-->About the Bible<--

A long time ago, I was given a little red book at school. That book lay in a little cabinet in my bedroom for many years - until I found it and had a look at it. It was a copy of the Gideon New Testament and Psalms.
This is what it says about the Bible:

Its Composition

The Bible is a collection of 66 separate books and letters, written over a period of some 1,500 years culminating approximately 100 years after Christ’s death and resurrection. It is divided into the Old Testament (the first 39 books) and the New Testament (the last 27 books).

The Bible has stood the test of time, the greatest test of all literature. It was completed nearly 2,000 years ago, yet is now read more than any other book and by people of widely varying cultures.

Its Writers

There were many different writers, who lived and wrote in different countries. They came from different walks of life and different social positions. One wrote history, another biography; another wrote on theology, another poetry, another prophecy. Some wrote on philosophy, and some stories of adventure, travel and romance.

Most of them had no contact with each other and no means of knowing that when their writings were all put together as one book it would be complete, all parts agreeing in doctrine, teaching and prophecy.

Its Author

Christians believe the Bible to be the Word of God because the Lord Jesus Christ believed it to be so.

He constantly referred to the Old Testament in His teachings. In every case His words show that He believed in its historic accuracy and Divine Authority.
Here are three (of many) passages which show His attitude to the Old Testament, called by the Jews "The Law and The Prophets":

1. Matthew 5:17-19. Here Jesus underlines the Authority of The Law.
2. Luke 24:27. Here He underlines the Message of The Prophets.
3. John 5:39,40. Here He speaks of them as pointing to Himself as the source of eternal life.

He also gave the seal of His Authority to the New Testament in advance of it being written:

1. Matthew 28:19,20. Here He commissioned His disciples to teach all nations "Everything I have commanded you." This would have been impossible without a written record.
2. John 14:26. Here He promised that the Holy Spirit would bring back to their memories "Everything I have said to you."
3. John 16:12-14. Here He promised that the Holy Spirit would teach them things they were not ready to understand at that time, but which were a vital part of His message.

Therefore to believe that Jesus is the Son of God is to believe in the Divine Authority of the Bible.

Further, St. Paul wrote, "All Scripture is God-breathed." (2 Timothy 3:16), and it is clear from 2 Peter 3:16 that St. Peter regarded St. Paul’s writings as part of the Holy Scripture.

Its Translation

The Bible, or portions of it, has now been translated into over 1,600 languages and dialects. There have been many different translations from the time of Wycliffe in the fourteenth century onwards. The one which has been used by the greatest number of people and for the longest period of time is known as the King James or Authorised Version. This translation was the work of 47 Biblical Scholars commissioned by King James I. The translation, which was completed in 1611, is unsurpassed in beauty and power of expression by any other book in the English language.

There are a great many more recent translations and paraphrases now available, most of them in a more modern style of English. The Gideons distribute a Modern English Version called the New International Version, produced by a panel of 100 internationally recognised Bible scholars.

Its Contents

The Bible is the story of God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is not primarily a book of history, but its stories of God’s dealings with individuals and with nations are as pertinent to the modern world as they have been to every age since they were written.

It is not a primarily a book of science, but it is not at variance with any proven scientific fact. Some if its statements show a knowledge of the world of science which the writer could not have had apart from Divine revelation.

It is not primarily a book of philosophy. Nowhere does it argue for the existence of God. Yet the God it reveals has been known in a personal way by many of the greatest minds who have ever lived as well as by many millions of ordinary people. It speaks to every man from the simplest to the most sophisticated at his own level of understanding.

Throughout the Old Testament the theme of the Redemption of Mankind is developed and God unfolds His Covenant with men and nations. In the New Testament all that has been foreshadowed in the Old Testament comes to vibrant and startling reality.

God Himself comes to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. He is rejected and crucified, but rises from the dead in triumph. He sends His disciples out in the power of the Holy Spirit to carry His message of Love and Forgiveness to the four corners of the earth.

The great vision of the book of Revelation, with which the Bible ends, reinforces the warnings of the whole Book regarding the consequences of rejecting God’s Light and Love, and in poetic terms describes the future of the Redeemed in heaven.

Its Power and Effect

During the British Coronation ceremony a Bible is presented to the monarch with the words:
"We present you with this Book, the most valuable thing this world affords. Here is wisdom. This is the Royal Law. These are the lively oracles of God".
These words are true and deeply significant.

This Book has the power not only to inform - but to reform and to transform lives. Through its influence countless people have been given a new strength, an unerring purpose and a sure hope in life. To the dying it has brought peace and assurance of eternal life. It has brought blessing to millions in every land and age.

It is supernatural in origin, eternal in duration, divine in authorship, infallible in authority, inexhaustible in meaning, universal in readership, unique in revelation, personal in application and powerful in effect.

It is given to you here in this life, it will be open at the Judgement, it is established for ever. Come to it with awe, read it with reverence, frequently, slowly, prayerfully.

The Commandments

The Ten Commandments were originally given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in the Old Testament, Exodus chapter 20.

Jesus Christ referred to them and summarised them as follows:

"‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘love your neighbour as yourself’".
Matthew 22:37-39
On another occasion He told an enquirer:
"‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbour and yourself.’"
Matthew 19:18,19

The Bible Gateway

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E-mail me at:
GeoNETrix@hotmail.com
 and give me any comments and suggestions. Thanks!