Topical Encyclopedia Introduction: The Bible is the sacred scripture of Christianity, revered as the inspired and authoritative Word of God. It is a collection of 66 books, divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament, written by various authors over a span of approximately 1,500 years. The Bible serves as the foundation for Christian faith and practice, providing guidance, instruction, and revelation of God's character and His plan for humanity. Structure and Composition: The Bible is divided into two main sections: 1. Old Testament: Comprising 39 books, the Old Testament is primarily written in Hebrew, with some portions in Aramaic. It includes the Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nevi'im), and the Writings (Ketuvim). Key books include Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, Isaiah, and Daniel. The Old Testament chronicles the history of Israel, the covenant relationship between God and His people, and prophecies concerning the coming Messiah. 2. New Testament: Consisting of 27 books, the New Testament is written in Greek. It includes the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, and Revelation. Key books include Matthew, John, Romans, and Revelation. The New Testament focuses on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the establishment of the Church, and teachings for Christian living. Inspiration and Authority: Christians believe the Bible is divinely inspired, as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 : "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." The Bible is considered infallible and authoritative in matters of faith and doctrine. Themes and Theology: The Bible presents a cohesive narrative centered on God's redemptive plan for humanity. Key themes include: · Creation and Fall: The Bible begins with the account of creation in Genesis, where God creates the world and humanity. The fall of man through sin introduces the need for redemption. · Covenant and Law: God's covenant with Abraham and the giving of the Law to Moses establish a framework for God's relationship with His people. · Prophecy and Fulfillment: The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies concerning the coming Messiah, fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ. · Salvation and Grace: Central to the New Testament is the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, as expressed in Ephesians 2:8-9 : "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." · Kingdom of God: The Bible speaks of the Kingdom of God, both as a present reality and a future hope, culminating in the return of Christ and the establishment of a new heaven and earth. Impact and Influence: The Bible has profoundly influenced Western civilization, shaping art, literature, law, and ethics. It has been translated into numerous languages, making it accessible to people worldwide. The Bible continues to be a source of spiritual nourishment, moral guidance, and inspiration for millions of believers. Interpretation and Study: Christians approach the Bible with reverence, seeking to understand its message through prayer, study, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Various methods of interpretation include literal, historical-grammatical, and allegorical approaches. The Bible is often studied in community settings, such as churches and Bible study groups, to foster deeper understanding and application. Conclusion: The Bible remains central to Christian life and worship, providing a comprehensive revelation of God's will and purpose. Its enduring message of hope, redemption, and love continues to resonate with believers across generations. Topical Bible Verses John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Topicalbible.org Greek 5525. choros -- a dance, chorus ... 5525 -- dancing, which in the Bible is viewed as (when done modestly, etc.). Indeed, "dancing is even in the Bible" (G. Archer). Word Origin a prim. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5525.htm - 6k 4461. rhabbi -- my master, my teacher 1860. epaggelia -- a summons, a promise 1124. graphe -- a writing, scripture 444. anthropos -- a man, human, mankind 630. apoluo -- to set free, release 2315. theopneustos -- God-breathed, ie inspired by God 3547. nomodidaskalos -- a teacher of the law 1822. exartizo -- to complete, to equip fully 3101. mathetes -- a disciple Library Companion to the Bible The Children's Bible Bible Stories and Religious Classics Child's Story of the Bible The Divine Inspiration of the Bible Who Wrote the Bible? The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St. John, Vol. I The Bible Period by Period The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St John, Vol. II The Canon of the Bible Resources The: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics the Epistle of Paul To Philemon the First Epistle General Of John The Kingdom or Church of Christ the Second and Third Epistles Of John Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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