Introduction to the:

Holy Bible

What is the Holy Bible? God chose to reveal Himself to a human race that has

become blinded by sin. He describes Himself as the Creator of the universe, the

author of life and the source of all grace. He then shows how humans went astray from His holy

commandment and brought their own death sentence. He announces His plan of redemption and His will for

our salvation. This is why He sent us His message in the form of the Holy Bible.: (John 6:63 NKJV) “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and

they are life.”

Think About It???The Bible is God’s word to us.How different is it from other textbooks

such as those of science and philosophy?

What is the Holy Bible? Many Bible authors recognized the power of the Word: it is

capable of giving life: eternal life. Giving life implies that we are dead and have no access to

eternal life. God’s words are not just any words; they are “spirit”. This

emphasizes how the Scriptures relate to God: they are God’s spoken mind and spirit.

In that sense, following them grants us a divine warranty to overcome sin and death.

History is rich in examples of those whose lives were transformed by words of Scripture, as St. Anthony (Matt 19:21) and St. Augustine (Rom 13:11-14)

What is the Holy Bible? (1 Peter 1:23 NKJV) “…having been born again, not of

corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.”

Think About It???

What is the main theme and purpose of the Bible?

What is the Holy Bible?1) The Word of God: There are several symbols that describe the importance

of God’s word · Food of the Spirit:

(Mat 4:4 NKJV) “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

· Light for Our Way: (Psa 119:105 NKJV) “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light

to my path.”

· Sword of Truth: The Bible is our strong weapon to overcome Satan, whom Jesus

described as the father of all lies.

What is the Holy Bible? (Heb 4:12 NKJV) “For the word of God is living and powerful,

and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

· Cause of Purity: (John 15:3 NKJV) “You are already clean because of the word

which I have spoken to you.”

· An Educational Tool: (2 Tim 3:16 NKJV) “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

What is the Holy Bible?2) The History of Mankind: The Bible is the best school to learn life’s experiences of

our forefathers. It is an interactive history, that tells us how God related

and responded to mankind, not simply what humans have done. In that sense it is a lesson for us about what God expects from us.

In it we meet various biblical characters and learn how God dealt with their weaknesses and strengths, their faults and virtues.

We see the struggle between good and evil, Divine and satanic powers, and how God’s will prevailed.

What is the Holy Bible? (1 Cor 10:11 NKJV) “Now all these things happened to

them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

3) A Place to Meet and Unite With God: Meditating in the words of God brings us closer to Him

and unites our souls with Him. Mary, by sitting at His feet, “has chosen that good part,

which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42 NKJV)

What is the Holy Bible?4) Learning About God’s Promises and Responses to

Our Requests: Examine the following promises:

Success (Matt 7:7) Victory (Josh 1:5,9) Hardship (John 16:33) Assistance (Psa 34:10,19) Comfort & Joy (Rev 21:3,4) Everlasting Life (John 11:25,26)

The Bible is full of promises. Choose a promise that has personally affected your life, and comment on it.

Authors of the Holy Bible More than 40 authors wrote the 75 books of the Bible

over a period of 1600 years, in unsurpassed unity. Many were philosophers, and wise men, some were

kings, others uneducated shepherds or fishermen. Yet its unity and lack of contradiction is proof that they

were all guided by the Holy Spirit. They all pointed to the person of Jesus Christ our Savior.

(2 Pet 1:20-21 NKJV) “No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

Authors of the Holy Bible The Old Testament: speaks of the divine promise for

salvation. In it the New Testament is concealed. The New Testament: speaks of the fulfillment of this

promise. In it the Old Testament is revealed.

Methods of Bible Study1) The Practical Method: This is the commonest and most important method. It

best suits beginners and advanced students alike. In this method, God’s commandment is understood and

applied at face value, just as it is written. This method has won many souls to the Lord and lead

numerous saints to salvation and to a holy life. (e.g. St. Anthony the Great when he heard Jesus’s words: “Go

your way, sell whatever you have … and follow me.”) (Mat 18:15 NKJV) “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go

and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” (Mat 26:41 NKJV) “Watch and pray, lest you enter into

temptation.”

