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Jan 18

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THE BIBLE (1)

Yes, our subject is the Bible! So, you ask, “Why the Bible, doesn’t everyone know about the Bible?” I believe we are safe to say that “most” people know about the Bible. The question is just what do they know? There was a time and it still may be true, that nearly everyone had a Bible in their house, even on their coffee table. However, this is not true today!
Let us get right to the subject, the Bible! Here let us look at the first facts about the Bible. There are sixty-six books in it; the Old Testament containing thirty-nine books and the New Testament having just twenty-seven books. These books are quite different. Their purpose is truly different, also. The Old Testament was written for the Hebrew people but as a history book, it is for all people. When its prophecy were fulfilled, it became a book, as Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:40). Therefore, it is foolish to say that the Old Testament has no purpose for today! For instance, where would we be without the first few chapters of Genesis? How would we answer these questions: 1) How was the earth created? 2) Where did we come from? 3) When was the first sin committed? 4) Why were Adam and Eve expelled from the “garden of Eden? 5) Why did God destroy the “world” at the time of Noah? Notice God did not destroy the “earth” but “world” in the days of Noah! On and on this could go but you get the idea. Here is a point that is so often missed, notice the words of Peter: “Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished” (2 Pet. 3:6).” Please note that Peter used the word “world” was “overflowed with water.” Now, read the next verse: “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (verse 7). Peter informs us, though the “world” was “overflowed with water,” but he also wrote that “the earth,” but “earth was kept in store!” Even though the “earth” was “overflowed with water,” it was not destroyed. Many people fail to understand this simple truth; this “world” was overflowed with water and perished!
But, the book of Genesis also gives the first announcement of the one who would be the salvation all, as Moses wrote when God was speaking the “Devil: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:15); Jesus said in the New Testament that all who would “believe” on the name of the Son of God; let Jesus say it: “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). Though centuries passed God was true to his word, he spoke to Joseph: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matt. 1:21-23). Here Mathew has taken us from Genesis to Isaiah, the Old Testament in perfect harmony with the New Testament! As someone over the years said: “The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament the Old Testament revealed.” Allow me to put in this: “The Old Testament are the roots that take us to the branches of the New Testament.” Of course, the inspired writers of the New Testament have said it best: “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” ( Eph. 3:9-10). The inspired writers always say it best!
Jesus said when he introduced the “Lord’s Supper” to the disciples: “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt 26:28). Jesus’ blood is in the New Testament; yes it is also true, written in Hebrews when writing of Jesus: “And for this cause he (Jesus, frw) is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first (old, frw) testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance” (Heb. 9:15).
Here we must close this first of a series of articles on “the Bible” but it is written that it may help the reader understand the Bible better, not only for oneself but be able to teach others, also!

Frank R. Williams

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