What’s the deal with all those books in the Bible anyways?

Where did the Bible come from? The Holy Spirit inspired the people who wrote the Bible and helped them to reveal God’s words.

Parts of the Bible “The New Testament lies hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New” ~ St. Augustine Old Testament Written before Jesus’ life 46 Books Prophets of the Old Testaments foretold Jesus’ birth, life and death Contains the Pentateuch (what Jewish people call the Torah), the story of Israel’s religious history, poetry, instruction about daily life and the record of God’s Word through the Prophets New Testament Written after Jesus’ death and resurrection 27 books Tells the story of Jesus’ life and ministry as well as explains the early Church

4 Main parts of the New Testament Gospels: tell the story of the life and teachings of Jesus Acts of the Apostles: Tells the story of the establishment of the Church by the Apostles Epistles (Letters): Apostles address the concerns and questions asked by members of the early Church Book of Revelation: written to bring hope to Christians facing persecution

Types of Writing in the New Testament Gospel- means “Good News” and tells about the life of Jesus, his Death and Resurrection Parable- a tale that teachers a moral lesson Epistle- a letter Genealogy- a listing of ancestors or a family history

More about the Gospels Not necessarily meant to be biographies of Jesus’ whole life- the authors chose what they felt to be the most important parts of His life. Bible authors also wrote for their audiences. Written after Jesus’ death and resurrection and after He sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles. Three of the Gospels- Matthew, Mark and Luke- are synoptic, meaning they are very similar to each other. All Gospels have the same basic message: Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God who revealed the Father’s love for us and saved us. All Gospels have the same basic message: Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God who revealed the Father’s love for us and saved us.

Mark Mark was the son of Mary of Jerusalem and traditionally accompanied Peter 1 st Gospel written in about A.D. Audience: Romans and Gentile Christians who were being persecuted Shortest Gospel Important Theme: Jesus suffered and so will his followers

Matthew Written by Matthew- a Jewish tax collector who left his profession to follow Jesus 2 nd Gospel Written in about A.D. Audience: Jewish converts- many references to the Old Testament Longest Gospel Important Theme: Jesus has the power to conquer death, sickness and evil. Fun Fact- Only Gospel to mention the Magi

Luke Written by Luke, a physician who had not known Jesus personally. He converted to Christianity and gathered eyewitness accounts of people who knew Jesus. Written third in about A.D. Audience: non-Jewish Christians and Greeks Important Theme: Jesus came to save everyone and the Holy Spirit is present in our lives. Fun Facts: only Gospel to give a childhood account of Jesus’ life, Luke also wrote the Acts of the Apostles

John Written by John the Evangelist- one of the original apostles and the only one to life to old age. Last Gospel written around A.D. Audience: All Christians, especially those defending their faith Important Themes: Jesus is the divine Son of God Fun Facts: Jesus uses metaphors that begin with “I am” 45 times in this Gospel Only Gospel that is not synoptic