The Bible is God’s holy, inspired Word. It is the most powerful and most quoted book in the world. Some of the greatest men in modern history have had a deep respect for the Bible:

Abraham Lincoln: “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this Book.”

Immanuel Kant: “The existence of the Bible, as a book for people, is the greatest benefit which the human race has ever experienced. Every attempt to belittle it is a crime against humanity.”

Robert E. Lee: “In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.”

Daniel Webster: “If there is anything in my thought or style to commend, the credit is due to my parents for instilling in me early love for the Scriptures.”

Hundreds of millions of people have read its sacred pages, making it the best-selling book of all time.

The composition of the Bible is indeed amazing. A library of sixty-six books, it was written by forty different human authors under the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit. These writers wrote independently, knowing almost nothing of the others’ part. None had anything in common, and their literary qualifications were diverse. Moses, for example, was a man of learning, trained in the best universities of Egypt. Peter, on the other hand, was a fisherman without claim to formal education. Yet each wrote the wisdom of God with powerful force.

It took the Old and New Testament writers fifteen centuries to complete the Bible, which was written in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) on three continents. Indeed, this collection of books is really one, not sixty-six, for it is coherent in content and progressive in truth.

The Bible is composed of 1189 chapters (929 in the Old Testament and 260 in the New Testament) and utilizes 773,746 words to convey its life-changing message. This literary masterpiece contains history, laws, poetry, prophecy, biography, dramatic stories, letters, and revelations. In the words of Sir Isaac Newton:

There are more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history.

Christian Church leaders of the fifth century A.D. decided upon the list of books to be included in the Bible. This collection of accepted writings came to be known by scholars as the “canon,” and were considered inspired and authoritative.

In this lesson you will study the various names of the Bible, survey the construction of the Old and New Testaments, and gain insights that will make your own Bible study more meaningful.

1. 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4
2. Ephesians 6:17

Construction of the Bible

1. To become familiar with your own Bible, leaf through it and look at these divisions and books as you progress through the lesson. If possible, use a Bible with headlines to help you answer the questions.
   The Bible is composed of two main sections: the Old Testament, containing 39 books, and the New Testament, containing 27 books.
2. Read Genesis 1 and Revelation 22. From these two chapters, summarize the scope of the contents of the Bible.

Divisions of the Old Testament

The Old Testament can be divided into five parts:

1. Pentateuch. The first five historical books, written by Moses, also are called the books of the Law. List these books.
   Identify at least four major events recorded in these books.
2. Historical Books. The next twelve books tell of the establishment of the kingdom of Israel, of Israel’s repeated turning from God to sin, and finally of the Assyrian and Babylonian exile—God’s punishment. List these twelve books as follows and identify a main character in each section:
   First three (pre-kingdom era)
   Next six (duration of the kingdom)
   Last three (exile and post-exile period
3. Poetry. Of the next five books, Psalms—the Hebrew hymn book—is probably the best known. List the five books of poetry.
   Describe how God has used one of these books to comfort and strengthen you in a difficult situation.
4. Major Prophets. Written shortly before Israel was taken into captivity and during the exile, these books prophesy the coming Messiah and other world events. They also contain warnings of impending disaster if Israel did not turn from her wicked ways. List the five books of the Major Prophets.
   Identify at least one major prophecy in each.
5. Minor Prophets. These last twelve books of the Old Testament are called minor only because they are shorter, not because they are less important. They mainly concern Israel and the coming Messiah. List all twelve in your notebook.
   Read one of the books and summarize its main points.

Divisions of the New Testament

The New Testament can also be divided into five parts.

1. Gospels. The first four books of the New Testament tell of Christ’s life and ministry. List them.
   What was Jesus’ last command to his disciples (Matthew 28:19, 20)? How does this apply today?
2. Acts. This history of the early church, which also describes the ministries of Peter and Paul, consists of only one book. For practice, describe their ministries in your notebook.
   What is its significance for us today?
3. Pauline Epistles and Hebrews. Thirteen of the epistles (letters) were written by Paul, and were named for the church or individual to whom they were sent. Although the author of Hebrews is not identified, many believe Paul also wrote that fourteenth epistle. List all fourteen. Write down your favorite verse in each book and describe why it is meaningful to you.
4. General Epistles. There are seven general epistles, and they are named not for the recipients but for the authors. List them in your notebook.
   Identify one major truth in each book, and tell how you will apply each truth to your life.
5. Revelation. The last book of the New Testament is one of prophecy. It describes the end times and the triumph of Christ in his second coming. Write the name of it.
   Describe the central message of the book (Revelation 22:12–17).
   What are its promises to those who overcome (chapters 2, 3)?
   What warning does the writer of this book give (22:18, 19)?