Biblical Foundations Study
When it comes to learning about the nature of God, the history of creation, the fall of mankind, determining truth and error, right and wrong, understanding the devil and demonic forces, the kingdom of God, understanding our great salvation, and how we are to follow Jesus (our Lord and Savior), we, as Christians, have one collection of 66 books known as the Bible that we use for our authority. This collection of books is broken into 2 major sections: The Old Testament (or Covenant) and The New Testament (or Covenant). The Old Testament includes 39 books from the history of creation to the point of prophetic biblical history in the late 5th century B.C. The New Testament includes 27 books covering the history of the late 1st Century B.C. until the late 1st Century A.D. and is completely centered around the story and fulfillment of the long-awaited, promised messiah, Jesus.
The books of the Bible were originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek. Almost all of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, with a few sections that were written in Aramaic (a large portion of the book of Daniel, multiple chapters of Ezra, and a few verses in Genesis, Jeremiah, and Proverbs). The New Testament was originally written in Koine Greek (the common Greek language of the 1st Century A.D.). With this in mind, we must understand that this can present challenges when translating into the English language. So, choosing an English Bible translation is an important task, and we recommend reading from multiple translations, since we can’t be truly certain which translation is the most accurate. We’ll later cover examples of English translations that we recommend.
Though the Bible has one inspiration (that of the Holy Spirit), it has many authors who were guided by the Holy Spirit. We must recognize that the authors were not receiving word-for-word dictation from the Holy Spirit (except in some cases where God is specifically speaking), but inspiration from the Holy Spirit, which allows the authors to use their style of writing and grammar. This type of inspiration is in contrast to that of the claims of Islam, where Mohammed was reported to receive direct revelation from the angel Gabriel, who dictated the words of the Quran to him over the course of 2 decades. It also contrasts with Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, who is reported to have put a seer stone in his hat, placed his head in the hat, and dictated the words of the Book of Mormon to scribes.
The Old Testament, which both Orthodox Jews and Christians recognize as scripture, is comprised of 39 books in a variety of genres (historical writing, law writing, poetry & wisdom writing, and prophetic writing). There are many authors of the content, such as Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon, Ezra, Nehemiah, many prophets, and others. As you read scripture, it is very important to understand the genre that you are reading so that you can better understand the context. We should note that the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox church include books from what we call the Apocrypha (which they call deuterocanonical, 2nd canon, books) among their Old Testament scriptures. Those books (e.g., the books of the Maccabees, the books of Enoch, Sirach, the Wisdom of Solomon, Additional Esther, etc.) are often of pseudo-authorship (the writing is attributed to a specific author, such as Enoch, Solomon, or Mordecai, but written centuries after the time of the author named). This was a common practice of that time, but it is one of the primary reasons why Protestants and Orthodox Jews don’t view the Apocryphal writings as scripture.
It is important to recognize that neither the Old nor the New Testaments are written in chronological order (though some books and sections of books include chronological history). For example, Esther is one of the latest writings of the Old Testament, estimated to have covered a historical time between 483-473 B.C. The very next book is Job, which is estimated to have occurred somewhere around 2100 – 1800 B.C. In addition, when it comes to the prophetic books such as Isaiah or Jeremiah, you’ll find chapters that touch on happenings that occurred before content that was already recorded. Even material in the historical books themselves can jump to a prior period in a later chapter. The epistles and letters are also not arranged in chronological order. For example, Philemon is the last of Paul’s letters listed in the New Testament, but 2 Timothy is widely known by scholars to be Paul’s last in chronology (shortly before his execution), but is listed before Philemon in the New Testament.
The New Testament’s books include the genres of historical writing (the four gospels and the book of Acts), epistles (letters to churches or a group of people), individual letters, and prophetic writing. The book of Revelation is uniquely an epistle as well as a prophetic writing, also understood to be in the genre of apocalyptic (note that the second half of Daniel and small portions of Ezekiel in the Old Testament, as well as books from the Apocrypha, such as 2nd Esther, 4 Ezra, Enoch, and the Book of Baruch include writings from the apocalyptic genre). Apocalyptic language uses symbolic writings to proclaim physical realities, and much of the text in that genre should not be interpreted literally.
The determination of biblical books that were to be included in the New Testament includes material that was written by the first-century apostles of Jesus Christ (such as Matthew, John, Peter, and Paul), as well as some who directly worked with the apostles (such as Luke and Mark). Jesus’ half-brothers James (a leader in the Jerusalem church and not to be confused with one of the 12 disciples who was the brother of John) and Jude are also among the authors of the content of the New Testament, who were closely connected to the apostles. There is one epistle in the New Testament, called Hebrews, that is of unknown authorship (scholars continue to debate as to whether Apollos, Barnabas, Luke, or some other author may be likely).
Skeptics and liberal scholars will often indicate that multiple centuries after the time of Jesus, Christian leadership deliberately excluded books that should have been included, such as the Gnostic material (Gospel of Judas, Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Philip, Gospel of Mary, Apocalypse of Peter, etc.), because the content didn’t align with their perspective. This is simply not true. When studying the early church fathers (such as Irenaeus and others), it has been confirmed that those writings were of pseudo-authorship (written after the death of the authors they claimed to have penned them). In addition, the early church fathers regularly quoted from the New Testament as scripture before it was “officially” canonized in the early 4th century. The books that were debated the most and finally included in the official canon of the New Testament were Revelation, 2 Peter, and Jude. Interestingly enough, 2 Peter and Jude have a lot of similar content.
