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'.
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THE OLD TESTAMENT
The Old Testament contains 39 books which speak about God and His relationship with people and with nations.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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THE NEW TESTAMENT
The New Testament contains 27 books which speak about Jesus Christ and His followers i.e. the Christian church.
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Gospels
Four accounts of the life of Jesus Christ covering His birth, His ministry, His death and His resurrection. |
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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.
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- Romans
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Corinthians
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Galatians
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Ephesians
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Phillippians
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Colossians
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Thessalonians
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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. |
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Paul also wrote letters to other Christian workers. |
- Hebrews
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James
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Peter
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John
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Jude
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Other Letters
Letters written by other Christian leaders. |
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Revelation
Visions of heaven and the future written to encourage Christians passing through times of severe persecution for their faith. |
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