The Bible has sixty-six books.

It is divided into two different testaments – the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains thirty-nine books while the New Testament contains twenty-seven books. 

The Old Testament tells what happened before Jesus came to earth and the New Testament gives Christ’s life and things that happened after Christ’s life.

God’s Word is not arranged in chronological order but in subject order – subjects like history, gospels, epistles, and more.

By using the table of contents in the front of our Bible, we can become familiar with the order of the Bible and find passages of Scripture more easily.

A question often asked is the following: “Since men wrote the Bible, how can we completely trust the Bible? We all know men make mistakes.” In actuality, the Bible is written through men, by God.

• For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:21

Man did not originate the Bible: “[T]he prophecy [Bible] came not…by the will of man.”

Men of God penned the words of Scripture: “[H]oly men of God spake…”

God is the Author of the Bible: “[A]s they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

• All scripture is given by inspiration of God…. 2 Timothy 3:16a

The word “inspiration” here is not signifying inspiration like great artists are inspired to make great art. It literally means “God-breathed.” This gives the idea of God telling the writer what to pen and of the writer scribing what He said.

• The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. 2 Samuel 23:2
• Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. Acts 1:16
• And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book…. Exodus 17:14a
• Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen…. Isaiah 8:1a
• Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: Isaiah 30:8

The Bible was written over a period of 1,500 years by over 40 different men across 3 different continents. These writers are from many different cultural backgrounds, time periods, and family races. The Word of God cover hundreds of controversial subjects, yet there is not one contradiction. Think about it, if we were to get ten people from the same city, in the same year, around the same age, and asked them what they thought on one controversial subject, what are the odds that all of them would completely agree? Yet, the Word of God is harmonious throughout – without a single contradiction! This shows that the Bible is inerrant and infallible. Ultimately, this points to the Bible’s Divine origin and single authorship – GOD!

Many say that there is no way for the Bible to be accurate because it is thousands of years old. How do we know God’s Word has not been changed throughout the years? God promised to preserve His Word. Since God had the power to create the world, He definitely has the power to preserve His Word throughout the years.

• For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot [smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet] or one tittle [smallest part of a letter in the Hebrew alphabet] shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:18

   

• The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8
• But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 1 Peter 1:25
• And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. Luke 16:17

There are only nine or ten manuscripts that record the story of Caesar’s Gallic Wars. The manuscripts were written from 58-50 BC and the oldest one we have of that today is dates to AD 900. That is 950 years later! Even though there is not a lot of evidence for it, no significant scholar doubts the credibility of the writings of these wars.

The New Testament has far more manuscripts than any other historical document – over 5,700 manuscripts. It was written between AD 48-100. The earliest copy we have is from AD 130. That is just 30 years later! If we examine the New Testament as we would other historical documents, the New Testament has the strongest backing for credibility and accuracy.[1]

[1] Leaf, D., 2020. Text Accuracy. [online] Beingrecreated.org. Available at: <https://www.beingrecreated.org/textaccuracy.html> [Accessed 17 November 2020].

It teaches us how to live our life.

• All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine [what is right], for reproof [what is wrong], for correction [how to get right], for instruction in righteousness [how to keep is right]: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

It is commanded to study God’s Word.

• Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

• This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate [think about] therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8

• Blessed in the man … [whose] delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate [think about] day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalms 1:1-3

Many throughout the years have claimed to have had a vision or experience that corrected or added to the Word of God. While one may have some type of feeling or leading, if it is contrary to Scripture, we can rest assure that feeling or leading is not from God.

• Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Proverbs 30:5-6

• We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.  2 Peter 1:19-21

Sometimes the devil will come as “an angel of light” to deceive people with beliefs that sound right, but after study in Scripture, they are found to be contrary to the Word of God. If one were to come and try to teach us doctrine contrary to the Word of God, we are to reject that doctrine and not allow them to teach us.

• For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

• If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine [biblical doctrine], receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. 2 John 1:10-11

This is teaching that we are not to encourage false teachers to keep teaching false doctrine. They are leading people to a false hope of salvation. In turn, they are leading people to an eternity in hell. We should not encourage someone doing this.

The Holy Spirit teaches those who have been saved the Word of God when they study it.

• But the anointing [Holy Spirit] which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing [Holy Spirit] teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 1 John 2:27

• God is not a man, that he should lie;… Numbers 23:19a

Clearly, we can rest assured in the fact that the Bible is the Word of God! It is trustworthy throughout!