Bible Study Snacks, God's Plan of Salvation (Lesson 2)

Hi, everyone!

Welcome to another presentation of Bible Study Snacks. I hope that your week has gone well, and that today finds you in good health and strong in faith! As you recall (or you can visit our archives) in our last meeting together, I introduced a new series on Bible basics about God's plan of salvation.

In Lesson 1, we discussed some basic facts about both the Old Testament, and New Testament as we learned to become more familiar with the Bible. This week, in Lesson 2, we will continue to look at God's plan of salvation by discussing why the Bible is our only authority.

I have designed these studies to be brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters, as well. Try them out and see!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. So, if you are ready to begin our lesson...

Let’s pray together:

Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

As I mentioned above, our lesson this is based on the topic of why the Bible is our only authority. In order to get a good handle on this, I think it only makes sense that we should ask some questions. Our first question should be, "What is authority?" Authority is sometimes defined as "the right to rule". It might also be described as "the right to tell someone else what to do". Who has that right?

Our next question should be, "Who has authority?" The Bible makes this plain from the very first. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Anyone with the power to create heaven and earth certainly has the right to direct it!

God does not speak directly to each of us (Hebrews 1:1-2). How then can we know His will for us? Jesus helps us toward the answer. He said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18). Who gave Jesus this power or authority? It was given by the only One who has it to give: His Father!

Jesus is in heaven and does not speak directly to us either. Yet the night before he was crucified, Jesus made a special promise to his apostles. He told them that, after he had gone, he would send them the Holy Spirit. He promised them that the Holy Spirit would guide them "into all truth" (John 16:5-14).

Later on, these same apostles began to teach and preach. Since they received the message by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they were actually teaching and preaching the will of God (I Corinthians 2:10-13). Even their writings were directed by the Spirit of God, and are therefore the very Word of God (Ephesians 3:1-5).

In fact, these are the writings we now know as the New Testament. The Old Testament was written in a similar fashion, and is therefore also the very Word of God (2 Peter 1:20-21). This is why we accept the Bible as our only authority. The following chart summarizes this "chain of authority":

GOD --> JESUS --> HOLY SPIRIT --> APOSTLES --> BIBLE

Our last question should be, "Does anyone else have authority?" Sure they do! Parents, government and others have authority. But, they do so only because God (through the Bible) has given them that authority (Romans 13:1).

Now here are this week's study questions:

1. What did Paul say would happen to those who preached a message different from the gospel? (Galatians 1:8-9)

2. If a preacher claims that an angel from God told him to preach a different message, should he be believed?

3. What did Jesus say about those who follow their traditions instead of the commandments of God? (Mark 7:7-9)

4. What did Jesus say about those who follow the teachings of their parents instead of Jesus? (Matthew 10:34-37)

5. A preacher who uses a dynamic speaking ability INSTEAD OF the word of God to gather a following, is using what kind of allurement? (2 Peter 2:18)
6. Some preachers use more human philosophy than scripture in their sermons. What does God think about the use of human wisdom? (I Corinthians 1:18-24)

7. Many people believe that if they do not violate their conscience, they are pleasing to God. Did Paul have a good conscience when he persecuted Christians? (Acts 26:9)

8. Read the following scripture: Proverbs 14:12. Is it possible to think we are right, when we are wrong?

9. Some people believe that God will be pleased if we simply perform many "good works" in the name of Jesus. Those who ignore the will of God in order to do these "good works" will face what sentence on judgment day? (Matthew 7:21-23)

Finally, after answering the study questions, go back over them again. Take your time and read each question and verse as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around.

As we journey through the Bible together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Thank you for joining me today. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri