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.
2 Timothy 3:16 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action.2Peter 1:20 [Yet] first [you must] understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is [a matter] of any personal or private or special interpretation.
21 For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so--it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit.
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 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.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 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.
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 "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.
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.
John 14:26 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 16:13 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].
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.
