Holy Scriptures Honor

Missionary Activities - Bible Studies

Requirements

1. Know who the author of the Bible is, how it was written, and why we should believe in it. (2 Peter 1:20-21; Jeremiah 1:4-5; 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17)

   Answer: Author: God through the Holy Spirit (2 Pe 1:20-21). Writing: holy men inspired over 1,500 years (Jr 1:4-5). Reasons (2 Tm 3:16-17): inspiration, fulfilled prophecies, transformation of lives, coherence among 40 authors confirm the divine origin of the Scriptures. — Adventist bibliology. 2 Pe 1:20-21: 'prophecy did not come by the will of man; holy men spoke from God, moved by the Holy Spirit'. Model of inspiration: 'inspired thought' (not verbal dictation). Jr 1:4-5: a prophetic calling before birth. 2 Tm 3:16-17: 'theopneustos' = God-breathed. Reasons to believe: 1) Fulfilled prophecies (Cyrus in Isaiah 45 before his birth). 2) Coherence: 40 authors, 1,500 years, harmony. 3) Transformation: the Bible changes lives. 4) Survival: attempts at destruction did not prevail. 5) Manuscripts: thousands confirm its preservation.

2. Understand the difference between special revelation and general revelation, considering the way in which God reveals Himself to humanity. (Hebrews 1:1-2; Romans 1:20)

   Answer: General: God reveals Himself in nature, conscience, and history (Rm 1:20). Accessible to all. Special: direct communication through the Bible, the prophets, and Christ (Hb 1:1-2). Clearer, containing the plan of salvation. General points to God, special reveals the complete gospel. — Theology of revelation. General revelation (revelatio generalis): nature (Ps 19:1 'the heavens declare the glory of God'), conscience (Rm 2:14-15 universal moral law), history (divine providence). Accessible to all of humanity. Limitation: insufficient for salvation. Special revelation (revelatio specialis): the Scripture (the written word of God), the prophets (spokesmen), the incarnate Christ (the supreme revelation). Hb 1:1-2: 'in various ways in times past... by the Son'. Necessary to know the plan of salvation. Adventists value both: nature inspires admiration, the Bible brings the complete saving truth. Interrelation: nature raises the question, the Scripture answers it.

3. Explain why biblical guidance is more important than the traditions and opinions of people. (Mark 7:7-9)

   Answer: Mk 7:7-9: Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for 'rejecting the commandment of God to keep traditions'. The Bible is the inspired, infallible, and eternal Word. Traditions change with culture. When there is a conflict, the Scripture prevails. Sola Scriptura is the Adventist principle of the Reformation. — The Sola Scriptura principle. Mk 7:7-9: the context is Jesus's criticism of the Pharisees for prioritizing the 'tradition of the elders' over the 5th commandment (corban). Principle: Scripture > human tradition. The Protestant Reformation (16th century) reaffirmed it against Roman Catholicism, which equates tradition with Scripture. Adventists: the 28 Fundamental Beliefs are based exclusively on the Bible. Risks of traditions: 1) They change over time. 2) They reflect local cultures. 3) They can contradict the Scripture. 4) They generate denominational divisions. Practical application: test all ecclesiastical practices by the Bible. 'Search the Scriptures' (Acts 17:11).

4. Know who the main character of the Bible is. (John 1:1-4)

   Answer: Jesus Christ is the main character of the Bible (Jn 1:1-4: 'In the beginning was the Word... was God'). The OT points to Christ. The NT reveals Christ. The entire Bible is Christocentric. Without Christ, the Scriptures lose their main meaning and the plan of salvation becomes obscure. — Adventist Christology. Jn 1:1-4: the Johannine prologue — the pre-existent, divine, creator Logos. Christ is central: 1) Pre-incarnation: 'Angel of the Lord' appearances (OT). 2) Prophecies: Isaiah 53 (suffering servant), Ps 22 (crucifixion). 3) Typology: the Passover lamb, the sanctuary, the sacrifices. 4) Incarnation: the 4 gospels. 5) Cross and resurrection: the center of the NT. 6) The Second Coming: Revelation. Lk 24:27: Jesus 'expounded to them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures'. The Christocentric Adventist principle. Text: Ellen White, 'The Desire of Ages'. Application: read the Bible looking for Christ in every book.