Skeptics and liberal scholarship also often reject the apostles as authors of some or much of the New Testament. They will note the obvious stylistic differences in the writing of the various Epistles of Paul and the difference in style and skill of the Greek writings attributed to the Apostle John. What liberal scholars quickly forget or are unaware of is that some authors of the New Testament used amanuenses (those who would take dictation and write the epistle or letter in their own style) to write their material. This is easily verified when looking at Paul’s letter to the Romans, which is credited to Tertius as the writer (Romans 16:22). So Paul likely used other amanuenses (perhaps, even Luke for some of the material) to write his letters, as well as writing some himself.
When considering the Greek style of John’s Gospel and the book of Revelation (to which he is also credited), we must understand that it is extremely likely that he, due to exile, was forced to write Revelation himself with poor Greek grammar, since he was not well-educated like Paul. But when John had his gospel and 3 epistles written, it is extremely likely that he used an amanuensis in each case. We know from the reading of the scriptures that John, James, Peter, and Andrew were not educated like some other apostles, such as Matthew (a tax collector) or Paul, an educated Pharisee. Though they likely knew oral Greek, they were not well-educated when it came to Greek writing. This helps us understand why they would have the need for an amanuensis. When considering the content (phrases, ideas, and even specific Koine Greek words), and not the skill and grammar, any educated reader can recognize significant similarities in what’s included in John, 1, 2, & 3 John, and Revelation.
All of this is important information, but it begs the question. Why do we consider this material scripture? In other words, why do we consider it to be the inspired words of the living God? As we go through this first section, we’ll take a deeper look at why we, as Christians, recognize the 66 books of the Bible as the word of God for understanding our faith, our Lord, and our call to obedience.
Understanding literary genres and which books are tied to which genre:
As previously noted, it is important, when reading scripture, to recognize the genre in which you are reading so that the content can be best understood in its literary context. The historical and cultural context also greatly aids our understanding as we read scripture. So, let’s look at the various genres of both the Old and New Testaments.
Historical writing genre: When reading this genre, it is important to recognize that although this conveys biblical history, it is not necessarily condoning or condemning the activities included in the writing. We must take into consideration that it is recording the actions and thoughts of those involved, but that God doesn’t approve of every action or thought that is recorded. This genre is to be understood primarily in a literal manner, but can include poetic and prophetic language that is better understood symbolically.
Books that entirely or partially include the historical writing genre:
Old Testament: Genesis, portions of Exodus, small portions of Leviticus, large portions of Numbers, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Nehemiah, Ezra, Esther, portions of Job, and some portions of the major and minor prophets.
New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts.
Law writing genre: When reading this genre, it is important to recognize that this was part of the Covenant (the Sinaitic Covenant) that God made with the nation of Israel while exiting and after they exited slavery in Egypt. This genre is mostly to be understood literally and conveys how both priests and the general people under the Sinaitic Covenant (Mount Sinai) are to act in community and how to worship God.
Books that include the law writing genre:
Old Testament: Large portions of Exodus, most of Leviticus, portions of Numbers, and most of Deuteronomy. Though Genesis is included in what Hebrews would consider the “books of the law”, it is better understood in the historical writing genre. This law is often referred to as the Mosaic law (Moses being the one to deliver the law from God to the people). It’s important to note that the law was brought with blood (animal’s sacrificial blood), which is why we refer to the Old Covenant as a “Testament”. The law is also often referred to as the Torah (the Hebrew word for instructions).
New Testament: Sections of the New Testament refer to the law, mostly in how it is to be understood in the light of Jesus’ finished work. Jesus declared that he came to fulfill the law and the prophets. So, the animal sacrificial laws and the food laws are among what no longer apply due to the fulfillment of Jesus’ finished work. Jesus’ blood and death sealed the New Testament and Covenant that brought fulfillment to the Old. The Old Covenant was with national, ethnic Israel. And in order for one who was not an Israelite to become part of the Old Covenant, they needed to become a Jew (observing circumcision and all the other Jewish laws). The New Covenant considers all who follow Jesus to be of the “Seed of Abraham” (in Galatians 3, Paul indicates that those are true Israelites). As Paul said in Romans 2, one is not a Jew from the outward but the inward.
Poetry/ wisdom writing genre: When reading this genre, it is important to recognize the symbolic language that is often used and to understand the specific context that is in view in each passage. For example, when reading Ecclesiastes, which is part of this genre, we must recognize that it is written with a mind that is in despair as to the monotony and emptiness of much of life’s experiences. Or when reading the Psalms, you’ll find frequent hyperbolic (poetically exaggerative) and symbolic language, which is very common in poetry and wisdom literature. Of course, some of what is written in this genre can be understood literally, but the context helps best determine when to do so.
Books that include the poetry/ wisdom writing genre:
Old Testament: Large portions of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs/ Solomon, and Lamentations make up this genre. We must also note that some of this language is also found a little in the historical writings (e.g., Psalm writing found in 2 Samuel 22) and some of the prophetic writings (e.g., portions of the 3rd chapter of Habakkuk, the 2nd chapter of Jonah, and the 38th chapter of Isaiah).
New Testament: Though there are no sections of scripture in the New Testament that are classified as poetry/ wisdom writings, the New Testament quotes from the book of Psalms more than any other book of the Old Testament. Also, the book of James is often referred to as the book of Proverbs for the New Testament due to its many allusions to the wisdom writings.
