The Bible

What does the Bible say about itself?
When was the Bible separated into the Old Testament and New Testament?
What is a covenant?
What is the significance of each covenant?
Does the Bible say specifically that it is the Word of God?

What does the Bible say about itself?  top

The word "Bible" comes from a Greek word which originally meant "books" but eventually came to be regarded as singular "book." The Bible literally is THE BOOK. No other book in the world has been authored by God. The apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, refers to the Bible as "the Holy Scriptures." (II Timothy 3:15) (NKJV)

The Bible is called "Holy" because of its sacred character as coming from God. The word "Scriptures" means "writings." The title "Holy Scriptures" is the one used most often in the Bible, about 50 times, including both plural and singular forms.

One of the most powerful descriptions of the Bible is found in Hebrews 4:12, "For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (NASV) God’s inspired Word, the Scriptures, is living and active and has the power to reach the innermost areas of one’s personality and to judge one’s innermost thoughts.

When was the Bible separated into the Old Testament and New Testament?  top

Those designations were not commonly used until the end of the second century. The Old Testament focuses on the Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 24:8; II Kings 23:2) and the New Testament on the New Covenant. (Matthew 26:28) (NKJV)

The Old Testament contains 39 books and is the record of the Covenant (agreement) God made with man about his salvation BEFORE CHRIST CAME into the world.

The New Testament contains 27 books and focuses on the Covenant or agreement God made with man about his salvation AFTER CHRIST CAME.

What is a covenant?  top

A covenant is a formal, binding agreement defining relationships and responsibilities between two or more parties.

The concept of covenant is a foundational support of both Testaments. The Hebrew word for covenant is BERIT. Between nations a "berit" was a treaty (I Kings 15:19), and between individuals it might be a business contract or pledge of friendship. (I Samuel 18:3) (NASV) Between a ruler and his subjects a berit served as a constitution, defining the rights and responsibilities of both parties.

God chose to express His commitments to human beings in the commonly understood covenant form, therefore, biblical covenants define the relationship between God and His people, and give specific statements of His plans and purpose. There are four covenants in the Bible.

1.  The Abrahamic - Genesis 12:2-3, 17:1-7 (NASV)

2.  The Mosaic or Old Covenant - Exodus 19:5-6, 8 (NASV)

3.  The Davidic - Psalms 89:2-4 (NASV)

4.  The New Covenant - Jeremiah 31:31-36; Ezekiel 36:25-28; Matthew 26:28; Luke 22:20 (NASV)

What is the significance of each covenant?  top

1. The Abrahamic Covenant.

This agreement God made with Abraham contained several specific promises, (Genesis 12:2-3, 7) (NASV). In general God promised to bless him and his family and through them, all people. Through Abraham’s descendants we have received the Scriptures and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. The Mosaic (The Law) or Old Covenant.

This agreement God made with the nation of Israel after Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt to Sinai (Exodus 19:5-8) (NASV). Its purpose was to teach Israel how to live as subjects of God the King, and it is considered Israel’s National Constitution. Through the Law we discover God’s moral character, and his moral will for us.

3. The Davidic Covenant.

This covenant was made with David (Psalms 89:2-4) and the Messiah. It meant that the Messiah to come, Jesus, whose birth was foretold by the prophets, would be a descendant of David (II Samuel 7:12-16, 27, 28) (NASV). The genealogies of Jesus, Mark chapter 1 and Luke chapter 3, are significant because they establish Christ’s descent from David and therefore they support the claim of Jesus to be the Old Testament’s promised Savior. It is by faith we enter the Kingdom of God’s Son, (Colossians 1:13-14) (NASV).

4. The New Covenant.

This agreement was made with Israel and Judah. It was predicted by the prophets Jeremiah (chapter 31) and Ezekiel (chapter 36), instituted by Jesus Christ, and its nature was that of Messianic fulfillment.

God’s people failed tragically under the Old or Mosaic Covenant but in God’s name Jeremiah foretold in Jeremiah 31:31, (NASV), "Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah." Verse 32 continues "not like the covenant which I made with their fathers…" and explains in verse 33 "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people" (NASV). This prophecy in Jeremiah 31:31-34 tells us that its provisions will include a change of heart, fellowship with God, knowledge of the Lord, and forgiveness of sins. (In Romans 11:25-29, the Bible says that this will be fulfilled for Israel when the Lord returns.)

The New Covenant was not instituted until Jesus died on the cross about A.D. 30 (Matthew 26:28; Luke 22:20) (NASV). It is under the New Covenant that salvation is offered to all people. God’s stated purpose was to forgive sins and transform people from within.

Does the Bible say specifically that it is the Word of God?  top

Yes, it does. An example is I Thessalonians 2:13, (NASV).

"For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God’s message, you accepted it not as the word of man, but for what it really is, the Word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe."

The Bible is called the Word of God …

- because God spoke it (II Samuel 23:2; Hebrews 1:1-2a) (NASV)

- because God caused men to write it in His name (II Samuel 3:16; II Peter 1:12) (NASV)

- because the Bible originated from God who caused consecrated men to write down exactly what He wanted written (I Corinthians 2:12-13) (NASV), a truth called verbal inspiration. (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Revelation 14:13) (NASV)

Sometimes plenary inspiration is used to indicate that the whole Bible is God-breathed. In some way God influenced the writers to record His own Word, working through them in such a way that their personalities are evident.

Some claim the Bible only contains the Word of God. The truth is the Bible IS the Word of God. It is "a discerner (judge) of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12) (NASV). It is also permanent. Isaiah declares in 40:8, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever." (NASV)