Lesson One
Dearly beloved of God, is there a reference we can trust for truth today?
If you listen to the news you would think that we are living in an alternate universe. Evil is called good, and good is called evil. They cannot even define what a woman is. The world is insane. In spite of the devilishness of our times there is a reference for truth we can trust for truth.
II Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
Well, this statement is either the truth, or it is a lie. When the Lord Jesus Christ was tempted by the devil he responded, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4
Jesus Christ believed the truth of the Word of God. He said we are to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. As his followers we should have the same attitude towards the Word of God as he had.
The Word of God came from the mouth of God; not part of it; not some of it; all scripture came out of the mouth of God.
II Peter 1:21
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost [Spirit].
Prophecy refers to that which is declared by God. It does not have to foretell the future.
The prophecy of the scriptures did not come by man’s will, from his ideas and imagination. It did not come out of the mind of man, it came out of the mouth of God. God revealed His Word to holy men of God by the revelation manifestations of word of knowledge, word of wisdom, and discerning of spirits.
Galatians 1: 11 and 12
But I certify you brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The gospel that Paul preached was given to him by revelation.
Ephesians 3:2-4
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Where did Paul get this information? He received it by revelation. It did not originate with Paul; it was given to him by revelation.
The Bible is the Word of God, and it reveals the Will of God to us. All of it from Genesis to Revelation is the Word of God; not some of it; all of it. It is the only reference we can trust for truth when it comes to understanding spiritual matters.
Those who wrote the Bible wrote what God revealed to them, and He instructed them to record it. They received the Word of God by revelation. There were many writers of the Word of God, but there was only one Author – God.
I Corinthians 2:13
Which things we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost [Spirit] teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual [words].
The Bible, the Word of God, consists of words which the Holy Spirit, God, teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual words.
The Bible is the revealed Word and Will of God. God is the Author of His Word. His Word is a trustworthy reference for truth.
The Word of God puts us in contact with God. God is Spirit. If we are to know Him, and understand spiritual matters we must understand His Word because that is where He has chosen to reveal Himself.
Since people communicate with words, God communicated to us with His words. They are words which the Holy Spirit teaches. He originated the information we read in the Scriptures.
Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
God does not lie as men do. His words are trustworthy and reliable.
The Word of God gives us certainty in the midst of the uncertainty of our times. We can take God at His Word. The Word of God reveals the Will of God.
This is the first lesson we must learn if we are to be in a position to profit from the realities of which God speaks.