The first lesson of nine on the subject of basic doctrines of the Christian faith. This lesson is part of the BBD course; one of several courses in the Diploma in Ministry Essentials program.

1. BASIC BIBLE DOCTRINES
A survey of fundamental Christian doctrines as found in the Bible.
Lesson 1 | The Doctrine of the Bible
I. What is the Bible?
A. From the Greek word “biblos” [book] or “biblion” which means ​book ​or ​roll ​(Ryrie 2008), and implies
scroll​. The Bible is a collection of books of law, history, poetry, wisdom, epistles (letters of instruction),
and prophecy. Thus, the Bible is a book of books.
B. Consists of the Old and New Testaments*
*Testament ​means testimony (a witness, a statement, a declaration).
1. The Old Testament (OT) covers the period of time from approximately 4,000 B.C to 400 B.C.
and is focused primarily on the Middle Eastern area of the world. The OT narrates the Creation,
the Fall, the Flood, the calling of Abraham, and follows the Jewish nation through various
periods. Chronologically, the OT begins with the Book of Genesis and ends with the historical
Books of Ezra and Nehemiah (or, the Chronicles in Jewish canon with Zechariah being the last
prophet killed). The Western Bible arrangement begins with the books of the Law
(Genesis-Deuteronomy) also known as the Pentateuch [pehn-tuh-toohk] or [pehn-tSuh-toohk],
the historical books (Joshua-Esther), the poetry-wisdom books (Job-Song of Solomon), the
major prophets (Isaiah-Daniel), and the minor prophets (Hosea-Malachi). The Old Testament
points out the shortcomings of mankind (c/w Romans 3:23) and points to a coming Savior (e.g.
Isaiah 53).
2. The New Testament (NT) covers the period of time from approximately 6-4 B.C. to 96 A.D. It
narrates Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection. The new Testament also covers the birth and
expansion of the church from the Jews to the Gentiles, then foretells of a time of tribulation, final
judgment in the last days, and ends with a new heaven and new earth. The NT is arranged
according to the Gospels (Matthew-John), the historical book of Acts (Note: some consider the
Gospels historical books), the epistles (or letters) consisting of Pauline letters and general
epistles; lastly, the prophetic book of Revelation.
C. Background of the Bible
The Bible was written over a period of approximately 1500 years, by approximately 40 writers
(generally considered to begin with Moses and ending with John the apostle), from three continents
(Asia, Africa, Europe) and different walks of life, addressing an approximate 4,400-year span of human
history​:
D. Other names for the Bible from the Bible:
1. C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (Ps 112:1, 1 Co 14:37) 8. S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (Nehemiah 9:14)
2. L _ _ (Psalm 1:2; ​of the LORD ​Psalm 19:7) 9. S _ _ _ _ of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17)
3. L _ _ _ _ (Psalm 119:105) 10. T _ _ _ _ (John 17:17)

2. 4. Milk and m _ _ _ [compared to] (1 Co 3:1-2) 11. Water [compared to] (Ephesians 5:26)
5. P _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (Psalm 119:4) 12. Word of C _ _ _ _ _ (Colossians 3:16)
6. S _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (Rom 1:2, 4:3, 2 Pe 3:15-16) 13. The w _ _ _ of God (Lu 8:11, Rom 10:17)*
7. S _ _ _ (Luke 8:11, 1 Peter 1:23) 14. Word of L _ _ _ (Philippians 2:16)
*Note: the ​Word ​is Jesus Christ (John 1:1-3), ​God’s word and ​the word of God refer to the Bible (e.g.
Proverbs 30:5). Therefore, we may want to be clear which one we are referencing when speaking,
teaching, or writing.
E. God uses His word to speak to us (c/w John 10:27; ​hearing, ​Roman 10:17).
F. God uses His word to bring faith (Romans 10:17).
G. God uses His word to prepare us for salvation (Ephesians 5:26).
H. God uses His word to sanctify us (Psalm 119:9).
I. God uses His word to free us from bondage and burdens (John 8:31-32).
J. God uses His word to feed us (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).
II. How did we get the Bible?
A. ​Inspiration ​(2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21); i.e. God-breathed or God-produced:
“(1) God superintended but did not dictate the material; (2) He used human authors and their own
individual styles; (3) nevertheless, without error” (Ryrie 2008, p. 1985). Corruption could not have
entered in because the Holy Spirit co-authored the Scriptures as can be seen in passages such as
Mark 12:36 and Psalm 110:1; Acts 1:16 and Psalm 41:9, for example; while retaining the author’s own
personality and style (e.g. Romans 9:1-3) (Ryrie 2008).
Inspiration contains the following ideas:
1. ​Verbal ​: All of the words (Mt 5:18; c/w even plural forms Gal 3:16, and verb tense M 22:32).
2. ​Plenary ​: All of the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16)
3. ​Inerrant ​: Scripture is without error. It tells the truth (Titus 1:2, John 17:17).
