The Written Word: A Study in the Scriptures

The Written Word

"Moreover the Lord said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen ... write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever." (Isaiah 8:1; 30:8)

I. Despite the many attempts of evil men to destroy and do away with the Bible (Jeremiah
36:22-28, 32), God's Word has been preserved through many centuries (Matthew 24:35).

A. Originally the Word of God was passed on by word of mouth.

Deuteronomy 4:9-10; 6:7; 11:19

B. Moses wrote the early books.

Exodus 24:1-8; Deuteronomy 31:9-13, 24; 2 Chronicles 34:14
Matthew 22:24; Mark 7:10; 12:19; Luke 20:28; John 5:46, 47
Acts 3:22; Romans 10:5, 19

C. Portions of the scriptures were written by God Himself.

Exodus 24:12 (Deuteronomy 5:22); Exodus 31:18; 32:16; Hosea 8:12

D. The prophet Jeremiah had a secretary (scribe) record his words in a book.

Jeremiah 4:1; 36:4, 18, 32

E. Much of the Bible was originally recorded in the form of letters, or epistles.

2 Chronicles 21:12

1. The New Testament letters were passed from church to church.

Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27

2. These were recognized as the Word of God even at the time they were written.

2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Peter 3:15-16

F. The Holy Spirit instructed the memory of the gospel writers, making it possible for them
to provide us with an accurate record of the events of Jesus' life and ministry.

John 14:26

II. The history of writing can be traced throughout the Bible.

A. The earliest writing materials were stones.

Exodus 24:12; 31:18; 32:16; Deuteronomy 5:22; Joshua 8:32
Job 19:23, 24; 2 Corinthians 3:3, 7

B. Sticks were written on, one line to a side, and turned for reading.

Numbers 17:2; Ezekiel 37:16, 20

C. Clay tablets were inscribed with a sharp instrument and baked.

Jeremiah 17:13; Ezekiel 4:1

D. Writing-tablets (referred to metaphorically in Proverbs 3:3; Jeremiah 17:1)
were made of flat wood and covered with wax.

Isaiah 30:8; Habakkuk 2:2; Luke 1:63

E. The Egyptians discovered the use of papyrus (biblus = Greek biblos, Matthew 1:1)
as a writing material. The reeds were cut lengthwise into strips and beaten and pressed
till they stuck together. It is from the word "papyrus" that we derive our English word
"paper" (1 John 12).

F. Scrolls were formed by gluing several papyrus sheets together and winding them around a stick.

Revelation 5:1

G. Rolls of parchment skins or vellum were more durable, however, and could be written
on both sides.

Ezra 6:1-2; Isaiah 34:4; Jeremiah 36:2, 14, 20-21, 23, 25, 27, 29
Ezekiel 2:9; 3:1-2; Zechariah 5:1-2; Luke 4:17, 20; 2 Timothy 4:13

H. Two types of pens were in use in ancient times – depending on the type of writing material
that was being used.

1. The metal stylus ("iron pen") was used on wax plates.

Job 19:23-24; Isaiah 8:1; Jeremiah 17:1

2. Reed pens were used with ink to write on parchment and papyrus.

Jeremiah 8:8

I. The ink (Jeremiah 36:18; 2 Corinthians 3:3; 2 John 12; 3 John 13) was often kept
in a "writer's inkhorn" that was carried in a girdle around the waist (Ezekiel 9:2).
Mistakes could be erased with water (Numbers 5:23).

J. Letter-writing was common even in very ancient times.

2 Samuel 11:14; 1 Kings 21:8; 2 Kings 5:5-7; 10:1; Nehemiah 6:5
Esther 8:10

K. Seals were often applied to such letters or important documents to protect the privacy
of their contents.

Genesis 38:18; 1 Kings 21:8; Esther 3:10-12; 8:2, 8, 10
Isaiah 8:16; 29:11; Daniel 12:4, 9; Haggai 2:23; Revelation 5:4, 9; 10:4; 22:10

1. "An open letter" (Nehemiah 6:5), therefore, could be taken as an insult.