Prophetic writing genre: This is a genre that has much material that is best understood symbolically. For example, when reading Isaiah 13 about how the Medes and Persians conquered Babylon, the scriptures indicate that all the stars (including the sun) will not show their light. If we were to take that literally, all life would stop existing everywhere. However, when understood symbolically, we reflect and realize that there was much fire (from the destruction) that produced smoke that, when you were in that specific region, you wouldn’t have been able to see the sun, moon, or stars. This genre includes the writings of specific prophecies (some that were soon to take place, while others were to take place much further in the future). Most are written in highly symbolic language, with some, such as Daniel and Revelation, being written in what has been defined as apocalyptic language. So, though there are sections in this genre that can be understood literally, we should tread carefully, considering each context, to determine when to do so.
Books that include the prophetic writing genre:
Old Testament: The Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel) and the Minor Prophets – so named for the length of content – (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Jonah, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi).
New Testament: Though the New Testament includes many quotes from the Old Testament prophets, the only book that is in this genre is Revelation. Though Revelation doesn’t really include any direct quotes from the Old Testament prophets, it includes many allusions or references to them. Some scholars recognize hundreds of Old Testament allusions found in Revelation. Revelation can be understood to be both in the prophetic and the apocalyptic genres.
Apocalyptic writing genre (subgenre of prophetic): Though all prophetic writings use imagery, the apocalyptic style is one that often uses the most significant symbolism and imagery, bringing another element of mystery to this writing genre. For example, in one of the writings of the Apocrypha (which we don’t consider scripture, but serves as a solid example of this style), 2 Esther (or Additional Esther), writes of this worldwide war taking place in fantasy imagery (dragons fighting, every nation fighting), yet the interpretation is found to be that of the battle between Haman and Mordecai and the edict that resulted in the people of Persian’s kingdom fighting against the Jews and the Jews fighting against them. We should consider this rather than trying to interpret the apocalyptic genre literally.
Books that include the apocalyptic writing genre:
Old Testament: Daniel and a few portions of Ezekiel.
New Testament: Revelation.
Epistle writing genre: This genre should be read with the understanding that it was sent to a specific group of people (either a church location or a group of believers in a region), and was to be read aloud to the entire congregation or group. We are to recognize that the content, though relevant today, was written for specific purposes, during a specific time, to the church or group of people addressed. For example, in 1 Corinthians, part of Paul’s letter addresses the dissension that was brought to his attention, as well as the sexual immorality that some were revelling in (a mistaken way they had been expressing the freedom they had in Christ).
Books that include the epistle writing genre:
New Testament: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians (to multiple churches in the region of Galatia), Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1 John, Jude, and Revelation. Possibly 2 John, if the “Chosen lady” or “Elect lady” is synonymous with the church of Jesus Christ.
Individual Letter writing genre: This genre should be read with the understanding that it was sent to a specific individual for specific reasons (similar to the reasons why the epistles were written). This helps us, when reading the letters, to understand that there were specific purposes in mind, and though they also have relevance today, we should read them in their proper context. For example, when Paul writes Philemon concerning his runaway slave, Onesimus, we should note that some of what is written is specifically to address the context of that situation.
Books that include the letter writing genre:
New Testament: Philemon, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and 2 & 3 John (again, if 2 John’s “Chosen lady”/ “Elect lady” is referring to the church, then it would be best understood as an epistle).
How does fulfilled prophecy help us to put trust in the authority of scripture?
- As we read the New Testament, it becomes clear that Jesus brings fulfillment to so much of what is found in the Old Testament. Indeed, he makes this statement in the Gospel of Matthew:
Matthew 5:17 (NKJV) 17 Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
- So when we read the entire Bible, we must do so with the understanding that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the Old Testament. Though this class isn’t set up to deal with every prophetic fulfillment found in Christ, we would be amiss to not at least cover some of that material. For it is fulfilled scripture that sets the Bible apart from any other writing since the history of the world, and helps secure our trust and faith in God’s Holy Word.
- Consider these verses from Psalm 22:
Psalm 22:1, 7-8, 11-18 (ESV) 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
7 All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 8 “He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”
12 Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 13 they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— 17 I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.
Now, look at excerpts from Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross:
Mark 15:34 (NIV) 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
Mark 15:29-31 (NASB1995) 29 Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself.
John 19:23-24 (NKJV) 23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. 24 They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things.
Matthew 27:35 (HCSB) 35 After crucifying Him they divided His clothes by casting lots.
- What fulfillments do we find recorded in the gospels that are directly from Psalm 22?
- Now consider the prophecy in the book of Daniel (6th century B.C.) concerning various world kingdoms and ultimately a kingdom that would be supernatural in nature:
Daniel 2:31-45 (ESV) 31 “You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. 32 The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
36 “This was the dream. Now we will tell the king its interpretation. 37 You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory, 38 and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all—you are the head of gold. 39 Another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. 40 And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all these. 41 And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom, but some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle. 43 As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, so they will mix with one another in marriage, but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay. 44 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, 45 just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”
- When we consider the world’s history, it is easy for us to determine the kingdoms: The 1st kingdom is Babylon (of which Daniel was serving at the time). The 2nd kingdom is the Medo-Persian Empire. The 3rd kingdom is Greece, and the 4th kingdom is Rome. According to Daniel’s description of the vision, at what part of the body of this great image did the stone (not created by human hands) strike?
- How does this demonstrate that God is perfect in fulfilling revelation?
