# 1 What is the Bible's Basic Gospel Message?

The Basic Gospel Message can be described in four points:

The consistent thread of the Basic Gospel Message is that we are made to receive and give Love and Life. The word Gospel means Good News. God's Good News for us can be described as:

God's Plan — God belongs to us as our God and we belong to Him as His beloved, adopted children. We are to experience receiving and giving Love and Life in our relationships with God and with others.

Our Problem — We prefer yielding to sin over yielding to God and His way, His truth, and His life.

God's Answer — God offers us Jesus as our Savior from the domination of sin and as our Lord reigning in our hearts and lives.

Our Response — We accept or reject God's offer of Love, Life and restoration as His child. Our response is voluntary and personal, although we live it out both individually and communally in the Church.

You are living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more like Christ who created this new life within you. In this new life one's nationality or race or education or social position is unimportant; such things mean nothing. Whether a person has Christ is what matters, and he is equally available to all. (Colossians 3:10-11 TLB)

Information from Heart Basics Workbook, pages 32, 226-227

# 2 Why do we need to know the Bible?

We need to read, study, and live the Bible, so that we can measure our experience against God's standard of truth. Then just as Jesus did, we can deflect the fiery darts of the enemy with “It is written....” We can deflect doubts with the Bible's words of faith, despair with the words of hope, fear with the words of love.

The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. The Bible is one of our weapons with which we fight in spiritual warfare. In addition, it is one of our pieces of armor to protect us against the attacks of evil spirits.

Information from To Live by the Spirit Workbook, page 173

# 3 As we read the Bible, what does God's Word do in us?

God's Word exposes our hearts. It's okay to be exposed before God. He knows us as we are and still loves us as we are. It's a safe place because God is Truth and God is Love.
God neither condemns nor excuses us. He may convict us of sin, yet He does not condemn us for our sins and shortcomings. Nor does God excuse us. He loves us as we are, and simultaneously, He works in us to help us renounce sin, to help us learn and grow, to help us become holy as God is holy.

  God's Word reveals the truth about what He is really like. God's Word reveals the truth about our world. God's Word is a sword of truth that cuts carefully to reveal the truth about ourselves, our thoughts and motives.

Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 NAB)

Information from Heart Basics Workbook, page 42

# 4 What are three ways we can look at Biblical passages?

God's Word identifies our longings. As we reflect on various Biblical passages, keep in mind these three ways to look at Scripture:

1. the literal message 
• What does the text actually say?
2. the meaning message 
• What does the text convey or intend?
3. the personal message
• What does the text mean for me in my own circumstances and life?

Information from Heart Basics Workbook, page 14

# 5 What did God inspire the authors to say about the Bible?

It is important to read, study, ponder and apply God's Word. Here are three examples of what the Bible says about itself:

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:8 NASB)

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13 NKJV)

You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. (2 Timothy 3:15-16 NLT)

Information from Proof Positive, Introduction

# 6 What is the canon of the Bible?

The canon is the official, authoritative list of sacred Scriptures. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the early Christian leaders decided which writings to include in the Bible.

Information from Proof Positive, Chapter 1

# 7 What is a Scripture reference?

This → Hebrews 4:12-13 ← is an example of a Scripture reference. It functions like an address, in that a Scripture reference tells you how to find any verse anywhere in the Bible.

The first word → Hebrews ← tells which book the verse is in. Sometimes there is a numeral 1, 2, or 3 before the name of the book, for example: 2 Timothy 3:15-16. This lets you know that there is a first or a second or a third book by that name. Usually, the numeral is read, for example, as Second Timothy rather than Two Timothy.

The number after the name of the book identifies the chapter. The next numbers identify the verse or verses. If there is a dash between the verses, it means to read all the verses between the numbered verses. So 1 Timothy 4:11-16 means to read verses 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. If the Scripture reference has a comma between the verses, it means to eliminate the verses between the numbered verses. So 1 Timothy 4:11, 15-16 means to read verses 11, 15 and 16.

