Text:<\/p>\n
2 Timothy 3:16\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Psalm 119:89, 105, 130\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 Peter 1:20-21 Psalm 12:6-7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Matthew 5:18; 24:35\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mark 13:31 Luke 21:33\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Revelation 22:18-19.<\/p>\n
I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Saviour of the world is communicated to us through this book.<\/p>\n
It is impossible to rightly govern the world without GOD and the BIBLE.<\/p>\n
The New Testament is the very best book that ever was or will ever be known in the world.<\/p>\n
There are more sure marks of authenticity in the BIBLE than any other profane history.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Impregnable Rock of Holy Scripture\u201d.<\/strong> We rejected with scorn all those learned and laboured myths that Moses was but a legendary figure. We believe that the most scientific view, the most-up-to-date and rationalistic conception, will find its fullest satisfaction in taking the Bible literally and in identifying one of the greatest human beings with the most decisive leap forward ever made discernible in the human story.<\/p>\n We may be sure that all events, names, places, numbers, and places happened just as they are set out according to Holy Writ. The Bible was written by God Himself through inspiration. The Bible has been preserved perfectly by God Himself throughout the ages and without any mistakes so that God\u2019s people may always say with all confidence that they have the perfect and inspired Word of God with them today and always.<\/p>\n 23<\/p>\n OLD TESTAMENT – 39 BOOKS<\/strong><\/p>\n Minor Prophets (TWELVE)<\/p>\n NEW TESTAMENT<\/strong> – 27 books<\/p>\n III. WHAT IS THE BIBLE?<\/strong><\/p>\n The BIBLE is GOD\u2019S WORD. It is inerrant, infallible divinely inspired and perfectly preserved for us by God throughout the ages.<\/strong><\/p>\n The BIBLE is the account of GOD\u2019s dealings with Man, from the beginning until the end of all things. It tells of Man\u2019s creation, fall<\/strong> and redemption.<\/strong> It reveals GOD\u2019S PLAN of SALVATION for Man. It reveals GOD\u2019S WILL<\/strong> for you and me. It is God revealing Himself to sinful Man.<\/p>\n The Old Testament message is: The Saviour is coming! The New Testament says: The Saviour is come! Both Testaments say: The Saviour is coming again!<\/p>\n The BIBLE has the solution to all the world\u2019s complex and insoluble problems. It has the solution to your problems \u2013 every one of them, without exception.<\/p>\n The BIBLE IS THE WORD OF EVERLASTING LIFE.<\/p>\n THE AUTHOR WAS GOD HIMSELF (The Doctrine of Inspiration)<\/strong><\/p>\n While human agents were responsible for the actual writing of the books of the BIBLE, the AUTHOR or MASTER MIND of the BOOK is GOD HIMSELF.<\/p>\n Let GOD\u2019S WORD state the case (the Highest Authority):<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cFor 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<\/strong>\u201d (2 Peter 1:21). [Emphasis added]<\/p>\n \u201cAll Scripture is given by inspiration of God \u2026\u201d<\/em> (2 Timothy 3:16).<\/p>\n 1 Thessalonians 2:13 declares, \u201cFor this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God,<\/strong> which effectually worketh also in you that believe.\u201d<\/em> [Emphasis added]<\/p>\n In the writing of the book of REVELATION, the LORD JESUS<\/strong> addressed the Apostle John with these words: \u201cWrite the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter\u201d<\/em> (Revelation 1:19).<\/p>\n What grounds are there for saying that the Author of the BIBLE was GOD HIMSELF? \u00a0A good question!\u00a0 Let us give a reasonable answer.<\/p>\n The BIBLE has 66 BOOKS.<\/p>\n Written by some 40 men, in many different walks of life<\/p>\n over 60 generations and 1,600 years in widely separated areas<\/p>\n on 3 continents (Asia, Africa, Europe), in 3 languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek).<\/p>\n Yet when the 66 Books are put together as the HOLY BIBLE, they form one harmonious volume, <\/strong>telling forth one story: GOD\u2019S LOVE FOR SINFUL MAN. There is just one theme from beginning to end, with no self-contradictory or conflicting areas. ONLY ONE HARMONIOUS BOOK \u2013 A DIVINE BOOK!<\/p>\n How could this be, except for this one fact:\u00a0 behind the many scribes was ONE<\/p>\n AUTHOR, GOD.