The Bible is the sacred book of
Christianity containing the Old and the
New Testaments. Some also contain
several books of the Apocrypha (hidden
or concealed). Although it was written
by humans it is a book inspired by God.
Christianity containing the Old and the
New Testaments. Some also contain
several books of the Apocrypha (hidden
or concealed). Although it was written
by humans it is a book inspired by God.
It was written in several different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic and
Greek), and is completely trustworthy because God was in control of its
writing. It is His letter to humans and as is written in 2 Timothy 3:16 and
17: "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of
God may be adequate, equipped for every good work". (NASB)
There have been throughout the centuries several different versions of
the Bible written such as: the Catholic Douay, the American Standard, the
Revised Standard, as well as dozens of others. But in the history of English
Bible translations, the King James version of 1611 is the most prestigious.
It is a revision of the Bishop's bible of 1568. The Old Testament contains
39 books beginning with the book of Genesis, and ending with the book of
Malachi. The New Testament contains 27 books from Matthew to
Revelation. All together the 66 books are what we call the Bible. Augustine
of Hippo said: "In the Old Testament the new is concealed, in the New
Testament the old is revealed."
From the very beginning of Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21, God
has set out his plan for humans. From the beautiful description of his
creations (especially mankind), to the downfall of Adam and Eve, and the
amazing plan of redemption by salvation through the ransom sacrifice of
His son Jesus Christ, he has graciously showed his love and mercy. When
we read the Bible we see throughout the mention of several covenants.
God's covenants with man are reminders of his gracious promises. God
made a covenant with Noah that is recorded in Genesis 6:18 and fulfilled
his promise when he preserved Noah and his family through the flood. He
kept his rainbow covenant promise that we still see today after it rains. He
made a covenant with the Israelites as his chosen people who would be the
first to benefit from His promises if they strictly obeyed him. God also
gave them a law covenant. He presented to Moses on stone tablets the ten
commandments which are recorded in Exodus 20 and reiterated throughout
the gospel accounts by Jesus Christ. In Jeremiah chapter 31, He set up a
new covenant not only for the Jews but for all mankind who put their faith
and trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Paul wrote in 2
Corinthians 3:3 that Christians are "A letter of Christ written not with ink
but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets
of human hearts".
So as we read the Bible we should keep in mind that it is our letter
from God and we can see throughout his constant care and love for all who
trust in Him in these perilous times and that He is still in control and will
guide us to His everlasting promises as stated throughout the pages of the
Bible. Especially His promise in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world
that He gave His only Begotten Son that whoever believes on him shall
not perish but have everlasting life". So when we remember that the "God
of the mountains is also the God of the valleys", we can read God's Word
with confidence knowing he cares for us and will bring us through to
experience his promises of life now and eternal life in the future through our
trust and faith in His written Word and His living Word Jesus Christ.
Greek), and is completely trustworthy because God was in control of its
writing. It is His letter to humans and as is written in 2 Timothy 3:16 and
17: "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of
God may be adequate, equipped for every good work". (NASB)
There have been throughout the centuries several different versions of
the Bible written such as: the Catholic Douay, the American Standard, the
Revised Standard, as well as dozens of others. But in the history of English
Bible translations, the King James version of 1611 is the most prestigious.
It is a revision of the Bishop's bible of 1568. The Old Testament contains
39 books beginning with the book of Genesis, and ending with the book of
Malachi. The New Testament contains 27 books from Matthew to
Revelation. All together the 66 books are what we call the Bible. Augustine
of Hippo said: "In the Old Testament the new is concealed, in the New
Testament the old is revealed."
From the very beginning of Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21, God
has set out his plan for humans. From the beautiful description of his
creations (especially mankind), to the downfall of Adam and Eve, and the
amazing plan of redemption by salvation through the ransom sacrifice of
His son Jesus Christ, he has graciously showed his love and mercy. When
we read the Bible we see throughout the mention of several covenants.
God's covenants with man are reminders of his gracious promises. God
made a covenant with Noah that is recorded in Genesis 6:18 and fulfilled
his promise when he preserved Noah and his family through the flood. He
kept his rainbow covenant promise that we still see today after it rains. He
made a covenant with the Israelites as his chosen people who would be the
first to benefit from His promises if they strictly obeyed him. God also
gave them a law covenant. He presented to Moses on stone tablets the ten
commandments which are recorded in Exodus 20 and reiterated throughout
the gospel accounts by Jesus Christ. In Jeremiah chapter 31, He set up a
new covenant not only for the Jews but for all mankind who put their faith
and trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Paul wrote in 2
Corinthians 3:3 that Christians are "A letter of Christ written not with ink
but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets
of human hearts".
So as we read the Bible we should keep in mind that it is our letter
from God and we can see throughout his constant care and love for all who
trust in Him in these perilous times and that He is still in control and will
guide us to His everlasting promises as stated throughout the pages of the
Bible. Especially His promise in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world
that He gave His only Begotten Son that whoever believes on him shall
not perish but have everlasting life". So when we remember that the "God
of the mountains is also the God of the valleys", we can read God's Word
with confidence knowing he cares for us and will bring us through to
experience his promises of life now and eternal life in the future through our
trust and faith in His written Word and His living Word Jesus Christ.
