The Bible

We begin our 52 biblical topics with the Bible itself.

Greek – biblia, books
from biblion, book
from Byblos, papyrus (a plant that was used as material for writing)
from Byblos, an ancient Phoenician city from which papyrus was exported

The Bible, which is the word of God, is the most important and wonderful book that has ever existed. It is a revelation of God Himself and an unfolding of His eternal purpose. No one can truly know God or the true meaning of life apart from knowing the content of this book.

The Bible is an amazing book for countless reasons. To list a few:
1) It was written over a period of approx. 1500 years (about 1400 B.C. to 90 A.D.).
2) It was written by around 40 people from many different places and walks of life.
3) Yet, it flows from beginning to end as a complete disclosure of the heart and plan of God.
4) It is the best selling and most read book of all time.
5) There are approx. 100 million copies sold every year.
6) It is the most translated book ever.
7) It is available at least in part to approx. 98% of the world in their own spoken language.
8) It has survived for thousands of years in spite of its enemies' many attempts to destroy it.

But what is most wonderful about the Bible is that it is a revelation of God Himself and His love and desire for us. It is God-breathed (II Timothy 3:16), and came forth from those who were moved by the Spirit of God (II Peter 1:21). It testifies concerning Jesus Christ (John 5:39; Luke 24:27, 44) and makes men wise unto salvation (II Timothy 3:15). Faith comes by hearing it (Romans 10:17), as it conveys the seed of the divine life through which we are born of God (I Peter 1:23). It is both spiritual milk and bread for spiritual growth (I Peter 2:2; Matthew 4:4), and it makes men of God complete and fully equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:17).

More Facts about the Bible

• The original writings had no separation for chapters, verses, or even words
(and of course no inserted outlines).
-- chapter divisions were added in the early 13th century.
-- verse divisions were fully developed by 1551.
• The Old Testament was written mostly in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek
(there are a few small portions written in Aramaic).
• There appear to be at least 200 different translations of the Bible in English alone.
• It is composed of two testaments, meaning covenants or agreements.
-- the Old Testament having 39 books
-- the New Testament having 27 books
• The Canon of the Bible, which comes from the Greek, KANON (meaning a rule, a standard for measurement), refers to the final determination of the books that were to be included in the Bible having been divinely inspired by God.
-- the 39 books of the Old Testament were canonized by the early 2nd century A.D.
-- the 27 books of the New Testament were canonized in 397 A.D.

Some Brief History of Bible Translation

The Septuagint – meaning 70, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament said to be translated by 70 Jewish elders in 70 sessions sometime around 200 years before Christ. It was used extensively by the apostle Paul and the early church.

The Vulgate – meaning common, the Latin translation of the Bible from the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament by Jerome at the end of the 4th century and beginning of the 5th. He accomplished this work in approx. 20 years.

1380-1384 – During this time, John Wycliff and his coworkers translated the entire Bible into English from the Latin Vulgate.

1525 – William Tyndale finished the first translation of the New Testament from Greek to English.

1611 – The King James Version was published. It became the most popular translation during the 17th and 18th centuries.

1881-1885 – English Revised Version
1901 – American Standard Version
1946-1952 – Revised Standard Version
1963-1971 – New American Standard Bible
1973-1978 – New International Version
1979-1982 – New King James Version

(These are just a few of the more popular versions. For additional study, I recommend a little book called The Complete Guide to Bible Versions, by Philip W. Comfort. For more in depth study read How We Got Our Bible, by W.H. Griffith Thomas; The Origin of the Bible, by Philip W. Comfort; and Evidence That Demands a Verdict, Vol. 1, by Josh McDowell.)
*Note: All of the above books were used as reference for the producing of this document.

I conclude this post with inspiring quotes from some who experienced the blessing and power of reading God’s word:

“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” (George Washington)

“I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.” (Abraham Lincoln)

“The Bible is no mere book, but a Living Creature, with a power that conquers all that oppose it.” (Napoleon)

“The New Testament is the very best book that ever was or ever will be known to the world.” (Charles Dickens)


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