The Holy Bible
No book is ever as relevant to us
as the Bible. As the inspired word of God, the Bible has always provided
comfort for the discouraged, strength for the weak, and light for those in the
darkness of doubt, suffering, and sin. Because many have read it, delved into
it and lived by it, the Bible has long been a best seller. It has been
translated, in part or in whole, into more than 1,200 languages. As many have
already done, let us embrace the word of God and discover its authority and
life-giving message.
A Book with Authority
Divine Origin
"All scripture is
God-breathed" (2 Timothy ).
With these words, the Bible asserts its authority as the word of God. Even
though the 66 books of the Bible were penned by some 40 different authors over
a span of about 2,000 years, the Bible maintains its harmony and unity. There
are, miraculously, no doctrinal discrepancies or factual errors.
Infallibility
Through the ages, the Bible
proves itself again and again by the fulfillment of its
prophesies hundreds and even thousands of years after their
proclamation. Despite deliberate efforts of Bible critics to challenge God's
word, the Bible has stood the test of time. Even to this day, discoveries of
historical and scientific facts continue to uphold the validity of the Bible.
Living Word
Nothing can be more convincing
than having the word of God work wonders in our lives and guide our way to
eternal life. To experience and reap the benefits of the word of God is in
itself living proof that the Bible is indeed from God.
So the infallible word of God,
the Bible "never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God
as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter ).
The Bible at Work
Direct
The Bible sheds light on our path
and shows us the way God expects us to think, speak, and act. It gives us a set
of values by which we find assurance and guidance regardless of where and how
we are in our lives. By obeying the word of God, we discover the oasis of peace
and joy amidst the desert of false values and entangling materialism.
Transform
The Bible is much more than a set
of guidelines for passive observance. "For the Word of God is living and
active... it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews ). Like a mirror, the Bible reþects our true selves and discloses the vices that we do
not see in ourselves. The word of God is able to transform our inner beings
from inside out.
Save
Most importantly, the Scriptures
contain the wisdom of salvation through knowing Jesus Christ. The Bible reveals
God's salvation plan and clearly shows us the way back to God. It directs our
hope to an everlasting kingdom and teaches us how to prepare ourselves for that
glorious inheritance. If we diligently search God's word and humbly put our
trust in it, we will surely discover the truth that leads to eternal life.
The Bible and You
Read It
You may have heard a lot about
the Bible or even have formed certain opinions about the Bible. But have you
ever read the Bible yourself? There is no better way to find out what the Bible
has to say than to actually turn its pages and study it. Although you may not
understand every verse the first time around, at least you can appreciate how
the Bible differs from all other books.
Think About It
Read the Bible with an open and
prayerful mind. Let God's word speak to your heart. Meditate on what you have
read. If you can't understand a particular passage or if there are issues that
you find difficult to agree with, talk to our church members and ask them to
share their knowledge with you. Better yet, seek God's guidance through prayer.
Do It
As you read, believe in God's
word with a simple faith. Learn to apply it to your life and put it into
practice. It is in doing that you come to fully experience the truthfulness of
God's promises. The book that has changed the lives of millions can also change
your life today.
What Is Covered in the Bible?
Theme:
God's love for human beings
culminating in the salvation of Jesus Christ
OLD TESTAMENT
The Pentateuch (5*): Origin of
all things; Early history of the chosen peoplebondage,
deliverance, pilgrimage; God's laws and ordinances concerning religion,
morality, society, and cleanliness
Historical Books (12): Conquering
of the Promised Land; Story of Ruthan ancestress of
David and Christ; Rise, fall, and captivity of the chosen nation
Poetic Books (5): Job's trial and
his conversation with his friends and with God; Spiritual songs and poems; Wise
sayings by Solomon and others; Poem depicting the mutual love between Christ
and his church
Prophetic Books (17): Attestation
to the dire state of Israel;
Proclamation of God's judgment; Hope of future restoration
NEW TESTAMENT
The Gospels (4): Four portraits
of Jesus Christ; his birth, life, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and
ascension
Historical Book (1): Origin and
expansion of the early church
The Epistles (21): Apostolic
letters to the churches and believers
The Apocalypse (1): Christ's
words to the seven churches* Visions of the past, present, and future under the
divine hand
* Numbers in parentheses refer to
the number of books in the same category.
