About the Bible

What is the Bible?

The Bible is the exhaustive expression of God’s forbearing and longsuffering personal relationship with humankind.

Bible Overview

The Bible is a library of 66 individual books written by 40 different men over a period of 1,500 years.

1,500 BC: Moses and Job
1,000 BC: David
400 BC: Malachi
30 AD: Jesus
50 AD: Most of the New Testament
95 AD: Revelation

This library of books in one book is separated into two major divisions: The Old Testament and the New Testament. Each division contains four sections.

The Old Testament

The Old Testament contains four major sections.
The Law :: History :: Poetry :: Prophecy

The Law

The Law covers the history of the Jews from Creation until the death of Moses (approx. 1450 BC). It was written by Moses.
Genesis :: Exodus :: Leviticus :: Numbers :: Deuteronomy

History

History describes the history of Israel from Joshua through the Kings through Captivity to the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. It covers the period 1450 to 440 BC.
Joshua :: Judges :: Ruth :: 1 and 2 Samuel :: 1 and 2 Kings :: 1 and 2 Chronicles :: Ezra :: Nehemiah :: Esther

Poetry

Poetry includes the ancient writings of Job (approx. 1500 BC), David (approx. 1000 BC), and Solomon (approx. 900 BC).
Job :: Psalms :: Proverbs :: Ecclesiastes :: Song of Solomon

Prophecy

Prophecy can be categorized according to the major prophets and the minor prophets.

Major Prophets
These books of the Bible were written by four men during 750 BC to 550 BC.
Isaiah :: Jeremiah :: Lamentations :: Ezekiel :: Daniel

Minor Prophets
The minor prophets were written by various prophets during 800 BC to 400 BC.
Hosea :: Joel :: Amos :: Obadiah :: Jonah :: Micah :: Nahum :: Habakkuk :: Zephaniah :: Haggai :: Zechariah :: Malachi

The New Testament

The New Testament contains four major sections.
Gospels :: History :: Letters (Epistles) :: Prophecy

Gospels

The Gospels (the Good News) are about the life of Jesus during the period 4 BC to AD 30. They were written by four men to four audiences from AD 45 to AD 70.
Matthew (Jews) :: Mark (Romans) :: Luke (Gentiles) :: John (Unbelievers)

History

The History Book is called Acts. This book describes the activities of the church during the period AD 30 to AD 63. This book was written by Luke in AD 63.

Letters (Epistles)

These books in the New Testament were written by leaders to churches or to individuals during the period AD 55 to AD 65. The first 13 letters were written by the apostle Paul.
Romans :: 1 and 2 Corinthians :: Galatians :: Ephesians :: Philippians :: Colossians :: 1 and 2 Thessalonians :: 1 and 2 Timothy :: Titus :: Philemon

The remaining letters were written by various men.
Hebrews :: James :: 1 and 2 Peter :: 1, 2, and 3 John :: Jude

Prophecy

The Prophecy book is the revelation Jesus Christ gave to the disciple named John. This book is primarily about the future. It was written in AD 95.
Revelation

How to Find Things in the Bible

Use the Bible’s table of contents to locate the beginning page for each book.
Locate Bible text by using the book name, chapter number, and verse number together.

For example, the book named 2 Timothy, which is the 2nd letter (epistle) the apostle Paul wrote to the believer named Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16. Read it like this: 2 Timothy 3:16.

Another example: the book named John, chapter 3, verse 16. Read it like this: John 3:16.

How to Understand the Bible

The main rule: When the plain sense makes common sense, seek no other sense.

The Bible is God-Breathed

All Scripture is God-breathed.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, … 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV

The Bible was written over a 1,500 year span.

The Bible was written over a period of 40 different generations of mankind.

The Bible was written by over 40 different authors from every walk of life, which included kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, and scholars.

Moses was a political leader trained in the university of Egypt.
Peter was a fisherman.
Amos was a herdsman.
Joshua was a military general.
Nehemiah was a king’s servant.
Daniel was a prime minister.
Luke was a doctor.
Solomon was a king.
Matthew was a tax collector.
Paul was a rabbi.

The Bible was written by people in many different places in the world.

Moses wrote in the wilderness.
Jeremiah wrote in a dungeon.
Daniel wrote on a hillside and in a palace.
Paul wrote inside prison walls.
Luke wrote while traveling.
John wrote on an island called Patmos.
Other people wrote while on military campaigns.

The Bible was written on three different continents of the world: Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The Bible was written in three different languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

There Is No Other Book Like The Bible

Is there another book, written by so many people in so many different places over so great a time span, that includes hundreds of controversial subjects? Yet every single Biblical author spoke in perfect harmony and continuity from Genesis to Revelation on every single subject!

The Bible Is

The most sold and widely distributed book in the history of the world.
The most read, studied, and memorized book in the world.
The most published book in the world (published in over 1,500 languages).
The most quoted book in the world.
The most cussed at and discussed book in the world.
The most influential book in the world.
The most inspiring book in the world.
The most ancient reliable book in the world.
The most accurate book in the world.
The most honest and truthful book in the world.
The most unstoppable and indestructible book in the world.
The most unique book in the world.
The most interesting book in the world.
The most important book in the world.
The only book in the world that God stands behind.

The Person of God

God is Living

²⁶ For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,” John 5:26 NKJV

Joshua 3:10 :: Psalm 84:2 :: Daniel 6:27

God is Personal

²⁶ God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. ²⁷ So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:26-27 AMPC

Psalm 34:18 :: John 1:14

God is Spirit

²⁴ “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24 NKJV

Acts 7:48-50 :: 2 Corinthians 3:17

God is Triune (Three Persons in One)

¹⁹ Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 CSB

Deuteronomy 6:4 :: James 2:19 :: John 6:27 :: John 20:28 :: John 1:1 :: Acts 5:3-4 :: John 14:16-17 :: Genesis 1:26 :: Matthew 3:16

Fact: The Bible clearly states there is one God. He is a unity.
Deuteronomy 6:4 :: James 2:19

Fact: Three different persons are identified as God.

