Bible Guide

Bible Guide

Basic information about an important book

Bible GuideIn the standard Christian Bible there are 66 individual books. They display a tested unity.The authors of the Bible claim to speak God’s message to humankind.

Bible GuideThe Bible discusses a material and an immaterial universe. It describes God and being from eternity past to eternity future.The central purpose of the Bible is to connect people with God through Christ in a life-giving way.

A testament A testament is a promise, covenant, or

arrangement.

A will is a testament. Privileges and possessions are passed on at death

by a last will and testament.

Notice the reference to an old and a new covenant in the following New Testament

verse.…the ministry Jesus has received is as

superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises (Heb. 8:6, NIV).

The Old Testament• Also called the Hebrew Scriptures • written primarily in Hebrew • 39 individual books in the Christian version

(Merrill, 1991).

Arrangement of the Christian Old Testament:Pentateuch- first 5 Books of the Old Testament History Psalms and PoetryWisdom LiteratureMajor ProphetsMinor Prophets

One of a number of Hebrew arrangements:The Law, The Prophets, and the Writings

The New Testament• Written largely in Greek (the commercial

language of the times) but with some Aramaic phrases

• 27 individual books (Thiessen, 1943). • Ancient texts available

P52- The Oldest New Testament Fragment contains parts of John 18:31-33, 37-38

(Katapi, n.d.)• Found in a small town in Egypt

P52- Translationfrom John 18:37-38 written prior to 150 CE (Thiessen, 1943)

• Fragments are in red.

Recto: "It is not lawful for us to put any man to death." 32 This was to fulfill the word which Jesus had spoken to show by what death he was to die. 33 Pilate entered the praetorium again and called Jesus, and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews“ (Crandall University, n.d.)?

P52- Translationfrom John 18:37-38 written prior to 150 CE (Thiessen, 1943)

Verso: Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice." 38 Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again, and told them, "I find no crime in him” (Crandall University, n.d.).

Content of the New Testament:The gospels – The person and work of Jesus on earthHistory- The book of Acts (the history of the early church)The Epistles (letters to churches and to individuals)

Pauline EpistlesGeneral Epistles

Prophecy- RevelationsExpectations and encouragement for the churchEnd times eventsEternity future begins

Navigating in the Bible:The Concordance- Cross references words used in versions to the verses where they are found

Verse references Were added to make finding information easierHave book, chapter, and verse components

1 Corinthians 15:3-7

Have abbreviations- 1 Corinthians = 1 Cor.Book Chapter Verses

ReferencesArcher, G. (1974). A survey of the Old Testament

introduction. U.S.A.: Moody Bible InstituteCrandall University. (n.d.) Retrieved from

http://www.abu.nb.ca/courses/NTIntro/LifeJ/RylandsPap.htm

Katapi. (n.d.). Papyrus fragment //ww/abu.nb.ca/courses/NTIntro/LifeJ/RylandsPap.htm

Merrill, E. (1991). An historical survey of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House

Thiessen, H. (1943). Introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans