An Introduction to the Bible
How many books make up the Bible?
66
How many books make up the Old Testament?
39
What does kosher mean and why did God want His people to keep kosher?
Kosher is a diet as described in Leviticus. God wanted His people to be holy and separate, and non-kosher foods could easily make one sick
What is the origin of Satan?
Satan (Lucifer) was created as a holy angel but became arrogant in his beauty and status and decided he wanted to sit on a throne above that of God
Satan’s pride led to his fall and because of his sin, God permanently removed Satan from his exalted position and role
Which religion has the most followers? Percentage?
Christianity (~31%)
What does “Bible” mean?
“Bible” comes from the Greek word biblia, meaning “books”
How many books make up the New Testament?
27
Failing to understand what Scripture says about the end times can lead to (1) ___ and (2) sensationalism
False predictions
What are the 3 types of laws in the Old Testament?
Moral, ceremonial, and judicial
What makes the Bible different from other religious books?
God seeks man
God becoming a man to show us the Truth
What books make up the Gospels?
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
New Testament was written by the ___ or with the guidance of the ___
Apostles
Give an example of how the Bible supports science.
Sample: “He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in” (Isaiah 40:22)
Describes earth as a “circle,” which is a good description of a sphere
Scientists didn’t know earth was round until ~2000 years after verse written
What was the purpose of the Old Testament laws?
To point us to Christ (Galatians 3:24)
No one can perfectly obey all the commandments (Romans 3:23)
God gave the Law to define sin and demonstrate our need for a Savior (Romans 7:7)
Many religions emphasize good works, pilgrimages, and sacrifices to attain salvation. What does the Bible say?
Faith in God (Romans 4)
Name the sections of the New Testament.
Gospels, History, Epistles (or letters), and Apocalyptic (or prophecies about the end times)
Old Testament was mainly written by the ___
Prophets
How can we live a prepared life for Jesus’ coming?
The best way to live our lives is doing as much of God’s work as you can before He comes
Preaching the gospel to our family and friends is the best response
Are Christians required to follow the Old Testament laws?
No.
Jesus is the only one who has perfectly obeyed/fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17–18)
Christians are not under the law by faith in Jesus (Romans 10:4)
What is the kingdom of God? What is our task in the kingdom?
A spiritual rule over the hearts and lives of those who willingly submit to God’s authority
Showing the saving truth of Jesus in love to our enemy to win souls to the kingdom of Christ
The Bible has over 40 authors while some other religious books have only one. How does this support that the Bible is true?
You verify information is correct by using other sources. Similarly, you verify the Bible is correct because 40 different authors deliver the same message. For example, the prophecies about Jesus’ birth in the Old Testament came true in the New Testament.
If the Bible was written by man, why is it called the Word of God?
In the Old Testament, God gave prophets authority to speak/write His word, and in the New Testament, Jesus gave apostles authority to preach/write His word
What 3 things will increase in the end times?
(1) Sin will increase at the end of the world (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
(2) Natural calamities and wars will increase (Matthew 24:6-7)
(3) Righteousness and gospel preaching will increase (Matthew 24:12-14)
What is the greatest commandment/law of Christ that Christians are required to follow in the New Testament?
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is similar: Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39).”
Suppose your friend says, “I am not a bad person. I go to the temple. I don’t eat meat, and I pray every morning. Will I not go to heaven?” How will you respond to this question?
You need to be perfect to go to heaven, and we are sinners
The payment for sin is death, not good works
Jesus paid the price of our sins by dying on the cross, so through accepting Him as Savior, we can be saved