The Father is called God. John 6:27
The Son is called God. John 20:28; John 1:1, 14
The Spirit is called God. Acts 5:3-4

Fact: Therefore, God must exist as a triunity or trinity.

The Greatness of God

God’s attributes and character reveal the truth that there is no one else like God and there is only one God. He possesses attributes and characteristics that are true only of Him.

God is Infinite

God has no limitations. His only bounds are of His own choosing.

³³ Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! ³⁴ For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? ³⁵ Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? ³⁶ For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:33-36 NASB95

Job 11:7-9 :: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27 :: Psalm 113:4-5 :: Psalm 145:3

God is Eternal

God is limitless in reference to time. He always has been and always will be. He exists outside of the realm of space and time.

² Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:2 (ESV)

Genesis 21:33 :: Deuteronomy 33:27 :: Psalm 102:11-12,27 :: John 8:56-58 :: Revelation 1:8, 4:8, 21:6 :: 1 Timothy 6:16

God is Omnipresent

God is limitless in reference to space. He is everywhere present at the same time.

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? ⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. ⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, ¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10 NIV

Jeremiah 23:24 :: Amos 9:2

God is Omnipotent

God is limitless in reference to energy, strength, and power.

⁶ And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Revelation 19:6 KJV

Jeremiah 32:17, 27 :: Genesis 18:14 :: Psalm 115:3

God is Omniscient

God is limitless in reference to knowledge. God knows everything past, present and future.

¹³ Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him? ¹⁴ With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, And taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, And showed Him the way of understanding? Isaiah 40:13-14 NKJV

Psalm 147:5 :: Acts 15:18

God is Self-Existent

God has no source. He is the source.

⁴ “Who has performed and accomplished it, Calling forth the generations from the beginning? ‘I, the LORD, am the first, and with the last. I am He.’” Isaiah 41:4 NASB95

Exodus 3:13-14 :: Revelation 1:4, 8 :: Genesis 1:1 :: John 5:26

God is Self-Sufficient

God never has had, does have, or will have a need.

⁹ But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens. ¹⁰ For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. ¹¹ I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. ¹² If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it. Psalm 50:9-12 NLT

John 5:26 :: Acts 17:24-26

God is Incomprehensible

God is beyond the grasp of our limited understanding.

⁸ For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. ⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 AMPC

Romans 11:33-36 :: Ecclesiastes 1:5 :: Job 36:26; 37:5

God is Perfect

Everything God does is without error and fits with His ultimate plan for the universe.

³⁰ As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30 NIV

God is Immutable

Because He is infinitely perfect, God does not change.

⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NLT

James 1:17 :: Malachi 3:6

God is Sovereign

God is the absolute, ultimate, and sole ruler of the entire seen and unseen universe.

¹⁷ For the LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awe-inspiring God, showing no partiality and taking no bribe. Deuteronomy 10:17 CSB

Nehemiah 9:6 :: Psalm 22:28 :: Revelation 19:6

God is Unique

God is unlike any other being in the universe.

¹¹ “Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you–majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? ¹² You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them. ¹³ “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” Exodus 15:11-13 NIV

Psalm 86:8; 89:6 :: 1 Kings 8:60 :: Isaiah 44:6-8; 45:5-6; 46:9 :: I Timothy 2:5

The Goodness of God

God possesses attributes that others may possess and that we should strive after. Yet, none but God possesses these attributes in a perfect and unlimited degree.

God is Holy

God is absolutely separate from any and all sin.

¹ In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. ² Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. ³ And one called out to another and said,
“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts,
The whole earth is full of His glory.”
⁴ And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. Isaiah 6:1-4 NASB95

Habakkuk 1:13 :: Isaiah 59:2 :: Psalm 66:18 :: Hebrews 12:28-29

God is Truth

God’s declarations and representations conform to reality. God is truthful and cannot lie.

⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 NKJV

Titus 1:2 :: Hebrews 6:18 :: I Samuel 15:20

God is Faithful

God always does what He promises.

¹⁰ Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 NIV

Psalm 119:90 :: Lamentations 3:23

God is Just and Righteous

⁵ And I heard the angel of the waters saying, “Righteous are You, who are and who were, O Holy One, because You judged these things; ⁶ for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. They deserve it.” ⁷ And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.” Revelation 16:5-7 NASB95

Nehemiah 9:8 :: Exodus 9:27 :: Psalm 67:4

God is Good

God, in and of Himself, is good. Therefore all He does is good.

⁸ Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8 NLT

Psalm 33:5 :: 119:68 :: 107:8

God is Merciful

God directs His mercy to those who are distressed or needy. He also chooses to withhold the judgment we deserve.

¹² For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. Hebrews 8:12 NIV

Psalm 103:8-17 :: 1 Timothy 1:13,16

God is Gracious

God chooses to bestow His favor upon us even though we don’t deserve it.

⁸ For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; ⁹ Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] Ephesians 2:8-9 AMPC

Psalm 116:5 :: 1 Peter 2:3

God is Love

God actively, voluntarily, and unselfishly reaches out in concern seeking the highest good of others.

⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ 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. ¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:7-11 NIV

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 :: John 3:16 :: Romans 8:35-39

God is Patient

God will endure pain for long periods of time because He loves us.

⁹ The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 ESV

¹⁵ And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 2 Peter 3:15 ESV

1 Peter 3:18-20 :: Exodus 34:5-7