2. Often the seal (or, signet) was worn as a ring.

Genesis 41:42; Esther 3:10-12; 8:2, 8, 10; Jeremiah 22:24

3. It represented the authority of the one to whom it belonged; if the ring was given
to another, the authority behind it was transferred as well.

1 Kings 21:8; Esther 8:2, 8, 10

III. What is meant by the term "biblical inspiration"?

A good, literal translation of the word "inspired" as used in 2 Timothy 3:16 would be
"God-breathed" (from the Greek THEOS, meaning "God"; and PNEIN, "to breathe").

A. The Bible itself claims divine inspiration.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 1:1-2

1. The New Testament undeniably declares the inspiration of the Old Testament.

Matthew 1:22; 2:15; 3:3; 4:14; 8:17; 12:17; 13:35; 21:4; 22:42
Mark 12:36; Acts 1:16; 4:25; 28:25; 1 Peter 1:10-11; 2 Peter 1:21

      a. The Old Testament scriptures were so completely and unquestionably
   recognized as the Word of God that often the phrases "God said" and
   "the scripture saith" became interchangeable in the minds of the New
Testament writers.

(1) "For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this purpose did I raise thee up ..."

Romans 9:17

(2) "And the scripture ... preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham..."

Galatians 3:8

b. To the writers of the New Testament the phrase "it is written" meant "God has said."

Acts 23:5; Romans 12:19; 15:9

c. When the New Testament writers quoted from the writings of Moses or David, etc.,
the words were attributed to God Himself.

Hebrews 1:6, quoted from Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalms 47:7
Hebrews 1:7, quoted from Psalms 54:4
Hebrews 3:7 "the Holy Ghost saith ..."
Hebrews 9:8 "the Holy Ghost this signifying ..."

d. Recognition of the human vessel God used to record the scriptures
was unimportant. They recognized God as the Author.

Hebrews 2:6 "But one in a certain place testified, saying ..."
(quote from Psalm 8 follows)
Hebrews 3:4 " ... he spake in a certain place ..."

e. Jesus Christ hanged entire arguments on the words of scripture.

Matthew 22:42, 43; John 10:34

2. The New Testament writings were recognized by the early church as the
Word of God even at the time they were written.

a. Peter included the writings of Paul among the inspired scriptures.

2 Peter 3:15-16 " ... in all his epistles. .... also the other scriptures"

b. Paul included Luke's gospel with the inspired scriptures.

1 Timothy 5:18 (this scripture quotes both Deut 25:4 and Luke 10:7)

3.. The writers of the New Testament boldly claimed divine inspiration and
declared absolute authority in what they wrote.

2 Corinthians 10:7-11; Galatians 1:8, 9; 1 Thessalonians 4:2, 11
2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:4, 6, 10, 12; Revelation 22:18-19

a. "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom
teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth ..."

1 Corinthians 2:13

b. "... the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord."

1 Corinthians 14:37

c. "... when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye
received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God..."

1 Thessalonians 2:13

d. "And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and
have no company with him ..."

2 Thessalonians 3:14

4. Jesus Christ declared the inspiration of both the Old (Mark 12:36; Luke 24:44;
John 17:17) and New (John 12:49; 14:10; 17:8) Testaments.

B. To what extent are the scriptures the inspired Word of God? Were the very words
of scripture inspired, or just ideas? The only Biblical view of inspiration is that the
entirety of scripture, in all its elements, is from God.

2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture ..."

1. The selection of each word was directed by God.

Exodus 34:27-28 "Write thou these words... these words..."
Deuteronomy 9:10; 10:2, 4; 2 Samuel 23:2 "word"
1 Chronicles 28:19; Jeremiah 1:9 "My words"
Jeremiah 19:1-2; 36:2, 4 "all the words"
Ezekiel 2:7 "words"; Matthew 4:4 "every word"; John 6:63
Acts 3:21 "by the mouth" (implies words, not ideas); 1 Corinthians 2:13 "words"

2. Even the grammatical form of the individual words was by divine inspiration.

a. Verb tense.

