The Word of God?

Many look at the Bible as a book that was written many years ago, not really sure if it is relevant today or not, nor really sure what exactly it is or how it was put together. Hopefully this will help clarify some of those questions.  

The Bible isn't really one book, it is over 66 letters / books written over a 4000 year period by many different authors.  Not until the 1400's was it actually put together in the form we have today. In 1455 Gutenberg invented the printing press and produced the first book ever printed: a Latin language Bible, printed in Mainz, Germany.  Before then it was many letters and scrolls that were carried around and read individually.  Then the Bible was translated as one book into many languages and went around the world, being the most sold book in history with over 3.9 billion copies sold over the last 50 years.

The Bible is the Word of God, written by men guided by the Holy Spirit.  As there are many historical books and letters by other Christians and non Christians out there, we trust that God guided the hands of those writing, and the minds of those that formed the books we now know as the Canon, The Holy Bible.  Inspired, inerrant, and infallible, the Bible is a guide to life, to God, and to Christ.  It teaches about the history of God's people and of life itself, as well as the path of redemption, forgiveness and everlasting life through God's only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.  

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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The Old Testament, before Christ, is the original Hebrew Bible used 100's of years before the New Testament was written.  The New Testament books were written by Christians in the first century A.D..  The Old Testament was canonized (considered sacred scripture) between 400 BC and 200 AD as far as the complete Torah, Prophets, and writings go.

The New Testament is usually more in question when it comes to why we have certain books from certain writers in the Bible that we consider sacred scripture.  So how did we come to have those books in the New Testament and how do we know they are reliable?  Why aren't some letters we have access to not in the Bible and not considered sacred?

I will be brief in my answer here because there are books devoted to just this topic:  

• The books you see in the New Testament were all written before 100 AD: The earliest letter is 1 Thessalonians written around 50 A.D., The earliest gospel is Mark's written around 70 A.D..
• By the end of the 2nd century, 200 A.D., the New Testament writings were in circulation and already considered scripture.  
• By the end of the 4th and 5th century the Bible was canonized as we know it today.  Any letters in question by then were either approved or removed, but that was the exception, all of what we have today was already considered scripture by the 2nd century, which was written in the 1st century.
• Early church fathers quoted from books in the Bible, such as Polycarp, Justin Martyr, and Irenaeus in the 2nd century.
• Books in the Bible refer to other books in the Bible as scripture; i.e., 1 Tim 5:18 refers to the gospel of Luke as scripture, 2 Peter 3:16 refers to Paul's letters as scripture.
• There was certain criteria books or letters had to meet to be considered part of 'scripture':

1. The main Criteria was that it had to be written by an Apostle of Jesus or a direct colleague of an Apostle; i.e. Mark was a direct colleague of Peter and Luke was a colleague of Paul.
2. It had to be Orthodox - Apostolic Teaching
3. It had to be relevant to the Church
4. It had to be widespread and longstanding - widely accepted over a long period of time.

Popular Misconception:

• Many think The Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.) was the Roman Catholic Hierarchy conspiring together to decide what books will be a part of the Bible for their own benefit.
• This was made popular by a movie, 'The Divinci Code.'
• Actual facts about The Council of Nicaea:

1. The Roman Catholic Hierarchy did not exist yet, at this point the Bishops from multiple areas met together to determine doctrine and current heresies against and within the church.
2. We have all the council rulings and reports from attendees.  They never issued any rulings regarding the Canon of Scripture, they never discussed it, it was not on the agenda.  What was on the agenda:

• Christology - the Divinity of Christ
• Disciplinary jurisdiction of clergy
• Date for Easter celebration

Please understand when you pick up the Bible, this book was preserved over 2000 years so that you can read and hear the Word of God.  The men who walked with Jesus and experienced Him first hand are sharing Him with you.  

This was not some conspiracy of certain people to misguide, these books were established by the Apostles and those that knew them that passed them down.  They naturally came to be the inspired Word because the letters you have in your Bible are the same ones they were reading long ago.  Those that didn't become a part of the Bible doesn't necessarily mean that they are bad, some are, but some are good, edifying, and enjoyable to read, but they aren't considered inspired scripture for a reason.  Most of them we do know why they didn't meet the criteria, those that we don't we have to trust and have faith that God oversees and is ultimately in control of His word.  Remember He has the hearts of man and kings in the palm of His hands.  'The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.' (Proverbs 21:1

The Old Testament is the first 39 books in the Bible, before Christ.  The last prophet was Malachi which was over 400 years before Jesus.  Just a quick note that during that 400 year period the Roman Empire was being established, which for the 1st time in history travel was easier than ever.  The dispersed Jews had also established synagogues throughout the Roman Empire as well as surrounding lands.  Information could go far, and fast.  Looking back in history when I'm sure Israel was yearning for a word from God, and probably thought He had forgotten about them due to His silence, it was then when He was getting the world ready for their Messiah, the Anointed One.  