<\/p>\n Therefore, throughout the Bible, \u201cThus saith the Lord \u2026\u201d recurs again and again.<\/p>\n Then by way of contrast, let us consider this proposition. Supposing we were to call on ten eminent writers in our generation, all from one walk of life, in one place, at one time, and in one language, to write independently on some controversial subject, what do you think the result would be?<\/p>\n Do you think there would be agreement and harmony when the ten essays or books are put together? The result will very likely, be a conglomeration of differing and conflicting views. We may call it a sort of literary hotchpotch.<\/p>\n Considering then the manner in which the Bible came to be written, there can be no other explanation than this:\u00a0 THE AUTHOR WAS GOD HIMSELF.<\/p>\n Beyond all the explanations, this belief is a matter of FAITH.<\/p>\n Until some 200 years ago, the Bible was accepted without question as GOD\u2019S INFALLIBLE AND INERRANT WORD.<\/strong> Since that time, however, so-called theologians, archaeologists and seminary professors had begun to cast doubts about certain parts of the Bible, in particular, those recorded accounts of miracles and supernatural events e.g. the Creation, the Flood, the crossing of the Red Sea by the Israelites, the fall of Jericho in the Old Testament, and the miracles of Jesus and those in both the OT and NT, His Resurrection and the Ascension in the New Testament. This was due largely to the humanistic invention called Redaction and Textual Criticism which came into existence in the nineteenth century. These liberals attack the Word of God from the authorship of the Bible to the content of the Bible itself with their godless speculations and man-centred arguments saying that the Bible has mistakes.<\/p>\n Whereas formerly the Bible was accepted in total as GOD\u2019S WORD, now the modern scholars and critics say that the Bible \u201ccontains God\u2019s Word\u201d, thereby injecting doubt and implying that the Bible also contains other things besides God\u2019s Word.\u00a0 Scholars of the modernist-liberal schools maintain that large sections of the Bible were \u201cmyths\u201d and \u201clegends\u201d, while other parts which could not be reconciled with modern scientific knowledge were regarded as mistakes.<\/p>\n We shall not go into too many of these objections to the Bible, but we shall just consider a few of the more common ones.<\/p>\n This implies that the Bible is behind the times<\/strong> and probably irrelevant<\/strong> for modern man.<\/p>\n To this objection we answer thus:\u00a0 GOD\u2019S WORD may be \u201cold\u201d \u2013 the Bible dates back twenty to thirty centuries. However, GOD\u2019S WORD does not grow old. It remains always fresh, relevant and up-to-date. The Bible has the solution to every human problem, now or 3,000 years ago. Psalm 19:7-11, \u201cThe law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.\u00a0 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.\u00a0 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.\u00a0 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Whereas textbooks, especially those of scientific subject, become outdated and useless after only a few years (unless they undergo periodic revision), the Bible remains the same<\/strong> – unchanged and unchanging from the beginning until now \u2013 ONE EDITION ONLY.<\/strong><\/p>\n To say that the Bible is out-of-date only reveals one\u2019s ignorance and unbelief.<\/strong><\/p>\n This is a serious charge and if substantiated must mean the downfall of the Bible.\u00a0 It can then no longer be regarded as the WORD OF GOD.\u00a0 Let us examine the statement.<\/p>\n What \u201cmistakes\u201d<\/strong> do the critics mean?\u00a0 To label those parts which conflict with \u201cscientific opinion\u201d as \u201cmistakes\u201d is incorrect and very short-sighted. Modern \u201cScientific\u201d<\/strong> opinion is constantly changing<\/strong> and scientific knowledge is extremely limited.<\/strong> While science can study, observe and measure present day physical phenomena,<\/strong> it has no way of applying the same methods to events which happened a long time ago, or to events of the spiritual or supernatural realm.<\/strong><\/p>\n Some forty years ago, Harry Rimmer of New York offered a substantial monetary reward to anyone who could prove in a court of law that there was any mistake in the Bible. He engaged a Christian lawyer James E Bennett to defend his case. When the reward was announced in the newspaper, many enemies of the Bible lodged their claims. Their cases were heard before a judge in the law courts.