Holy Bible

04/18/23 Email. [email protected] 1

HOLY BIBLE

PRESENTED BY

JOY JOSEPH MUNDUKOTTACKAL

KONKANI CHRISTIAN (BRETHREN) ASSEMBLY


HOLY BIBLE

THE TOPIC IN BRIEF COVERS

• What the Bible is ?

• Who is the author ?

• How the Bible handed over to us ?

• Brief history of translations

• An introduction to the Bible

• Why the Bible is unique ?

• What the Bible teaches ?

• How to understand the Bible

• How to use in Life application

• The rewarding Word of God


HOLY BIBLE

WHAT THE BIBLE IS ?

• IS THE BOOK OF THE LORD

Isaiah 34: 16 Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read:

no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

• The Perfect Word of God (Ps.19:7; Rev.22:18-19)

• Relevant for all (Rom.10: 13)

• Relevant for all times (Acts.17: 30)

• Relevant for all nations (Is.45: 22)


HOLY BIBLE

THE TRUE WORD OF GOD

• Word of God is true (Dan.10: 21; 1.Tim.2: 15)

• Makes wise unto salvation (2.Tim.3: 15)

• The living word (Heb.4: 12)

• Life giving word (James.1: 14)

• Sanctifying word (Jn.17: 17)

• Satisfying word (Ps.19: 10)

• Never returns void (Is.55: 11-12)

(Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was

unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by

thy name, O LORD God of hosts. Jer.15: 16)


HOLY BIBLE

THE ENDURING WORD OF GOD

Isaiah 40: 8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:

but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

• Matthew 24: 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

• 2 Timothy 2: 9 The word of God is not bound.

• Jeremiah 23: 29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?


HOLY BIBLE

THE ENDURING WORD OF GOD

• Overcame the attack of kings (Emperor Dioclecian –AD.300- notorious in destroying

Bible)

• Overcame the attack of Atheists and Isms

(Men like Voltaire; Communism)

• Overcame the attack of Critics (Hardly few books were left by Higher critics)

• Overcame the attack of religions (Baseless claims that Bible is distorted)

(Ps. 119: 89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.)


HOLY BIBLE

HOW THE NAME BIBLE CAME ?• BIBLIA (Greek word-Plural) BIBLION (Singular)

means book came from BIBLOS • BIBLOS was called for PAPIRUS used instead of

modern paper• Word BIBLOS or BOOK is seen in the Bible but not

the word BIBLIA • BIBLIA (BIBLE) the book of books; yet used as singular

as one book.• From the 4th Century name BIBLIA or BIBLE is used (AD.398 John Chrisostem of Constantinople referred)


HOLY BIBLE

WHO IS THE AUTHOR ?

• BY THE INSPIRATION OF GOD• 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

HOLY SPIRIT MOVED MEN TO WRITE• 2 Peter 1: 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

MORE THAN FORTY MEN

(Scribes, fishermen, Tax collector, Physician, Herdsmen,

Statesmen, Kings, Watchmen etc,.)


HOLY BIBLE

WHEN IT WAS WRITTEN ?

• It took a period of 1500-1600 years• Books of Moses –BC.1490-1450• Book of Job is the oldest of all (BC.1520)• Revelation – AD.96 or 98

(There is no book taken such number of years)

FROM WHERE WRITTEN ? • Moses in the wilderness; John in the Isle of Pat-mos,

others in Macedonia, Palestine, Babylon, Asia minor, Persia,

Italy etc.

(There is no book with such number of places involved)


HOLY BIBLE

HOW BIBLE IS HANDED OVER TO US ?

• ORIGINALS Originally were written on scrolls of hides, Clay tablets, Papyrus etc,.

• COPIES Copying were done by men called Scribes; so took long

time, hard work; so expensive and few only

• PRINTING Printing made easy- First book printed was Bible

(By Johan Gutenberg in Germany in the year 1456)


HOLY BIBLE

BRIEF HISTORY OF TRANSLATIONS

• Old Testament was written in Hebrews Except (Ex.4: 8- 7: 18; 12-26, Jer.10: 11; Dan.2: 4- 7: 28)

a few portion in Aramaic

(O T-Hebrew-the language of Canaan before exile)

• New Testament whole in Greek (Of Hellenistic influence in the area even many years

after the fall of Greek empire)

• By BC. 250-150 A Greek translation of O T was done known as Septuagint (LXX)


HOLY BIBLE

• AD.150 Syriac (Aramaic) Oldest translation

(Made for the use in Syria and Mesopotamia)

• From AD.150 Latin versions were made in Rome

(Latin Vulgate by Jerome is well known of all)

• AD.200 Egyptian (Coptic) translation was made

• By AD.1500 Translated to six European languages

(German, Italian, French, Czeck, Spanish, Dutch)

• John Wicliffe in 1384 to the English Language

(For he was imprisoned and died in the prison)

• William Tyndale 16th century did a better version

(For he was burned alive on the stake)


HOLY BIBLE

A BRIEF LIST OF THE YEARS • Greek – (Old Testament) 3rd Century BC

(OLD AND NEW TOGETHER)

• Latin, Syriac- 2nd Century AD

• Coptic- 3rd Century

• Ethiopian, Gothic, Georgian- 4TH Century

• Armenian- 5TH Century

• Nubian- 6TH Century

• Arabic- 7TH Century

• Anglo-Saxon- 8TH Century

• German, Slavonic, Frankish- 9TH Century


HOLY BIBLE• French- 12TH Century

• Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Icelandic- 13th Century

• English, Persian, Czeck, Danish--14 Century

FACTORS HELPED THE PROGRESS

Invention of the Printing press –15 Century

(Geared the speed of translation and printing)

The spreading of the Gospel -16-18 Century

• Industrial revolution increase the spreading of Books (Production to meet the advance of the popular education)-19TH Century

• Now Bible is translated into 2500 languages in part or full and

the great effort is still continuing –20 & 21 Century.


HOLY BIBLE

NAMES OF SOME FAMOUS VERSIONS• Septuagint- (O.T- Greek) BC.250-150)• Latin vulgate –(Latin) AD.420• Bede (Anglo-saxon) - AD.735

IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE• John Wycliff - 1324

• William Tyndale - 1526

• Miles Coverdale - 1535

• The great Bible - 1539

• The Geneve Bible - 1560

• The Bishops Bible - 1568


HOLY BIBLE

• The Douai Rheims- (R.Catholic)- AD.1608

• The Authorised version – 1611

• English Revised Version - 1881-5

• American Standard Version–1901

• Revised Standard Version – 1952

• Modern Language Version – 1959

• The Jerusalem Bible- 1966

• The New English Version- 1972

• New International Version- 1973

• Today’s English Version – 1978


HOLY BIBLE• Tamil was the first Indian language

(Barthalomeo Zeigenbalg Swedish missionary-1708-1719)

• William Carey- translated to 35 Indian languages in full or in part (1793 From Culcutta)

• Similarly translations were made in many languages around

the world.

• Presently have Bible in more than 2500 languages in full or in part

• Ceaseless efforts are going on in many more languages

• Bible societies (Since 1804) great help in supporting and printing Bible in many languages


HOLY BIBLE

DIVISION AS CHAPTERS AND VERSES

• Originally not written as chapters and verses

• Present arrangement as chapters ascribed to Cardinal Hugo 1263 in his vulgate

• But claims antedates to Stephen Langton, Canterbury Arch bishop who died in 1228

• Robert Stephen published the Greek NT with present division

of verses in 1551

• But First Bible with present day chapters and verses is the Geneva version 1560


HOLY BIBLE

WHEN BOOKS WERE CANONIZED ?

• Canon the Greek word means “the straight rod” used by masons

in building.

• When referred to Scripture it means “rule of faith and conduct”: Was not used till 4th century, but universally and commonly used now.

• 39 Books of OT were canonized by BC.100

(For Jews 39 books were compiled to 24 books)

• 27 Books of NT were canonized by AD.300

(Spirit of God used men to gather together- Is. 34: 16; as men

were inspired to write)


HOLY BIBLE

MANUSCRIPTS• Bible have more than 25000 manuscripts (This is truly a great number compared to any other

ancient books)

NAMES OF SOME MANUSCRIPTS

Codex Sinaiticus

Codex Alexandrinus Codex Vaticanus

(Mostly named after the place of discovery or preserved)

Manuscripts prove the authority and authenticity


HOLY BIBLE

DEAD SEA SCROLLS

• Discovery of “DEAD SEA SCROLLS” is an added evidence to prove the authenticity of the Bible

(This was discovered by some Muslim shepherd boy from caves

of Qumran beside the dead sea in the year 1947-1948)

It covers the whole of Old Testament except a few chapters of

the Book of Esther.

(New discovery of manuscripts proved the accuracy of the

present day Bible compared to the original)


HOLY BIBLE(An introduction to the Bible)

BIBLE IS THE BOOK OF BOOKS

(Book of 66 Books- Divided as OT and NT)

• Old Testament – 39 books• New Testament - 27 books

Greeks prefer “Testament” while Hebrew “Covenant” (May be taken from Apostle Paul- 2Cor.3: 14)

• Jews considered 24 Books as Holy writings (In Hebrew order of Books different and some books are

together and so total 39 books comes as 24) Eg. Samuel, Kings, are one book; and 1 & 2 Chronicles as one.

Romans 3: 2 Unto them (Jews) were committed the oracles of God. (Jews kept preserved)



YEARS COVERING THE EVENTS AND AUTHORS

(From Genesis till Esther 17 books are of history)

• Pentateuch (From creation till BC.1451)- Moses

• Joshua (BC.1451-1427) Joshua (Joshua till Kings called as the early prophets)

• Judges- (BC.1425-1120) Samuel

• Ruth- (BC.1322-1321) Samuel

• Samuel and 1. Kings (BC.1171-898) (Source of writing- 1.Chro.29: 29-30)

• 2.Kings (BC.896-562) (Originally Samuel and Kings were together as one book)



Chronicles were books of History, known as “Act of the Days” considered to be written by Ezra.

(Covers history from BC.4004 till BC.536)

Book Kings cover mainly the history of the kings of Judah and Israel, while Chronicles are of Solomon and kings of Judah

Ezra-BC.536-456- (Return from exile and temple-80 Yrs)

Nehemiah- BC.446-432 (Rebuilding of Walls- 14 Yrs)

Esther- BC.521-495 (Remnant of Jews in Persia)


HOLY BIBLE(An Introduction to the Bible)

POETICAL BOOKS OF THE BIBLE (Originally) (Job till Songs of Solomon 5 books are Song books)

• Job- BC.1520 (By Job)

• Psalms (Of David and others attributed to David) (Of Moses, Solomon, Sons of Ko-rah, Heman, Asaph,

Heman, Ethan and rest anon)

• Proverbs (Solomon) 1.King 4: 32

• Ecclesiastes (Solomon)

• Songs of Solomon (Solomon)

(JESUS SAID; “in the Psalms concerning me”- Lk.24: 44) Lamentations comes within the prophets also a book of Poetry- Written by Jeremiah


HOLY BIBLE

(From Isaiah till Malachi 17 books are prophesies)

• Major prophets

1. Isaiah (BC.750-695) Before exile

2. Jeremiah (BC.626-586) Before exile

3. Ezekiel (BC.596-574) During exile

Daniel (BC.586-534) During exile

(For some Daniel is more a statesman than a prophet; half is history and rest prophecy; but Jesus himself said as prophet-Mat.24:15)

Minor prophets (Hosea till Malachi)


HOLY BIBLE MINOR PROPHETS (Continued) 1. Hosea (BC.785-725) 2. Joel (BC.790-700) 3. Amos (BC.780-760) 4. Obadiah (BC.587-585) * Against Edom 5. Jonah (BC.790-750) 6. Micah (BC.745-725) 7. Nahum (BC.660-630) Against Nineveh 8. Habakkuk (BC.620-610) 9. Zephaniah (BC.630-620) 10. Haggai (BC.520-518) After exile 11. Zechariah (BC.520-510) After Exile 12. Malachi (BC.420-397) After Exile * Year not very sure


HOLY BIBLE

NEW TESTAMENT (27 Books)

• FOUR GOSPELS Matthew- Matthew- As king (AD.58) Mark- Mark- As servant of God (AD.57-63) Luke- Luke- As son of Man (AD.63) John- John-As Son of God (AD.85-90)

(Each shows a different profiles to the readers)

MATTHEW –Tax collector- Disciple, MARK- Nephew of Barnabas, close companion to Paul and

Peter, LUKE- Physician and historian, JOHN -disciple of Jesus Christ (Matthew, Mark, Luke are known as synoptic gospels)

Gospel of John does not have any parables


HOLY BIBLE

Acts of the Apostles (Writer- Luke the physician)

Can be called “Acts of the Holy Spirit”

• Covers the accurate history, growth and practice of the early church till AD.60 or 62

• The descent of the Holy Spirit the fulfillment of the promise.

the beginning of the church• The spread of Gospel to Judea, Samaria, and to gentiles