The Old Testament broken down: 

• First 5 Books - The 'Pentateuch' or 'Torah,' Genesis to Deuteronomy, written by Moses.  This is the beginnings of mankind from creation, through the fall and the flood, to the establishing of God's chosen people through Abraham (Israel) about 2000 years before Christ.  We see Abraham's seed continue to grow into Millions of Israelites ready to go into the land God had promised them.  In those first 5 books God emphasizes the Mosaic Law, which is the first direct laws from God to man, around 1200 -1500 B.C..

• Next 12 Books - Joshua to Esther, History Books.  These are after Moses, giving us the history of Israel from entering the promise land to around 400 years prior to Christ.  Here is where you read about Judges, King David, King Solomon, the temple, other kings, and the good times and bad of God's chosen nation Israel. 

• Then 5 Poetry Books - Job to The Song of Solomon, these are writings from great men of God like David, Solomon, Job and others to guide us in the ways of God.  We see prayers and cries out to God, prophesies of Christ, as well as wisdom and instruction for daily life.  

• 5 Major and 12 Minor Prophetic Books - Isaiah to Malachi, these are Prophets prophesying during the historic time frame we discussed above.  They prophesied to the people, judges and kings regarding their nation and their Messiah to come.  You will see the continual fall, repentance, and salvation of God's people as He delivers them time and time again from their sinful ways.  The judges and prophets were sent by God to proclaim the way of redemption, which would lead to John the Baptist in the New Testament proclaiming the arrival of the True Redeemer, Jesus Christ!

It really is amazing that we have such historical data at our fingertips.  I definitely recommend reading through the Old Testament as part of your daily reading, you will get so much insight on the Person of God, who He is and what He expects, as well as His holiness. You will see His love, compassion, patience, and anger with His people.  Most of all, you will see the need for a Savior, for a King above all kings, for a Perfect High Priest, and for the need of an eternal sacrifice that we can have only through Jesus Christ. 

The New Testament is the next 27 books in the Bible that tell us about the life of Jesus, the works and instructions of the Apostles, the beginning Church, and the Revelation of Jesus Christ.  This is the New Covenant prophesied by Jeremiah!

The New Testament broken down: 

• First 4 Books - These are the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  They each tell us from their own perspective about the life of Jesus, some of His miracles, His death and resurrection.  

1. Matthew was an Apostle and  wrote to a Jewish / Hebrew audience referencing the Old Testament many times.  
2. Mark was a colleague of the Apostle Peter, many would call this Peter's gospel since Mark probably wrote it through Peter, also the earliest of the gospels, around 70 A.D..  
3. Luke was a colleague of the Apostle Paul and wrote a chronological account of the life of Christ.  He was a physician, so very educated and precise.  
4. John was the Apostle Jesus loved, per John.  Written the latest of the gospels and really shows Jesus's deity, especially in John 1.  He more than likely had the other gospels which started with John the Baptist in prison, he goes back further in the life of Jesus.  John also wrote the epistles 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John as well as the Revelation of Jesus Christ while imprisoned on the Island of Patmos.

• The Next Book - 'The Acts of the Apostles,' this is a historical account of the life of the apostles after Jesus ascended to the Father to His throne.  Acts is written by Luke the physician, colleague of Paul, that gives us the details of the day of Pentecost (the arrival of the Holy Spirit), the travels of the apostles and disciples spreading the Word of Jesus Christ the Savior throughout the world.  It all started here with 12!

• Then The 21 Epistles - Romans to Jude, these are the letters, often called books, preserved from the beginning of the Apostles.  They were letters written to churches and people giving instruction, doctrine, encouragement, and discipline.  These are the main books we find our doctrines and theology in, and how awesome they are to be able to be taught by the Apostles themselves about our Savior Jesus and His teachings.  Most of the letters are written by Paul, then James, Peter, John, and Jude, as well as the author of Hebrews.

