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What is the Bible?
The Bible is the collection of books which are the foundation of the Christian religion. The Bible is divided into two main sections, the Old Testament (OT) and the New Testament (NT).
Old Testament
The Old Testament was written before the birth of Jesus Christ and deals mainly with God's special relationship with the Jewish race.
The Old Testament contains the acts and monuments of the church from the creation almost to the coming of Christ in the flesh, which was about four thousand years--the truths then revealed, the laws then enacted, the devotions then paid, the prophecies then given, and the events which concerned that distinguished body, so far as God saw fit to preserve to us the knowledge of them. (Matthew Henry)
Books of the Old Testament
Law Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Sacred History Joshua
Judges
Ruth
First Samuel
Second Samuel
First Kings
Second Kings
First Chronicles
Second Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Psalms and Songs Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solmon
Prophets Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
New Testament
The New Testament was written by the followers of Jesus Christ after his death and resurrection. It is the foundation for every Christian's life and should be read repeatedly.
In these inspired writings we have, not indeed an equivalent, but a reliable substitute for the personal presence and the oral instruction of Christ and his apostles. The written word differs from the spoken only in form; the substance is the same, and has therefore the same authority and quickening power for us as it had for those who heard it first. Although these books were called forth apparently by special and accidental occasions, and were primarily addressed to particular circles of readers and adapted to peculiar circumstances, yet, as they present the eternal and unchangeable truth in living forms, they suit all circumstances and conditions.
Tracts for the times, they are tracts for all times; intended for Jews and Greeks of the first century, they have the same interest for Englishmen and Americans of today. They are to this day not only the sole reliable and pure fountain of primitive Christianity, but also the infallible rule of Christian faith and practice. From this fountain the church has drunk the water of life for more than fifty generations, and will drink it till the end of time. In this rule she has a perpetual corrective for an her faults, and a protective against all error. Theological systems come and go, and draw from that treasury their larger or smaller additions to the stock of our knowledge of the truth; but they can never equal that infallible word of God, which abideth forever. (Philip Schaff)
Books of the New Testament
Gospels Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
History of Early Church Acts
Epistles by Paul Romans
First Corinthians
Second Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
First Thessalonians
Second Thessalonians
First Timothy
Second Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Epistles by others Hebrews
James
First Peter
Second Peter
First John
Second John
Third John
Jude
Prophecy Revelation
Gospels
The life of Jesus Christ is recorded in four books - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They contain the details of the teachings, miracles, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus.
Epistles
These are letters written by followers of Jesus to the Early Christian churches. They explain Christian doctrines and encourage Church members to loving, holy and peaceful lives.
Revelation
The final book of the Bible contains prophecies about the last days before the world ends when Jesus Christ returns from Heaven to Earth.