Most religious groups have some concept of God's relationship to the BIBLE. But, while one group may consider the Bible to be "God-breathed," having no error, a group at the opposite end of the scale may believe that Bible writers had only human genius to guide them in the invention of the timeless philosophical ideas they inscribed.

We should take the stand that "Every Scripture is inspired of God, and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God contrived to inspire the Bible writers with "all the truth," and "spiritual words," by the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:12-14, 1 Corinthians 2:6-13, 2 Peter 1:21).

We should make no attempt to distinguish between inspired parts, and those that are not, since the Bible says "every Scripture is inspired." Therefore, we should not expect to find any guidelines in the Bible for making such distinctions.

Also, we should make no distinction between essential and non essential passages of Scripture, because Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). We know that God did not speak every word recorded in the Bible, but He preserved all of it, even the Old Testament, "for our learning" (Romans 15:4), and "for our admonition" (1 Corinthians 10:11).

Much of the language of the Bible is figurative, and should be interpreted as such, but we must deny that any of its stories are "my-thical." It is all factual TRUTH (Psalm 119:160, John 17:17). We can believe that the Bible is preserved without error, and that it needs to be, in order to fulfil the promise of Christ regarding His words, that "...the SAME shall judge you in the last day" (John 12:48) Compare Revelation 20:12.

We must accept these scriptural concepts, if the Bible is to be our guide, because the Word says, "Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21)

2.According to 2 Timothy 3:16, how much of the Scripture is "inspired of God?"
3. According to the next verse, for what profitable things can Scripture be used?


4.According to this same verse, how many "good works" can we learn to do as children of God?

5.According to Jesus in John 16:12-14, how much truth would be given to the Apostles by the Holy Spirit?_______ From whom would the Spirit take the words he revealed to them?

6.According to the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:6-13:
a.When was the wisdom of God which was revealed through the Apostles "ordained?"

b.Was it seen, or heard, or conceived in the minds of men?

c.What sort of spirit did Paul say he received?

d.When the Apostles taught, did they use the words of man's wisdom, or those revealed by God through His Spirit?

7.According to 2 Peter 1:21, what is the source of prophecy?

8. Are there any guidelines in the Scripture for deciding which parts are inspired, and which are not?________Why?

9.Is it right to make distinctions between essential and non-essential passages of Scripture?_______Why? (Use a Bible verse from the lesson for your answer)

10. Did God speak all the words recorded in the Bible?____Did He preserve them?

11.What purposes are served by the reading of the Old Testament, according to Romans 15:4 and 1 Corinthians 10:11?

12.Should any parts of the Bible be considered to be "mythical?"

13.Why is it essential for us that the Bible be preserved without error?