OVERVIEW OF THE ENTIRE BIBLE
OVERVIEW OF THE ENTIRE BIBLE
Several of the members here at Maple Street have requested material that helps them to make the bible cohesive. While there is a lot of material that helps do this, I believe that the approach we will follow in this material (broadly taken from J. Sidlow Baxter’s material in Explore the Book), will help all with a general view of the scriptural cohesiveness and unity of the 66 books.
I commend all of those who have requested this material. Much of it, I collected and delivered in individual sermons on each book of the Bible back when I first started preaching full time in 1977. I am editing this older material as I go along in these articles on each book.
The Bible is historical and the scheme of redemption is presented historically so we will approach our study in that manner.
We will be taking the 17 Division approach of the Bible by Bob and Sandra Waldron’s material. To me, their material has done an invaluable service to all students of the Bible who truly want to “give diligence to show themselves approved of God, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15).
INTRODUCTION:
The Bible is one book with 66 component parts divided into 2 major collections has but one purpose.
The Bible is not a textbook in history, science, geography psychology or sociology. It does however, employ all of these subjects in the development of its purpose.
It is THE TEXTBOOK in Religion; It’s THEME IS THE REDEMPTION OF MANKIND and its PURPOSE is MAN’S SALVATION.
TWO MAIN DIVISIONS:
The Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament (Genesis to Malachi were written for our learning (Romans 15:4). It shows itself to be a Shadow and Substance of what is to come (Hebrews 10:1). The New Testament is the anti-type, substance and answer to the Old Testament.
After studying through the Old Testament, you have dealt with:
Unexplained Ceremonies- what was their purposes?
Unachieved Purposes- Remnant Preserved but for what?
Unappeased Questions- What about salvation and forgiveness of sins?
Unfulfilled Prophecies- concerning the Messiah and His kingdom.
THE NEW TESTAMENT IS THE COMPLETED MASTERPIECE.
Unexplained Ceremonies Are Explained
Unexplained purposes Are achieved
Unappeased questions are answered
Unfulfilled prophecies Are Fulfilled (Lk. 4:14-21)
The Bible deals with three DISPENSATIONS:
Patriarchal- Creation to Sinai
Mosaic- Sinai to Pentecost
Christian- Pentecost to Judgment
4 SUBDIVISIONS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
5 books of LAW--- 12 books of HISTORY---5 books of POETRY---17 books of PROPHECY (Major and Minor)
4 SUBDIVISIONS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
THE 4 BOOKS OF THE GOSPEL- THE LIFE OF CHRIST- TO CONVINCE
ACTS- History of the kingdom- Written to CONVERT
The Epistles- written to CONFORM us to Christ in how we live
Revelation- written to CONSOLE the Christian
The first 17 books of the Old Testament contain the Chronology for the next 22 final books of the Old Testament.
There are 17 Divisions: Before the Flood- The Flood- The Scattering of the people at Babel- Patriarchs-Exodus- Wandering in the wilderness- Invasion and conquest- Judges- United Kingdom-Divided Kingdom-Judah Alone- Captivity- Return from Captivity-Years of Silence- Life of Christ- Early Church-Letters to Christians
HIGHLIGHT DATES: BC
1445- Giving the law
1405- Begin Conquest of Canaan
1050- Saul becomes king
1010- David becomes king
970- Solomon becomes king
931- death of Solomon and the Division of the kingdom
721-Fall of Samaria
606- first group taken into Babylon
597- second group taken to Babylon
586- Jerusalem destroyed
536- First group returns
520-516- Temple Rebuilt
438- 2nd group returns
444- Walls rebuilt
The bible relates to the NEED of Redemption- the FACT of redemption which implies the NEED for it. Romans 3:23 connect the universality of the need for redemption (All sin). Romans 6:23 tells the result of not having redemption (wages of sin is death). Romans 3:24 shows that Redemption is Through Christ.
The Old Testament points us to Christ- HE IS THE MAIN CHARACTER OF THE WHOLE BIBLE. The Old Testament is the account of a NATION and LAND for That nation. The New Testament is the Account of the MAN- JESUS CHRIST, OUR MESSIAH (THE SEED OF GENESIS 3:15 and Genesis 12:1-3).
The appearance of the Messiah on earth is the CENTRAL EVENT OF ALL HISTORY. The Old Testament sets the stage for it, and the New Testament describes it.
OT MESSAGE- Christ Is Coming
NT Message- Christ has come and will come again!
Some question why we should study the Old Testament. If they have never taken the time to do so, they do not know fully what the whole story is all about.
Historical Value of OT study- No other account of the creation and Universe that is as logical. In the Old Testament is the history of man within the TIME constraints our Eternal bound man by from the first literal day. God does not need time but man does.
In the OT we become acquainted with the Nature of God and His Relationship with man. We see His great love, patience, trust, grace and mercy in how He deals with man. We also become acquainted with His ultimate HOLINESS and JEALOUSY For Righteousness. We also come face to face with His JUSTICE in demanding consequences from man when HE sins. God does not overlook sin and because of His abundant love, He will hold all men to the Standard of His Law.
In the Old Testament we see the Evidence of Christ-In the OT man is anticipating the arrival of Christ. In that fact, we have the projection of Hope- looking forward to His arrival and the establishment of his spiritual kingdom. Messianic prophecies abound (anywhere from 200 to 400 depending on the scholar). I believe that number is closer to 300. JESUS OF NAZARETH WAS INDEED THE MESSIAH OF PROMISE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
The Old Testament is our TUTOR to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24- The law is our tutor (schoolmaster) to bring us unto Christ, that we may be justified by faith) Romans 15:4- Things written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have HOPE.
IN OUR NEXT STUDY WE WILL PRESENT AN OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK OF GENESIS. Thank you to those who have requested this material- it is my prayer that it will help us be better students but also help us to make the applications that will assist us as we “…run with patience the race set before us,” (Heb. 12:1-2)