- Look at the following verses from scripture (the first being at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and the second being in the middle of his ministry):
Matthew 4:17 (KJV) 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
- How does this help demonstrate that hundreds of years before Jesus’ ministry, God’s prophecy revealed through Daniel was 100% accurate?
- Now, consider another prophetic revelation from scripture during the 6th century B.C. and how it continues to be accurate today:
- For those who remember history, until the time of the 5th century B.C., how was Egypt viewed by the neighboring nations when considering their military might? How are they viewed now?
- Another simple test as to the Bible’s power and as to the ministry of Jesus Christ, ask yourself the following questions:
- What collection of writing has impacted the world more than any other?
- What person, in history, has impacted the world more than any other?
The answer to those 2 questions helps us understand the power of Jesus, His Kingdom, and the supernatural power of God’s word.
How does Jesus’ ministry help us identify the Old Testament as scripture?
- There is no one whose trust is better placed in than Jesus. So, as we consider His words, we can better understand why we can trust the holy scriptures:
Luke 4:3-12 (NIV) 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” 9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
- In combating Satan, Jesus quoted from several passages in Deuteronomy. How does this give us clarity that we can trust this book in the Old Testament?
Matthew 21:42 (NKJV) 42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’S doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?
- Jesus directly quotes Psalm 118 as being “in the scriptures”. How does this help us to understand that we can trust the Psalms and recognize them as God’s word?
Mark 12:18-27 (ESV) 18 And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, 19 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring. 21 And the second took her, and died, leaving no offspring. And the third likewise. 22 And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died. 23 In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.” 24 Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.”
- The Sadducees, who don’t believe in resurrection, tried to trap Jesus. How did Jesus effectively answer their question and, in the process, demonstrate that the book of Exodus (which He confirmed was written by Moses) is scripture?
- Even in Jesus’ death, He was fulfilling scripture. Look at the following passages. The first was written over 700 years before Jesus was born, and the 2nd was written concerning how his dead body was handled:
- How do these passages help demonstrate the power of prophetic scripture?
Why should we understand the New Testament as scripture?
So, we’ve discovered that there are many reasons why we should understand the Old Testament as scripture. But what about the New Testament?
When we consider the New Testament, we know that the first 4 books (the gospels) are concerning the ministry, death, and resurrection of the promised Messiah (as well as the proclamation and the initial establishment of His kingdom). So, Jesus, being divine Himself, is a perfect reason for us to trust the gospels and the words of Jesus. But the majority of the New Testament includes the history, epistles, and letters that were written after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Can we trust them?
When reviewing the history of Jesus’ work, we find that He specifically anointed Apostles as those who were directly sent by Him with His authority. While we have authority from Jesus that is over the enemy and the authority to baptize and make disciples who follow Jesus, there was a higher layer of authority that those apostles had, and it is repeated throughout the scripture. Though the Apostles were men who were not perfect, they’d received inspiration from the Holy Spirit to instruct, build, and direct the church. In addition, they were given extraordinary power from the Holy Spirit to confirm their authority. Let’s look at various passages that help us understand that they were sent, specifically to lead, teach, and direct the church.
- First, what was the authority that Jesus gave to all his disciples, as well as the 11 apostles?
2 Corinthians 12:12 (NKJV) 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
- What (in the Acts’ passage) indicates that the Apostles were leading this movement?
- In looking at these passages, what was indicated that helped to identify a true apostle of Jesus?
- Look at the passages below and see how Jesus also used the same type of evidence to confirm that He had the authority directly from God:
John 5:36 (NIV) 36 I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me.
John 10:37-38 (HCSB) 37 If I am not doing My Father’s works, don’t believe Me. 38 But if I am doing them and you don’t believe Me, believe the works. This way you will know and understand that the Father is in Me and I in the Father.”
- Now let’s look at Paul, who was also chosen as an apostle directly by Jesus:
Galatians 1:1-2 (ESV) 1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:
2 Corinthians 12:12 (NKJV) 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
- The churches in the Galatian region had been contacted by Judaizers who had tried to discredit Paul’s teaching and authority. How did Paul identify his apostleship?
- In 2 Corinthians, there were those in this congregation who also tried to discredit his authority. What did he point them to as proof of his apostleship?
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV) 13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
- What does Paul indicate to the church in Thessalonica that also helps support the authority given to him by God?
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
- What does Paul instruct Timothy in this passage that ties to the entirety of God’s word?
- Consider Paul’s words to Timothy. How did he indicate that the New Testament Doctrine, when believed and followed, produces salvation?
- Let’s look at this important passage written by Peter that shows the authority of New Testament writings.
- What did Peter indicate people were doing with Paul’s writings?
- What did Peter write that elevates Paul’s writings to the rest of the scriptures?
- Finally, let’s look at how Peter indicated that prophecies in scripture were received:
2 Peter 1:19-21 (HCSB) 19 So we have the prophetic word strongly confirmed. You will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dismal place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 First of all, you should know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
- We must understand the true inspiration of God’s word. Who did Peter indicate is the true inspiration of God’s prophetic word?
What Bible versions should I read?
