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INTRODUCTION TO THE THE HOLY BIBLE
Introduction to the Holy Bible_edited.jp

The Bible is a sacred book containing Holy Scriptures (spoken and written Word of God (Logos)) inspired by the Holy Spirit through the early Holy Prophets and the Holy Apostles.

2 Timothy 3:16

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

2 Peter 1:21

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

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The bible reveals God’s plan for mankind and for all creations. It speaks about the past, the present and the future. It is the most holy and most important book in the world. It reveals the road map to eternal life and to everlasting condemnation. The bible is the Living written Word of God and inside the Bible there is the voice of the Holy Spirit. All other books and things shall pass away but the holy bible shall exist for ever and ever throughout all eternity.

Matthew 24:35

 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

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The bible contains of the Old Testament which is also called the Old Covenant which was inspired and written by the Prophets and the New Testament which is also called the New Covenant that contains the Good News about Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God and was inspired and written by the Holy Apostles.

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The Bible is the only source of all the saving Knowledge and faith. The bible was written not to be discussed or reasoned about but to be believed on as the divinely inspired authoritative word of God.

THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

I would like to encourage all Christians to read and memorize the list of the books of the Bible in the order they are found in their version of the Scriptures. This helps to find books and verses more quickly.

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Have you ever wondered about who wrote the Bible you are reading, who wrote the book of Genesis? Was it God or His Servant Moses? Below is a complete list of the bible books and their authors as inspired by God. In some cases the author is not absolutely known. I will first list the name of the commonly known author. If there are multiple people who possibly authored the book I will list them in descending order of common acceptance.

 

The Old Testament

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In the English Bible the Old Testament is arranged in groups based on the type of book. They are then arranged chronologically within their grouping. That means that some books towards the end of the Old Testament (in the section of the prophets) actually fit chronologically earlier in the Old Testament with the books of history.

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Pentateuch

These are the five books of the Law. These are also called the Books of Moses namely;-

  1. Genesis, written by Moses

  2. Exodus, written by Moses

  3. Leviticus, written by Moses

  4. Numbers, written by Moses

  5. Deuteronomy, written by Moses

 

The Books of History

The Books of history are so named because they contain historical records and these books include:

  1. Joshua, written by Joshua (except the parts relating to his death)

  2. Judges, written by Samuel, Nathan, Gad

  3. Ruth, written by Samuel, Nathan, Gad

  4. 1 Samuel, written by Samuel, Nathan, Gad

  5. 2 Samuel, written by Samuel, Nathan, Gad

  6. 1 Kings, written by Jeremiah

  7. 2 Kings, written by Jeremiah

  8. 1 Chronicles, written by Ezra

  9. 2 Chronicles, written by Ezra

  10. Ezra, written by Ezra

  11. Nehemiah, written by Nehemiah, Ezra

  12. Esther, written by Mordecai:

 

The Books Poetry

  1. Job, written by Job: Moses may have compiled the book based on Job’s records

  2. Psalms, written by David, and several others including Asaph, Ezra, the sons of Korah, Heman, Ethan, Moses

  3. Proverbs, written by Solomon: Agur and Lemuel are specifically named as the writers of Proverbs 30 and 31

  4. Ecclesiastes, written by Solomon 

  5. Song of Solomon (also known as, Song of Songs or Canticles), written by Solomon

 

Major Prophets

The Major Prophets are so named because their books are longer, not because they are more important.

  1. Isaiah, written by Isaiah

  2. Jeremiah, written by Jeremiah

  3. Lamentations, written by Jeremiah

  4. Ezekiel, written by Ezekiel

  5. Daniel, written by Daniel

 

Minor Prophets

The Minor Prophets are so named because they are shorter not because they are less important.

  1. Hosea, written by Hosea

  2. Joel, written by Joel

  3. Amos, written by Amos

  4. Obadiah, written by Obadiah

  5. Jonah, written by Jonah

  6. Micah, written by Micah

  7. Nahum, written by Nahum

  8. Habakkuk, written by Habakkuk

  9. Zephaniah, written by Zephaniah

  10. Haggai, written by Haggai

  11. Zechariah, written by Zechariah

  12. Malachi, written by Malachi

 

New Testament

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The New Testament is also divided into groups. All of these books were written in the first century AD.

 

The Gospels

  1. Matthew, written by Matthew

  2. Mark, written by John Mark

  3. Luke, written by Luke

  4. John, written by John, the Apostle

 

History

  1. Acts, written by Luke

 

Paul'S Epistles

  1. Romans, written by Paul

  2. 1 Corinthians, written by Paul

  3. 2 Corinthians, written by Paul

  4. Galatians, written by Paul

  5. Ephesians, written by Paul

  6. Philippians, written by Paul

  7. Colossians, written by Paul

  8. 1 Thessalonians, written by Paul

  9. 2 Thessalonians, written by Paul

  10. 1 Timothy, written by Paul

  11. 2 Timothy, written by Paul

  12. Titus, written by Paul

  13. Philemon, written by Paul

 

General Epistles

  1. Hebrews, written by Paul, Luke, Barnabas, Apollos

  2. James, written by James

  3. 1 Peter, written by Peter

  4. 2 Peter, written by Peter

  5. 1 John, written by John, the Apostle

  6. 2 John, written by John, the Apostle

  7. 3 John, written by John, the Apostle

  8. Jude, written by Jude, the brother of Jesus and James

 

Prophecy

  1. Revelation, written by John, the Apostle

Which version of the Bible should you buy?

