God’s Holy Word

But you should continue following the teachings you learned. You know they are true, because you trust those who taught you. Since you were a child you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by God and is useful for teaching, for showing people what is wrong in their lives, for correcting faults, and for teaching how to live right. Using the Scriptures, the person who serves God will be capable, having all that is needed to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NCV)

The Holy Bible is God’s faithful and eternal true Word in written form. God’s Word was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek by God’s Holy Spirit through human authors. This process is known as inspiration because God’s Holy Spirit was in complete control of the Holy Bible’s writing. Thus, the Holy Bible is “God-breathed” and eternally true. In our eagerness to learn the Holy Bible, we must never forget the Holy Bible’s purpose—to equip us to do good and right! Our knowledge of the Holy Bible should lead everyone to do good works in the world for God’s honor and glory (2 Timothy 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

The Holy Bible contains the complete divine answer to the deepest needs of humanity, gives light and wisdom in our human path, and instructs human on the path to our eternal well-being. With the help of God’s Holy Spirit, the Holy Bible can be read with ease by various kinds of people – young and old, highly educated and less well educated, ministers and laymen. Ultimately, the Holy Bible (also called Holy Scriptures) points to and provides everyone a fuller knowledge of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God of whom the Holy Bible so faithfully testifies.

The Holy Bible has two Testaments – the Old Testament and the New Testament. For the Old Testament, the standard language was Hebrew and Greek was the standard language of the New Testament. The Holy Bible must be read in its entirety to understand the full meaning to humanity and the eternal faithfulness of God. The Holy Bible has been written in many different translations and languages by imperfect men and women. Yet, the Holy Bible is eternally faithful and true in its entirety through the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

The first five books of the Holy Bible tell of the beginning of the Jewish race (Israel) and Israel’s culture. The next twelve books of the Holy Bible continue the history of Israel’s move into the Promised Land and establishments of a kingdom that lasted almost 500 years. Then, almost one-third of the Old Testament includes poetry. These poetry books explain the questions about human pain, God, life, and love. During the years when kings ruled Israel and Judah (Israel’s southern kingdom), God spoke through prophets. Though some prophets did predict future events, the prophets’ primary role was to call people back to the one true God (Yahweh).

The word “Gospel” means “Good News.” Almost half of the New Testament consists of four accounts of the life of Jesus Christ and the Good News He brought into the world as God’s incarnate Word. Each of these four books, or Gospels, has a different focus and different audience. Taken together, the four Gospels give a complete picture of the life of Jesus Christ and His teaching. About one-third of the Gospels are devoted to the events of Jesus Christ’s last week on earth, including His arrest, death by crucifixion, and resurrection.  The book of Acts continues the history of the period after Jesus Christ left human earth. The young church was nourished by the apostles of Jesus Christ. These apostles set down their teaching on Jesus Christ in a series of letters. The first thirteen such letters (Romans through Philemon) were written by the apostle Paul. Paul led the advance of the Christian faith to both the Jewish and non-Jewish (Gentiles) people. The other letters include Hebrews, James, 1 Peter and Revelation written by other faithful followers of Jesus Christ.

Reference

Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.

New Student Bible. New York: Zondervan, 1992.