Page 62 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

BIBLE

came for these reasons. The Book of Revelation—Christ truth without admixture of error (Ep. 1:13). (7) It is
is coming again. called the word of life because it imparts life to the
THE BIBLE’S THEME. The main theme of the Bible is believer (Ph. 2:16). (8) It is called the word of grace
Jesus Christ and salvation through Him. This is proven because it makes known God’s unmerited kindness to
by key statements (1 Pe. 1:10-11; Ep. 1:10; 3:11; Jn. the lost (Ac. 14:3). (9) It is called the word of
1:45; 5:39; Lk. 24:44,45; He. 10:7). This is proven by reconciliation because it tells of a God reconciled and
Christ’s genealogy which is woven throughout the O.T. reconciling the world unto Himself (2 Co. 5:19). (10) It
This is proven by the prophetic theme woven into the is called the word of salvation because it shows the way
O.T. (the Seed—Ge. 3:15; the Star of Jacob—Nu. 24:17; and the only way by which men are saved (Ac. 13:26).
the Prophet—De. 18:15; the Redeemer—Job 19:25; the (11) It is called the word of righteousness because
Messiah—Is. 53; Ps. 16:10; 110:1; Mi. 5:2). This is therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith
proven by the O.T. types of Christ. [See Generation, to faith (He. 5:13). (12) It is called the faithful word
Jesus Christ, Type.] because it is credible and unchangeable (Tit. 1:9). (13)
THE BIBLE’S CHARACTER. Eternal and indestructible It is called the word of prophecy because it alone shines
(Ps. 12:7; 111:7-8; 119:152, 160; Is. 40:8). Pure (Ps. through the gloom and reveals what lies in the future (2
12:6; 119:140). Perfect (Ps. 19:7; Ja. 1:25). Life (Jn. Pe. 1:19).
6:63). Truth (Jn. 17:17; Ps. 119:142, 160). Spirit (Jn. No wonder the Apostle writes: “For this cause also
6:63). Righteous (Ps. 119:172). Very faithful (Ps. thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye
119:138). Magnified above God’s name (Ps. 138:2). received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye
Prosperous (Is. 55:10-11; Je. 23:29). Living and received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth,
powerful (He. 4:12). Good (He. 6:5). Incorruptible (1 the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you
Pe. 1:23). Sincere (1 Pe. 2:2). Tried (2 Sa. 22:31). Food that believe” (1 Th. 2:13).
(Job 23:12). Invaluable (Ps. 19:10). Sure (Ps. 93:5). “Can it be that such a word is the work of men and a
SYMBOLS FOR THE BIBLE. Light (Ps. 43:3; 2 Pe. partaker of their ignorance and errors? No! It is as far
1:19). Hammer (Je. 23:29). Fire (Je. 23:29). Sword above them, both in thought and expression, as the
(He. 4:12; Ep. 6:17). Lamp (Ps. 119:105). Water (Ep. heavens are higher than the earth. For thousands of
5:26). Honey (Eze. 3:3). Seed (Lk. 8:11; 1 Pe. 1:23). years God’s Word has been read and studied, prayed
Mirror (Ja. 1:23-25). Milk (1 Pe. 2:2). over and wept over. Thousands and hundreds of
THE POWER OF THE BIBLE. (1) By it we are born thousands of volumes have been constructed out of it—
again (Ja. 1:18; 1 Pe. 1:23). (2) By it we grow (1 Pe. and today, it remains as fresh and unexhausted and
2:2). (3) By it we are cleansed (Jn. 15:3). (4) By it we inexhaustible as ever. Unlike any book in the world, the
are sanctified (Jn. 17:17). (5) By it we are built up (Ac. more it is searched, the more profound becomes its
20:32). (6) By it we are defended against spiritual meaning. There is literally no end of its new disclosures
enemies (Ep. 6:17). (7) By it we are washed (Ep. of truth to those who descend into the depths of the
5:25-26). (8) By it we are kept from the paths of the riches both of its wisdom and knowledge. However well
destroyer (Ps. 17:4). (9) By it our path through life is any one of us may know the Bible’s most familiar
lighted up (Ps. 119:105). (10) By it we are warned (Ps. passage, there is more for us to learn from that one
19:11). (11) By it the secrets of hearts are revealed (He. passage than has been discovered thus far by all the
4:12). (12) By it the seed is scattered (Lk. 8:11). (13) scholars” (F.H. Brookes).
By it men are judged (Lk. 16:31; Jn. 12:48). “This is a HOW TO USE THE BIBLE. Believe it (He. 11:6). Read
mere glance at some of the things the Word of God is it (De. 17:18- 19; Re. 1:2). Desire it (1 Pe. 2:2).
able to do. When we consider our relation to it and our Meditate upon it (Ps. 1:2; Jos. 1:8). Hear it (Re. 1:2).
dependence upon it at every step through life and into Memorize it (Job 22:22; Ps. 119:11). Obey it (Ps. 119:4;
eternity, it is amazing that men, professing to be its Ja. 1:22-24). Receive it (Ja. 1:21). Teach it (De. 6:7-8).
friends, can rise up and propose to catalogue its Preach it (2 Ti. 4:2). Sing it (Col. 3:16; Ps. 119:54).
errors” (F.H. Brookes). Speak it (Ps. 119:46, 172). Love it (Ps. 119:127).
THE NAMES OF THE BIBLE. (1) It is called the word HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE. Through the Spirit of
of God because God is its author (Ac. 13:5). (2) The God (1 Co. 2:12-16; Jn. 2:27). Obediently (Ja. 1:22-27;
word of the Lord. (3) It is called the word of Christ Ps. 119:133; Lk. 11:28; Ro. 6:17; 1 Pe. 2:1-2).
because it sets forth the anointed One in His person and Believingly (He. 3:1-2). Prayerfully (Ps. 119:33-40).
offices (Col. 3:16). (4) It is called the oracles of God Daily (Ac. 17:11; Pr. 8:33-34). Humbly (Ja. 1:21; Je.
because it is the word which God spoke (Ro. 3:2). (5) It 13:15). Reverently (Ps. 119:120, 161; Is. 66:2).
is called the word of faith because it is to be believed Persistently (Jn. 8:31-32; Ja. 1:25). Thoroughly (Ac.
(Ro. 10:8). (6) It is called the word of truth because it is 20:27; 2 Ti. 3:16-17). Sincerely (2 Co. 2:17). Confessing

62 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity