THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE
The following are very short summaries for each book in
the Bible. It will be obvious from how brief the descriptions
are that they are not complete. They should, however, serve as
a quick and handy guide to the content of the whole Bible.
The word "Bible" comes from the Greek word biblia,
which means "books." So the Bible is really a collection or
library of many books. These books are divided into two main
parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament.
OLD TESTAMENT
The Old Testament tells the history of the people of Israel.
This history is based on their faith in the GOD of Israel and on
their religious life as the people of GOD. The authors of these
books wrote about what GOD had done for them as a people and
how they were to worship and obey GOD in return. The following
list shows the different groups of books that make up the Old
Testament.
THE LAW
GENESIS
In this book of beginnings the passages are about creation,
early relationships between GOD and people, and GOD'S promise
to bless Abraham and his descendants.
EXODUS
The name Exodus means "departure" and this book tells about
how GOD led the Israelites out of a life of hardship and
slavery in Egypt. GOD made a covenant with them and gave
them the Law to put order in their lives.
LEVITICUS
This book is named for the priestly tribe of Levi and is made
up of laws concerning rituals and ceremonies.
NUMBERS
The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years before
entering Canaan, the promised land. The name of the book
comes from two censuses taken during the journey.
DEUTERONOMY
Moses gave three farewell speeches shortly before he died. In
them he reviewed the laws of GOD for the Israelites. This
book gets it's name "second law" from this review.
HISTORY
JOSHUA
Joshua led the Israelite armies into victory over the
Canaanites. The book ends with the division of the land
among the tribes of Israel.
JUDGES
The Israelites often fell away from GOD and into the hands
of oppressors. GOD sent "Judges" to lead and deliver them.
RUTH
Love and dedication between Ruth and her mother-in-law,
Naomi, are the focus of this book.
1 SAMUEL
Samuel was the leader of Israel between the time of
Judges and the time of Saul, the first King of Israel.
When Saul's leadership failed, David was anointed by
Samuel to be king.
2 SAMUEL
Under David's rule, the new nation was strong and
unified. But after David committed adultery and
murder, his family and nation suffered.
1 KINGS
This book starts out by telling of Solomon's reign over
Israel. After the death of Solomon, the kingdom went to
war with itself, north against south. The result was
two nations, Israel in the north and Judah in the south.
2 KINGS
Israel was conquered by Assyria in 721 B.C. Judah was
defeated by Babylon in 586 B.C. These events were seen
as judgment upon the people because they did not follow
the laws of GOD.
1 CHRONICLES
This book begins with genealogies from Adam to David
and then recounts the incidents of David's reign.
2 CHRONICLES
This book covers the same period as 2 Kings but, the
emphasis is on Judah, the southern kingdom, and it's
rulers.
EZRA
GOD'S people return to Jerusalem after being held
Captive in Babylon for several decades. One of the
leaders was Ezra. This book contains his charge to
the people to be true to the law of GOD.
NEHEMIAH
After the Temple was rebuilt, the protective wall
around Jerusalem was restored. Nehemiah brought this
effort to completion. He also worked with Ezra to
restore religious fervor among the people.
ESTHER
This book tells us about the Jewish Queen of Persia
who exposed a plot to destroy her people and thus
saved all the Jews in that country from destruction.
POETRY AND WISDOM
JOB
The question, "Why do innocent people suffer?" is
addressed in the passage about Job.
PSALMS
These 150 prayers and hymns were used by the Hebrew
people to express their relationship with GOD. They
cover the whole range of human emotions from joy to
anger, from hope to dispair.
PROVERBS
This is a book of wise sayings and ethical and common
sense teachings on how to live a godly life.
ECCLESIASTES
In a quest for happiness and the meaning of life, this
writer, known as "the Philosopher," asks many questions
that are still raised in today's society.
SONG OF SOLOMON
This poem describes the joy and ecstasy of love. It has
been understood both as a picture of GOD'S love for
Israel and of Christ's love for the Church.
MAJOR PROPHETS
ISAIAH
The prophet Isaiah brought the message of GOD'S judgement
on the nations, pointed to a future king like David, and
promised a time of comfortand peace.
JEREMIAH
Before Babylon destroyed Judah, Jeremiah foretold GOD'S
judgement. While his message was largely of destruction,
he also pointed toward a new covenant with GOD.
LAMENTATIONS
As Jeremiah had warned, Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians.
This book records five "laments" for the fallen city.
EZEKIEL
Ezekiel's message was given to the Jews held captive in
Babylon. He uses stories and parables to speak about
jugement, hope and restoration.
DANIEL
Daniel remained faithful to GOD while facing many pressures
as a captive in Babylon. This book includes Daniel's
prophetic visions.
MINOR PROPHETS
HOSEA
Hosea used his commitment to his wife in the face of
her unfaithfulness to illustrate the "adultery" Israel
had committed against GOD, whose faithful love never
ceased.
JOEL
After a locust plague in Judah, Joel urged the people
to repent.
AMOS
During an era of prosperity, this Judean prophet preached
judgement on the rich leaders of Israel. Amos urged them
to consider the poor and oppressed rather than their own
self-satisfaction.
OBADIAH
Obadiah prophesied judgement on Edom, a neighboring
country.
JONAH
Jonah did not want to preach to the Ninevites, an enemy
People. When he finally brought GOD'S message to them,
they repented.
MICAH
Micah's message to Judah was a prophecy of judgement as
well as forgiveness and hope for restoration. Especially
notable is his single verse summary of what GOD requires
of us (6:8).
NAHUM
Nahum announced that GOD would destroy the people of
Nineveh because of their cruelty in war.
HABAKKUK
Habakkuk's book features a dialogue between Habakkuk
and GOD about suffering and justice.
ZEPHANIAH
Zephaniah announced the day of the LORD, which would
bring judgement on Judah and other surrounding nations.
This coming day would be one of doom for many, but a
humble and faithful remnant will survive to bless the
whole world.
HAGGAI
After the people returned from exile, Haggai reminded
them to give GOD their highest priority and to rebuild
the Temple before working on their own homes.
ZECHARIAH
Like Haggai, Zechariah urged the people to rebuild the
Temple, assuring them of GOD'S help and blessings. His
visions point to a glorious future.
MALACHI
After the exiles returned, they became complacent about
their religious life. Malachi tried to stir them up by
preaching about the day of the LORD.
NEW TESTAMENT
The books of the New Testament were writen by the
followers of Jesus Christ. These followers wanted others to
know the Good News about Jesus Christ and the possibility
of a "new" life available to them through his death and
resurrection. The following list shows the different groups
of books that make up the New Testament. Although scholarly
opinion has varied, Paul has traditionally been identified as the
author of the letters indicated below.
THE GOSPELS
MATTHEW
This Gospel includes many Old Testament quotations, thus
appealing to a Jewish audience and presenting Jesus as
the Messiah promised in the Hebrew Scriptures. Matthew
tells about Jesus life from birth to resurrection and
placed emphasis on his teaching.
MARK
Mark wrote a short Gospel. He emphasized Jesus's miracles
and his life of suffering. His aim was to deepen the
faith and commitment of the believers in the community
to which he wrote.
LUKE
In this Gospel, the availability of salvation for all
people is emphasized. Luke proclaimed this message by
showing Jesus's involvement with people who are poor,
needy, and on the fringes of society.
JOHN
The Gospel of John stands apart from the others. John
organized his message around seven signs that point to
Jesus as the Son of GOD. His writing style is reflective
and filled with striking images.
HISTORY
ACTS
When Jesus left his disciples, the Holy Spirit came to
abide with them. Written by Luke as the sequel to the
Gospel, Acts records key events in the history of the
work of the early Christian Church to spread the Gospel
throughout the Mediterranean world.
PAUL'S LETTERS
ROMANS
In this important letter, Paul wrote to the Romans about
life in the Spirit, which is given to believers in Christ
though faith. The apostle tells them about GOD'S great
kindness and declares that because of Jesus Christ, GOD
accepts us and sets us free from our sins.
1 CORINTHIANS
This letter deals with the problems the church in Corinth
was experiencing: dissension, immorality, public worship,
and confusion about spiritual gifts.
2 CORINTHIANS
In this letter, Paul wrote about his relationship with
the church of Corinth and the effects of certain false
apostles on his ministry.
GALATIANS
This letter addresses freedom from the law through
Christ. Paul declares that it is by faith that all who
believe are put right with GOD.
EPHESIANS
A central theme to this letter is that GOD'S eternal
purpose is to bring together from many nations and
peoples the universal Church of Jesus Christ.
PHILIPPIANS
This letter emphasizes the joy found in any situation
when a person believes in Christ. Paul wrote it while
he was in prison.
COLOSSIANS
In this letter Paul tells the people of Colossae to make
Christ the center of their faith and to put aside their
superstitions.
1 THESSALONIANS
In this letter Paul gives advice to the people of
Thessalonica concerning Christ's return.
2 THESSALONIANS
This letter discusses the same topics as the first. Paul
Teaches the people a way to be ready for the LORD.
1 TIMOTHY
This letter served as a guide for Timothy, a young
leader in the Church. It contains advice about
worship, ministry, and relationships within the
Church.
2 TIMOTHY
This is Paul's last letter. In it he offers a final
challenge to his co-workers.
TITUS
Titus was ministering in Crete. In this letter, Paul
gave him advice on how to help Christians follow
Christ.
PHILEMON
In this letter, Philemon is urged to forgive his
runaway slave, Onesimus, and accept him as a friend
in Christ.
GENERAL LETTERS
HEBREWS
This letter to the Hebrews challenges new Christians
to move beyond their traditional rituals and ceremonies
and believe that Christ has fulfilled them all.
JAMES
James advises putting beliefs into practice and offers
practical ways for Christians to live out their faith.
1 PETER
This letter was written to comfort early Christians who
were being persecuted for their faith.
2 PETER
In this letter Peter warns against false teachers and
urges Christians to stay loyal to GOD.
1 JOHN
This letter explains basic truths about the Christian
life, with emphasis on the command to love one another.
2 JOHN
This letter, addressed to "the dear Lady and to her
children," warns against false teachers.
3 JOHN
In contrast to 2 John, this letter states the need to
welcome people who preach Christ.
JUDE
Jude warns against the influence of evil ones outside
the fellowship of believers.
PROPHECY
REVELATIONS
This book was written to encourage persecuted believers
and affirm their faith that GOD will care for them.
Using visions and symbols, the writer illustrates the
triumph of good over evil and the creation of a new
heaven and a new earth.
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