1. By what name are the sacred writings of the Bible commonly known?

The Scriptures — Matthew 21:42

KJV ⁴² Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? WEB ⁴² Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the corner. This was from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes’?

2. What other title is given to this revelation of God to mankind?

The word of God — Luke 8:21

KJV ²¹ And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. WEB ²¹ But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God, and do it.”

3. How were the Scriptures given?

By inspiration of God — 2 Timothy 3:16

KJV ¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: WEB ¹⁶ Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,

4. Who directed these men to speak for God?

The Holy Ghost — 2 Peter 1:21

KJV 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. WEB ²¹ For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

5. What specific example is mentioned by Peter?

That the Holy Ghost spoke by the mouth of David about Judas — Acts 1:16

KJV ¹⁶ Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. WEB ¹⁶ “Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus.

6. How does David express this same truth?

That the Spirit of the Lord spoke through him — 2 Samuel 23:2

KJV ² The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. WEB ² “Yahweh’s Spirit spoke by me. His word was on my tongue.

7. Who, therefore, did the speaking through these men?

God — Hebrews 1:1

KJV ¹ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, WEB ¹ God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,

8. For what purpose were the Scriptures written?

For our learning — Romans 15:4

KJV ⁴ For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. WEB ⁴ For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

9. For what is all scripture beneficial for?

For doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness — 2 Timothy 3:16

KJV ¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: WEB ¹⁶ Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,

10. What was God’s design in thus giving the Scriptures?

That we may be perfect, equipped to do good things – 2 Timothy 3:17

KJV ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. WEB ¹⁷ that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

11. What value did Job place upon the words of God?

He treasured it more than food – Job 23:12

KJV ¹² Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. WEB ¹² I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

12. Upon what evidence did Jesus base His Messiahship?

The Scriptures, from Moses to the prophets – Luke 24:27

KJV ²⁷ And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. WEB ²⁷ Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

13. What three general divisions did Jesus recognize as including all the writings of the Old Testament?

The law of Moses, the prophets and the Psalms – Luke 24:44

KJV ⁴⁴ And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. WEB ⁴⁴ He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.”

14. What does God’s character preclude Him from doing?

He does not lie – Titus 1:2

KJV ² In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; WEB ² in hope of eternal life, which God, who can’t lie, promised before time began;

15. What is God called in the Scriptures?

A God of truth – Deuteronomy 32:4

KJV ⁴ He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. WEB ⁴ The Rock: his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. A God of faithfulness who does no wrong, just and right is he.

16. What, therefore, must be the character of His word?

Truth – John 17:17

KJV ¹⁷ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. WEB ¹⁷ Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.

17. What test should therefore be applied to every professed teacher of truth?

The law and the testimonies – Isaiah 8:20

KJV ²⁰ To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. WEB ²⁰ Turn to the law and to the covenant! If they don’t speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.

18. What does God design that His word shall be to us in this world of darkness, sin, and death?

A lamp and light – 119:105

19. To what extent has God magnified His word?

Above His name – Psalm 138:2

KJV ² I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. WEB ² I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth; for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.

NOTE: God did this by backing His promises with an oath based upon Himself — Hebrews 6:13-14

KJV ¹³ For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, ¹⁴ Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. WEB ¹³ For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself, ¹⁴ saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”
..By this He pledged and placed at stake His name, or character, for the fulfillment of His word.

20. In what is the true poetry of life to be found?

In God's commandments – Psalm 119:54

KJV ⁵⁴ Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. WEB ⁵⁴ Your statutes have been my songs in the house where I live.

21. How long will the word of God endure?

Forever – Isaiah 40:8

KJV ⁸ The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. WEB ⁸ The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever.”
Matthew 24:35

KJV ³⁵ Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. WEB ³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

O Word of God incarnate,
O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged, unchanging,
O Light of our dark sky!
We praise Thee for the radiance
That from the hallowed page,
A lamp to guide our footsteps,
Shines on from age to age.

The church from her dear Master
Received the gift divine,
And still that light she lifteth
O’er all the earth to shine.
It is the golden casket
Where gems of truth are stored;
It is the heaven-drawn picture
Of Christ the living Word.
WILLIAM HOW.