2. Septuagint (Greek) Manuscripts
3. Byzantine (Greek) Manuscripts
4. Alexandrian (Greek) Manuscripts
The Masoretic Manuscripts were written 6 to 9 centuries (by Jewish Masorete scholars) after the time of Jesus’ ministry, and comprise the Old Testament. The Masoretes were not creating new texts but meticulously writing them from older manuscripts. There are thousands of Masoretic text manuscripts. The Septuagint (translated by Jewish priests from Hebrew to Greek) also includes the Old Testament and was written 100 to 300 years before the time of Jesus’ ministry. There are a little more than 2,000 manuscripts of the Septuagint. Almost all English translations pull primarily from the Masoretic texts for the Old Testament, with some passages from the Septuagint. Another modern consideration is that the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the middle of the 20th Century has resulted in some translations making some minor adjustments to a few passages in the Old Testament. Though when considering the quotes of the Old Testament (in the New Testament), about two-thirds come from the Septuagint (since that was the prominent Old Testament writings used in that century). These manuscripts did not include punctuation, which is another important reason to read multiple translations.
The Byzantine texts contain, by far, the largest number of manuscripts of the New Testament, numbering about 5,300, as well as about 24,000 fragments. These groups of manuscripts date as early as the 300s A.D. The Alexandrian texts are the oldest collection of New Testament manuscripts, dating as early as the 100s and 200s A.D., with a total of approximately 30 manuscripts. Not only do the New Testament manuscripts not include any punctuation, but also they also don’t include any spacing between words (hopefully, you’re beginning to see the importance of reading multiple translations). Chapters were first introduced in the 13th century A.D., and verses were introduced in the 16th century. The Geneva Bible was the first Bible to include both chapters and verses. With this said, the verses among Bibles are usually consistent in the Old Testament, but in the New Testament, the verses are based on the Byzantine manuscripts. This means that there will be some verses (over a dozen full verses and some partial verses) that are blank in Bibles based on the Alexandrian manuscripts.
So, this is helpful information to understand when choosing a Bible to read since they don’t all pull from the same groups of manuscripts, and we are uncertain as to which manuscripts are the most accurate (scholars continue to vigorously debate this topic). Thankfully, when it comes to the New Testament, there is 95% commonality between the Byzantine and the Alexandrian manuscripts, and the 5% of differences do not affect any major doctrines. Still, with the tools and technology available today, it is very helpful to have multiple English translations side by side on your smartphone, tablet, PC, or laptop to get a more thorough perspective (or get a side-by-side Bible translation in print). In addition, when we note that the manuscripts usually don’t contain punctuation or even spacing between words, it is important to look at how different translations render each passage of scripture (e.g., some may have statements or exclamations vs. a question from another translation).
With most English translations primarily including Masoretic texts for the Old Testament, it becomes important to look at different translations for the sake of the New Testament, as well as for the sake of the variety of ways the entire Bible has been translated. With that in mind, note that the Revised Geneva Translation (RGT) , New King James Version (NKJV), and the original King James Version (KJV) use the Byzantine collection of New Testament Manuscripts, while the English Standard Version (ESV), Legacy Standard Bible (LSB), Christian Standard Bible (CSB), New International Version (NIV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), New Living Translation (NLT), and most other modern translations use the Alexandrian manuscripts of the New Testament (with the LSB and the NASB including a few bracketed passages from the Byzantine texts).
Then there is the style in which the Bible is translated. For example, the 3 primary stylistic groups of translations include the following, or a combination of the following:
2. Thought-for-thought (Dynamic equivalence)
3. Paraphrase
The word-for-word translations will try to render the language as literally as possible to closely preserve the original writing (most often choosing specific English words to replace the Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic words). The thought-for-thought or dynamic equivalence versions will try to render the writing as close to what the author intended, often using phrases instead of just one word to convey the meaning of the passage. This can be helpful in cases when one word may not effectively convey the translation of a specific Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic word. Paraphrase translations are often used to help make the passage easier to understand, but can also lend themselves to being a Bible commentary more than a translation (e.g., telling the reader what they think the passage means rather than just allowing the passage to speak for itself).
The word-for-word translations (listed in their abbreviated form) that we recommend are as follows: ESV, LSB, NASB, NKJV, UASV (Updated American Standard Version), or WEB (World English Bible). When reading some of the word-for-word translations, such as the LSB, NASB, or NKJV, they will italicize words that are not in the original language, helping you to better understand the most literal rendering of the text (though we should note that the NKJV also italicizes phrases in the New Testament when they are quoting from the Old Testament).
The thought-for-thought or dynamic equivalence translation that we recommend is the NIV. The versions that are between word-for-word and thought-for-thought translations that we recommend are the CSB, HCSB or NET (New English Translation). Though we don’t recommend paraphrase versions of the Bible (such as NLT, Living Bible, New Century Translation, or the Message) because they can be too far from the original text, they can be helpful for those who struggle with reading or those who are younger. In that case, you might try the NLT or the NIrV (the NIrV is usually branded as a thought-for-thought translation, but due to how significantly they amend the text in simple language, as well as break up long sentences, it can be viewed as a paraphrase).
Section 2: Who is God, and how are we to understand His nature?
INTRODUCTION
Theology is the study of God. Therefore, anyone who studies God is a theologian, not just pastors, Bible professors, or those who obtain a master’s or doctorate from a divinity school. So, whether we are starting our studies or have been discovering more about God over many decades, theology is the most important knowledge we can have. Yet, Jesus states, in Matthew 7, that many think that they know Him, to whom He will say, “I never knew you.” So knowing about God is not enough. We must couple our knowledge of God with an intimate relationship with Him, recognizing Him as Savior and Lord (our King).
In this section of the foundations study, we will be looking at scripture that proclaims God’s name, character, characteristics, and nature (including Him being triune). What we will find is that God’s name proclaims that He is self-existent. He has no beginning and no end. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and His presence fills the universe and beyond.
