A SHORT HISTORY OF THE HOLY BIBLE The Holy Bible is not only the greatest and best of all books, but it is also the oldest. Its history has been very difficult to trace, yet the same Divine guidance that set its authors to work to write it has made Christians delve into the mists of the past to learn all about it. We find out more about it every day through the research of learned men, and things that are now hidden from us regarding it doubtless will be revealed in the course of time. As to its authors and age, however, we know a very great deal. It was written by about forty different men and as it comes to us it took about sixteen hundred years to compose. We know pretty accurately that Moses began it about the year 1500 B.C. and that John, who wrote the last book, Revelation, finished it about the year 90 A.D., which estimate fills out the sixteen centuries. The Bible gets its name from a Greek word which means “the little books.” Gradually, in the course of many years, this word came to stand for something more than “little books,” of which the Big Book was composed. It came to mean “the book,” the “holy book,” and finally it came to mean just what it means today—the Holy Book of Books. This great work is composed of two parts—the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament has in it thirty-nine books or parts. It contains God’s account of the creation of the world, a history of the Jewish people and God’s dealings with them, a number of books written by the great Jewish prophets in which are foretold the things that happen in the New Testament, as well as a number of beautiful books of purely a religious character, such as the Psalms. The men who wrote the Old Testament discontinued working on it about four hundred years before Jesus Christ was born. The New Testament begins with the birth of Jesus and covers a period of about seventy-five years down to the time when the faith of Christianity was being extended by the men Jesus Himself chose to go out into the world and tell about it. The New Testament contains twenty-seven books, four of which are known as Gospels, because they tell particularly of the life of Jesus. Some learned men think the word “gospel” means “God story” or “narrative of God,” while some think it means “good story” or “good tidings,” because of the tidings of salvation that it brings to those who read it. I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE INTERESTING, AND YOU WERE ABLE TO RECEIVE FROM IT. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
FAITH, WHAT IS IT? What is the meaning of faith? It’s in the Bible, Hebrews 11:1, TLB. “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.” Jesus is the source of faith. It’s in the Bible, Luke 17:5, TLB. “One day the apostles said to the Lord, ‘We need more faith; tell us how to get it.'” Romans 10:17, NIV says, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.” Real faith is believing in what Christ has done for us. It’s in the Bible, Romans 5:1, TLB. “So now, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith in his promises, we can have real peace with Him because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” Faith is trusting God in everything. It’s in the Bible, Hebrews 10:38, TLB. “And those whose faith has made them good in God’s sight must live by faith, trusting Him in everything. Otherwise, if they shrink back, God will have no pleasure in them.” Weak faith can become strong faith with God’s help. It’s in the Bible, Mark 9:24, TLB. “The father instantly replied, ‘I do have faith; oh, help me to have more!'” DO YOU HAVE FAITH IN GOD? IS YOUR FAITH IN GOD WEAK? IF YOUR FAITH IS WEAK ASK GOD TO STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
THE BIBLE SPEAKS TO US ABOUT VALUES Micah 6:8 ESV He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Proverbs 19:1 ESV Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. Colossians 3:12-14 ESV Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Proverbs 22:1 ESV A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. Luke 6:31 ESV And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Proverbs 10:9 ESV Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE AND BE BLESSED BY GOD. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Christ’s Coming Blessedness for Those Who Are Found Watching In the parable of the lord returning from the wedding, Christ enforces and emphasises the Coming of Himself—Luke 12:35–48. The distinctiveness of our Lord’s return is declared no less than nine times in connection with the words: “He cometh,” “will come,” “come,” “The Son of Man cometh,” and “He shall come.” In relation to the last, our Lord declares that when “He shall come” and find His servants waiting and watching, those servants are “blessed.” They shall be “blessed” in many ways— 1. They shall be “blessed” with His approval, because they will be ready to “open unto Him immediately,” when “He cometh and knocketh” (v. 36). 2. They shall be “blessed” with His service, for, finding them watching, “He will come forth and serve them” (v. 37). 3. They shall be “blessed” in not suffering loss, for Christ implies in the parabolical language used, the man who does not watch against “the thief” finds his house “broken through”—v. 39, 40. 4. They shall be “blessed” for faithful and wise stewardship in being appointed rulers over the Lord’s household, and in ministering to others—v. 42–44. The fact that those who are found watching shall be “blessed” implies that those who are not so found, will suffer loss and disapproval; yea, more, those servants will be “beaten with many stripes,” who knew their Lord’s will and did not “prepare” themselves; and also those who did not know their Lord’s will, receive few stripes; and yet again, those who professed to be His servants, and presumed upon their position, will be “cut” off—v. 45–48. ALLOW THIS QUICK STUDY TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
