By: Bruce Higdon
(adapted from a lesson by Don Martin)
The Old Testament contains 929 chapters. The New Testament contains 260 chapters. These are according to the literary division, in 1240 A.D., by a man named Hugo. While great wisdom is found in verse and book, some of these 1189 chapters contain great and wonderful instruction for Christians and Christian families
The Ten Commandment Chapter: Exo. 20. Here, the very foundation of God’s Law is laid out before Israel. Within the ten commandments are man’s duty to God and man’s duty to man. Out of the ten laws, four apply directly to God and six to man’s responsibility to man, vs. 3-8, 12-17, respectively. Nine of these laws are found in the New Testament with attendant spiritual amplification (Rom. 13; Jas. 2).
The Word of God Chapter. Psa. 119. “My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness,” declared the writer (vs. 172). It is in this Psalm that the following famous words are found: “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth. Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (vs. 103-105).
The Wisdom Chapter. Pro. 8. “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it” (vs. 11). Wisdom is seen as available and inviting, above all, practical (vs. 2-18). The consequences of wisdom are wonderfully desirable, “My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver” (vs. 19).
The Beatitudes Chapter. Matt. 5. For example, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (vs. 4-7) The Sermon on the Mount (including chapter five) has been said to form a foundation to Jesus’ New Covenant as the Ten Commandments served to the Old Covenant.
The Marriage Chapter. I Corinthians 7. The chapter has seven topic divisions. They are: The rights and duties of married life (vs. 1-7), teaching for the unmarried (vs. 8, 9), commandments for the married (vs. 10-16, 12-16 addresses mixed marriages between believers and unbelievers), the principle of remaining in the same state (vs. 17-24), teaching regarding the unmarried, especially in view of the prevailing circumstances (vs. 25-35, see vs. 26), instructions to fathers in the “present distress” (vs. 36-38), and teaching regarding the marriage of widows (vs. 39, 40). Some of the teaching is influenced by the “present distress” (vs. 26).
The Love Chapter. I Corinthians 13. It is in this chapter that Paul presents the characteristics and accomplishments of true love. He also presents the lack of accomplishments of biblical love (vs. 4-8). Love is seen as active and producing good. Evil acts are not associated with true love. Love is an absolute necessity (vs. 1-3).
The Resurrection Chapter. I Corinthians 15. Christianity does not simply pertain to this life, Paul taught (vs. 19). However, the hope of another life rests on Jesus’ resurrection. “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept,” Paul assures us (vs. 20). He also provides proof of Jesus’ resurrection (vs. 1 ff)
The Tongue Chapter. James 3. James starts out in specific references to the abuse of the tongue regarding false teaching (vs. 1). In view of the serious consequences of teaching error, James urges that few be teachers. He then appears to expand his teaching regarding the tongue to include more general matters.
The Fellowship Chapter. I Jno. 1. Fellowship is a vital Bible subject. Biblical fellowship is essentially approval and joint participation in spiritual matters. The Bible is explicit regarding those whom the Christian is to fellowship.
The teaching found in the Bible transcends all teaching known to man. The great teaching is explained by the nature of the Bible itself, inspired of God (2 Tim. 3: 16, 17). These are but a few chapter-length lessons on various aspects of the Christian life. Won’t you begin to read and search the scriptures, daily, and find more chapters of instruction for yourself and your family?