We will read about how God proclaims His character as being full of compassion, grace, mercy, steadfast love, justice, and faithfulness. Though God is all-powerful, there are things that He can’t do. He can’t lie, He can’t be unfaithful, and He must always be true to His nature, His character.
We will read many passages that help us better understand that God is one, but three persons (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). This is a profound mystery that we will not fully understand here on earth, and even throughout eternity, may still be left with some level of mystery. What we will learn is that when Jesus emptied the nature of God to become human, the people of Israel encountered God in the flesh. He looked the same and sounded similar to any other human being, but the demonic forces were terrified of Jesus because they could see what was behind the flesh.
Yet, from the very first verse of the Bible, we discover that God is plural in personages. The first verse proclaims:
Genesis 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
The Hebrew word “Elohim” which is the plural form of “God” is used. And that’s not all. The famous Shemah (in Deuteronomy 6) that faithful Jews would quote daily, which declares that God is one, also uses the plural form of the Hebrew word God. So, there is a mystery to the fact that though God has 3 persons, He is still one God. We are not polytheists, as the Qu’ran (the Islamic scripture) states that we, as people of the book (the Bible), are. We worship the one, true God who is triune, NOT 3 separate Gods. All honor, glory, and praise are due Him, and the more we know Him, the more we recognize our proper response is to both love and obey Him.
The Name of God Revealed
Exodus 3:13-15 (LSB) 13 Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am about to come to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ And they will say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” 14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 And God furthermore said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name from generation to generation.
Note that “God” in verse 13 is the Hebrew word “Elohim,” which is the plural form of God, yet God is one and not more. Also note that where most Bibles display LORD (in all capital letters), this is the tetragrammaton (YHWH) that we pronounce as Yahweh, Yahovah, or Jehovah. Note that in those same Bible translations, you’ll sometimes find the phrase “Lord GOD”. In this case the Hebrew words Adonai and YHWH are coupled and so the word “GOD” represents the tetragrammaton in those cases. God is the great “I AM” and never had a beginning – I AM can be translated as “to be”, or “self-existent”.
When considering how most would introduce themselves in this culture (e.g., I am Judah the son of Jacob, or… I am Moses, the son of Amram), how did God introduce Himself in such a way that demonstrates His self-existence?
God is One
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (NIV) 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Note that the Hebrew word for “God” in this passage in Deuteronomy is also in its plural form. This is why it is a mysterious thing that God is One, yet He has multiple personages, which we will look at in more detail (this will be covered in more detail in the triune nature section).
Even though “God” is in the plural form, what is being proclaimed about Him and how are we called to be inclined toward Him?
Mark 12:28-31 (ESV) 28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
What did Jesus indicate are the most important commandments?
How can we most effectively live out the first and second most important commandments?
There is Only One God
Isaiah 43:10 (KJV) 10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
Isaiah 44:8-9 (ESV) 8 Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.” 9 All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame.
1 Timothy 1:17 (LSB) Now to the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Jude 1:24-25 (ESV) 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
How do these passages effectively communicate that there is only one God?
Why should it be comforting to know there is only one God vs. a pantheon of gods, such as in ancient Greek and Roman culture?
If There Were Other Gods, What Could They Do?
Isaiah 41:22-24 (NIV) 22 “Tell us, you idols, what is going to happen. Tell us what the former things were, so that we may consider them and know their final outcome. Or declare to us the things to come, 23 tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods. Do something, whether good or bad, so that we will be dismayed and filled with fear. 24 But you are less than nothing and your works are utterly worthless; whoever chooses you is detestable.”
In looking at this passage in Isaiah 41, how does the one, true God indicate that all these other “gods” are not really gods at all?
What does this same passage, by implication, indicate that the one, true God is capable of doing?
God is Omnipresent (everywhere at once):
Psalm 139:7-8 (NASB1995) 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
When David wrote this Psalm (inspired by the Holy Spirit), he was considering God’s nature. What did he indicate that helps us understand more about God’s presence?
2 Chronicles 2:6 (NKJV) 6 But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a temple, except to burn sacrifice before Him?
After Solomon finished building the temple, what did he proclaim about God’s presence?
Jeremiah 23:23-24 (NIV) 23 “Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away? 24 Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD.
How does God confirm that Solomon’s perspective was correct in this passage from Jeremiah?
God is Omniscient (all-knowing)
Psalm 139:1-4 (LSB) 1 O Yahweh, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. 3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Yahweh, You know it all.
Matthew 6:8 (NKJV) Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
Psalm 147:5 (NIV) Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
1 John 3:19-20 (CSB) 19 This is how we will know that we belong to the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20 whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows all things.
1 Corinthians 4:5 (NASB1995) Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.
2 Chronicles 6:30 (LSB) 30 then listen from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to each according to all his ways, whose heart You know, for You alone know the hearts of the sons of men,
How can God’s boundless knowledge be comforting and at times frightening?
What other aspects of God’s character do you find in these passages?
Matthew 9:3-4 (ESV) 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
Matthew 12:25 (HCSB) 25 Knowing their thoughts, He told them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.”
Luke 6:7-9 (CSB) 7 The scribes and Pharisees were watching him closely, to see if he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they could find a charge against him. 8 But he knew their thoughts and told the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand here.” So he got up and stood there.
When Jesus came as God in the flesh, how did He demonstrate that, at times, He could exercise the same capabilities that were to be only of God?
