Chapter 2
Understanding
The Bible
21. What is the Bible?
When the word "bible" is used, we usually think of what is called the "Holy Bible". However, the word "bible", according to Webster's, Dictionary simply means "a collection of writings." He goes on to further define bible as: 1) the sacred book of Christianity; Old Testament and New Testament..... 2)the sacred book of Judaism; Old Testament.... 4)any book regarded as authoritative or official.
We see then, that a bible is any collection of writings that are regarded as authoritative or official with regard to the subject that is being written about.
However, the use of the word, "Bible" is most commonly used in reference to what is more accurately called, "The Holy Bible" and is understood to mean the sacred book of Christianity, both Old and New Testaments, written under the divine inspiration of God and accepted by Christians as the Word of God.
(2 Timothy. 3:16 KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God.....
22. Who wrote the Bible?
Holy men of God wrote the Bible. Prophets and priests wrote the books of the Old Testament. Evangelists and apostles wrote the books of the New Testament.
(2 Peter 1:21 NIV) For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
(KJV) ....Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
23. Why is the Bible called the "Word of God" even though it was written by men?
The Bible is the Word of God because it was written by the inspiration of God.
(2 Timothy 3:16 NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed [inspired] and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
24. What does "by inspiration of God" mean?
The Holy Spirit guided the minds of these holy men so the thoughts and words which they expressed and wrote were directed and dictated by God.
(I Corinthians 2:13 NIV) This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
(2 Peter 1:21 KJV) .... Holy men of God spake as they moved by the Holy Ghost.
25. WHY DID GOD GIVE US THE BIBLE?
God gave us the Bible to reveal Himself through Christ to us.
(2 Timothy 3:15 NIV) . . . and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
26. HOW DOES THE BIBLE REVEAL CHRIST TO US?
Throughout the Old Testament God used the prophets to foretell the coming of Jesus Christ as the Messiah. In the New Testament, through the Holy Spirit, we recognize that Jesus is the Christ and the fulfillment of these prophecies.
(John 5:39 NIV) You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me....
(Psalm 40:7 NIV) Then I said, Here I am, I have come - it is written about me in the scroll.
(Luke 4:20-21 NIV) Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the syngogue were fastened on him, and he said to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
27. WHAT USE SHOULD WE MAKE OF THE BIBLE?
Since the renewing of the mind is received through revelation of Christ, we should use the Bible as a guide to salvation and holy living that we might believe, understand, know, love and follow Christ.
(Psalm 110-9 and 11 NIV) How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
(Psalm 119:105 NIV) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
(John 15:3 NIV) You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
(Ephesians 5:26 NIV) . . .to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word. . .
28. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE READ THE BIBLE?
God prepares our hearts that we might receive a revelation of Christ who changes our carnal minds into spiritual minds.
(Luke 24:27 NIV) And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. .
(Luke 24:31-32 NIV) Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
29. WHAT IS REVELATION?
Revelation is a divine understanding or knowledge given to us by God concerning Himself or what He is doing.
(Ephesians 1:17 NIV) I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
(Ephesians 3:3 NIV) that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
30. WHY MUST OUR MINDS BE CHANGED?
From early childhood, we have been taught (conditioned) to respond to certain situations in certain ways. Our ways of response have not always been pleasing to God. We even tend to respond to the things of God as we have been taught to respond. This limits God. We cannot serve God effectually if we do not think like He does. Our thoughts must be in agreement with His thoughts if we are to become spiritual.
(Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV) "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
(Mark 7:6-7 NIV) He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'
31. WHY MUST WE BECOME SPIRITUALLY MINDED?
Unless we become spiritually minded, we cannot have life and peace.
(Romans 8:6-8 NIV) The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
32. HOW DO WE BECOME SPIRITUALLY MINDED?
By reading the Bible under the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
(John 6:63 NIV) The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
33. HOW DO WE RECEIVE THE DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?
The Holy Spirit gives us a desire or longing for knowledge. We are drawn to prayer to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us, through the Scriptures, what God is doing or what God wants us to know.
(John 16:12-13 NIV) "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
34. WHAT ARE THE TWO GREAT TEACHINGS OF THE BIBLE?
The Old Covenant and The New Covenant are the two great teachings of the Bible,
The Old Covenant includes: the blessings and promises given to Abraham and the law . . . The Ten Commandments, judgments and ordinances given by God to Moses to instruct the people of Israel, to motivate them to obey God, and to make them conscious of sin.
(Romans 3:20 NIV) Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
(Romans 2:18 NIV) if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;
The New Covenant: (The Gospel) is the good news of our salvation.(1 John 4:9 NIV) This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
35. HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE READ THE BIBLE?
We should read the Bible prayerfully every day. Along with strengthening our faith, daily reading of the Scriptures will give us help, strength, guidance, comfort, hope and love.
(Romans 10:17 NIV) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
(2 Timothy 3:15 NIV) and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
36. WHY SHOULD WE MEMORIZE THE NAMES OF THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE?
Knowing the names of the books in their proper order will enable us to find Scripture verses quickly and easily. By studying them in groups, (categories) we can learn them much faster.
