Scriptures by the use of a
concordance or topical Bible. It is recommended that all the Scriptures be written with
references in long hand.

3. Relate the references to their immediate context and the total pattern of Biblical truth. Study
each reference in the light of its context.

4. Define the doctrine.

5. Apply the doctrine to personal experience. How may it be applied to our lives?

6. Write a paragraph giving a summary of the doctrine.

D. HOW TO STUDY A BIBLE BIOGRAPHY:

The study of Bible personalities is very fascinating. Great spiritual lessons may be learned from
the experiences of Bible characters. In the Bible there are 2,930 separate individuals mentioned.

In studying a Bible character, be careful not to confuse different people with the same name.
There are thirty with the name of Zachariah, twenty with the name of Nathan, fifteen with the
name of Jonathon, eight with the name of Judas, seven with the name of Mary, five with the
name of James and five with the name of John.

1. What is the meaning of the individual’s name? Check the name in a reference Bible or Bible
dictionary. The name often tells you much about the individual.

2. What is the ancestral background?

3. What religious and secular crises occurred in his lifetime?

4. What advantages did he have in training and development?

5. What traits of character were manifested? Write a brief character sketch of this person.

6. What friends did this man have? What influence did they have on him?
 7. What failures and faults occurred in this life?

8. What important contributions did this individual make?

9. What lessons can be found in this life that are of special value to you?

E. HOW TO STUDY A BIBLE MIRACLE:

A miracle is a divine contravention of the normal course of things. Miracles not only display
God’s power in some unusual way, but they bring out some important truths also.

There are sixty-two miracles recorded in the Old Testament. The New Testament records thirty-
eight primary miracles of Christ, forty secondary miracles of Christ and fifteen miracles by the
Apostles.

1. Make an outline of the miracle.

2. Note the term designating the miracle. Does it imply wonder, power or purpose?

3. What does the miracle reveal about the nature of God?

4. What does the miracle reveal about the work of God?

5. What command or prayer brought about the miracle?

F. HOW TO STUDY A BIBLE PARABLE:

A parable may or may not be a true story to teach a spiritual lesson. Do not try to establish a
doctrine on a parable. Instead, use the parable as an illustration of a doctrine already established
on other doctrinal passages.
1. What occasion provoked the telling of the parable?
2. Note the details, customs and practices that are brought out in the parable. Study the manner
of living referred to.
3. To whom was the parable told?
4. What one main lesson does it teach?
5. Does the context help in the interpretation of this parable?
6. What other Bible Passages teach this truth?
7. How can you apply this truth to your own experience this very week?
8. Using present day situations write a parable to convey the same truth.