of teaching, but the
material presented lays little claim to originality. It has been gathered from many sources
and may in some cases seem almost like plagiarism, but due acknowledgment is here
made for all suggestions coming from any source whatsoever, including Dr. George W.
Baines, who read all the material except that on the New Testament.
Let it be said also, that in preparing these studies the Author has proceeded upon the basis
of a belief in the Bible as the Word of God, a true source of comfort for every condition
of heart and a safe guide to all faith and conduct whether of individuals or of nations. It is
hoped therefore that those who may study the topics presented will approach the scripture
with an open heart, that it may have full power to make them feel the need of God, that
they may make its provisions real in their experience and that it may bring to them new
and changed lives.
If the pastors shall deem it valuable as a book of reference for themselves and to their
members who are desirous of pursuing Bible study, or if it shall be found serviceable to
any or all of those mentioned in paragraph one of this Preface, the Author will be amply
rewarded for the effort made.
J. B. TIDWELL.
Waco, Texas, August, 1914.
* * * * *
Table of Contents.
Some Introductory Studies.
Chapter I.
Why We Believe the Bible.
Chapter II.
The Names of God.
Chapter III.
The Sacred Officers and Sacred Occasions.
Chapter IV.
Sacred Institutions of Worship and Seven Great Covenants.
Chapter V.
The Divisions of the Scriptures.
Chapter VI.
The Dispensations.
Chapter VII.
Ages and Periods of Biblical History.
Chapter VIII.
Some General Matters and Some Biblical Characters.
The Bible Book by Book.
Chapter I.
Genesis.
Chapter II.
Exodus.
Chapter III.
Leviticus.
Chapter IV.
Numbers.
Chapter V.
Deuteronomy.
Chapter VI.
Joshua.
Chapter VII.
Judges and Ruth.
Chapter VIII.
First and Second Samuel.
Chapter IX.
First and Second Kings.
Chapter X.
First and Second Chronicles.
Chapter XI.
Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.
Chapter XII.
Job.
Chapter XIII.
Psalms and Proverbs.
Chapter XIV.
Ecclesiastes and The Song of Solomon.
Chapter XV.
Isaiah.
Chapter XVI.
Jeremiah and Lamentations.
Chapter XVII.
Ezekiel and Daniel.
Chapter XVIII.
Hosea and Joel.
Chapter XIX.
Amos and Obadiah.
Chapter XX.
Jonah and Micah.
Chapter XXI.
Nahum and Habakkuk.
Chapter XXII.
Zephaniah and Haggai.
Chapter XXIII.
Malachi.
Chapter XXIV.
Matthew.
Chapter XXV.
Mark.
Chapter XXVI.
Luke.
Chapter XXVII.
John.
Chapter XXVIII.
Acts.
Chapter XXIX.
Romans.
Chapter XXX.
First and Second Corinthians.
Chapter XXXI.
Galatians and Ephesians.
Chapter XXXII.
Philippians and Colossians
Chapter XXXIII.
First and Second Thessalonians.
Chapter XXXIV.
First and Second Timothy.
Chapter XXXV.
Titus and Philemon.
Chapter XXXVI.
Hebrews and James.
Chapter XXXVII.
First and Second Peter.
Chapter XXXVIII.
First, Second and Third John and Jude.
Chapter XXXIX.
Revelation.
* * * * *
Chapter I.
Why We Believe The Bible.
There are two lines of proof of the reliability of the scriptures, the external and the
internal. These different kinds of evidences may be put down, without separation,
somewhat as follows:
1. The Formation and Unity of the Bible. There are sixty-six books written by nearly
forty men, who lived at various times, and yet these books agree in making a perfect
whole. These writers were of different classes and occupations. They possessed different
degrees of training and lived in widely different places and ages of the world. The perfect
agreement of their writings could not, therefore, be the result of any collusion between
them. The only conclusion that can explain such unity is that one great and infinite mind
dictated the scripture.
2. The Preservation of the Bible. That the Bible is a divine book is proven in that it has
survived the wreck of empires and kingdoms and the destruction of costly and carefully
gathered libraries and that, too, when there was no special human effort to save it. At
times all the constituted powers of earth were arrayed against it, but it has made its way
against the tide of fierce opposition and persecution.
3. Its Historical Accuracy. The names of towns, cities, battles, kings, empires and great
events, widely apart in time and place, are given without a blunder. The ruins of cities of
Assyria, Egypt and Babylon have
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