God is Omnipotent (all-powerful)
Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV) 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
In this passage (speaking of the person of Jesus), what demonstrates His all-powerful nature?
Job 42:1-2 (NLT) 1 Then Job replied to the LORD: 2 “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.”
Jeremiah 32:17 (HCSB) Oh, Lord GOD! You Yourself made the heavens and earth by Your great power and with Your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!
Jeremiah 32:27 (NKJV) “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?
In the first 2 passages, what did Job and Jeremiah proclaim concerning God?
God, in scripture, will often ask rhetorical questions concerning His power or His actions. How does Jeremiah’s recording of God’s rhetorical question help us to understand His power?
Genesis 17:1 (CSB) When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him, saying, “I am God Almighty. Live in my presence and be blameless.
Psalm 91:1-2 (NASB1995) 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”
Revelation 19:6 (LSB) Then I heard something like the voice of a great crowd and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
God first revealed Himself to the patriarchs as “God Almighty” or “Almighty God”. This is the Hebrew phrase “El Shaddai”. The Greek word for “Almighty” is “pantokratór” and is usually translated as “Almighty” or “Omnipotent”. How does God’s almighty nature allow us to trust Him completely?
How are we to understand God’s character and characteristics?
Exodus 34:5-7 (HCSB) 5 The LORD came down in a cloud, stood with him there, and proclaimed ⌊His⌋ name Yahweh. 6 Then the LORD passed in front of him and proclaimed: Yahweh—Yahweh is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in faithful love and truth, 7 maintaining faithful love to a thousand ⌊generations⌋, forgiving wrongdoing, rebellion, and sin. But He will not leave ⌊the guilty⌋ unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ wrongdoing on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.
Note the attributes that God proclaims first and recognize that even though He is compassionate and gracious, he is still just and will punish the disobedient. Why should these attributes of God’s character help us to rest in Him even when we don’t understand circumstances in our own lives or the lives of others?
Which of these attributes do you think we tend to forget about the most?
Numbers 23:19 (ESV) 19 God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
2 Timothy 2:13 (NASB1995) 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
Titus 1:2 (KJV) 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Hebrews 6:18 (NIV) 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.
As you consider the 4 previous verses, what are a couple of things God can’t do, and why should we take comfort in that reality?
Isaiah 40:28-29 (LSB) 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, Yahweh, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not become weary or tired. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weary, and to him who lacks vigor He increases might.
What do humans experience that God doesn’t experience, and why does this allow us to trust Him more deeply?
John 4:23-24 (HCSB) 23 But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
When reading scripture, God’s word or God, personally, will still use physical language to describe how He is acting or protecting (e.g., “Is My hand too short”, “Under His wings”, “My right hand,”), but we must understand that God is spirit in nature, not physical. Based on what we’ve learned so far, what would He be unable to do if He were physical in nature?
Exodus 20:5-6 (NASB1995) 5 “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
How is godly jealousy vastly different from being envious, which is sinful jealousy?
Why is godly jealousy a good trait to have?
God is unseen and is alone, immortal
John 1:18 (HCSB) 18 No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son— the One who is at the Father’s side— He has revealed Him.
John 14:8-10 (NIV) 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
Though we can’t see the spiritual form of God, how did God reveal Himself?
Exodus 33:18-20 (LSB) 18 Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” 19 And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of Yahweh before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” 20 But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”
What was Moses permitted to see, and what was He not permitted to see?
1 Timothy 6:13-16 (ESV) 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
What does Paul reveal about God in this 1 Timothy passage?
John 3:16-18 (CSB) 16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.
Though humans are not, in nature, immortal, how do we receive everlasting life?
God is Triune in Nature
Revelation 1:8 (NKJV) “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
God helps reveal part of Himself through His creation. Consider God’s creation of time. How does time, itself, help display God’s triune nature?
Psalm 19:1-2 (NIV) 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
Romans 1:20 (NASB1995) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
When we consider God’s creation of space, stars, the planets, and all life on earth, how does that part of His creation proclaim His triune nature?
Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV) 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
When you look at how Jesus is calling his disciples to baptize, what about this statement also proclaims the triune nature (noting what is plural and what is singular)?
Isaiah 6:3 (NLT) 3 They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
Revelation 4:8 (HCSB) 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming.
When considering the proclamation of God’s holiness, how does that show His triune nature?
Isaiah 45:18a (NIV) For this is what the LORD says— he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— he says: “I am the LORD, and there is no other.”
Colossians 1:16 (CSB) 16 For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him.
John 1:3 (KJV) 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Job 26:13 (NKJV) 13 By His Spirit He adorned the heavens; His hand pierced the fleeing serpent.
Psalm 104:30 (ESV) 30 When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.
Noting that Isaiah refers to the Father, Colossians and John are referring to Jesus, and Job and Psalms are referring to the Spirit, what does this proclaim concerning how God creates?
John 3:3-6 (ESV) 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (LSB) 16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
What did Jesus teach in John 3, and how is that related to God’s creative process?
In looking at 2 Corinthians, how is being “in Christ” connected to new creation?
Psalm 27:1 (NKJV) The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
John 8:12 (NKJV) Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Psalm 23:1 (NLT) The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
John 10:11 (NIV) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
What is being proclaimed concerning the LORD (Yahweh), and what does Jesus proclaim?
How is this related to Jesus and God the Father being one?
Isaiah 44:6 (CSB) This is what the Lord, the King of Israel and its Redeemer, the Lord of Armies, says: I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but me.
