Bible Study Helps

Here are some suggestions and things to remember in reading and studying the Bible:

1. The Bible is one book although it is made up of many books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. The Bible is not a textbook of science, history, geography, physiology, etc. However, it uses these in the development of its theme and purpose, which is the redemption and salvation of man through Jesus Christ.

2. The Bible has two major divisions: the Old Testament (Genesis through Malachi) and the New Testament (Matthew through Revelation). these are clearly distinguished (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 8:8-13; 10:9-10). We now (since the cross) live and serve under the New Testament (Colossians 2:14; Galatians 3:19-28).

3. The Bible has three major periods of history: The Period of Promise, from creation to the giving of the Law of Moses (Genesis 1 - Exodus 20); The period of Judaism, from the giving of the Law of Moses to Acts 2, the day the church was established; and The Period of Christianity, from Acts 2 until Judgment Day. (Note: The first written law to man was the law given to the Jews at Mt. Sinai in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. These three periods are clearly distinguished in Galatians 3 by Paul.)

4. The Old Testament is subdivided into four parts: Law (Genesis-Deuteronomy); History (Joshua-Esther); Poetry (Job-Song of Solomon); and Prophecy (Isaiah-Malachi).

5. The New Testament is subdivided into four parts: The four accounts of the Life of Christ written to convince men that Jesus is the Son of God (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; note John 20:30-31); The Book of Acts, a book showing how to become a Christian; the Epistles, outlining how to live the Christian life; and the book of Revelation, a book of signs and symbols written primarily to comfort God's people.

6. In Genesis 12:1-7, there are three promises made to Abraham by God. God promised that he would make of Abraham a nation, give to his descendants the land of Canaan, and that through his seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed. The entire Old Testament is the development of the "land" promise and the "nation" promise. The New Testament is the fulfillment of the "seed" promise. Abraham's descendants through Isaac became the nation of Israel. God gave them the land of Canaan. It was through this nation that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come. The "seed" promise involves Christ, the church, and the Gospel (Galatians 3:16; Genesis 22:18).

7. The Bible is the greatest book in the world. The Bible is the only book in the world that can give a satisfactory explanation of God, the world, man, sin, salvation, life here and even hereafter. There are no experiences in life for which the Bible does not furnish information.

"Be not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:17.

"Search the Scriptures" John 5:39; Acts 17:11