Food for Thought –

Concerning The Bible

     The Christian faith is founded on the revelation known as the Bible. It is a collection of 66 books written over a period of some 1500 years by about 40 different penmen. It is the message of God from beginning to end. It is the message of God's creation of mankind, the introduction of sin into the world, our separation from God because of our own sin, and the marvelous plan God set forth to enable mankind to return to friendly relations with Him again.

     The Bible falls naturally into two distinct sections. The first section comprises 39 books and is known today as the Old Testament. The Old Testament contains the writings of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), the history of the descendants of Abraham (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther), the poetry of the Jewish people (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon), and the writings of the prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi). These writings show God's continued care for the people of Israel in spite of their recurring rebellion against God and their periodic return to God. These writings also point out the seriousness of rebellion against God.

     The second section, or the New Testament, consists of 27 books. These books are comprised of the gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), a brief history of the spread of the gospel (Acts), letters to various churches and individuals (Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2, & 3 John, and Jude), and one book of prophecy (Revelation). The gospel accounts tell us about Jesus, His life, His teachings, His miracles, His death, and His resurrection. 

     Because of the message contained within the Bible, it is a book that ought to command our intense interest. It is this Book of Books that is able to make one wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15, King James Version) The apostle Paul instructed the young man Timothy, who worked with him for many years, to give attention to the reading of Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13) and urged him to handle accurately the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15, New American Standard) It is possible to twist the meaning of the Scriptures, the Bible. To do so results in one's own destruction. (2 Peter 3:16) So important is the message of this Holy Book, that several different occasions, its penmen wrote about neither adding to nor taking away from the message they wrote. (E.g., Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18,19) Because these messages originated from God, no man has the right to change their message. The apostle Paul even wrote, But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8)

     Spend time in God's word, reading the message of His salvation in Jesus. Listen closely to what He has to say. Let it be the standard by which you evaluate every religious teaching.