Knowing the Bible

The history of the Bible is a fascinating topic. It includes what is known today as the Old Testament, the sacred books given to the Jewish people through prophets and others who were inspired to write down what was given by the Holy Spirit, and it includes the books of the New Testament, also inspired by the Holy Spirit.

The Old Testament scriptures were available to the early Christians as well as to the Jews, who respected Moses, Abraham and the prophets very highly. Quite soon after the events of Jesus' death and resurrection, new writings were in circulation among those first churches. There were first-hand testimonies given verbally by eyewitnesses of those events, and there were the letters sent by apostles such as James (the brother of Jesus), Peter (one of the original disciples), John (another of the original disciples), Luke (an early convert with a very scientific approach), Paul (once vehemently anti-Christian until he had a life-changing experience on the road to Damascus, after which he became the most zealous apostle for preaching the gospel to the gentiles), and so on.

Today those writings are collected in a work known as the New Testament.

The entire Bible is a revelation of God to man - to make Himself known. If you do not read the Bible regularly, and study it to become thoroughly familiar with it, you will be unable to walk in the fullness of God. God's revelation is not for vanity, for an empty purpose. It is to show us who He is, and how we can be reconciled to Him.

Study the Bible, pray and meditate upon it, and you will grow to know God, grow to know how to deal with all sorts of situations in your life, know how to become mature in character, know how to live a spiritual life, and know the path to wisdom, goodness, salvation and love.

Further information is available through contacting Christian Harvest Missions - for personal discussion, ministering to a small group or preaching to a church or large gathering.