The Bible is the Word of God and the final authority in faith and life. Every word is inspired by God, and is without error in the original writings. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; Romans 15:4).
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Bible is unique. It was written by more than forty different authors from many walks of life, over a time period of approximately 1,500 years. The sixty-six books of the Bible were written in three different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek) on three different continents (Asia, Africa and Europe). The Bible reveals who God is, how we can be saved and how we can glorify God in our thoughts, words and actions. It is divided into an Old Testament and a New Testament.
The Old Testament consists of thirty-nine books that record the creation of the universe and man, the fall (sin) of man, the flood, the life of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the deliverance of God’s people from slavery in Egypt, the birth of the nation of Israel, the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai, the conquest of Canaan (the promised land), the period of the Judges, the first kings (Saul, David, and Solomon), the first temple (Solomon’s), the division of Israel into the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah), the captivity of Israel by the Assyrians, the destruction of the temple and captivity of Judah by the Babylonians, the return of Judah to Jerusalem and the dedication of the second temple (Zerubbabel’s). Most of the Old Testament focuses on God’s dealings with the people of Israel on the basis of the covenant he made with them on Mount Sinai. Throughout the Old Testament there extends a line of prophecies concerning a coming Deliverer-Savior, the Messiah, and the institution of a new covenant. The fulfillment of these prophecies is the story of the New Testament. There is a period of about 400 years between the last Old Testament prophet, Malachi and the birth of Messiah (Jesus).
The New Testament consists of twenty-seven books that were written from about 35 A.D. to 95 A.D. The New Testament describes the new relationship of God with men through Messiah on the basis of the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Luke 22:14-20; 2 Corinthians 3:6-11). The Old Covenant revealed the holiness of God in the righteous standard of the Law and promised a coming Redeemer; the New Covenant shows the holiness of God in His righteous Son (Jesus). The New Testament, then, contains those writings which reveal the content of this New Covenant. The message of the New Testament centers around the Messiah, who gave his life as an offering for sin (Isaiah 53:10; Matthew 26:28) and the people (the church) who have received his salvation. Thus the central theme of the New Testament is salvation. The Gospels introduce the Savior (Jesus). The book of Acts describes the spread of the good news about his salvation. The rest of the New Testament gives details of the blessings of that salvation.
Book Title – Theme – Helpful Verses
Four Gospels and Acts – Life of Christ, Birth of Church, Persecution of Christians, Spread of Christianity
Books by the Apostle Paul
Books by Peter, John, James and Others
Book Title – Theme – Helpful Verses
Pentateuch – Five Books of Moses (The Law or Torah)
Books of History – Twelve Books
Books of Poetry – Five Books
Books of Prophecy – Seventeen Books
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