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Chapter Two
"I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Saviour of the World is communicated to us through this Book … All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it."
—Abraham Lincoln
WHOSE WORD IS IT?
What does II Timothy 3:16 say about the Bible (Scripture)? (Select correct answer.)
In I Corinthians 2:13
How did Paul learn and speak the mysteries of God?
Did the Spirit teach general ideas or actual words?
How did God give us His written Word? (II Pet. 1:20,21)
From Jeremiah 30:1,2 and Isaiah 30:8
What were these prophets told to do?
How did they learn what to speak and write?
What can we be sure of about God's Word?
Prov. 30:5
Psa. 111:7,8
I Pet. 1:24,25
The Bible is the most remarkable book ever written. The writing was done by about 40 men of several countries and many occupations. They wrote over a period of about 1500 years and in 3 languages—Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. Yet the Bible is a well-organized unity with one great theme and central Figure—Jesus Christ. All of this would be impossible unless the Bible had one supreme Author—and it did—the Holy Spirit of God.
WHAT IS ITS VALUE?
The Word of God is given that it might be profitable for: (II Tim. 3:16)
What to believe and do.
Where we have sinned.
How to change.
How to live.
"O man, I beseech you, do not treat God's promises as if they were curiosities for a museum; but believe them and use them …"
—Charles H. Spurgeon
What can God's Word give us? (One- or two-word answers)
Psa. 119:105
John 15:3
Jer. 15:16
Psa. 119:165
Psa. 119:42
THE OLD TESTAMENT
The Old Testament or Old Covenant—God's former agreement with men—is an account of God's dealings with men from Creation until about 400 years before the coming of Christ.
The chart on page 19 gives an overall picture of the Bible. Look it over carefully before answering this section. Then use your Bible in writing your answers.
Romans 15:4 gives several reasons why the Old Testament was written. What are they?
The first five books of the Old Testament were written by Moses. These are called the Five Books of Moses or the Pentateuch ("five writings"). List them below in the order you find them in your Bible.
The book of beginnings (creation, man, sin, redemption, God's nation).
God delivers His people from Egypt and gives them the Law.
Priestly laws on holiness and worship—through sacrifice and purification.
God's people continually disobey and wander in the wilderness for 40 years.
Moses' great discourses to prepare the people to enter the Promised Land.
The next 12 books in the Old Testament are historical. They were written about 1100-600 B. C. and describe God's dealings with His chosen people Israel, the Hebrew nation. List these books in order.
The following five books are poetical, describing in poetry and song God's greatness and His dealings with men. List these in order below.
The suffering and loyal trust of a man who loved God.
Songs of praise and instruction.
God's practical wisdom for successful living.
The emptiness of earthly life without God.
A portrait of God's love for His people.
The five books of major prophets follow. A prophet is one who is commissioned by God to deliver His message to men. These books are called "major prophets" because they are generally longer than the writings of the "minor prophets." These five books were written from about 750-550 B. C. List them below.
The last 12 books of the Old Testament are called minor prophets. These books were written from about 800-400 B. C. List them in order.
Notice that there are 39 books in the Old Testament. These with the 27 in the New Testament make a total of 66 books in our Bible. You will find it of great value to memorize these books in their order. Begin now, one section at a time, as they are listed in this chapter.
THE NEW TESTAMENT
The New Testament (or New Covenant—God's present agreement with men) reveals Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of men. In it we find the life of Christ, the beginning of Christianity, the way of salvation, instruction for Christian living and God's plan for the future.
The Scriptures—Old and New Testaments—can make the Christian mature and thoroughly equipped for
(II Tim. 3:17)
What New Testament writer did Peter acknowledge as a writer of Scripture? (II Pet. 3:15,16)
The first five books of the New Testament are historical. As you list them in order below, study their descriptions on the right.
The life of Christ written especially for the Jews, revealing Jesus Christ as their long-awaited Saviour-King.
The life of Christ revealing Jesus as the obedient Servant of God.
The life of Christ revealing Jesus as the perfect Man, emphasizing His humanity.
The life of Christ revealing Jesus as the Son of God, stressing His deity.
The beginning and spread of the Christian church. This book could well be called the "Acts of the Holy Spirit."
What two reasons are given for the writing of John's Gospel? (John 20:31)
The next 21 books are letters (epistles). They are written to individuals, to churches or to believers in general. These letters deal with every aspect of Christian faith and responsibility. List them below in the order you find in your Bible.
Paul's Letters
General Letters
The last book of the New Testament is a book of prophecy. It tells of future events—including the return, reign and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ and the future state of believers and unbelievers. It is called
Divisions of the Bible Summarized
History (17 books) Rise and fall of the Hebrew Nation.
Poetry (5 books) The Nation's literature in poetry and song.
Prophecy (17 books) God's warnings and promises to the Nation.
Gospels (4 books) The Man whom the Nation produced.
Acts (1 book) The beginning of His Church and reign among all nations.
Letters (21 books) His teachings and principles.
Revelation (1 book) His glory and His universal judgment and control promised.
Who is the central Figure of all the Scriptures? (John 5:39; Luke 24:25-27)
What has God given us?
II Pet. 1:3
II Pet. 1:4
What will happen to those who reject Jesus Christ and His Word?
John 12:48
Prov. 13:13
What contributes to a person's falling into error or sin? (Matt. 22:29)
"If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity."
—Daniel Webster (about 1850)
AT THIS POINT—look back over the application questions you have written at the end of each of the first eight chapters of these Studies in Christian Living. Is there something you should do to further carry out your intentions?
THE BIBLE AT A GLANCE (66 Books)
"The New is in the Old concealed. The Old is in the New revealed."
OLD TESTAMENT (39 books)
HISTORY (17 books)
Law: 1 Genesis, 2 Exodus, 3 Leviticus, 4 Numbers, 5 Deuteronomy
History and Government: 1 Joshua, 2 Judges, 3 Ruth, 4 I Samuel, 5 II Samuel, 6 I Kings, 7 II Kings, 8 I Chronicles, 9 II Chronicles, 10 Ezra, 11 Nehemiah, 12 Esther
POETRY (5 books): 1 Job, 2 Psalms, 3 Proverbs, 4 Ecclesiastes, 5 Song of Solomon
PROPHECY (17 books)
Major Prophets: 1 Isaiah, 2 Jeremiah, 3 Lamentations, 4 Ezekiel, 5 Daniel
Minor Prophets: 1 Hosea, 2 Joel, 3 Amos, 4 Obadiah, 5 Jonah, 6 Micah, 7 Nahum, 8 Habakkuk, 9 Zephaniah, 10 Haggai, 11 Zechariah, 12 Malachi
The Old Testament looks forward to Christ's sacrifice on the Cross. The New Testament is based on the work Christ finished on the Cross. About 400 years between Testaments.
NEW TESTAMENT (27 books)
HISTORY (5 books)
Gospels: 1 Matthew, 2 Mark, 3 Luke, 4 John
5 Acts
TEACHING (21 books)
Paul's Letters: 1 Romans, 2 I Corinthians, 3 II Corinthians, 4 Galatians, 5 Ephesians, 6 Philippians, 7 Colossians, 8 I Thessalonians, 9 II Thessalonians, 10 I Timothy, 11 II Timothy, 12 Titus, 13 Philemon
General Letters: 1 Hebrews, 2 James, 3 I Peter, 4 II Peter, 5 I John, 6 II John, 7 III John, 8 Jude
PROPHECY (1 book): Revelation
God used 40 different men over a period of 1,500 years (about 1400 B.C. to 90 A.D.) in writing the Bible—II Peter 1:20,21