Revelation 1:8 (NASB1995) “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:17-18 (NIV) 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Revelation 22:12-13 (NKJV) 12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
In reviewing the verse from Isaiah and the passages from Revelation, what titles are being claimed by both God the Father and Jesus?
Can two completely different beings truthfully claim to be the first and the last, the beginning and the end, and why or why not?
Exodus 3:14 (NKJV) 14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ “
John 8:57-59 (NASB1995) 57 So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” 59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.
Yahweh (God the Father) revealed His name to Moses in Exodus 3. What did Jesus reveal to the Jews that resulted in them desiring to kill Him for blasphemy?
John 18:4-6 (NKJV) 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Jesus, again, speaks the two words “I am” (the same Greek words He spoke in John 8:58, and the same two words recorded in the Greek version of the Old Testament, the Septuagint in Exodus 3:14, ‘Ego Eimi’) in response to the crowd who’d come to arrest Him. What happened to the soldiers when He spoke those words that resonated His divine power?
John 10:29-30 (NASB1995) 29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 “I and the Father are one.”
John 14:8-9 (ESV) 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
What is Jesus conveying through these passages that helps us better understand God’s oneness?
Isaiah 43:11 (LSB) I, even I, am Yahweh, and there is no savior besides Me.
Philippians 3:20-21 (NKJV) 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
Acts 4:12 (NASB1995) 12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
What does Yahweh claim concerning salvation, and what is proclaimed concerning Jesus?
How do these claims demonstrate the oneness and triune nature of God?
Psalm 107:28-29 (ESV) 28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Matthew 8:26 (NKJV) 26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
What did the LORD (Yahweh) do in Psalm 107, and what did Jesus do that demonstrated His divine nature in Matthew’s gospel?
Exodus 20:2-6 (ESV) 2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Matthew 4:10 (NKJV) 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ “
Matthew 2:2 (NKJV) 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Matthew 2:11 (NKJV) 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 14:33 (ESV) 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 28:9 (NASB1995) 9 And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.
Matthew 28:17 (ESV) 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
John 20:28 (NASB1995) 28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
In Exodus, as God speaks the 10 commandments to Moses, what, concerning worship, is proclaimed in that passage?
In Matthew and John’s gospels, what are the people doing to Jesus, and how does it help display His true divinity and oneness with God?
Revelation 19:10 (LSB) 10 Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow slave with you and your brothers who have the witness of Jesus. Worship God! For the witness of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Revelation 22:8-9 (CSB) 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you, your brothers the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”
Looking at John’s interaction with a powerful angel, what was he inclined to do?
How did the angel respond to demonstrate that only God is to be worshipped?
Now, let’s look at some passages that demonstrate God’s divine ability and how Jesus demonstrated He had the same ability when He came in the flesh:
Psalm 139:1-4 (LSB) 1 O Yahweh, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. 3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Yahweh, You know it all.
Matthew 6:8 (NKJV) Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
Psalm 147:5 (NIV) Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
2 Chronicles 6:30 (LSB) 30 then listen from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to each according to all his ways, whose heart You know, for You alone know the hearts of the sons of men,
1 John 3:19-20 (CSB) 19 This is how we will know that we belong to the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20 whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows all things.
1 Corinthians 4:5 (NASB1995) Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.
Matthew 9:3-4 (ESV) 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?”
Matthew 12:25 (HCSB) 25 Knowing their thoughts, He told them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.”
Luke 6:7-9 (CSB) 7 The scribes and Pharisees were watching him closely, to see if he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they could find a charge against him. 8 But he knew their thoughts and told the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand here.” So he got up and stood there.
How is this yet another way that the oneness of Yahweh’s and Jesus’ divine nature is demonstrated?
Though the New Testament does record Jesus telling the apostles that they have the authority to forgive those who have sinned against them, we know that when it comes to sinning against God, only God has that authority. Let’s look at some passages that show that God the Father and Jesus received this divine authority:
Exodus 34:6-7 (LSB) 6 Then Yahweh passed by in front of him and called out, “Yahweh, Yahweh God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”
Numbers 14:18 (NASB2020) 18 ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abundant in mercy, forgiving wrongdoing and violation of His Law; but He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, inflicting the punishment of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.’
Psalm 86:5 (NIV) 5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.
Isaiah 43:25 (NLT) 25 “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.
Mark 2:3-12 (NKJV) 3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” 6 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”–He said to the paralytic, 11 I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
How did Jesus demonstrate to the skeptical scribes that He, indeed, has the divine power to forgive as only God can?
Isaiah 9:6 KJV – For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
In this prophecy concerning Jesus, how does it help tie in the triune nature of God?
Micah 5:2 (NASB1995) “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.”
In this prophecy concerning Jesus’ birth location, what do we learn about the nature of who Jesus is that proclaims His divinity?
Psalm 95:6-10 (ESV) 6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! 7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, 9 when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.
Hebrews 3:7-9 (ESV) 7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, 9 where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years.
What do we find in these 2 passages that show that Yahweh (God the Father) and the Holy Spirit are one God?
Jeremiah 31:31-34 (NKJV) 31 “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah– 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
Hebrews 10:15-16 (LSB) 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, And on their mind I will write them,” He then says, 17 “And their sins and their lawless deeds
I will remember no more.”
Again, looking at these two passages, how do we see the oneness of the Holy Spirit and the LORD (Yahweh)?
Acts 5:3-4 (HCSB) 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds from the field? 4 Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God!”
How did Peter interchange God and the Holy Spirit in this passage?