Matthew 22:32

b. Singular or plural number.

Galatians 3:16 " ... He saith not, And to seeds, as of many;
but as of one, And to thy seed ..."

3. Jesus said that even the letters of words and parts of letters (jots and tittles)
were eternally infallible.

Matthew 5:18

C. What control or influence did God have in the writing of the Bible?

1. The scriptures were recorded at God's command.

Exodus 34:27; Isaiah 8:1; 30:8; Jeremiah 30:1-2; 36:1-2
Ezekiel 24:2; Habakkuk 2:2; Romans 16:25-26
Revelation 1:11, 19; 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14; 10:4; 14:13; 19:9

a. They were given by the Holy Spirit (2 Samuel 23:2; 2 Timothy 3:16;
Hebrews 3:7; 2 Peter 1:21), through the prophets (Luke 16:31;
Acts 1:16; 28:25; Romans 1:2; Hebrews 1:1).

      b.   The individual writers themselves were divinely appointed.
         Exodus 34:27; Jeremiah 30:1-2; Habakkuk 2:2
         1 Corinthians 14:37; Revelation 21:5

2. Messages were sometimes recorded that not even the writers themselves understood.

Daniel 12:8-9; Hebrews 11:13, 39-40; 1 Peter 1:10-12

3. God initiated the work: "For the prophecy came not ... by the will of man but ...
they were moved (upon*) by the Holy Spirit."

2 Peter 1:21 *The participle is in the passive voice. This emphasizes the
divine authorship of scripture.

4. However, the inspiration of the scriptures was neither mechanical nor passive.

a. The writers were required to draw upon their own experience and memory
(with the help of the Holy Spirit: John 14:26).

b. They did not lose their personal identity or background. This allows for the
varied styles and individuality of expression.

(1) Amos, a herdsman (Amos 1:1; 7:14-15), makes many references
to the land (chapter 3:4-5, 12; 4:11; 5:19; 6:12; etc.).

(2) Luke, a physician and educated man (Colossians 4:14), wrote with
an exactness and skill (Luke 1:1-4).

(3) Peter, a fisherman (Luke 5:7), was "unlearned and ignorant" (Acts 4:13);
he wrote with a simplicity of style.

         (4) The epistles of Paul, a religious intellectual and zealot (Romans 9:1-3;
               Galatians 1:14), are written in a style that Peter said to many appears
            "hard to be understood" (2 Peter 3:16).

IV. Characteristics of God's Word.

A. Eternal.

      Psalms 119:89; Isaiah 30:8; 40:8
      Jeremiah 36:22-23, 27-28, 32 (despite evil men's efforts to destroy)
      Matthew 5:17-18; 24:35; Luke 21:33; 1 Peter 1:23-25

B. Inerrant.

Isaiah 34:16; 55:10-11; Psalms 119:96, 128, 160; 138:2 "above His Name"
Matthew 5:18; Luke 16:17; John 10:35; 1 Peter 1:23-25

C. Unchangeable.

Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; John 10:35; Revelation 22:18

D. True; pure.

Psalms 2:7; 119:160; Proverbs 30:5;
Daniel 10:21 "the scripture of truth"; John 17:17

V. God's Word plays a major role in the spiritual development and growth of the believer.

A. It guides and directs.

Psalms 119:105; Proverbs 6:20-23

B. It instructs in righteousness and tells us how to live.

2 Kings 23:3; Psalms 19:11; 119:9, 11; Proverbs 1:4
John 2:1; Acts 18:24-25; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-16

1. It convicts of sin.

2 Kings 22:8-13; John 5:22; Acts 2:37; 5:33; 7:54; Romans 3:19-20
Galatians 3:22; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12

2. It purifies our hearts.

Psalms 119:9; John 15:3; 17:17; Acts 20:32; Ephesians 5:26
Hebrews 4:12-13

3. As a discerner of the thoughts and motives of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12), it judges
(John 12:48; Revelation 20:12-15), reproves and corrects (2 Timothy 3:16).