4. ​Spirit enabled​ : 2 Peter 1:20-21
5. ​Spirit led​ : Zechariah 7:12, Acts 4:24-25
B. ​Preservation ​(Psalm 12:6-7, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 5:18, 24:35). God has declared that He will keep
His word completely intact from origination until fulfillment, and forever. Therefore, the believer need
not worry if he has the ​originally inspired manuscripts because God has spoken and is able to preserve
his exact words from original through translation.
C. ​Canonization ​(i.e. accepted as sacred scripture). How we know we have the right books in the Bible
(from Litke, 2004, edited by the author):
1. The collection of 66 books were properly recognized by the early church (revealed by God)
as the complete authoritative scriptures not to be added to or subtracted from.
2. Tests of Canonicity
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3. a. Is it authoritative (​Thus saith the Lord​)?
b. Is it prophetic (​a holy man of God​, 2 Peter 1:21)?
A book in the Bible must have the authority of a spiritual leader of Israel (OT: prophet
[e.g. Isaiah], king [e.g. David], judge [e.g. Samuel], scribe [e.g. Ezra]) or an apostle of
the church (NT: It must be based on the testimony and doctrine of an original apostle,
c/w Acts 2:42).
c. Is it authentic (consistent with other revelation of truth)?
d. Is it dynamic (life-changing)?
e. Is it received (accepted and used by believers; e.g. ​Textus Receptus​)?
3. Formation of the Canon
a. How the Old Testament books were recognized.
i. The New Testament refers to Old Testament books as ​scripture ​(e.g. Mt
21:42).
ii. A series of Councils (e.g. Jamnia, 90 AD; Nicea, 325 AD, etc.) recognized our
39 books.
iii. Josephus (95 AD) indicated that the 39 books were recognized as
authoritative.
b. How the New Testament books were recognized.
i. The apostles claimed authority for their writings (e.g. 1 Th 5:27).
ii. The apostle’s writings were equated with OT Scriptures (2 Pe 3:2,15,16).
iii. The Council of Athanasius (367 AD) and the Council of Carthage
(397 AD) recognized the 27 books in our NT today as inspired.
4. The Apocrypha (14 books included in the Catholic Bible) that were not canonized.
a. The Apocrypha is never quoted as authoritative in the scriptures.
b. The Jews did not recognize the Apocrypha (c/w Romans 3:1-2).
c. Jesus did not recognize the Apocryphal books (c/w Lu 11:50-51, 24:44).
d. Early church fathers did not recognize the Apocryphal books.
e. The Apocrypha contain historical inaccuracies and conflict with the theology of the
recognized canon of Scripture (e.g. praying to the dead, saints, etc.).
III. Methods of ​dividing ​the Bible (c/w 1 Timothy 2:15)
A. Dispensations. Some people view the the Bible as having divisions or ages where God interacts with
man in different manners by ​rolling out His divine plan for mankind. Dispensationalists have a literal
interpretation of Scripture and see God dealing with Israel and the Church separately. Generally, there
are seven dispensations in God’s plan for mankind:
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4. 1. The Dispensation of Innocence (From Creation to the Fall)
2. The Dispensation of Conscience (From the Fall to the Flood)
3. The Dispensation of Human Government (From the Flood to Abraham)
4. The Dispensation of Promise (From Abraham to Moses)
5. The Dispensation of Law (From Moses to Christ; suspended after Christ’s death, returns in
the Millenium)
6. The Dispensation of Grace (From the New Covenant to the rapture of the church)
7. The Dispensation of Millennial Kingdom of Christ (From the return of Christ to the end of His
1,000-year reign)
B. Covenants. A covenant view sees all of mankind as being under covenants offered by God
irrespective of Israel or the Church (often viewed as one in the same). ​Covenantists ​see the Bible as
having three covenants:
1. The Covenant of Redemption (CR)
a. Between the members of the Trinity
b. Salvation of God’s elect (Ephesians 1:3-14)
2. The Covenant of Works (CW)
a. Began with Adam
b. Blessing for obedience, cursing for disobedience (Genesis 2:16-17)
3. The Covenant of Grace (CG)
a. God freely (unconditionally) offers salvation to sinners (Genesis 3:15)
b. Salvation by faith in the Person and work of Christ alone
IV. Warnings by God about tampering with the Bible
God has serious words against those who change His words (Deuteronomy 4:2, Revelation 22:18-19).
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Resource information: ​This lesson was prepared by Ptr. J. F. Smith, DMin, Faith Missionary Church and Bible
Institute, Gruetli-Laager, TN, USA, email: ​jerryfranksmith@gmail.com​.
Works Cited
Litke, Sid (May 17, 2004). Survey of Bible doctrines. Bible.org. Accessed from
https://bible.org/series/survey-bible-doctrines
Ryrie, Charles, C. (2008). Ryrie KJV Study Bible. Moody Publishers.
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