5. Define the way the authors of the books of the Bible can be tested, to see whether what they are saying is really the word of God. (Matthew 7:16; Isaiah 8:20)

   Answer: Mt 7:16: 'by their fruits you shall know them'. Is 8:20: 'to the law and to the testimony!'. Criteria: conformity with the Scriptures, fulfillment of prophecies, an exemplary moral life, confession of the divinity of Christ (1 Jn 4:1-3), glorifies God. False prophets fail these tests. — Biblical apologetics. The canonical criterion for authenticity. Mt 7:16: 'fruits' = character, teaching, results. Is 8:20: comparison with prior revelation — 'law and testimony' (Torah). Adventist application to Ellen White: 1) Her message aligns with the Bible. 2) Fulfilled prophecies (the American Civil War). 3) A pious moral life. 4) Christocentric. 5) Glorifies God. False prophets: 1) They contradict the Scripture. 2) Their predictions do not come true (Joseph Smith). 3) Signs without holy fruit. 4) They deny the divinity of Christ. 5) They seek fame. Text Dt 18:22 (a prophecy that fails did not come from God). 'Test the spirits' (1 Jn 4:1).

6. Memorize and recite, in the correct order, the names of the 66 books of the Bible.

   Answer: OT (39): Gn, Ex, Lv, Nm, Dt, Jos, Jdg, Ru, 1Sa, 2Sa, 1Ki, 2Ki, 1Ch, 2Ch, Ezr, Ne, Est, Job, Ps, Pr, Ec, So, Is, Jr, La, Eze, Da, Hos, Jl, Am, Ob, Jon, Mic, Na, Hab, Zep, Hag, Zec, Mal. NT (27): Mt, Mk, Lk, Jn, Acts, Rm, 1Co, 2Co, Gal, Eph, Php, Col, 1Th, 2Th, 1Ti, 2Ti, Tit, Phm, Heb, Jas, 1Pe, 2Pe, 1Jn, 2Jn, 3Jn, Jude, Rev. Total of 66 canonical books. — The Protestant/Adventist biblical canon. OT (39 books): Pentateuch (5), Historical (12), Poetic (5), Major Prophets (5), Minor Prophets (12). NT (27): Gospels (4), Acts (1), Pauline Epistles (13), General Epistles (8), Revelation (1). Difference from Catholics: 7 'apocryphal' books (Tobit, Judith, etc.) — Protestants reject them. Memorization: singing to a melody helps; group them by categories. Mnemonics are available. Study 5-10 books per day, repeat for several weeks. Total 66 = 6+6 (symbolic in some theological systems). Original languages: the OT in Hebrew/Aramaic, the NT in Koine Greek.

7. Share with a friend the purpose of the message that the Bible presents. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 5:39)

   Answer: 2 Tm 3:16-17: the Bible is 'profitable for teaching, reproof, correction'. Jn 5:39: 'the Scriptures testify of me'. Purpose: to reveal Christ, transform character, prepare for eternal life. The Bible is a spiritual guide that leads to the Savior. Each text strengthens the reader's faith. — Biblical soteriology. 2 Tm 3:16-17: 4 uses — teaching (didaskalia), reproof (elegmos), correction (epanorthosis), instruction (paideia). Result: the 'man of God perfected' (artios) and 'thoroughly furnished'. Jn 5:39: the context is the controversy with the Pharisees who studied the Scripture without recognizing that it pointed to Christ. Final purpose: salvation. The Bible is not: a scientific manual (it does not answer chemistry), but it gives the moral foundation for science. Practical application: daily devotional reading, deep study, sharing with others. Sharing with a friend: testifying to personal transformation through the reading of the Word.

8. Choose someone and give them a Bible and a Bible study as a gift.

   Answer: Pray to identify a prepared person. Buy a suitable Bible (current language). Wrap it with a personal card. Offer it with a testimony. Follow up with a Bible course (Mais Esperança). Schedule meetings for readings. Persistence eventually leads to conversion. — Evangelistic activity. Principle: a gift creates a relational bond. Suitable Bibles: NTLH (New Translation in Today's Language), NVI (New International Version), versions with study guides. Prepared people: someone who has shown interest, spiritual problems, openness. Personal card: explain your affection and the reason for the gift. Adventist Bible courses: Mais Esperança, A Verdade da Bíblia, Descoberta. Online courses: Bíblia Fácil, Esperança ADV. Sequential meetings (4-12 weeks). Adapt the language: young people prefer simple versions. Follow up regularly: WhatsApp, calls, visits. Result: conversion and baptism.