This book contains twenty-two individual 'Scripture Studies.' Each study focuses on one general area of study. These studies enable individuals to do in-depth, topical studies of the Bible. They are also invaluable to the Bible study teacher preparing lessons for Sunday School or a home Bible study. They can be used for group studies as well.
The range of topics covered in the different studies is broad, from what the Bible teaches about itself to what the Bible teaches about divorce and remarriage. Included in each study are hundreds of Scripture references so there will be no lack of material from which to begin your studies.
So if you're an individual looking for an aid to improve for your own personal Bible studies or a Bible study teacher or home group leader looking for help in preparing lessons, this book will be of great benefit.
The sources for the viewpoints promoted in these Scripture Studies are wide and varied. The ideas are taken from commentaries, study Bibles, theology books, books of various kinds, and most importantly, this writer's own personal study of the Scriptures.
The sources for the opposing views presented are publications of groups that promote the ideas and personal conversations this writer has had with members of such groups and adherents to the views.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the Scripture references in these studies. But with the thousands of references presented, it is likely that a few 'typos' have crept in. If the reader comes across a reference that does not make 'sense' in the context presented, just go onto the next one. There are always plenty of verses listed for each point.
It is my hope and prayer that God uses these Scripture Studies to help the reader to:
'... grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen' (2 Peter 3:18).
Gary F. Zeolla is the director of Darkness to Light. This ministry addresses Christian theology, defense of the faith, cults, ethics, and many other issues. Research for these topics and Zeolla’s own Bible studies led to his Scripture Workbook: For Personal Bible Study and Teaching the Bible.
Also addressed is the subject of Bible versions. This research led to Zeolla’s book Differences Between Bible Versions and his Analytical-Literal Translation of the New Testament.
Zeolla also directs Fitness for One and All, which is dedicated to helping people attain their health, fitness, and performance goals. His efforts in this area and his love of the Bible led to his book Creationist Diet:
Nutrition and God-given Foods According to the Bible.
The following is excerpted from 'The Doctrine of the Trinity: God s Three-in-Oneness' - Scripture Study #3:
III) The Son is God:
1) Called God or Ascribed Deity:
OT:
Gen 19:24; Ps 45:7; Isa 7:14; 9:6; Jer 23:5f; Zech 2:10-3:2; 12:10
NT: Matt 1:22f; John 1:1; 5:18; 20:28; Acts 20:28; Rom 8:9; 9:5; Phil 2:5-9; Col 2:9; 1Tim 3:16; Titus 2:13; Heb 1:3,8f; 2Pet 1:1; 1John 5:20.
2) Spoke and Acted as God:
Omnipresent: Matt 18:20; 28:20; John 1:48; 3:13.
Omniscient: Matt 11:27; 12:25; Mark 2:8; Luke 9:46; 11:17; John 4:16-18.
Foretold the future: Matt 16:21; 24:18f,25; 26:21-25,31-35; Mark 14:30; John 6:64,70f; 21:18f (cp. Isa 41:21-23).
Omnipotent: Rev 1:8; 3:7.Sovereign: Matt 17:24-27; 28:18.Controlled the weather: Matt 14:32; Mark 4:39-41 (cp. Job 38:25-38; Ps 135:7).
Incomprehensible: Matt 11:27.
Holy: Josh 5:13-15 (cp. Exod 3:5f); John 8:46.
Gave commandments: Matt 5:27f,31f.
Forgave sin: Mark 2:5-11; Luke 7:47.
Love: Matt 20:28; John 15:13.
3) Ascribed Attributes of God:
Omnipresent:
Eph 1:22f; 4:10.
Omniscient: John 2:23-25; 16:30; 21:17.
Omnipotent: Phil 3:20f.
Sovereign: Acts 10:36.
Eternal: Isa 9:6; Mic 5:2; John 1:1; 17:5,24; Col 1:17; Heb 7:3.
Immutable: Heb 1:8-12; 13:8.
Preeminent: Col 1:18 (cp. Ps 97:9; 148:13).
Good: John 7:12.
Holy: Matt 26:59f; Mark 4:36-41; Luke 5:1-11; 2Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 7:26; Rev 1:17.
Righteous: Luke 23:47; 2Cor 5:21; 1John 2:1.