<\/p>\n Despite many varied charges and attacks on GOD\u2019S WORD, not one person could prove that there was even one mistake in the Bible. Nobody got the reward!<\/strong><\/p>\n Their subtle deception includes statements like, \u201cThese mistakes are minor. They involve only names of people and places, and numbers which do not affect a person\u2019s salvation. Therefore it is all right to hold in your hands a Bible with mistakes.\u201d These kinds of man-centred arguments have been the tool of the evil one for centuries. They continue to be used today because of their effectiveness. Do not be fooled by these man-centred arguments. Remember that any reasoning or argument that is man-centred cannot be from God, for God is always God-centred.<\/p>\n The perfect God has given to us the Perfect Bible. The perfect God has also preserved His perfect Bible perfectly for us throughout the ages. If the Word of God has any mistake no matter how small, the doctrine of Inspiration and the character of God would be doomed and man would be in danger of losing his faith.<\/p>\n While men\u2019s opinions and scientific speculations keep changing, like ocean tides and currents, the Bible stands through every age, FIRM and UNMOVED, like the ROCK OF GIBRALTAR.<\/p>\n \u201cFor ever,<\/strong> O LORD, thy word is settled<\/strong> in heaven\u201d (Psalm 119:89).<\/p>\n \u201cThe words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever\u201d<\/em> (Psalm 12:6-7).<\/p>\n \u201cFor verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 5:18).<\/p>\n \u201cHeaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 24:35).<\/p>\n While the Bible is not a textbook of science (it was not meant to be such), no such statement of the Bible relating to any scientific topic has ever been found to be in error.<\/p>\n On the contrary, the Bible reveals many scientific facts centuries before scientists discovered them. Here are a few examples.<\/p>\n Over 2,000 years before, the Bible has pronounced: \u201cThe host of heaven cannot be numbered\u201d (Jeremiah 33:22).<\/p>\n A long time ago (over 3,000 years) GOD\u2019S WORD said: He hangeth the earth upon nothing<\/strong> (Job 26:7).\u00a0 In recent years, space explorers and satellites in orbit have given us beautiful pictures of our earth \u201cfloating\u201d in space, hanging on nothing.<\/p>\n Over 2,000 years before that, the Bible said of God:\u00a0 \u201cIt is he that sitteth upon the circle<\/strong> (sphere) of the earth\u201d (Isaiah 40:22).<\/p>\n We could go on further in \u201cmaking a case for the Bible\u201d but really there is no need to do so.\u00a0 For many, a man\u2019s mind, once made up, is set for good, and much argument will not change it.<\/p>\n God says to man and of man:<\/strong>\u00a0 \u201cFor my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.\u00a0 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts\u201d<\/em> (Isaiah 55:8,9).<\/p>\n It is a fact that those who criticise the Bible most are often those who know it least!\u00a0 If our God cannot work miracles,<\/strong> but is limited by physical laws like man, then HE is no GOD. But HE is the CREATOR and HIS ACTS belong to the realm of the SUPERNATURAL AND SUPERHUMAN.<\/strong><\/p>\n There is no searching of His understanding. The Bible records for us GOD\u2019S<\/p>\n MIGHTY ACTS!<\/p>\n CALVARY PANDAN B-P CHURCH GOSPEL SAFEGUARD: VPP<\/strong><\/p>\n Senior Pastor Dr Tow published this in the Church\u2019s Weekly Bulletin on 1st January 2006:\u00a0 Praise God, after much waiting on the Lord, He has enabled me to draft for Calvary Pandan (leaders and members) a statement which will lead us into \u201cgreen pastures and still waters.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Reader, pray as you ponder on this \u201c12-point Statement.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n We believe in the divine, verbal and plenary inspiration of the Scriptures in the original languages, their consequent inerrancy and infallibility, and, as the Word of God, the Supreme and final authority in faith and life;<\/strong><\/p>\n of the Autographs<\/strong>).<\/em><\/p>\n From these perfectly preserved copies<\/strong> of God\u2019s inspired, inerrant, infallible Scriptures, is derived our KJB.<\/strong><\/p>\n V<\/strong> is \u201cVerbal,\u201d<\/strong> meaning \u201cword for word\u201d<\/strong> (Websters Dict.) P<\/strong> is \u201cPlenary,\u201d<\/strong> meaning \u201ccomplete or absolute\u201d<\/strong> (Websters Dict.)