Methods of Bible Study2) The Meditative Method: The reader repeats a few verses contemplating deeply in

their meaning; using them as prayer: to confine in God, thank Him, praise His glory, express joy for the Lord’s grace or repentance and humility for one’s sins. As one of the saints described, it is “swimming in heaven”. (Psa 119:97 NKJV) “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation

all the day.”

Methods of Bible Study3) The Analytical Method: This method uses an in depth study of the Bible

contents, frequently aided by Bible commentaries or study books.

It helps understand the Scriptures and link its events together.

Numerous forefathers as well as contemporary writers have written explanatory texts and notes about the Bible.

Each book can be studied as a whole or from the perspective of a particular topic or character. Liturgical Bible study refers to the study of biblical quotes that

are used in or support the originality of our church liturgy and sacraments.

Methods of Bible Study An example of this method is the figurative Bible study

followed by St. Augustine and by Origen. For instance the former described the parable of the Good

Samaritan: Adam or the human soul (the victim) on his way to the Kingdom of Heaven (Jerusalem); being attacked by Satan and his soldiers (the thieves) but rescued by Christ (the Good Samaritan), who led him to the church (inn).

4) Other Methods: These include: lecture format, small group discussion,

questions and answers, character comparison and contrast, personality prosecution / defense, etc.

Methods of Bible StudyPoor Bible Study Attitude: 1) Reading the Holy Bible right before going to bed. 2) Opening the Bible at any page and reading, claiming

that to be God’s message for the day. 3) Skimming superficially through the Bible in a hurry, for

lack of time.

Think About It???

How often do you read the Bible for yourself? and how deep is your reading?

Methods of Bible StudyProper Bible Study Attitude: 1) Make it our priority. 2) Touch it with respect and honor. Be absolutely ready to

obey it. 3) Read it with a believing heart and a humble mind void of

criticism. Many Bible critics became heretics or atheists because of their haughtiness and self-dependence. It is best to resort to the forefathers’ sayings and saints’ commentaries whenever something is vague or appears contradictory.

4) Read it with a spirit of prayer, that God may open our minds and hearts to understand His word.

Methods of Bible StudyProper Bible Study Attitude: 5) Read it with complete focus, concentration and

reverence. 6) Read it with joy and happiness, considering it a

personal message to each one of us.

Think About It???

Do you have your own personal Bible reading / study program?

Why do we memorize Biblical quotes?The most important reason is that this is God’s

commandment: (Deu 6:6-9 NKJV) “And these words which I command you today

shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Also see Deu 11:18-20 NKJV)

(Josh 1:8 NKJV) “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Why do we memorize Biblical quotes? (John 5:39 NKJV) “You search the Scriptures, for in them you

think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”

(John 6:63 NKJV) “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”

We also memorize the Bible because it keeps our minds closer to His Word.

We remember it more vividly and more frequently, so that we are more likely to abide by it.

It becomes a powerful weapon in our struggle against evil.

Why do we memorize Biblical quotes? We also use bible quotes to defend our faith and to

prove the basis of our belief to those who ask us, or those we teach.

By committing key verses to memory, we become more effective teachers and more eloquent speakers.

The Books of The Holy BibleThe Old Testament: The Jews divided the Old Testament books into three

main categories: 1. The Law of Moses (Genesis – Deuteronomy) 2. The Prophets 3. The Psalms

The Lord Himself referred to this classification: (Luke 24:44 NKJV) “These are the words which I spoke to you

while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”

The Books of The Holy BibleThe Old Testament: However, in the Septuagint (first Greek translation of the

Old Testament: 280 BC), another classification was used:

1. Books of the Law The first five books, written by Moses: from Genesis to

Deuteronomy

2. Historical Books Twelve books: from Joshua to Esther Six second canonical books: Tobit, Judith, Esther (cont.), Daniel

(cont.), Maccabees I & II

The Books of The Holy Bible 3. Poetic or Wisdom Books

Five books: from Job to Song of Songs Two second canonical books: Wisdom of Solomon, Jesus Son of

Sirach (and Psalm 151)

4. Prophetic Books Five major books: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Lamentations and

Daniel Twelve minor books: from Hosea to Malachi One second canonical book: by Baruch

The Books of The Holy BibleThe New Testament has 27 books: 1. The Gospels 4 2. The Acts of the Apostles 1 3. The Pauline Epistles 14 4. The Catholic Epistles 7 5. Revelation 1