What is the Bible?
The Bible is a collection of books, letters, and writings. This collection was compiled in the 1500s during the Protestant Reformation period. It is, to this day, the best-selling book of all time and is over 1900 years old. In this book, you can find answers to many life questions. It explains the origins of man, sin, and suffering, the way to eternal life, and how to find peace and joy.
Contents
What is the main purpose of the Bible?
The primary purpose of the Bible is to tell us about God and His love for us. We read about the love God has for His people as He guides them throughout history and the promise of a Savior coming to provide redemption in the Old Testament. The common thread throughout the Bible is Jesus, the son of God, the Savior.
After sin entered the world, man needed a path to redemption or a way to be saved from sin. Believing Jesus died to atone for our sins and came back from the dead is that path. The Old Testament foretells Jesus’ life and death in prophecies. The New Testament gives a record of his life in the gospel books. His death and resurrection are explained in the letters of Jesus’ apostles.
What is the Bible made up of?
The Bible comprises 66 books divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament consists of 39 books, and 27 are in the New Testament.
The Old Testament is also the Jewish Bible or the Tanakh. Tanakh is an acronym for Torah, Navi’im, and Ketuvim. The Torah is “the law” that includes the first five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Navi’im means prophets, and the prophets’ writings are the second part of the Tanakh. Navi’im is subdivided into two parts. Former prophets include Joshua, Judges, I&II Samuel, and I&II Kings. The second part is the Later Prophets containing Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the 12 minor prophets’ writings. The last part of the Tanakh is the Ketuvim, which includes writings that are the remainder of the Old Testament books.
The New Testament books can be divided into three parts. The Gospels tell the good news of Jesus’s birth, ministry, death, and resurrection. These are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The book of Acts tells of the beginnings of the Christian church since Jesus left. The books after Acts are letters to the Christian community of churches, leaders, and groups.
Who wrote the Bible?
The books of the Bible have around 35 authors with diverse backgrounds in different locations and spanning over 1500 years. While many people wrote the books of history, poetry, prophecy, biography, and philosophy that make up the Bible, the Holy Spirit instructed each one on what to write.
The Bible is said to be “inspired” by God or “God-breathed.” In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. “(American Standard Version) In 2 Peter 1:21 Peter writes, “For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.”(ASV) Scripture tells us the Bible was written by man, directed by God, through the Holy Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit inspired the Bible, Christians believe it is also inerrant and infallible. The scripture is, without error, trustworthy and unfailing. Because God writes scripture through man, you can trust what it says.
No wonder the Bible is the best-selling book of all time. It is the most important book we have in our world. It is the only book we need. If we have the Bible, we will not be lost. The Bible is the only source of truth that can change your life, making it better. It is a source of hope when you feel lost and alone. It can give you direction and purpose. This book can strengthen you to go through life and stand firm in your beliefs. The Bible shows you how much God loves you and how to have a relationship with Him for eternity.
