The Bible – One of God’s Great Gifts to Man

     During this time of the year many people constantly think about gifts that are to be given. The Bible is one of God’s greatest gifts to man. Solomon said, "...of many books there is no end." (Ecclesiastes 12:12) Yet one book stands out as far different from all others. This book has been protected and preserved by the providence of God. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." (Matthew 24:35) The protected and preserved book is the Bible. The Bible is God's word. Therefore, the obligation rests upon us to study God's book, handle it correctly, believe and obey its teaching. It is a precious gift from God.

     Can the Bible be understood? Yes! The Bible can be understood. Knowing some simple things can help. The Bible is made up of the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Bible is actually sixty-six (66) books that together tell one story. The message is -- someone is coming, someone has come, and someone is coming again. Thirty-nine (39) Bible books are in the Old Testament. Twenty-seven (27) are in the New Testament.

     Can the Old Testament be understood? Yes! The divisions of the Old Testament are simple.  The divisions are: (1) Five books of law -- Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, (2) Twelve books of history -- Joshua,  Judges,  Ruth,  1  &  2  Samuel,  1  &  2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, (3) Five books of poetry - Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon, (4) Seventeen books of prophecy -- Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. The Old Testament is true and dependable.

     Can the New Testament be understood? Yes! The twenty-seven books of the New Testament can be divided as follows: (1) The gospel -- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John -- tells of the life of Christ and His personal ministry, (2) Acts tells of the establishment of the church and forgiveness of sins, (3) Twenty-one books tell how to live the Christian life -- 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, (4) Revelation tells of the eternal victory for God's people.

          Take time to learn God's word, live by its teaching, die by it and go to heaven when life is over. The Bible is true! You can depend on its teaching.  Your soul is safe as you follow the precepts of the Bible. ) To become a Christian hear the word (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) and be baptized into Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27) Let us be righteous and live for and with the Savior.

          By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street.