WHAT THE BIBLE IS

A Simple Explanation

A LIBRARY

The Bible is a library of 66 books written by more than 40 human authors. The books give a unified message because they are all inspired by God.

TWO PARTS

The Bible is divided into two parts:

  • The Old Testament - before Jesus came
  • The New Testament - Jesus and the early church

These are called 'Testaments' from an old-fashioned word meaning 'covenant' or 'agreement'.

THE OLD TESTAMENT

The Old Testament contains 39 books which speak about God and His relationship with people and with nations.

The Law

Five books written by Moses describe how God created the world, showed Himself to people, and choose a nation to be His special envoys to the rest of the world.

  • Joshua
  • Judges
  • Ruth
  • Samuel
  • Kings
  • Chronicles
  • Ezra
  • Nehemiah
  • Esther

History

God at work among His people from their entry into the Promised Land, through the period of the judges and kings, in the time of exile in Babylon and their return to their own land.

  • Job
  • Psalms
  • Proverbs
  • Ecclesiastes
  • Song of Songs

Meditations

An account of one man's experience of God through difficult circumstances, poetry and songs for use in worship, wise sayings, and a love poem.

  • Isaiah
  • Jeremiah
  • Lamentations
  • Ezekiel
  • Daniel
  • Hosea
  • Joel
  • Amos
  • Obadiah
  • Jonah
  • Micah
  • Nahum
  • Habakkuk
  • Zephaniah
  • Haggai
  • Zechariah
  • Malachi

Major and Minor Prophets

Prophets brought God's message to individuals and to the nation. Encouragement to worship and holy living, warning of judgement, and foretelling the future are all part of the prophets' remit.

Major and minor refer more to the length of their books rather than the importance of their message.

THE NEW TESTAMENT

The New Testament contains 27 books which speak about Jesus Christ and His followers i.e. the Christian church.

  • Matthew
  • Mark
  • Luke
  • John

Gospels

Four accounts of the life of Jesus Christ covering His birth, His ministry, His death and His resurrection.

  • Acts

Acts of the Apostles

This book relates how Jesus' followers spread the good news about Jesus in Jerusalem, the Holy Land, and through much of the Roman Empire.

  • Romans
  • Corinthians
  • Galatians
  • Ephesians
  • Phillippians
  • Colossians
  • Thessalonians

Paul's Letters

The apostle Paul established a considerable number of churches (groups of Christians not buildings) throughout the Mediterranean region.

Paul wrote letters to these churches covering both doctrine and practical Christian living.

 

  • Timothy
  • Titus
  • Philemon

Paul also wrote letters to other Christian workers.

  • Hebrews
  • James
  • Peter
  • John
  • Jude

Other Letters

Letters written by other Christian leaders.

  • Revelation

Revelation

Visions of heaven and the future written to encourage Christians passing through times of severe persecution for their faith.

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