We come to the third week of our SSL entitled, "Jesus and the Apostles' View of the Bible". Comparing the Bible of Jesus and the apostles to our Bible today, the New Testament was just written during and after them, so, Jesus and the apostles used only the Old Testament. Now, let's dig deeper as we continue on with our study this week.

Memory text: Mat. 4:4

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Prayer Thought: AA 232.2

All will be judged according to the light that has been given. The Lord sends forth His ambassadors with a message of salvation, and those who hear He will hold responsible for the way in which they treat the words of His servants. Those who are sincerely seeking for truth will make a careful investigation, in the light of God's word, of the doctrines presented to them. {AA 232.2}

A. How did Jesus use the Scripture?

The Lord Jesus came into our world and was tempted by the same enemy. He passed over the ground where Adam fell, but He was steadfast. He resisted the devil, and in behalf of the human race was Conqueror. The universe of heaven triumphed. Satan came to Christ with his specious temptations to induce Him to question the plans and law of God, and to make Him occupy an independent position; but the tempter was foiled. Christ would enter into no controversy with Satan. He met the enemy of God with the Word of God—“It is written.” {CTr 22.5}

1. The Bible as authority - Mat. 4:4, 7, 10; Luke 4:4,8, 12

• • When tempted with the appetite (Deut. 8:3)

  • When tempted with presumptuousness (Deut. 6:16)

  • When tempted with power (Deut. 10:20)

How about us, are we also confronted with temptations with regards to the Bible? Let's us see from the following items:

a. When controverted issues arises, our safety is in this phrase, "Thus saith the Lord"

Present the plain "Thus saith the Lord" with authority, and exalt the wisdom of God in the written Word. Bring the people to a decision; keep the voice of the Bible ever before them. Tell them you speak that which you do know, and testify that which is truth, because God has spoken it. Let your preaching be short and right to the point, and then at the proper time call for a decision. Do not present the truth in a formal manner, but let the heart be vitalized by the Spirit of God, and let your words be spoken with such certainty that those who hear may know that the truth is a reality to you.--Letter 8, 1895. {Ev 296.2}

b. When vainglory arises among teachers of the Bible.

Do Not Miss the Mark.--Do not encourage the presentation of Scripture in any way to encourage vainglory in the one who shall open the Word to others. The work for this time is to bring students and workers to the place where they will deal with subjects in a serious, solemn, plain manner, that there may be no time uselessly employed in this great work. Do not miss the mark. Time is too short to reveal all that might be opened up to view; eternity will be required to know the length and breadth, the depth and height of the Scriptures. There are truths of more importance to some souls than others. Skill is needed in educating in Scriptural lines.-- Manuscript 153, 1898. {Ev 296.3}

c. When someone claims to have all truth before the full light came to the church.

We must have living faith in our hearts, and reach out for larger knowledge and more advanced light.-- Review and Herald, March 25, 1890.

We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and Heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed. {CET 203.2}

2. The Bible as a Guide to Life: Mat. 5:17, 22, 28, 32, 39, 44; Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18

The Bible is the most precious book in the world. It is the only guide to direct the soul to the paradise of God.

The word of God is given as a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. Those who cast his word behind them, and seek by their own blind philosophy to trace out the wonderful mysteries of Jehovah, will stumble in darkness. A guide has been given to mortals whereby they may trace Jehovah and his works as far as will be for their good. Inspiration, in giving us the history of the flood, has explained wonderful mysteries that geology, independent of inspiration, never could. {1SP 89.1}

a. The Holy Spirit Impresses Truth

It is the Holy Spirit that makes the truth impressive. Keep practical truth ever before the people.--Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 57 (1900)

b. The Great Work Ahead Us

is a great work before us. The work that engages the interest and activity of heaven is committed to the church of Christ. Jesus said: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." The work for our time is attended with the same difficulties that Jesus had to meet, and that the reformers of every age have had to overcome; and we must set our wills on the side of Christ, and move forward with firm confidence in God.--Review and Herald, March 13, 1888.

c. Prejudice Rejects Light

There is in the heart of man that which is opposed to truth and righteousness. . . . Christ's miraculous power gave evidence that He was the Son of God. In the cities of Judah overwhelming evidence was given of the divinity and mission of Christ. . . . But prejudice is hard to deal with, even by Him who is Light and Truth, and the prejudice that filled the hearts of the Jews would not allow them to accept the evidence given. With scorn they rejected the claims of Christ.--Manuscript 104, 1898. {Ev 302.1}

d. Dwell on the affirmative side of the Questions in life

Dwell not on the negative points of questions that arise, but gather to your minds affirmative truths, and fasten them there by much study, earnest prayer, and heart consecration. Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, and let bright rays shine forth, that men, beholding your good works, may be led to glorify your Father who is in heaven. {Ev 302.2}