 

The King James Version, although both accurate and popular, is increasingly difficult to understand simply because the English language has evolved considerably over the 400 years since its publication. The meanings of some of its words have changed over time. Many readers find the ancient language distracting and difficult to follow. For this reason the New King James Version is the best version to use. This version, while retaining much of the beauty of the original King James wording, is more readable and is still usually faithful to the original text.

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Modern translations like NIV, NLT, and Good News Bible are helpful for comparing and clarifying the meaning. Many people find a parallel Bible, which contains two or more versions side by side on the same pages, to be helpful. Indeed, even apart from that, it's best to consult multiple versions in studying the Bible, but one will likely be your primary version.

Regardless of the Bible version you choose, the most important factor is that you actually use it.

 

A Bible should be considered an investment in which a little more expense up front will pay off in the long run. Consider buying a version with wide margins that will allow you to add notes from your personal study over the coming years. Although more expensive, a higher-quality, leather-bound Bible will last years longer than a hardbound or paperback volume and should become a lifelong companion.

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Many Bible versions are now available as part of Bible software packages or for free viewing on various Internet sites. With these, you can compare between different versions nearly instantaneously.

  • Contemporary English Version (CEV)

  • English Standard Version (ESV)

  • Good News Bible, or Today's English Version (GNB or TEV)

  • Jerusalem Bible (JB)

  • King James Bible (KJV)

  • The Living Bible (TLB)

  • The Message (MSG)

  • New American Standard Bible (NASB)

  • New International Readers Version (NIRV)

  • New International Version (NIV)

  • New Jerusalem Bible (NJB)

  • New King James Version (NKJV)

  • New Living Translation (NLT)

  • New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

  • Revised English Bible (REB)

  • Revised Standard Version (RSV)

 

 

Missing Scriptures in the NIV and Good News Bible Versions

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In the Modern Bible Versions, some scriptures were omitted and some scriptures’ original meanings were changed. Therefore we need to be so careful while using these bible versions. Below are some of the missing scriptures in the Modern Bible versions which you can only find in the King James Version and the New King James Version.

  1. Matthew 17:21    

  2. Matthew 18:11    

  3. Matthew 23:14    

  4. Mark 7:16  

  5. Mark 9:44

  6. Mark 9:46

  7. Mark 9:48  

  8. Mark 11:26

  9. Mark 15:28

  10. Luke 17:36

  11. John 5:3–4 

  12. Acts 8:37

  13. Acts 15:34 

  14. Acts 24:6–8

  15. Acts 28:29 

  16. Romans 16:24     

  17. 1 John 5:7–8       

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​Other missing portions of scriptural verses;-

  1. Matthew 20:16 (b)

  2. Mark 6:11 (b)       

  3. Luke 4:8 (b)

  4. Luke 9:55–56      

  5. Luke 23:17

  6. Acts 9:5–6  

  7. Acts 13:42 

  8. Acts 23:9 (b)

         

Dear beloved friends, let’s be encouraged to use either the King James Version or The New King James Version Bible because it’s the Most reliable Bible Version that was a direct translation from the original Greek Bible. The KJV Bible was first published in the year 1611AD by the order of King James of Great Britain.

 

What are the differences between the Old and New Testaments?

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In many ways the Old Testament serves as the foundation for the New Testament. While the Old Testament comprises approximately three-fourths of the Bible, its contents point toward the Messiah who is revealed in the New Testament. Rather than an entirely new message, the New Testament reveals how Jesus fulfilled the predictions regarding the Messiah and provides many of His teachings and miracles, along with the writings of His earliest followers.

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While the Bible is one collection of books with one unique message, there are numerous differences between the Old Testament and New Testament.

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  1. There is a difference in time period.

The Old Testament books were written from the time of Moses until about 400 BC. This approximately 1,000-year period covers a wide range of events from the creation of the universe to the return of the Jewish people to Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah. The New Testament was written between approximately AD 50 and AD 150.

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   2. There is difference in focus.

The Old Testament chronicles God's power and works, looking toward the coming Messiah (see Isaiah 53), The New Testament reveals Jesus as the Messiah (John 4:25–26), looking back at His life and teachings as the basis for the church and the spread of the gospel.

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   3. There is a difference in prophecy.

Most Old Testament prophecies look forward to the future and were unfulfilled at the time of the Old Testament's completion. The New Testament highlights the fulfillment of many of the Old Testament's prophecies, including more than 300 in the life of Jesus Christ.

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   4. There is a difference in the practice of worship.

Much of the Old Testament focused on the tabernacle or temple as the central place of worship. Many details were included in the development of offerings, festivals, and related practices. In the New Testament, Jesus offered Himself as the focus of worship, and He is  the way, the truth, and the life, and no one can go to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).

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   5. There is a difference in the covenant.

The Old Testament emphasized the Mosaic covenant with its focus on the Law of the Lord. The New Testament began a new covenant in which Jesus came as a fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17; Hebrews 10:9). No longer would the Jewish people (or Gentiles) need to fulfill the Law to find atonement; Jesus offered forgiveness and eternal life to all who believed in Him.

In the Old Testament, God’s dealings are mainly with His chosen people, the Jews; in the New Testament, God’s dealings are mainly with His church (Matthew 16:18).

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   6. There is also a difference in size.

The Old Testament includes thirty-nine of the Bible's sixty-six books and makes up about three-fourths of the entire Bible. The New Testament includes twenty-seven books, including four Gospels, one book of history (Acts), twenty-one letters, and one book of prophecy (Revelation).

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SHALOM SHALOM.

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