C. It edifies or "builds us up" (Acts 20:32) and brings us to spiritual maturity (2 Timothy 3:17).

1. It nourishes our spirits and causes growth.

Jeremiah 15:16; Job 23:12 food; Matthew 4:4 bread
Hebrews 5:12-14 meat; 1 Peter 2:2 milk

2. It comforts.

Psalms 119:46, 50, 52, 81-82; John 16:1-4
Romans 15:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:18

3. It gives encouragement and hope.

Psalms 119:43, 49-50, 74, 81, 114; Romans 15:4

D. It is our measuring line for truth.

         Isaiah 8:20 "To the law and to the testimony: If they speak not according to this
   Word, it is because there is no light in them."
      Acts 17:2, 11; Galatians 4:30 "Nevertheless, what saith the scriptures ..."
      Galatians 6:16; Philippians 3:16; 2 Timothy 3:16

1. The scriptures are profitable for doctrine and instruction.

Psalms 19:7; 119:9; John 17:17; Acts 20:32
Romans 15:4; 16:26; 2 Timothy 3:16

2. They provide us with discernment.

Hebrews 4:12

3. Ignorance of the scriptures leads to error.

Matthew 22:29 "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures ..."
Mark 12:24

E. The Word of God is our only offensive piece of weaponry in warring
against the enemy (Satan).

Ephesians 6:17

F. It gives understanding and light.

Psalms 19:7-8; 119:11, 98-100, 104, 130; 2 Peter 1:19

G. It gives us assurance of our own salvation (1 John 5:13) and is useful
in leading others to the Lord.

John 20:31; Acts 8:35; 17:2, 11-12; 28:23-24
Romans 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:15; James 1:21; 2 Peter 1:19

H. The scriptures testify of Jesus (John 5:39; Acts 10:43; 18:28; 1 Corinthians 15:5) and
are valuable in proving Him as the Christ (Luke 24:27, 32; John 20:31; Acts 8:30-38;
17:2-4; 18:28; 28:23).

VI. Is the application today of Old Testament scriptures valid?

A. Jesus said He did not "come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to
destroy, but to fulfill."

Matthew 5:17

B. Peter exhorted the church to "be mindful of the words which were spoken before by
the holy prophets."

2 Peter 3:2

C. The Old Testament was recorded for our benefit.

1. "All these things happened unto them for ensamples, and they are written for our
admonition, upon whom the ends of the earth are come."

1 Corinthians 10:11

2. "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning..."

Romans 15:4

3. "Now it was not written for his sake alone ... But for us also ..."

Romans 4:23, 24

4. "Now these things were our examples ..."

1 Corinthians 10:6, etc.

5. "Take, my brethren, the prophets ... for an example ..."

James 5:10

6. "Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did
minister the things ..."

1 Peter 1:12

7. "... For our sakes, no doubt, this is written ..."

1 Corinthians 9:10

8. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable ..."

2 Timothy 3:16

D. Writers of the New Testament repeatedly made reference to Old Testament characters
and events (1 Corinthians 10:1-10; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Hebrews chapter 11; etc. ).

E. Many of these "things are an allegory" (Galatians 4:24, etc.) or carry deeper, spiritual
significance in the study of typology (Hebrews 8:2, 5; 9:11, 24; 10:1; etc.).

F. The Old Testament is still relevant today, for it speaks of Jesus. (For specific Messianic
prophecies and their fulfillment see The Deity of Jesus Christ).

1. "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all
the scriptures the things concerning Himself."

