BIBLE
What Is the Bible?
The English word "bible" means "scroll" or "book" and refers to the sixty-six documents that comprise the book of Scripture -- thirty-nine Old Testament documents and twenty-seven New Testament books. These two divisions are sometimes called the two covenants (Ex. 24:7; Mt. 26:28; Heb. 8:7).
The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and Aramaic. The documents of the Old Testament are arranged in logical divisions:
The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and Aramaic. The documents of the Old Testament are arranged in logical divisions:
- Books of law (Genesis through Deuteronomy)
- Historical narratives of the nation of Israel (Joshua through Esther)
- Poetry (Job through Song of Solomon)
- Prophetic oracles (Isaiah through Malachi)
The New Testament was written in Koine Greek and has these logical divisions:
- Biographies of Jesus' Life (Matthew through John)
- A historical narrative of the beginning and growth of Christ's church (Acts)
- Twenty-one instructive epistles or letters to groups or individuals (Romans through Jude)
- One book of prophecy (Revelation)
There is a vast amount of evidence (e.g., the unity of the documents, the miraculous prophetic utterances, the precise historical accuracy, etc.) that establishes beyond reasonable doubt the Bible's claim that it is the revelation of God to humankind (see 2 Tim. 3:16-17). This book provides man with a record of his origin (Gen. 2:7), his general mission (Eccl. 12:13-14), and his ultimate destiny (Mt. 25:46), depending upon his obedience or disobedience.
