Introduction

• I Timothy 4:13-16

English Bibles are translations.

• Word-for-word versus thought-for-thought translations.
• Examples:
  • John 3:16
  • Matthew 19:9
  • II Thessalonians 3:12

Bibles are published and packaged in lots of different ways.

• Deuteronomy 17:18-20
• Reference Bibles – include cross-references and footnotes
• Study Bibles – include commentary
• Devotional Bibles – include short articles, usually targeted at a specific group.
• Children’s Bibles

Jesus didn’t write any of the books.

• John 4:1-2
• John 14:25
• John 16:13-15
• I Thessalonians 2:13
• Words from Jesus’ inspired messengers carry His authority.
• II Peter 1:19-21

It was divided into chapters and verses a few centuries ago.

• Romans 14:12-13, 22-15:2, 7 – The same thought continues across chapters.
• The chapter and verse divisions are not inspired.

The Bible has been preserved very accurately.

• Isaiah 1:1
• We have tremendous evidence that the Bible has been accurately preserved.
• 1947 – Dead Sea Scrolls discovered. Previously, the oldest Old Testament manuscript we had was the Masoretic Text, dating to about 980 A.D. The Dead Sea Scrolls date from the 100s B.C. Comparison between them showed only a five percent difference, all of which was either spelling changes or obvious slips of the pen. The other 95% was identical between the two.

Since it’s God’s Word, it contains the best wisdom and teaching on earth.

• Psalms 119:97-100
• II Timothy 3:16-17

It’s not just good advice; it’s what we’ll be judged by.

• Hebrews 1:1