<\/p>\n P<\/strong>\u00a0 is \u201cPreservation\u201d<\/strong> meaning \u201ckept from corruption or error.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n We hold the \u201chighest view\u201d of the Holy Scripture.\u00a0 We do not claim to understand every part of the BOOK. There are parts which we just do not fully understand. Of these, we say \u201cWe don\u2019t know\u201d. Some parts may puzzle and perplex. But that does not mean the BIBLE is wrong. Only our understanding is incomplete.<\/p>\n Martin Luther, the Sixteenth Century Reformer, believed and taught that the Bible was infallibly true in all its parts. Luther quoted Augustine\u2019s letter to Jerome in which he wrote, \u201cThis I have learned to do: to hold only those books which are called the Holy Scriptures in such honour and I finally believed that not one of the Holy Writers ever erred.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Luther endorsed this view of Augustine and he stated: \u201cThe Scriptures cannot err. It is certain that the Scriptures cannot disagree with itself. It is impossible that Scriptures should contradict itself, only that it so appears to the senseless and obstinate hypocrites.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n When Luther found an apparent discrepancy or contradiction with respect to chronology, he refused to side with \u201cthose who said that the Scripture is evidently wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n Luther said, \u201cI conclude that matter with humble confession of my ignorance for it is only the Holy Ghost who knows and understands everything.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n VII. STATEMENT ON TEXTUAL PRESERVATION BY <\/strong><\/p>\n THE ENGLISH SESSION OF CALVARY PANDAN BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (April 2006)*<\/strong><\/p>\n 1<\/p>\n The Calvary Pandan B-P Church (CPBPC) accepts as the best edition of the Hebrew Masoretic text the one prepared in 1524\u201325 by Jacob ben Chayyim and known, after David Bomberg the publisher, as the Bomberg text. This text underlies the Old Testament in the Authorised Version. [adapted from The Trinitarian Bible Society<\/strong>]<\/p>\n 2<\/p>\n The Greek Received Text is the name given to a group of printed texts, the first of which was published by Desiderius Erasmus in 1516. The CPBPC believes that the latest and best edition is the text reconstructed by F.H.A. Scrivener in 1894. This text was reconstructed from the Greek underlying the New Testament of the Authorised Version. [adapted from The Trinitarian Bible Society<\/strong>]<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n On 10 March 2008, the Board of Elders of both the English and Mandarin Congregations of Calvary Pandan B-P Church unanimously declared that the doctrine of VPP is the official doctrine of the Church.<\/p>\n holy, pure, true, infallible, trustworthy, excellent, self-authenticating, necessary, sufficient, perspicuous, self-interpreting, authoritative and inerrant (Psalm 19:7-9, Psalm 119). They are consequently to be received as the Word of God (Ezra 7:14; Nehemiah 8:8; Daniel 9:2; 2 Peter 1:19) and the correct reading at any point is to be sought within these texts.<\/p>\n We must be humble if we want to understand GOD\u2019S WORD, and we must also PRAY for the HOLY SPIRIT to be our TEACHER. \u201cOpen thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law\u201d (Psalm 119:18).<\/p>\n POEM ON THE BIBLE<\/p>\n \u201cWithin this wondrous volume lies The mystery of mysteries;<\/p>\n Happiest they of human race<\/p>\n To whom their God has given grace<\/p>\n To read, to fear, to hope, to pray,<\/p>\n To lift the latch, to find the way;<\/p>\n And better had they n\u2019er been born<\/p>\n Who read to doubt, or read to scorn.\u201d<\/p>\n ~ Sir Walter Scott ~<\/p>\n \u201cThy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path\u201d (Psalm 119:105).<\/p>\n May this light shine your pathway every day!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lesson 3: The Bible<\/p>\n Fill in the blanks (one letter for each space):<\/p>\n Underline the correct answer:<\/p>\nII. CONTENTS OF THE BIBLE<\/h4>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
V. OBJECTIONS TO THE BIBLE<\/h4>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
BIBLE KNOWLEDGE QUIZ 3: THE BIBLE<\/h4>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \n
\n
\n
\n