1. Introduction
2. Context
3. Applying the Bible to ourselves
4. Which Scriptures apply to which groups of people?
5. The results of right division
6. An outline of God’s plan
7. Where do the books of the Bible fit into this plan?
8. Jews and Gentiles during and after Acts
9. The destiny or “hope” of believers – During and after Acts
10. Healing and miraculous gifts – During and after Acts
11. Conclusion
12. Appendix 1 – Suggested answers and explanatory notes
13. Appendix 2 – Some useful books
14. Appendix 3 – The dating of the book of Revelation
15. Appendix 4 – Glossary of terms
INTRODUCTION
Most of us tend to rely heavily on Bible commentaries, church leaders, friends and even hymns and Christian songs to help us determine what we should believe. While all of these may play a part, it is important that we know what we believe – and the scriptural basis for these beliefs. After all, we can only know about the things of God by what God has chosen to tell us in His written word.
If we should still be relying entirely on others for our information, we are relying on them to have gathered their information from the Bible also – and this isn’t always the case!
Therefore, if it is agreed that we are personally responsible for constructing our own set of beliefs, then surely, everything we believe must be measured up against what the Bible has to say. You are encouraged to look up the Bible references quoted in this study, and compare these with any verses already familiar to you.
This study is designed to help you:
• understand what is being spoken of in a passage of Scripture
• compare what you read in the Bible with what you hear someone
else say
• conduct your own study of Biblical topics.
Please have your Bible with you as you read this study. All Bible quotations included are from the New International Version, unless otherwise stated.
Three important Scriptures for the Bible student:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one [who is] approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
Acts 17:11 “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”