• Finally - THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST!  This letter was written by the Apostle John while he was imprisoned on the island of Patmos, probably around 65 A.D. during the reign of Nero, just before the 3.5 years of terror that fell upon the Jews.  It was written to 7 churches proclaiming the judgement to come upon those that pierced Christ and the prophets sent by God before Him.  This is the judgement and the culmination of His 1st coming, destroying the temple in 70 A.D. and ushering in this New Age we are in now, the age to come.  He now reigns as King from His throne, leading His church throughout the world as we victoriously proclaim Him as our King of kings and Lord of lords!  Once His enemies have been subdued under His feet, the last enemy He will conquer will be death, He will hand His kingdom back to the Father and return again.  We will meet Him in the air as He comes, spiritually as well as physically we will be with Him forevermore. (1 Corinthians 15:23-26, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18)

The books I am referring to here are the Apocryphal books found in the Old Testament of the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles.  Those books are:

• Tobit, Judith, Baruch, Letter of Jeremiah, Sirach, 1 & 2 Maccabees, Wisdom of Solomon, Additions to Esther, Additions to Daniel

Those found only in the Eastern Orthodox Bibles are:

• Prayer of Manasseh, 1 Esdras, 3 Maccabees, Psalm 151

These Old Testament books were added later, they were not part of the original Hebrew Bible.  They are Greek Jewish books which were later thrown out of the Hebrew Bible by Rabbis.  

These are not in the protestant Bibles, the 'Holy Bible' probably most common in your local store, mainly because the reformers decided to go back to the original Hebrew Bible for the Old Testament scripture.

I would recommend reading them, they are great books, very historical as most of the Old Testament is.  They were read and considered scripture in the early church for over 1500 years.  The Maccabees books fill in a big chunk of history from the time Malachi is written to when the New Testament begins, over 400 years of history.

These books are not like the Gnostic gospels, or many heretical teachings we find outside of scripture written around the first 200-300 years after Christ that many tried to use to alter the Orthodox Apostolic Teachings with.  

They are very good early historical books preserved by the church.  They were added later and not part of the original Hebrew Bible which is the main difference, but not to be considered bad or heretical.  

A few main issues I hear that cause concern for some when it comes to trusting the reliability of the Bible are: 

• That is correct, there is no original manuscript of the Bible.  Can you imagine if there was?  It could be altered over time as well as probably worshiped and used for evil.

• We do have 1000's of copies of our Bible.  I mean 1000's of individual copies of the original letters.  And yes there are mistakes on those, but because we have so many copies we are able to preserve the original version.  With so many individual copies we can see where mistakes are by comparing them with the others.  The mistakes will stand out like a sore thumb, and corrected in our copies we have today.  So by these we will never lose what was in the original letters nor can they be changed.  For example, if I have 100 copies of a letter and 10 have mistakes on them in different places, I can easily spot those 10 mistakes and correct them.  And if you were to add up all of the questionable marks on our copies today it would only fill up about 1/2 a page, which are mainly spelling errors and do not at all effect any doctrines we get from scripture.  So as you hold and read your Bible you can be confident that you are holding the words of God, a letter from Him to you.  Read it!

• The original was written in Hebrew and Greek, can we rely on the translations?  YES!  There are a lot of smart people in today's world, many Christians know the Greek and Hebrew language specifically to be able to read the Bible in the original language.  I do agree that there is an advantage in knowing the original language when studying the Bible but I have never heard of anyone say there are big, or any major discrepancies when it comes to the Christian doctrine from the original to the translated versions.

• How do we know which translation is correct, or best?  Honestly most have their preference, and it depends on if you are leisurely reading or doing in depth studies on which translation is best for you.  I personally always recommend more literal translated versions like the New King James, or New American Standard but that's just my personal preference.   Most translations you find in Christian bookstores will be good reading and do not differ in the important things that effect Christian doctrines.   My advise would be to get one, read it, and study it!

• Man is sinful and cannot be trusted when it comes to the Bible, there must be issues in it?  I get it, and can see why people think that way.  But we learn through scripture and through life that God actually uses people to do His work.  He does not stop life and the world from turning to do supernatural things all the time, not since creation anyway.  He uses people to answer His call and do His will.  He didn't drop a nation from the sky, He used one man, named Abraham, that answered the call and started a nation.  The world didn't know Christ, until 12 men answered the call, now there are over 2 billion Christians around the world right now, and billions and billions throughout time.  My point is that God works through man, a book of His words will not fall from the sky or be done in "secret."  He touched a group of men that lived and died for Him, before they were done they wrote down some things that I believe were guided by the Holy Spirit and preserved by Him over all these years.  Read them, embrace them, and hear the voice of God move in your heart.