The Bible is a remarkable book. It is the world’s best-selling book. It was written over a period of 1500 years by over 40 different authors. It is made up of 66 books. And it’s authenticity to be the word of God can be supported in three different ways.

Archaeologically: There have been many archaeological finds that validate the Bible. For instance, in 1947 a shepherd boy found original parchment papers of parts of the ENTIRE OLD TESTAMENT [with the exception of the book of Esther] in old clay pots in a cave in the Middle East. These are called the Dead Sea Scrolls. In 1990, archaeologists discovered the tomb of Caiphas, the head priest that condemned Jesus to the cross. Babylon, that ancient city that the Bible often spoke of in the Old Testament, was unearthed years ago in Iraq. In fact, part of the original front gate of the city is in the Oriental museum in Chicago.

Prophetically: Every prediction ever made from the Bible thus far has become true. Daniel 2 specifically traced what nations would rule the earth until the coming of Christ and history confirms these ruling nations.

Transformationally: The Bible itself declares over 3,000 times that it is inspired by God. And perhaps the biggest proof is in the way that the Bible changes lives.

As we become acquainted with the Bible we learn that there are principles to follow in studying God’s word. Here are three:

“Spiritual things are spiritually discerned”. Without the Holy Spirit to guide us we are as unable to discern the meaning of the scriptures, as one is to understand a foreign language without the use of an interpreter. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to give you understanding and you will find rich meaning beyond your expectation.

Jesus gave us an example when He gave a Bible study to the disciples and “explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself”. Like a puzzle we need to fit in all the pieces in order to see the whole picture. We need to read everything the Bible has to say on any given subject not just a few verses here and there.

God will not reveal Himself to those who are reading the Bible in order to prove points or for mere curiosity. We will find him when we earnestly seek Him in order to know His will.

“There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which only God can fill through His son, Jesus Christ.” Blaise Pascal

“God made us, invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on petrol, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. God cannot give a happiness and peace apart from Himself.” C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, p.90

We are each born with a hole in our heart. We try to fill this void in our life with many different things; money, relationships, power, alcohol, materialism. But we soon find that these things do not fill us. It’s like trying to shove a square peg into a round hole. It will never fit! The only thing that will truly fill us is a special relationship with the God of the universe. Nothing else!

Salvation is not a thing to be obtained. Salvation is a Person!!! And once you meet Him, nothing will change...EXCEPT YOUR WHOLE LIFE!!

Because of this we are going to spend the next few lessons getting to know Him better.