A Biblical Introduction
The Bible is a collection of 66 sacred books, divided into the Old and New Testaments, which contain human encounters, laws, poetry, prophecies, and letters, giving a record of God's relationship with humanity and teachings about faith, redemption, identity, destiny, purpose, and salvation.
16 All Scripture is God-Breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately-behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage];
17 So that the [a]man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
~Timothy 3:16-17
Here's What You Need To Know
Old Testament:
The Old Testament is largely synonymous with the Hebrew Bible, which is sacred to Judaism. It contains a series of books that include historical narratives, poetry, prophecies, and laws that trace the origins of the universe, the history of the Israelites, and their covenant relationship with God. These texts were written and compiled over a period of many centuries, starting from around 1200 BCE, and they reflect the religious, social, and political conditions of the ancient Near East.
New Testament:
The New Testament, distinct to Christianity, emerged in the context of the 1st century CE, focusing on the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is considered the Messiah in the Christian belief. It includes the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), which narrate Jesus’ life and work; the Acts of the Apostles, which describes the early days of the Christian community; the Epistles (letters) written by early Christian leaders like Paul to various congregations; and the Book of Revelation, a prophetic text about the end times. We believe that salvation involves the redemption and transformation of the total man, and is available freely to all who believe in Jesus Christ. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
Books Of The Bible
Bible History
THE CANONIZED BIBLE
The canonization of the Bible, the process by which a list of authoritative books was established, was a gradual process, with various councils and church leaders playing a role in recognizing and affirming the books that would become the Christian Bible, culminating in the 4th century with the Council of Rome. The Council of Rome, presided over by Pope Damasus I, is considered a significant step in formally establishing the Old and New Testament canon, though it's important to note that this council was not the first to recognize these books, but rather affirmed what was already widely accepted. It's important to note that the church did not determine the canon; rather, the church recognized the authority of the books that God inspired. A major factor influencing the canon of the Bible was its' APOSTOLIC origins.
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TRANSLATING AND TRANSMITTING
The Bible was translated from its original languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) into various languages throughout history, with the first translations into Greek (the Septuagint) occurring in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE and later into Latin, Syriac, and other languages.
WORLDWIDE IMPACT
The Bible, is now a cornerstone of Western culture and a foundational text for Judaism and Christianity, has exerted a profound worldwide impact, influencing literature, art, music, law, government, and even everyday language, with its biblical accounts and principles shaping societies and inspiring diverse movements. It is one of the most quoted and respected texts worldwide.
YOU ARE ON THE MIND OF GOD - TIME TO ANSWER THE CALL
John 3:16, a well-known Bible verse, states: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life". It's time to make it personal because God did. He made it personal for you.
The Bible is our blue print for life. Here is a practical way to approach it so you don't get overwhelmed.