37. HOW IS THE BIBLE DIVIDED WITH ITS VARIOUS BOOKS?
The Holy Bible is first broken down into two main categories:
The Old TestamentThe New Testament.The Old Testament covers the period from the beginning of mankind to the birth and life of Jesus, the Christ. The New Testament covers roughly the first 90 years after the birth of Jesus.
38 ARE THERE OTHER DIVISIONS WITHIN THESE TWO CATEGORIES?
Yes. The Old Testament is broken down into several smaller categories as follows:The Law - Or The Books of Moses, or the Pentateuch(Book Name:)(Abbreviation:)Genesis Gen.Exodus Ex.Leviticus Lev.Numbers Num.Deuteronomy Deut.History or the Historical BooksJoshua Josh.Judges JudRuthRuth1 Samuel 1 Sam.2 Samuel 2 Sam.1 Kings 1 Ki.2 Kings 2 Ki.1 Chronicles 1 Chron.2 Chronicles 2 Chron.EzraEzraNehemiahNeh.Esther EstherBooks of PoetryJob (pronounced Joe - b) JobPsalms Ps.Proverbs Prov.Ecclesiastes Ecl..Song of Songs (or of Solomon)S.S.Major Prophets (Major, because of the size of the books)Isaiah Is.Jeremiah Jer.Lamentations Lam.Ezekiel Ez. or Ezk.Daniel Dan.Minor Prophets (because these books are smaller)Hosea Hos.Joel JoelAmos Am.Obadiah Obad.Jonah Jon.Micah Mi.Nahum Na.HabakkukHab.ZephaniahZep.Haggai Hag.Zechariah Zech.Malachi Mal.The New Testament Books are also divided into smaller categories as follows:The Gospels (means "Good News")(Book Name)(Abbreviation)Matthew Matt. or Mt.MarkMk.LukeLu.JohnJohn.HistoryActs ActsEpistles: (means writings by means of letters sent.)Romans Rom.1 Corinthians 1 Cor.2 Corinthians 2 Cor.Galatians Gal.Ephesians Eph.Philippians Phil.Colossians Col.1 Thesalonians1 Thes.2 Thesalonians2 Thes.1 Timothy1 Tim.2 Timothy 2 Tim.TitusTitusPhilemon PhileHebrews Heb.James Ja. or Jm1 Peter 1 Pet.2 Peter 2 Pet.1 John 1 Jn2 John 2 Jn3 John 3 Jn.JudeJudeProphecyRevelationRev.39. THERE ARE TWO MORE BREAK-DOWNS OF EACH BOOK?
So far we have talked about the Bible being divided up into two major categories, Old and New Testaments; then there are various books in each one of the Testaments, but there is a further break-down we call chapter and verses. You will notice as you read any of the books of the Bible that they are further organized by a Chapter number and then smaller numbers throughout each chapter. The chapter and verse numbers are not part of the original text nor were they "inspired by God. There were simply added later by scholars in an attempt to help people locate specific passages of Scriptures.
Later, publishers began to include a Concordance at the back of the Bible. A concordance is a list of words with the book name, chapter and verse of the various places where that word can be found in the Bible. This is obvious a great tool in helping students of the Bible study the Bible by subjects, etc.
Summary:The Bible is divided into the following categories starting with the largest moving to the smallest.Old and New TestamentsBooksChaptersVerses.A reference is written like so:Matt. 6:9-13meaning the book of Matthew, chapter 6 verses 9-13.Can you image how difficult it would be to say "look up the Lord's Prayer in Matthew?' Now, when you want to look up the Lord's Prayer, we say, "Turn in your Bibles to Matthew 6:9-13. Much easier, right? 40. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THESE BOOKS?
Because the books of the Bible have been grouped together by category, they do not necessarily follow a tight chronological order. A good example is the book of Job. The man Job, actually lived in a period of time that would have probably placed the book bearing his name between Genesis and Exodus. You will also find that some books like Matthew, are not in complete chronological order within itself either. Matthew was not trying to accomplish the same goal as Luke, whose writings are very orderly. Matthew instead grouped his writings by "discourses," or sermons etc.
You will also find that some of the books bearing the name of a person were written by the man or woman with that name. Other times it was written by someone else and sent or directed to the person bearing the name of the book.
41. HOW MANY BOOKS AND AUTHORS ARE THERE IN THE BIBLE?
There are 66 books in all, written by over 40 authors, covering a period of 1,500 years and over 40 generations. The reason we say "over 40 authors" is because there are a couple of the books whose authorship is uncertain.)
42. WHAT WERE THE LANGUAGES IN WHICH THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN?
The Old Testament was written primarily in the Hebrew language while the New Testament was written primarily in the Greek language. When the Greek language had gained so much acceptance, the Old Testament was translated from the Hebrew to Greek and was called the Septuagint. This translation was made at Alexandria for Greek-speaking Jews. This version was finished about the beginning of the Christian era and became the Bible of the early Christian Church and is the oldest of all translations. It was made by seventy translators, hence the name, Septuagint which means 70.