BELIEVERS ARE TO BECOME CHRISTLIKE 1 Corinthians 11:1 Imitate me as I imitate Christ. Philippians 2:5 Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Paul is arguing that believers must allow God to make them Christlike, which is the natural goal of their process of growing in faith. Christlikeness is not achieved by people merely trying to imitate Jesus Christ, but by God making believers more like his Son in sanctification, through the Spirit. John 13:15 I’ve given you an example that you should follow. 1 John 2:6 Those who say that they live in him must live the same way he lived. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD SPEAKS TO US ABOUT HATRED Proverbs 10:18 Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips. Whoever spreads slander is a fool. Proverbs 26:24 Whoever is filled with hate disguises it with his speech, but inside he holds on to deceit. Proverbs 15:17 Better to have a dish of vegetables where there is love than juicy steaks where there is hate. Proverbs 25:17 Do not set foot in your neighbor’s house too often. Otherwise, he will see too much of you and hate you. Psalm 97:10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil. The one who guards the lives of his godly ones will rescue them from the power of wicked people. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Foolishness Foolishness is characterized by thoughts, behaviors, attitudes, or judgments that lack sense, prudence, and discretion. Foolish behavior may be immoral or dangerous and is often used for self-destructive tendencies. Foolishness stands in contrast to wisdom, prudence, and sound judgment. Proverbs 9:13–18 The woman Stupidity is loud, gullible, and ignorant. She sits at the doorway of her house. She is enthroned on the high ground of the city and calls to those who pass by, those minding their own business, “Whoever is gullible turn in here!” She says to a person without sense, “Stolen waters are sweet, and food eaten in secret is tasty.” But he does not know that the souls of the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of hell. Proverbs 12:15 A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one, but a person who listens to advice is wise. Proverbs 26:11 As a dog goes back to its vomit, ⸤so⸥ a fool repeats his stupidity. 1 Corinthians 1:18 The message about the cross is nonsense to those who are being destroyed, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved. Titus 3:3–5 Indeed, we, too, were once stupid, disobedient, and misled. We were slaves to many kinds of lusts and pleasures. We were mean and jealous. We were hated, and we hated each other. However, when God our Savior made his kindness and love for humanity appear, he saved us, but not because of anything we had done to gain his approval. Instead, because of his mercy he saved us through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal. IT IS NOT GOOD TO PRACTICE FOOLISHNESS. LET US LIVE OUR LIFE BEING LED BY WISDOM, PRUDENCE, AND SOUND JUDGEMENT. THINK ABOUT IT. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD IS GOOD God’s goodness is to be experienced, God is good to those who trust Him. Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed is the person who takes refuge in him. Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good. ⸤He is⸥ a fortress in the day of trouble. He knows those who seek shelter in him. Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to anyone who seeks help from him. Exodus 33:19 The LORD said, “I will let all my goodness pass in front of you, and there I will call out my name ‘the LORD.’ I will be kind to anyone I want to. I will be merciful to anyone I want to. TRUST GOD AND EXPERIENCE HIS GOODNESS. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Time with God Alone Matthew 6:6 When you pray, go to your room and close the door. Pray privately to your Father who is with you. Your Father sees what you do in private. He will reward you. John 15:7 If you live in me and what I say lives in you, then ask for anything you want, and it will be yours. Hebrews 10:23 We must continue to hold firmly to our declaration of faith. The one who made the promise is faithful. God’s acquaintance is not made by pop calls. God does not bestow his gifts on the casual or hasty comers and goers. Much with God alone is the secret of knowing him and of influence with him. IT IS GOOD TO SPEND PRIVATE TIME WITH GOD. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK REFRESHER. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetchurch
