History of the Bible

The history of the Bible starts with a phenomenal account of history! It's not one book like I always thought -- It's an ancient collection of writings, comprised of 66 separate books, written over approximately 1,600 years, by at least 40 distinct authors. The Old Testament contains 39 books written from approximately 1500 to 400 BC, and the New Testament contains 27 books written from approximately 40 to 90 AD. The Jewish Bible (Tanakh) is the same as the Christian Old Testament, except for its book arrangement. The original Old Testament was written mainly in Hebrew, with some Aramaic, while the original New Testament was written in common Greek. 

The history of the "Bible" begins with the Jewish Scriptures. The historical record of the Jews was written down on leather scrolls and tablets over centuries, and the authors included kings, shepherds, prophets and other leaders. The first five books are called the Law, which were written and/or edited primarily by Moses in the early 1400's BC. Thereafter, other scriptural texts were written and collected by the Jewish people during the next 1,000 years. About 450 BC, the Law and the other Jewish Scriptures were arranged by councils of rabbis (Jewish teachers), who then recognized the complete set as the inspired and sacred authority of God (Elohim). At some time during this period, the books of the Hebrew Bible were arranged by topic, including The Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nebiim), and the Writings (Ketubim). The first letters of these Hebrew words - T, N and K -- form the name of the Hebrew Bible - the Tanakh.  

Beginning as early as 250 BC, the Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek by Jewish scholars in Alexandria, Egypt. This translation became known as the "Septuagint", meaning 70, and referring to the tradition that 70 (probably 72) men comprised the translation team. It was during this process that the order of the books was changed to the order we have in today's Bible: Historical (Genesis - Esther), poetic (Job - Song of Songs), and prophetic (Isaiah - Malachi). 

Although the Jewish Scriptures were copied by hand, they were extremely accurate copy to copy. The Jews had a phenomenal system of scribes, who developed intricate and ritualistic methods for counting letters, words and paragraphs to insure that no copying errors were made. These scribes dedicated their entire lives to preserving the accuracy of the holy books. A single copy error would require the immediate destruction of the entire scroll. In fact, Jewish scribal tradition was maintained until the invention of the printing press in the mid-1400's AD. As far as manuscript accuracy, the recent discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls has confirmed the remarkable reliability of this scribal system over thousands of years .

After approximately 400 years of scriptural silence, Jesus arrived on the scene in about 4 BC. Throughout his teaching, Jesus often quotes the Old Testament, declaring that he did not come to destroy the Jewish Scriptures, but to fulfill them. In the Book of Luke, Jesus proclaims to his disciples, "all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."  

Starting in about 40 AD, and continuing to about 90 AD, the eye-witnesses to the life of Jesus, including Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, James, Peter and Jude, wrote the Gospels, letters and books that became the Bible's New Testament. These authors quote from 31 books of the Old Testament, and widely circulate their material so that by about 150 AD, early Christians were referring to the entire set of writings as the "New Covenant." During the 200s AD, the original writings were translated from Greek into Latin, Coptic (Egypt) and Syriac (Syria), and widely disseminated as "inspired scripture" throughout the Roman Empire (and beyond).  In 397 AD, in an effort to protect the scriptures from various heresies and offshoot religious movements, the current 27 books of the New Testament were formally and finally confirmed and "canonized" in the Synod of Carthage.  

Bible / Scripture

 

Biblion. book, scroll, writing 

Verses - Exodus 17:14 24:7; Joshua 1:8; 2nd Chronicles 34:14; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39 ; 2nd Timothy 3:16; 2nd Peter 3:16

 

First Use: Genesis 5:1 this is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made He him;

 

1st Timothy 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect (complete) thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 

The Bible is how God has chosen to reveal Himself to the world and to have His words preserved through the generations. The Bible is unique and unlike any other book ever written. The Bible is tangible proof that God exists. Approximately 40 separate authors wrote the Bible during a several thousand-year time frame. The Bible is one complete book it has a beginning in Genesis (Beginning) it has continuity from Adam and Eve to Jesus and the Bible has an ending, the book of Revelation (make known). There is no supplement or addition needed for the Bible. The Bible is complete; it covers the creation of the universe and all time, up to and including the future and Jesus' eternal everlasting kingdom. Most of the Bible at the time that each verse was written, it was written as prophesy. In the Bible the events were described in the Bible before the event actually happened. This prophetic writing of the Bible could only happen with knowledge of the future, knowledge man does not have, knowledge God does have. 

The Bible thoroughly reveals to man who God is, His nature and His plan for mankind. The Bible is without self-controversy and without self-contradiction and the Bible is without error. Over the thousands of years of the Bible's existence, the Bible has one clear message and one clear meaning; the predicament of mankind in sin and death and the remedy of the love and forgiveness of God.

 

The Old Testament of the Bible was written by Jews in the Jewish language of Hebrew during the years 2,600 B. C. To 400 B.C (approximately). The Old Testament tells of God, man and the coming Messiah, Jesus. The New Testament was written by Jews in the international language of the day, which was the Greek language. The New Testament was entirely written in the lifetime of the disciples of Jesus, with writing being completed in the time frame of approximately 40 A.D. to 90 A.D.. The night that Mary gave birth to Jesus in the manger is the year 1 A.D. and Jesus lived on the earth as a human for 33 1/2 years, being crucified at the age of 33, which would be around the year 34 A.D. Then Matthew, who personally spent 3 1/2 years as a disciple of Jesus, wrote the Gospel of Matthew, 

followed by the 26 additional writings by a total of eight different authors completing the New Testament around the year 90 A.D. The Apostle Paul himself wrote 14 epistles (letters) comprising half of the New Testament's 27 books. The First book is thought to be the Gospel of Matthew written by the disciple Matthew around 40 A.D.. The last book written is thought to be the Book of Revelation, written by the disciple John approximately 90 A.D.. 

 DO YOU KNOW JESUS? 

In The Bible there are many scriptures that will help you to 

Know HIM. 

Here I have collected some for your study,Enjoy! 

1) Jesus claimed to be God - John 8:24; 8:56-59 (see Exodus 3:14); John 10:30-33 

2) Jesus created all things - John 1:3; Col. 1:15-17 

3) Jesus is before all things - Col. 1:17 

4) Jesus is eternal - John 1:1,14 ; 8:58 

5) Jesus is honoured the same as the Father - John 5:23 

6) Jesus is prayed to - Acts 7:55-60 

7) Jesus is worshipped - Matt. 2:2,11; 14:33; John 9:35-38; Heb. 1:6 

8) Jesus is called God - John 1:1,14; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Titus 2:13 

9) Jesus is omnipresent - Matt. 28:20 

10) Jesus is with us always - Matt. 28:20 

11) Jesus is our only mediator between God and ourselves - 1 Tim. 2:5 

12) Jesus is the guarantee of a better covenant - Heb. 7:22; 8:6 

13) Jesus said, "I AM the Bread of Life" - John 6:35,41,48,51 

14) Jesus said, "I AM the Door" - John 10:7,9 

15) Jesus said, "I AM the Good Shepherd" - John 10:11,14 

16) Jesus said, "I AM the Way the Truth and The Life" - John 14:6 

17) Jesus said, "I AM the Light of the world" - John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46; Luke 2:32 

18) Jesus said, "I AM the True Vine" - John 15:1,5 

19) Jesus said, "I AM the Resurrection and the Life" - John 11:25 

20) Jesus said, "I AM the First and the Last" - Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13 

21) Jesus always lives to make intercession for us - Heb. 7:25 

22) Jesus cleanses from sin - 1 John 1:9 

23) Jesus discloses Himself to us - John 14:21 

24) Jesus draws all men to Himself - John 12:32 

25) Jesus forgives sins - Matt. 9:1-7; Luke 5:20; 7:48 

26) Jesus gives eternal life - John 10:28; 5:40 

27) Jesus gives joy - John 15:11 

28) Jesus gives peace - John 14:27 

29) Jesus has authority - Matt. 28:18; John 5:26-27; 17:2; 3:35 

30) Jesus judges - John 5:22,27 

31) Jesus knows all men - John 16:30 

32) Jesus opens the mind to understand scripture - Luke 24:45 

33) Jesus received honor and glory from the Father - 1 Pet. 1:17 

34) Jesus resurrects - John 5:39; 6:40,44,54; 11:25-26 

35) Jesus reveals grace and truth - John 1:17 see John 6:45 

36) Jesus reveals the Father - Matt. 11:27; Luke 10:22 

37) Jesus saves forever - Matt. 18:11; John 10:28; Heb. 7:25 

38) Jesus bears witness of Himself - John 8:18; 14:6 

39) Jesus' works bear witness of Himself - John 5:36; 10:25 

40) The Father bears witness of Jesus - John 5:37; 8:18; 1 John 5:9 

41) The Holy Spirit bears witness of Jesus - John 15:26 

42) The multitudes bear witness of Jesus - John 12:17 

43) The Prophets bear witness of Jesus - Acts 10:43 

44) The Scriptures bear witness of Jesus - John 5:39 

45) The Father will honor us if we serve Jesus - John 12:26 see Col. 3:24 

46) The Father wants us to fellowship with Jesus - 1 Cor. 1:9 

47) The Father tells us to listen to Jesus - Luke 9:35; Matt. 17:5 

48) The Father tells us to come to Jesus - John 6:45 

49) The Father draws us to Jesus - John 6:44 

50) Everyone who's heard & learned from the Father comes to Jesus - John 6:45 

51) The Law leads us to Christ - Gal. 3:24 

52) Jesus is the Rock - 1 Cor. 10:4 

53) Jesus is the Savior - John 4:42; 1 John 4:14 

54) Jesus is King - Matt. 2:1-6; Luke 23:3 

55) In Jesus are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - Col. 2:2-3 

56) In Jesus we have been made complete Col. 2:10 

57) Jesus indwells us - Col. 1:27 

58) Jesus sanctifies - Heb. 2:11 

59) Jesus loves - Eph. 5:25 

60) We come to Jesus - John 5:50; 6:35,37,45,65; 7:37; 

61) We sin against Jesus - 1 Cor. 8:12 

62) We receive Jesus - John 1:12; Col. 2:6 

63) Jesus makes many righteous - Rom. 5:19 

64) Jesus is the image of the invisible God - Heb. 1:3 

65) Jesus sends the Holy Spirit - John 15:26 

66) Jesus abides forever - Heb. 7:24 

67) Jesus offered up Himself - Heb. 7:27; 9:14 

68) Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins for all time - Heb. 10:12 

69) The Son of God has given us understanding - 1 John 5:20 

70) Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith - Heb. 12:2 

71) Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession - Heb. 1:3 

72) Jesus is preparing a place for us in heaven - John 14:1-4 

73) Jesus cleanses us from our sins by His blood - Rev. 1:5; Rom. 5:9 

74) Jesus is the Light of the world - Rom. 9:5 

75) Jesus has explained the Father - John 1:18 

76) Jesus was crucified because of weakness - 2 Cor. 13:4 

77) Jesus has overcome the world - John 16:33 

78) Truth is in Jesus - Eph. 4:21 

79) The fruit of righteousness comes through Jesus Christ - Phil. 1:11 

80) Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come - 1 Thess. 1:10 

81) Disciples bear witness of Jesus Christ - John 15:27 

82) Jesus died and rose again - 1 Thess. 4:14 

83) The Christian dead have fallen asleep in Jesus - 1 Thess. 4:15 

84) Jesus died for us - 1 Thess. 5:10 

85) Jesus tasted death for everyone - Heb. 2:9 

86) Jesus rendered the devil powerless - Heb. 2:14 

87) Jesus is able to save completely - Heb. 7:25 

88) Jesus was a ransom for many and to serve - Matt. 20:28 

89) Jesus came to be a high priest - Heb. 2:17 

90) Jesus came to save - John 3:17; Luke 19:10 

91) Jesus came to preach the kingdom of God - Luke 4:43 

92) Jesus came to bring division - Luke 12:51 

93) Jesus came to do the will of the Father - John 6:38 

94) Jesus came to give the Father's words - John 17:8 

95) Jesus came to testify to the truth - John 18:37 

96) Jesus came to die and destroy Satan's power - Heb. 2:14 

97) Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets - Matt. 5:17 

98) Jesus came to give life - John 10:10,28 

99) Jesus came to taste death for everyone - Heb. 2:9 

100) Jesus came to proclaim freedom for believers - Luke 4:18 

Whatever problem or question you have in this physical life, Jesus is The Answer. "The preparations of the heart in man, and The Answer of the tongue, is from the LORD" (Proverbs 16:1). And in every negative situation you could possibly find yourself in, Jesus is your Escape. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is Faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to Escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1Corinthians 10:13).

When ANYTHING GOOD ever happens to you, whether you want to give Him credit for it or not, Jesus did it for you, or gave it to you. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from Above" (James 1:17). There is not a single detail of your life that He doesn't know about. "The very hairs of your head are all numbered" (Matthew 10:30). There is no circumstance He wouldn't help you out of, if you would only trust Him for it. "For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in Me, saith the LORD" (Jeremiah 39:18). 

His solution may not be what you expected, but it will always be better than what you imagined. "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the Power that worketh in us" (Ephesians 3:20). His answer may not be what you agree with, but it will always be the right answer. "For the WORD of the LORD is right; and all His works are done in Truth" (Psalm 33:4). His Opinion, though usually not sought, is the only opinion that matters. "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His Commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclessiastes 12:13). 

Whatever worldly thing you think, based on whatever worldly thing you know, and whatever worldly thing you've experienced, can only increase your hold on hell. "Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" (Isaiah 5:21). "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil" (Proverbs 3:7). "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness" (1Corinthians 3:19).

To His People, "Christ is all, and in all" (Colossians 3:11).

What does that specifically mean? "19 And what is the exceeding greatness of His Power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His Mighty Power, 20 Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the Heavenly Places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be The Head over all things to the Church, 23 Which is His Body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all" (Ephesians 1:19-23).

Why is what Jesus did on earth so important? "He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things... 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:10,12-13).

How can we know Jesus in this way? "And to know the Love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Ephesians 3:19).

What is the Father's part in this relationship? "And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him [the Father] that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all" (1Corinthians 15:28). "And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all" (1Corinthians 12:6).

The LORD Jesus is our:

LOVE

"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is Love." (1John 4:8)

"The LORD did not set His Love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people... Know therefore that the LORD thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth Covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His Commandments to a thousand generations." (Deuteronomy 7:7,9)

JOY

"The LORD had made them joyful." (Ezra 6:22)

"The joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)

PEACE

"Now The God of Peace be with you all." (Romans 15:33)

"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our LORD." (2Peter 1:2)

HOPE

"Now The God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13)

"That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His Commandments." (Psalm 78:7)

WISDOM

"For after that in the Wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." (1Corinthians 1:21)

"Christ the Power of God, and the Wisdom of God." (1Corinthians 1:24)

UNITY

"Endeavouring to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3)

"Till we all come in the Unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:13)

SAFETY

"Safety is of the LORD." (Proverbs 21:31)

"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8)

"The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by Him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between His shoulders." (Deuteronomy 33:12)

HEALTH

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise Him, Who is The Health Of My Countenance, and my God." (Psalm 43:5)

"Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones." (Proverbs 3:7-8)

"My son, attend to My Words; incline thine ear unto My Sayings. Let Them not depart from thine eyes; keep Them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find Them, and health to all their flesh." (Proverbs 4:20-22)

STRENGTH

"I will love Thee, O LORD, my Strength. The LORD is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my Strength, in Whom I will trust." (Psalm 18:1-2)

"Now know I that the LORD saveth His anointed; He will hear him from His Holy Heaven with the Saving Strength of His Right Hand." (Psalm 20:6)

"The LORD is my Strength and my Shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him." (Psalm 28:7)

PROSPERITY

"Save now, I beseech Thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech Thee, send now prosperity." (Psalm 118:25)

"They shall prosper that love Thee." (Psalm 122:6)

SALVATION

"The LORD is my Strength and Song, and He is become my Salvation." (Exodus 15:2)

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my Strength, and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

RIGHTEOUSNESS

"Their righteousness is of Me, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 54:17)

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD... He hath covered me with The Robe Of Righteousness, as a Bridegroom decketh Himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." (Isaiah 61:10)

"This is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." (Jeremiah 23:6)

SANCTIFICATION

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our LORD Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory for ever and ever." (Hebrews 13:20-21)

"Who are kept by the Power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1Peter 1:5)

"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning." (2Peter 2:20)

LIFE

"According as His Divine Power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto Life and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue." (2Peter 1:3)

"And this is Life Eternal, that they might know Thee the Only True God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent." (John 17:3)

"Yet the LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life." (Psalm 42:8)

BROTHER

"For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother." (Mark 3:35)

"Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren." (Hebrews 2:17)

"For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of One: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren." (Hebrews 2:11)

"A friend loveth at all times, and a Brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17)

FRIEND

"13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you." (John 15:13-15)

"And I say unto you My friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do." (Luke 12:4)

INTERCESSOR

"It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, Who is even at the right hand of God, Who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8:34)

"For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus." (1Timothy 2:5)

"Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25)

"For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." (Hebrews 9:24)

"If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous." (1John 2:1)

HIGH PRIEST

"We have such an High Priest, Who is set on the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens." (Hebrews 8:1)

"10 We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this Man, after He had offered One Sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10:10-14)

LORD & KING

"He is LORD of lords, and KING of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful." (Revelation 17:14)

"Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances..." (Psalm 44:4)

"For God is my King of old, working Salvation in the midst of the earth." (Psalm 74:12)

"For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our Lawgiver, the LORD is our King; He will save us." (Isaiah 33:22)

BRIDEGROOM

"The bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee." (Isaiah 62:5)

"He that hath the bride is the Bridegroom." (John 3:29)

"The Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him." (Matthew 25:6)

"The Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the Marriage: and the door was shut." (Matthew 25:10)