Getting to Know God’s Word, part 1

Introduction

We begin a new series on the bible itself. Ironically, the word ‘bible’ isn’t found anywhere in the scriptures. It is a manmade word to describe as collection of books (see definition below). For this article, we’ll just share some basic overview information; most of it you probably already know, then we’ll be diving into more detail in future articles.

As the apostle Paul wrote, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Definition of Bible

From the 1828 Webster’s dictionary,

THE BOOK, by way of eminence; the sacred volume, in which are contained the revelations of God, the principles of Christian faith, and the rules of practice. It consists of two parts, called the Old and New Testaments.

The bible should be the standard of language as well as of faith.

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia,

Bible: The word “Bible” is the equivalent of the Greek word biblia (diminutive from biblos, the inner bark of the papyrus), meaning originally “books.”

Scripture: skrip’-tur (he graphe, plural hai graphai): The word means “writing.” In the Old Testament it occurs in the King James Version only once, “the scripture of truth,” in Dan. 10:21, where it is more correctly rendered in the Revised Version (British and American), “the writing of truth.” The reference is not to Holy Scripture, but to the book in which are inscribed God’s purposes. In the New Testament, “scripture” and “scriptures” stand regularly for the Old Testament sacred books regarded as “inspired” (2Tim. 3:16), “the oracles of God” (Rom. 3:2).

Basic Information

• There are 66 books in the bible; 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.

Old Testament

• The first five books are called The Law: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

• The next 9 books are the history: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, and 1&2 Chronicles

• Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther are history books following the 70 years Babylonian captivity for Judah.

• The next 5 books are of Wisdom and Poetry: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon (Song of Songs).

• The Remaining books are of Prophecy…

• Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel are the major prophets.

• Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi are all minor prophets.

(**The minor prophets are listed as such simply because they are shorter books. This doesn’t take aways their importance as the major prophets. **)

New Testament

• The first four of the NT are the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

• The book of Acts (Acts of the Apostles) is the history of the church.

• The next 21 books are called the epistles (letters); written to individuals or churches (congregations): Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, 1, 2, & 3 John, and Jude.

• The Book of Revelation; the last book of scripture, is prophecy.

Conclusion

For more information, a summary of each book of bible can be found by clicking on this link. We’re just getting started. If there’s any article, you’d like me to write about the bible, feel free to post it in the comments section.