What is the Bible?
The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by about 40 authors, in three different languages, on three different continents, over approximately 1600 years.
The Apostle Peter declared "For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God". 2Peter 1:16-21.
The Bible claims to be inspired and inerrant. This means that the Bible claims to be from God and that it is without error in everything it addresses.
The Bible contains many different styles of writing such as poetry, narration, fiction, history, law, and prophecy and must be interpreted in context of those styles.
It is the source of the Christian Faith (the followers of Jesus Christ as the only Savior and Lord) in that the Bible contains the words of God and how the Christian is to apply the words of God to his or her life.
Basically, the Bible describes the origin of man in the Garden of Eden along with his fall into sin and out of fellowship with God. It then describes how God called out a special people to Himself, the Israelites. He promised the Israelites a future Messiah (Savior) who would restore mankind's relationship with God. The Bible is the account of the work of God in history bringing to fruition His prophetic declarations concerning Jesus the Christ.
The Apostle Paul declared "For I passed on to you first of all what I also had received, that Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for our sins in accordance with [what] the Scriptures [foretold], That He was buried, that He arose on the third day as the Scriptures foretold.1 Corinthians 15:3-4.
Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, died on the cross, and paid for all the sins of the world, just as the Bible prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New. In short, the Bible points to Jesus Christ.
Jesus said to the Jews "You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me," JOHN 5:39.
Furthermore, the Bible teaches us that forgiveness of sins is found in Jesus Christ alone, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved,” Acts 4:12.
Some say that the Bible is nothing more than a fairy tales. But this cannot be for it contains great wisdom and truth and it has been verified throughout history as being accurate. Its historical accounts are flawlessly accurate. In fact, archaeology routinely demonstrates the accuracy of the biblical records concerning locations and events recorded in the Bible.
Just look at what is going on in Israel and all its surrounding and you will know that the Bible is the only Relevant book in the world.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; 1 Corinthians 3:19
The Old Testament Books written by the prophets such as Moses, David, Isaiah, etc.
Pentateuch - 5 books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
Historical Books - 12 books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, First Samuel, Second Samuel, First Kings, Second Kings, First Chronicles, Second Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.
Poetical - 5 books: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.
Prophetical - 17 books:
Major Prophets - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel.
Minor Prophets - Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.
The New Testament Books written by those who knew Jesus under the guidance of the holy Spirit.
But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. John 14:26.
But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth).For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. John 16:13
Historical Books - 5 books:
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts.
Pauline Epistles - 13 books:
Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians.Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon.
Note: Some authors attribute Hebrews to Paul.
Non-Pauline Epistles - 9 books:
Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation.