Luke 24:27, 44, 45

2. " ...Moses... wrote of Me."

John 5:46, 47

3. Paul "expounded and testified... persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of
the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening."

Acts 28:23

4. The Ethiopian eunuch got saved when Philip "began at the same scripture (he had
been reading in the book of Isaiah) and preached unto him Jesus."

Acts 8:27-35

G. When Old Testament passages are quoted within the text of the New Testament, the
reference is always cited in the present tense: "God says (not said)," etc.

Acts 13:35; Romans 15:10; Hebrews 1:7-8, 10; 3:7

VII. The Word of God is symbolized in scripture as:

A. A hammer. Jeremiah 23:29

B. A sword. Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12

C. A fire. Jeremiah 5:14; 20:9; 23:29; Amos 1:4, 10, 12, 14, etc.

D. A light. Psalms 19:8; 119:105, 130; Proverbs 6:23; 2 Peter 1:19

E. Bread (meat, or solid food). Deuteronomy 8:3 (Matthew 4:4); Job 23:12; Isaiah 5:13

Amos 8:11-13; Hebrews 5:14

F. Water. Isaiah 5:13; 55:10-11; Amos 8:11-13; Ephesians 5:26

G. Milk. 1 Peter 2:2

H. Seed. Luke 8:11

VIII. Many titles for the Bible are given in scripture.

A. Simply, "the Book." Nehemiah 8:1, 3, 5, 8; 9:3; Psalms 40:7; Isaiah 30:8;

Jeremiah 30:2; 36:13, 18, 32; Luke 4:17, 20

B. "Word of God." Mark 7:13; Romans 10:17; 2 Corinthians 2:17; Hebrews 4:12;

1 Thessalonians 2:13

C. "Book of the law." Joshua 8:34; 2 Kings 22:8; 2 Chronicles 34:14; Nehemiah 8:1, 3, 18

1. The Old Testament in the time of the early church consisted of "the law, the
prophets, and the psalms" (Luke 24:44). However, the title for these scriptures
was often shortened to "the law (or, Moses) and the prophets."

Matthew 5:17; 7:12; 11:13; 22:40
Luke 16:16, 29, 31; 20:42; 24:25, 27, 44
Acts 1:20; 3:21-22; 7:35, 37; 8:28; 26:22, 27; 28:23
Romans 1:2; 3:21; 10:5

2. An even shorter form of the title was "the law," but we can see from the following
passages of scripture that this collection of writings included more than just the
Pentateuch.

         John 10:34; 15:25 (passages quoted from the Psalms)
         1 Corinthians 14:21 (quotation from Isaiah)
         Galatians 4:21-22 (passages quoted from the book of Genesis)

3. Sometimes the contents of these writings were also referred to as simply, "the prophets."

Matthew 2:23; 11:13; 26:56; Luke 1:70; 18:31; 24:25, 27
Acts 3:24; 18:27; Romans 1:2; 16:26

D. "The scripture(s)" (Holy Writings). This was the most commonly used name in
the New Testament.

      Matthew 22:29; Mark 12:10, 24; 15:28; Luke 4:21; 24:27
         John 2:22; 5:39; 7:38; 10:35; Acts 8:35; 17:2, 11-12; 18:24, 28
      Romans 1:2;4:3; 16:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:34; Galatians 4:30
   2 Timothy 3:15-16; James 2:8; 1 Peter 2:6; 2 Peter 1:20; 3:16

E. "Book of the Covenant" or "Testament."

Exodus 24:1-8; 2 Kings 23:2; Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25
2 Corinthians 3:6, 14; Hebrews 9:15; 12:24

IX. "The word of God is ... powerful ..." (Hebrews 4:12). What were people's reactions
in scripture to the reading of God's Word?