e. Do not cherish the Spirit of Controversy

Do not cherish a spirit of controversy. Little good is accomplished by denunciatory speeches. The surest way to destroy false doctrine is to preach the truth. Keep to the affirmative. Let the precious truths of the gospel kill the force of evil. Show a tender, pitiful spirit toward the erring. Come close to hearts.--Letter 190, 1902. {Ev 304.1}

f. Opposition and Resistance Advertises Truth

Satan is fruitful in bringing up devices to evade the truth. But I call upon you to believe the words I speak today. Truth of heavenly origin is confronting Satan's falsehoods, and this truth will prevail. . . . Opposition and resistance only serve to bring out truth in new, distinct lines. The more truth is spoken against, the brighter it will shine. Thus the precious ore is polished. Every word of slander spoken against it, every misrepresentation of its value, awakens attention, and is the means of leading to closer investigation as to what is saving truth. The truth becomes more highly estimated. New beauty and greater value are revealed from every point of view.--Manuscript 8a, 1888.

g. Get Proofs From the Bible

In public labor do not make prominent, and quote that which Sister White has written, as authority to sustain your positions. To do this will not increase faith in the testimonies. Bring your evidences, clear and plain, from the Word of God. A "Thus saith the Lord" is the strongest testimony you can possibly present to the people. Let none be educated to look to Sister White, but to the mighty God, who gives instruction to Sister White.--Letter 11, 1894. {3SM 29.3}

h. Bible Principles First, Then the Testimonies.

It is my first duty to present Bible principles. Then, unless there is a decided, conscientious reform made by those whose cases have been presented before me, I must appeal to them personally.--Letter 69, 1896. {3SM 30.1}

i. Follow the Mode of Inspiration

Read and study the fourth chapter of Zechariah. The two olive trees empty the golden oil out of themselves through the golden pipes into the golden bowl from which the lamps of the sanctuary are fed. The golden oil represents the Holy Spirit. With this oil God's ministers are to be constantly supplied, that they, in turn, may impart it to church. "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." God's servants can obtain victories only by inward purity, by cleanness of heart, by holiness. It is of the utmost importance that ministers set a right example. If they follow lax, loose principles, their example is quoted by those who are doing wrong as a vindication of their course. The whole synagogue of Satan is watching for defects in the lives of God's representatives, and the most is made of every defect.-- Review and Herald, December 22, 1904. {TM 188.2}

https://sites.google.com/view/meatindueseason/11-the-golden-bowl-zec-4?authuser=0

B. What parts of the Bible did Jesus accept?

The Lord desires you to study your Bibles. He has not given any additional light to take the place of His Word. This light is to bring confused minds to His Word, which, if eaten and digested, is as the lifeblood of the soul. Then good works will be seen as light shining in darkness.-- Letter 130, 1901. {3SM 29.2}

All Truth Consistent With Itself.--These persons [who disbelieve the Genesis account] have lost the simplicity of faith. There should be a settled belief in the divine authority of God's Holy Word. The Bible is not to be tested by men's ideas of science. Human knowledge is an unreliable guide. Skeptics who read the Bible for the sake of caviling may, through an imperfect comprehension of either science or revelation, claim to find contradictions between them; but rightly understood, they are in perfect harmony. Moses wrote under the guidance of the Spirit of God, and a correct theory of geology will never claim discoveries that cannot be reconciled with his statements. All truth, whether in nature or in revelation, is consistent with itself in all its manifestations.--PP 114 (1890).

The Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) composed of"

• The Law (Pentateuch): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy

• The Historical Books:

  • The Pre-Monarchic Period (Josh. 1-1Sam. 7)

  • The Era of the United Monarchy (1Sam. 8-1Kings 11: cf. 1Chr. 10-2Chr. 9)

  • The Era of the Divided Monarchy (1Kings 12-2Kings 25: cf 2Chr. 10-36)

  • The Era of the Exile and Return (Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther)

• The Poetic Books: Job - Song of Solomon and Lamentations

• The Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel

• The Minor Prophets: Hosea - Malachi

The Old Testament is indeed an enduring book. Not only was it the Bible of Jesus and the apostles, but its unfolding account of God's saving work for mankind is integral to every part of the New Testament. (Ps. 119:105-112; 2Tim. 3:16)

