Introduction to the Bible
Text: Various

I. What is the Bible?

Comes from a Latin word that simply means a collection of writings

A collection of 66 separate "books" divided into 2 parts: The Old and New Testaments

The only basis of authority for the Christian faith

II. Basic Divisions of the Bible

III. The Old Testament (39 Books)

Explains the contractual relationship God established with His people through substitutionary sacrifice * see Leviticus 1-4
Contains the story of the people of God from the time of creation until about 300 years before Christ.
It's writing covers a span of over 900 years
Represents over 30 different authors from a wide spectrum of vocation and social status
It's Division into thematic, rather than chronological, sections
1. The Books of Moses (or "The Law") - Genesis to Deuteronomy
  EXAMPLE: The Ten Commandments - Exodus 20:1-17
2. The Books of History - Joshua to Esther
  EXAMPLE: David & Goliath - 1 Samuel 17:42-50
3. The Books of Poetry - Job to Song of Solomon
  EXAMPLE: The Shepherd Psalm - Psalm 23
4. The Books of Prophecy - Isaiah to Malachi
  EXAMPLE: The Prophecy of the Christ's Birth - Isaiah 9:6-7

IV. The New Testament (27 Books)

Explains the contractual relationship God established with His people through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. This "New" covenant (through Jesus' sacrifice) replaced the "Old" (through animal sacrifice). * see 1 Cor. 10:16; Eph. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; Hebrews 10:1-14; 13:11-12
It's writing covered a span of over 50 years
Represents 9 different authors
It's Division
1. The Life of Christ - “Gospels”- Matthew to John
  EXAMPLE: John 3:16
2. The History of the Early Church - Acts
  EXAMPLE: The conversion of the Apostle Paul - Acts 9:1-6
3. Letters of the Apo stles to the Church Fellowships - Romans to 3rd John
  EXAMPLE: The Love Chapter - 1 Cor. 13
4. Prophecy - Revelation
  EXAMPLE: The Return of Jesus - Revelation 19:11-16

V. Exploring The Bible - Look up the following verses and jot down what it says the Word is, or does:

Table of Contents

Topic #2 - Understanding the Bible

Topic #1: Introduction to the Bible