• Apostle Paul’s missionary Journeys

First- Acts. 13: 4- 14: 26 (AD.46-48)

Second- Acts.15: 35- 18: 22 (AD.50-53) Third- Acts.18: 23- 21: 3 (AD.54-58) Journey to Rome and imprisonment (AD.60-62)


HOLY BIBLE

EPISTLES (Letters) Year & Place

1. Romans- Paul- (AD.58) Corinth

2. 1.Corinthians- Paul-(AD.56) Ephesus

3. 2.Corinthians- Paul-(AD.57) Macedonia

4. Galatians- Paul-(AD.55) Ephesus *

5. Ephesians- Paul-(AD.62) Rome (Prison)

6. Philippians- Paul-(AD.62) Rome (Prison)

7. Colossians- Paul-(AD.62) Rome (Prison)

8. 1.Thessalonians-Paul-(AD.52) Corinth


HOLY BIBLE• EPISTLES (Letters) Year & Place (Conti..)

9. 2. Thessalonians- Paul-(AD.53) Corinth

10. 1. Timothy- Paul- (AD.64) Macedonia

11. 2. Timothy- Paul- (AD.68) Rome (2nd imprison:)

12. Titus- Paul- (AD.64) Macedonia

13. Philemon- Paul- (AD.62) Rome (Prison)

14. Hebrews- * Paul- (AD.67) Not given

15. James- James- (AD.47) Jerusalem

* Some attributed to Paul but others disagree


HOLY BIBLE• EPISTLES (Letters) Year & place (Conti..)

16. 1. Peter- Peter- (AD.60) Babylon

17. 2. Peter- Peter- (AD.66) Rome (Not sure)

18. 1. John- John- (AD.90) Ephesus



21. Jude- Jude- (AD.66) Jerusalem

Revelation- John- (AD.96) Pat-mos (Ephesus)

(There could be differences of 1 or 2 years)


HOLY BIBLE

• What is Apocrypha? “Apocrupha” (Greek) means hidden things (matters secret

or mysterious

• They are unknown origin, un-canonical (16 books but if 3 & 4 Maccabees omitted limits to 14 books)

• Why not included in the Bible?

Jewish people considered it as un-canonical.

Not included in Hebrew scriptures, or quoted from it to the New Testament

• Church of God had rejected as un-canonical, but council of Trent 1546 declared and accepted; so some accepts as “Duetero-canonical books”


HOLY BIBLE

WHY THE BIBLE IS UNIQUE?

• Only Book claims the Book of the Lord

• For authorship

• For accuracy

• God’s revelation to mankind-Salvation

• Relevant to men of all times

• Word that transform the lives

• Word eternal in Heaven


HOLY BIBLE

ACCURACY OF THE WORD OF GOD

• Creation of world (Gen.1: 1; Heb.11: 3)

• Creation of man and all (Gen.Ch.1)

• Man’s fall and God’s way of Salvation (Jn.3: 16)

• History (Is.20:1- For years unknown to history)

• Scientific (2.Pet.3: 11- Science accepted their fault)

• Moral (Ex.20- Law of Moses base for all laws)

• Eschatological- (Prophecies fulfilled) Amos 3: 7

(Nothing was in need of correction or revision while science and many other books often needed correction)


HOLY BIBLE

WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES?

• Sin has separated man from God (Rom. 3: 23)

• God’s love doesn’t want anyone to perish (Jn.3:16)

• Jesus Christ the only way for Salvation (Acts.4: 12)

• Salvation is by Grace of God thru faith (Eph.2:8)

• Can be sure of Eternal life now (1.Jn.3: 1-3)

• Man can live with God forever (Jn.1: 12)

• As Heaven is eternal as hell also eternal (Rev.20:10)

(Bible teaches way of salvation thru Lord Jesus Christ) The only way for salvation- (Acts.4: 12; Jn.14: 6)


HOLY BIBLE HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE• You can read any book and understand up to some level but it may not be with the Bible.

• It is the Book of the Lord, So it is first to know the God of the Bible in a personal way (Jn.14:17)

• As Spirit of the Lord has spoken and gathered it together, He is

the best teacher of it (Jn.14: 26)

• As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (1.Pet.2: 2)

• John 14:26 but the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, *he* shall teach you all things, and will bring to your remembrance all the things which I have said to you.


HOLY BIBLE

HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE (Cont..)