A. Fear and respect.

Ezra 9:4; Isaiah 66:2; Jeremiah 36:16

B. Attentiveness.

Nehemiah 8:3

C. Joy.

Nehemiah 8:12

D. Weeping.

Nehemiah 8:9

E. Amazement.

Luke 4:20, 22

F. Complete disregard.

Isaiah 29:11, 12; Jeremiah 36:24; Matthew 13:14, 15

G. Eagerness of spirit.

Acts 17:11

H. Conviction.

2 Kings 22:11 "he rent his clothes"; Acts 7:54 "cut to the heart"

X. Our attitude toward the Word is very important.

Proverbs 13:13 "Whoso despiseth the Word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth
the commandment shall be rewarded."

A. The scriptures are to be cherished as precious.

Psalms 19:10; 119:14, 72, 103, 111, 127; Proverbs 8:10-11

B. To Job, in the midst of great difficulty, God's words were esteemed more valuable
than food and the basic essentials.

Job 23:12

C. There should be in our hearts a great eagerness and desire for the Word.

Psalms 119:97, 140; Acts 17:11; 1 Peter 2:2

D. His Word should meet our hearts not with indifference (Hosea 8:12) or boredom,
but with attentiveness (Nehemiah 8:3) and delight (Psalms 119:16, 47, 77, 92, 143).

E. The consequences for rejecting God's Word will be judgment.

John 12:48; Hebrews 2:3; 10:28-29; 12:25

XI. The written Word should have a prominent place in the assembly of believers.

A. The scriptures have always been read aloud in the congregation.

1. In the Old Testament.

Exodus 24:1-8; Deuteronomy 27:12-26; 31:11; Joshua 8:34-35
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-12; 13:1; 2 Kings 23:1-2; Jeremiah 36:13-15

2. In the New Testament.

Matthew 21:23; Luke 4:16; Acts 8:28, 30; 13:15; 15:30-31
1 Thessalonians 5:27

B. Teaching followed the reading.

Nehemiah 8:5-12

C. The scriptures were continually referred to in preaching.

1. By the Lord Himself.

Matthew 4:4; etc.; Mark 12:10; Luke 24:27; John 7:42

2. By the early apostles.

Acts 2:16, 25; 8:32-35; 17:2; 18:24; 28:23

D. The words were often set to music and sung aloud by the congregation.

Psalms 81:2; etc.
Colossians 3:16-17

E. The letters were often passed from church to church.

Colossians 4:16
1 Thessalonians 5:27

XII. It is the personal responsibility of every individual to search the Word for himself.

Isaiah 34:16
Acts 17:11

A. Even children can receive wisdom from bible instruction.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7; 11:19; 2 Timothy 3:15

B. Jesus Himself read the scriptures regularly (Luke 4:16-17, 20, 21) and instructed
others to do the same (John 5:39).

C. We are responsible for knowing what is written in the Word.

Matthew 22:29 "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures ..."

D. Those individuals who are in places of leadership, being personally responsible for the
spiritual well-being of others, must especially be firmly rooted in their knowledge of
God's Word.

Deuteronomy 6:17-18
Joshua 1:8
Malachi 2:7-8
Titus 1:9

E. It is particularly important for young believers (the newly saved) to receive a firm
foundation in the Word.

Acts 17:11
Ephesians 4:14

F. It is written of Ezra the scribe that "day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read
in the book of the law of God."

Nehemiah 8:18

XIII. The scriptures themselves exhort us to read God's Word.

Isaiah 34:16
1 Timothy 4:13

A. Daily.
Nehemiah 8:18
Acts 17:11-12

B. Day and night.
Joshua 1:8
Psalms 1:2

C. Early and late.
Psalms 119:147-148

D. All day.
Nehemiah 8:3

E. For hours.
Nehemiah 9:3

XIV. A blessing is promised to all who read the scriptures.

Deuteronomy 11:18-21
Joshua 1:8
Revelation 1:3

A. Joy.

Nehemiah 8:12; Psalms 19:8; 119:11, 162; Jeremiah 15:16
1 Thessalonians 1:6; John 15:11; 1 John 1:1-4