Sometimes the Scripture reference has letters following it; sometimes it doesn't. If there are letters following the Scripture reference, those letters identify a specific translation or paraphrase from which that verse (or verses) was quoted exactly. If there are no letters, then the Scripture reference refers in a general way to that verse (or verses).

Information from Proof Positive, Introduction

# 8 What is the difference between a translation
and a paraphrase of the Bible?

The translation translates word-for-word from the original language. At times, this can result in stilted, awkward-sounding sentences in the new language. The paraphrase translates meaning-for-meaning, using any words necessary to convey the meaning of the original language. The paraphrase is often smoother, easier to read, and easier to understand than the translation.

If you don't know the message of the Bible well, you may want to read a paraphrase. But sooner or later, you will want to read a translation and become familiar with it. That's because the Bible has layers of meaning: a surface layer of obvious meaning, along with subtle meanings that become clear during word study. It is fascinating to see the many layers of meaning that God has woven into the Bible through the use of specific words. In word study, you compare other places where that same word is used and study the different contexts in which that word is used. For this kind of study, you will need a translation instead of a paraphrase.

Examples of translations include: KJV = King James Version; NAB = New American Bible; NASB = New American Standard Bible; NIV = New International Version; NKJV = New King James Version; NLT = New Living Translation.

Paraphrased Bibles include: CEV = Contemporary English Version; TLB = The Living Bible; MSG = the Message Bible; NCV = New Century Version.

Information from Proof Positive, Introduction

# 9 What is prophecy?

Prophecy is a statement made by God that is then spoken or written by a human being. This is what the Bible says about biblical prophecy:

The main thing to keep in mind here is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion. And why? Because it's not something concocted in the human heart. Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and women to speak God's Word. (2 Peter 1:20-21 MSG)

Information from Proof Positive, Chapter 1

# 10 What is the purpose of prophecy?

The purpose of the words of the prophet was always to bring people into a love relationship with God. For example, when the leaders and/or the people sinned, the prophet confronted them to urge them to repent so they might come back to the Lord. When the leaders or the people were discouraged, the prophets would speak comforting words to draw the people deeper into a love relationship with God.

Information from Proof Positive, Chapter 1

# 11 What are the two types of biblical prophecy?

Foretelling is the prediction a future event.

Forthtelling is a message from God communicating comfort, confrontation, teaching or guidance.

Information from Proof Positive, Chapter 1

# 12 How did the words of some prophets end up in the
Bible when the words of other prophets were rejected?

The words of the prophets were tested against the measure of 100% accuracy. Sometimes the prophet would speak short-term prophecies that would be fulfilled during the lifetime of the prophet. Some were mid-term prophecies, fulfilled decades or centuries later and verified to be 100% accurate. Some were long-term, still yet to be fulfilled.

In order for a prophet's writings to be included in the Bible, the short-term and mid-term prophecies of that prophet had to be 100% accurate in their fulfillment. If not, if there were one error, then the prophecy was a false prophecy, and the prophet was a false prophet. Therefore, the writings of that prophet would not be considered for inclusion in the canon of the Bible.

Information from Proof Positive, Chapter 1

# 13 What is the test of a true prophet?

Only God knows the future with 100% accuracy. The true prophets of God were always 100% accurate because they received their message directly from God. False prophets, however, were sometimes accurate and sometimes wrong because they did not receive their message from God. If a prophet was wrong even one time, it would indicate the prophet was a false prophet.