Help of teachers

• Acts 8: 30-31 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

• Acts 8: 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

(Help of teachers of the Word of God is useful; but beware of

the false teachers)


HOLY BIBLE

BEWARE OF THE FALSE TEACHERS

• Acts 20: 30 Shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

• 2 Cor.2: 17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak

we in Christ.

• 2 Peter 3: 16 In which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do

also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

• 2 Timothy 2: 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

(Search and Discern what you hear- Acts. 17: 11)


HOLY BIBLE READ AND MEDITATE

• You can READ ANY BOOK; but BIBLE is to READ and to MEDITATE (Ps.1: 2; Jos.1: 8)

• Don’t read for the sake of reading (Jer.48:10)• Prayerfully read (Ps.119:18)• Meditate the Word of God (Ps.119: 97)

(Seek what Lord speaks to you, find asking “To whom, why,

when, where, and what; surely Holy Spirit will reveal some truths you need to learn and apply to your life)• Do and follow what He instructs you• Psalms 119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy

precepts diligently.

(As you walk in it your paths will be more enlightened)


HOLY BIBLE

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

• 2 Tim.2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

• 2 Timothy 3:14-15 But continue thou in the things which thou

hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou

hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the

holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

• Set a time to study the Word of God (Ps.119: 148)

• Try to memorize the verses (Ps. 119: 11)


HOLY BIBLE

HELPING AIDS TO STUDY

1. BIBLES IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES OR VERSIONS

• Knowledge of HEBREW and GREEK is good but not so essential as we have accurate translations

• Beside your Bible in own language, it is useful to have Bible in other languages known to you.

• Keep different versions to refer and to find what the original meaning is. (For example below)

Since Greek is a rich language, have different words; for Eg; word “LOVE” is expressed in four different words;

Erose = evil love or passions; Philia = Brotherly love; Storge= Father’s love; and Agape= God’s love


HOLY BIBLE

AIDS TO STUDY THE BIBLE

2. THE ATLAS (MAP) OF THE BIBLE LANDS

To know the geographical features, importance,

movements, historical backgrounds, people etc (Most of the Bibles have a limited map of the Bible lands

added at the cover pages)

3. THE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE

To find out easily the verses, similar phrases, words to connect and study

(Some Bibles have a limited concordance)


HOLY BIBLE

AIDS TO STUDY THE BIBLE

4. DICTIONARY OF THE BIBLE

Bible dictionaries could help in finding the meanings, details and many more information provided by advance studies of scholars (Additional information than what we can get from reading of the Bible)

5. BIBLE COMMENTARIES

Commentaries are good; but make it the last resort of help in studies, or else there can happen the danger; as most of the commentaries are writer’s understanding, it can be correct or wrong.

(Beware of slipping away to the thoughts of the authors)


HOLY BIBLE

EXAMPLE- DIFFERENT TYPES OF STUDIES

• TOPICAL STUDIES (Salvation, Baptism, Parables, Spiritual gifts etc)

• TEXTUAL STUDIES (Study of certain portion from the scripture)

• CHARACTER STUDIES (Life of certain individuals – Abraham, Paul etc)

• BOOK STUDIES (Study of books- Ephesians, Romans etc)

(ALL IN ADDITION TO THE PERSONAL DEVOTIONS)


HOLY BIBLE

HOW TO USE IN LIFE APPLICATION

• Psalms 119:1-3 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his

testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

• Word of God is perfect to give instruction to lead a life of Godliness in this world. (2.Pet.1: 3)

• 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for

instruction in righteousness:

(Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.)


HOLY BIBLE

THE WORD OF GOD

• It is the food for my hunger (Jer.15: 16)

• Drink for my thirst (Jn.4: 14)

• Light in my paths (Ps.119:105)

• Comfort in my sorrows (Ps.119: 50)

• Words of life (Phil.2: 15)

• Words that cleanses me (Jn.15: 3)

• Words that sanctifies me (Jn.17:17)

• Words that satisfies my soul (Ps.19:10)

• Song in my pilgrimage (Ps.119: 54)

• Meditation of my heart (Ps.119:97; 111)


HOLY BIBLE

REWARDING WORD

• Psalms 19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

• Psalms 128:1 Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.

• Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

• Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.


HOLY BIBLE

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

(Psalmist)

“Read and meditate the Word of God when you have sight”

(One brother among us)


HOLY BIBLE

Beloved

Greetings to you

Hope this study is edifying

Any comments, suggestions or questions please write to my email below