B. Peace.

Psalms 119:165; Proverbs 3:2; John 16:33

C. Faith.

John 4:41; 15:7; 17:20; 20:31; Acts 17:11-12; Romans 10:17

D. Strength.

Psalms 119:28, 50, 80, 92; Daniel 10:21

E. Health and prosperity.

Joshua 1:8; Psalms 107:20; Proverbs 4:20-23

F. Life.

Psalms 119:50, 93,107; Proverbs 4:20-22; John 6:63; 20:30-31
Philippians 2:16; Hebrews 4:12

G. Hope.

Psalms 119:43, 49, 81, 114; Romans 15:4

H. Spiritual growth.

Deuteronomy 8:3; 2 Peter 3:18

I. Freedom.

Psalms 119:45

J. Comfort.

Psalms 119:50; Romans 15:4

XV. Why is the Apocrypha rejected from the canon of scripture?

Besides the fact that Jesus and the apostles never once quoted from it; and aside
from its obvious lack of inspiration and anointing (it "just doesn't sound like" scripture;
"My sheep hear My voice," John 10; etc.) – there are many solid reasons for rejecting
its contents from being included with the canonical scriptures.

A. The Apocrypha contains chronological errors and statements contrary to history.

      Baruch 1:2 (comp. Jeremiah 43:6-7)
      Bel and the Dragon 22 (Xerxes did it); Bel and the Dragon 33
      Tobit 1:4 (He could not have been "still a young man," or even born yet.
The rebellion of the northern tribe against Jerusalem in 1 Kings 12:19-20
took place around 922 B.C.)

B. It contains geographical errors.

Tobit 1:4; 6:1; 9:2 (This was an 11 day journey.)

C. Many false teachings are represented, and evil practices that the inspired Word of God
condemns are condoned.

1. Prayers for the dead.

2 Maccabees 12:44, 45, etc.

2. Salvation by good works (almsgiving, etc.).

Sirach 3:34, 14, 30; 30:11-12 2; Esdras 7:7; 8:33, 36; Tobit 12:9, 8a; 14:11

3. The use of magic.

a. In demon exorcism.

Tobit 6-8

b. In healing.

Tobit 11

c. "Good luck" (fortune).

Sirach 8:19

4. The intercession of angels.

Tobit 12:15 (Raphael)

5. Suicide.

2 Maccabees 14:4146

6. Mourning for the dead.

Sirach 38:16-23 (especially verses 20-21)

7. Sinless lives of Old Testament personalities.

Prayer of Manasseh 8

D. Some of the miracles and events described are simply fabulous and silly.

Tobit 6:2-7, 16-17, etc. (placing incense smoke on the organs of a man eating
fish to ward off evil spirits; the demon was in love with the woman and had
killed her last seven husbands on their wedding night)

E. Only three divisions of the Old Testament are described in Luke 24:44. Matthew 23:35
and Luke 11:51 also witness the arrangement and compass of the Old Testament –
not allowing for any books outside the time from Genesis to 2 Chronicles.

XVI. Knowledge of the Bible must be accompanied by wisdom and discernment, as well as

a pure heart, for the scriptures can be misused.

A. Many who lack spiritual understanding twist and distort the meaning of the scriptures
"unto their own destruction."

2 Peter 3:16

B. Satan quoted the scriptures to Jesus when tempting Him in the wilderness.

Matthew 4:6

C. In the last days, scripture says, many will "heap to themselves teachers, having itching
ears" (2 Timothy 4:34). These are "ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge
of the Truth" (2 Timothy 3:7; Ecclesiastes 12:12). It is because they seek to partake
intellectually of what can only be appreciated in the spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14).

For information on how to obtain the 5-volume set containing 70 other such studies, write:

D.Dew, PO Box 340945, Milwaukee, WI 53234

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Diane Dew o PO Box 340945 o Milwaukee, WI 53234