Just: Zech 9:9.
Wrath: Rev 6:15-17 (cp. 11:17f).
Grace, Mercy, and Love: Matt 9:36; 14:14; John 13:1; 1Thes 5:28.
4) Does Acts of God:
Creates and Sustains:
Gen 1:1; Isa 44:24; John 44:24; John 1:13; Col 1:16f; Heb 1:2f.
Gives life: Gen 2:7; 1Tim 6:13; John 1:4; 5:21; 11:25; Acts 3:15.
Judges: Ps 96:13; John 5:22f; 2Tim 4:1; Heb 13:4.
Redeems: Ps 130:7f; Isa 43:25; 44:22; Eph 1:7; Titus Heb 9:12-15; 1Pet 1:18f.
Saves: Isa 45:22; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30f; 1Tim 1:15; Heb 12:2.
Fills the hungry soul: Ps 107:9; John 6:48-51.
Calms the storm: Ps 107:29; Matt 8:26.
5) Treated Like God:
Worshipped: Josh 5:13-15; Matt 14:33; 28:9,17; John 9:38; Phil 2:10f; Heb 1:6; 2Peter 3:18; Rev 5:8-14 (ct. Acts 12:20-23; 14:8-15; Rev 19:10).
Receives Divine service: Rev 22:3f (cp. Exod 20:3-5; Matt 4:10).
Prayed to: Acts 7:59f; 2Cor 12:8; 1John 5:13-15.
Note: The book contains five additional proofs for the deity of Christ.
The following is excerpted from 'Eternity' - Scripture Study #9.
2) Does the Bible teach reincarnation or resurrection?
Note:
Reincarnation teaches each person will live many lives, have many deaths, and many judgment (after each death to determine what their state in their next lifetime will be). Resurrection teaches we each have only one life, one death, and one final judgment. Our state in throughout eternity will be determined by that one judgment.
Reincarnation (New Age Movement)
Matthew 11:13f:
John the Baptist was Elijah reincarnated.
BUT: The two are equated since John came 'in the spirit and power of Elijah' which is a reference to his fiery preaching (Luke 1:17; John 10:41). In Matt 17:3, Elijah is still Elijah (and Moses is still Moses). Also, Elijah did not die, so he could not be reincarnated as John the Baptist (2Kings 2:1,11).
John 9:1f:
The disciples believed in reincarnation; otherwise, this question makes no sense.
BUT: Jesus rebukes them for the question. The question came about do to a prevailing (wrong) belief of many Jews of the time that physical ailments are always due to sin. However, this attitude couldn't account for birth defects (since they didn't believe in reincarnation). Hence the confusion and question of the disciples.
Revelation 3:12:
'Go out no more' implies reincarnation.
BUT: An allusion to the frequent earthquakes in the area. The phrase indicates the ultimate security of 'he who overcomes' (cp. 1John 5:4f).
Resurrection:
2Samuel 12:23:
David knows his departed infant son is not coming back to earth again. However, David is confident he will see his son again in the hereafter.
Luke 16:19-31:
There is not even a hint in this passage that the rich man is going to have a 'second chance' on earth. His fate in eternity is set. In addition, his hope is that Lazarus will rise from the dead to warn his brothers.
Hebrews 9:27:
One death, one judgment. It couldn't be much clearer!
Daniel 12:2:
'everlasting life' or 'everlasting contempt' await us in the future, not an endless round of reincarnations.
John 5:28:
'the resurrection of life' or 'the resurrection of condemnation' awaits us in the future.
1Corinthians 15:1-4:
Reincarnation always includes the idea people can pay for their own sins. But if this were possible, Jesus' death would have been unnecessary. But Jesus' death, burial and resurrection comprise 'the Gospel.'
1Corinthians 15:16-23:
Christ's bodily resurrection from the dead prefigures our resurrection. And each of us will be raised 'in his own order' not over and over again.
1Thessalonians 4:13-17:
To comfort the bereaved, Paul assures them that their departed loved ones will be resurrected.
Revelation 20:12-14:
A description of a one-time, end-time resurrection and judgment.
Revelation 20:15; 21:8; 22:15:
Reincarnation usually leads to the idea everyone will ultimately be saved. But the Bible clearly teaches otherwise.