Here is Moses speaking God's word:

You may wonder, ‘How will we know whether the prophecy is from the LORD or not?' If the prophet predicts something in the LORD's name and it does not happen, the LORD did not give the message. That prophet has spoken on his own and need not be feared.
(Deuteronomy 18:21-22 NLT)

Information from Proof Positive, Chapter 1

# 14 In the Bible, what is the difference between
fulfilled and unfulfilled prophecy?

Fulfilled prophecy has already come to pass, and it has been fulfilled with 100% accuracy. Unfulfilled prophecy has not yet happened. However, because we know that God is the author of both the fulfilled and unfulfilled prophecies of the Bible, we know the prophecies of the future will be fulfilled some day with 100% accuracy. God Himself asserts that His prophecies have been and will be accurately fulfilled:

And don't forget the many times I clearly told you what was going to happen in the future. For I am God―I only―and there is no other like me who can tell you what is going to happen. All I say will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. (Isaiah 46:9-10 TLB)

Information from Proof Positive, Chapter 2

# 15 What are the two categories of biblical
unfulfilled prophecy?

Unfulfilled prophecy can be unconditional or conditional.

• Unconditional prophecy refers to specific people, places and events. It is unchangeable and it will be fulfilled as prophesied.
• Conditional prophecy presents options as to how a particular prophecy will be fulfilled, depending upon the response of the people to the prophecy.

Sometimes prophecies are presented in a conditional format, such as “If, then.” God gives us a choice: If we do this, then the consequence will be that. God holds us accountable for our actions. God gave the Israelites conditional prophecies, telling His people that if they listened to Him and did what is right, then He would bless them with long, good lives in their land. But if they refused to listen to God and turned to sin, then He would allow misfortune to befall them. Notice that God allows the misfortune; He does not cause the misfortune. God is not the author of evil. However, evil is a reality in our world. Sin is moral evil. Sin has consequences built into it; sin invites death and destruction.

Information from Proof Positive, Chapter 2

# 16 How does fulfilled prophecy provide
proof that the Bible is true?

There are over 1,000 prophecies in the Bible and about two-thirds have already been fulfilled. The science of statistics convinces us that it would be impossible for so many prophecies to have come to pass with 100% accuracy without divine intervention. Thus, fulfilled prophecy proves the supernatural quality of the Bible. Fulfilled prophecy verifies the Scriptures as inspired by a supernatural Being who knows the future with 100% accuracy. That supernatural Being is God.

Information from Proof Positive, Chapter 1

# 17 Are there biblical prophecies about the Messiah?

The Old Testament contains over 50 specific prophecies that describe the coming of the Messiah, prophecies that have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. All of those prophecies were written at least 400 years before Jesus was born. Jesus accurately fulfilled each of those prophecies. It is statistically impossible for one man to fulfill over 50 specific prophecies with 100% accuracy. Therefore, fulfilled prophecy directs our attention to Jesus Christ as the Messiah.

Information from Proof Positive, Chapter 6

# 18 In what way do biblical prophecies narrow down the
number of persons who could possibly fulfill the prophecies?

Here's an example of how that works:

There are prophecies in the Old Testament which describe the lineage of the Messiah. The prophecies name seven ancestors of the Messiah. The Messiah would be descended from Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Jesse and David. Shem was one of Noah's three sons. When the prophecy named Shem, then that eliminated approximately two-thirds of Noah's descendants. Shem's descendant, Abraham, fathered Ishmael and Isaac, but the lineage passed through the second son, Isaac. Isaac had two sons, Esau and Jacob, but the lineage passed through the second son, Jacob. Jacob had twelve sons, the start of the twelve tribes of Israel. When the lineage passed through Judah, it eliminated eleven-twelfths of the tribes of Israel. Jesse, of the tribe of Judah, had eight sons. The lineage passed through David, eliminating seven-eights of Jesse's descendants. David was an ancestor of Jesus Christ. Notice how the lineage prophecies greatly narrowed down the number of persons who could fulfill the prophecies.

In addition, Micah 5:2 foretold that the birthplace of the Messiah would be Bethlehem. Now we've narrowed it to descendants of David who would be born in Bethlehem. Jesus Christ was a descendant of David who was born in Bethlehem.

Information from Proof Positive, Chapter 6