The Bible as One Book

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1).

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen (Revelation 22:21).

Facts and Figures

These are first and last verses in the Bible, the greatest book ever written.

The Bible was penned by 40 human writers in 3 languages on 3 continents over a 1,500-year period. There are no errors in the original manuscripts, and we have exquisite and numerous copies today. The Bible is a theological book written within a historical context. This means the Bible is a book about God and His work in history.

The Bible reveals the character of God, culminated in the Person and work of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God – God the Son. The Bible today is separated into Old and New Testaments, which refers to 2 of the Covenants of Scripture – the Mosaic Covenant for Israel in the Old, and the New Covenant in Christ's blood in the New.

Old and New

The Old Testament was written, approximately, between 1450 and 400 B.C. The New Testament was written, approximately, from A.D. 50 to about A.D. 97. Make no mistake about it: the two go together to form ONE BOOK.

Without the Old and New we would not have the Bible. As the saying goes, The New is in the Old concealed, and the Old is in the New revealed. Without the Old, the New wouldn't be possible or understandable. Without the New, we could not fully understand the Old.

Proper Study

The Old and New Testaments make it possible for us to study the Bible by comparing it with itself.

One of the basic principles of hermeneutics – the art and science of properly interpreting the Bible – is to compare the Bible with itself because it explains itself. (This is also referred to as comparing Scripture with Scripture.) Yet, we too often study the Bible in disjointed snapshots without considering how it all fits together to show us God's grand plan of redemption.

For the most part, there is nothing wrong with devotionals or topical sermons, but unless we understand the flow of thought throughout Scripture, we won't be able to connect the dots, and therefore be incapable of comprehending the awesomeness and greatness of God. In addition, we won't be able to understand Redemption!

The Key to Bible Comprehension

It takes time! No one can learn the entire Bible in one hour. The Bible is God's book, authored by Him, about Him, and focusing on His redemptive work accomplished for and to us. He is infinite, and when we study Scripture, we gain insight into the work and mind of God. The Bible is absolute truth, and multiple lifetimes of study cannot begin to exhaust His word!

It takes prayer! We must pray to God for Him to reveal Himself to us.

It takes self-discipline! We must discipline ourselves to read and put all the pieces of His inspired Word together; there is no room for laziness.

It takes good study tools! These valuable resources can help us along the way.

It takes good teachers! Be sure you are being taught – whether at church or through the media – by teachers who know what they are talking about and have no agenda to push or something to prove. Learn from teachers who seek only to equip others with the truth of God's Word.

It takes asking difficult questions, and a heart to know the truth!

Important Questions

Do you see the Bible as one book? Do you understand the flow of thought and history throughout the Scripture and God's plan? Do you know the truth of who God is and what He has done in and through Christ for His glory? Do you have a heart to know the truth as God states it?

When you study the Bible – especially through comparing Scripture with Scripture – God will show you great and mighty things from His Word. Not only is the Bible one, unified Book, but it is GOD'S BOOK from beginning to the end!

Dr. Michael Weis is a pastor, video operator, editor, and social media manager at Zion's Hope.