1. The Bible in its Entirety: Lk. 24:44; Mat. 28:20

The subject of Christ's teaching was the Word of God. He met questioners with a plain, "It is written;" "What saith the Scriptures?" "How readest thou?" At every opportunity, when an interest was awakened by either friend or foe, He sowed the seed of the Word. He who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Himself the living Word, points to the Scriptures, saying, "They are they which testify of Me." {ST, May 9, 1906 par. 9}

a. Question arises on many subjects

In the word of God many queries are raised that the most profound scholars can never answer. Attention is called to these subjects to show us how much there is, even among the common things of everyday life, that finite minds, with all their boasted wisdom, can never fully understand. {PP 114.2}

b. Power to restrain from evil passions

To a failure to study and obey the Scriptures may in a great degree be attributed the widespread iniquity in our world today. When the Word of God is set aside, its power to restrain the evil passions of the natural heart is rejected. Men sow to the flesh, and of the flesh reap corruption. {ST, June 6, 1906 par. 2}

c. Restored to God in the light of God's Word

Correct View of Self in Light of God's Word. Satan's constant temptations are designed to weaken man's government over his own heart, to undermine his power of self-control. He leads man to break the bands which connect him in holy, happy union with his Maker. Then when he is disconnected from God, passion obtains control over reason, and impulse over principle, and he becomes sinful in thought and action; his judgment is perverted, his reason seems to be enfeebled, and he needs to be restored to himself by being restored to God by a correct view of himself in the light of God's Word.--1MCP 228.

2. The Bible as actual history: Luke 4:27

Jesus mentioned:

• Adam and Eve - Mk. 10:6

• Abel -Mat. 23:35

• Noah - Lk. 17:26

• Sodom and Gomorrah - Matt. 11:24

• Lot's wife - Lk. 17:32

• David - Mat. 12:13

• Solomon - Mat. 12:42

• Elijah - Lk. 4:25

• Elisha -Lk. 4:27

• Jonah - Mat. 12:40

• Zechariah - Mat. 23:35

• Isaiah - Mk. 7:6

History is repeating. With the open Bible before them, and professing to reverence its teachings, many of the religious leaders of our time are destroying faith in it as the Word of God. They busy themselves with dissecting the Word, and set their opinions above its plainest statements. In their hands God's Word loses its regenerating power. This is why infidelity is riot and iniquity is rife. {ST, May 9, 1906 par. 5}

C. How did the apostles use the Scriptures?

The apostle says: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." The Bible is a precious treasure. It should be in every home, not to be laid away or put upon a shelf, but to be diligently studied. The Bible is the hope of both the white and the colored race. The idea is disseminated that common people should not study the Bible for themselves, but that the minister or teacher should decide all matters of doctrine for them. This is the doctrine that is taught to the colored people; but the Bible is the poor man's book, and all classes of people are to search the Scriptures for themselves. God has given reasoning powers to men, and by bringing our mental faculties into connection with the word of God, the spiritual powers are awakened, and common people, as well as teachers and clergymen, may understand the will of God. {RH, December 24, 1895 par. 1}

1. The Bible as the Word of God: Rom. 9:17; Gal. 3:8; Rom. 11:9; 2Pet. 2:7; Js. 2:23

In our day, as of old, the vital truths of God's Word are set aside for human theories and speculations. Many professed ministers of the Gospel do not accept the whole Bible as the inspired Word. One learned man rejects one portion; another questions another part. They set up their judgment as superior to the Word, and the scripture which they do teach rests upon their own authority. Its divine authenticity is destroyed. Thus the seeds of infidelity are sown broadcast; for the people become confused, and do not know what to believe. There are many beliefs that the mind has no right to entertain. In the days of Christ the rabbis put a forced, mystical construction upon many portions of the Scriptures. Because the plain teaching of God's Word condemned their practises, they tried to destroy its force. The same thing is done today. The Word of God is made to appear mysterious and obscure in order to excuse transgression of His law. Christ rebuked these practises in His day. He taught that the Word of God was to be understood by all. He pointed to the Scriptures as of unquestionable authority, and we should do the same. The Bible is to be presented as the word of the infinite God, as the end of all controversy and the foundation of all faith. {ST, May 9, 1906 par. 8}

Conclusion from the Pen of Inspiration:

• But it is in the written word that a knowledge of God is most clearly revealed to fallen man. This is the treasure house of the unsearchable riches of Christ. {COL 126.1}

• The word of God includes the Scriptures of the Old Testament as well as of the New. One is not complete without the other. Christ declared that the truths of the Old Testament are as valuable as those of the New. Christ was as much man's Redeemer in the beginning of the world as He is today. Before He clothed His divinity with humanity and came to our world, the gospel message was given by Adam, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah, and Noah. Abraham in Canaan and Lot in Sodom bore the message, and from generation to generation faithful messengers proclaimed the Coming One. The rites of the Jewish economy were instituted by Christ Himself. He was the foundation of their system of sacrificial offerings, the great anti type of all their religious service. The blood shed as the sacrifices were offered pointed to the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. All the typical offerings were fulfilled in Him. {COL 126.2}