Mystery of the Bible

Maturity in faith is a journey that unfolds over time. It involves spending time with our Creator, sharing our thoughts, and learning from Him. Crucially, it requires us to put into practice what we have learned. In our prayers, we communicate with our faithful, loving, and caring Father, who is always available and eager to listen. He has inspired many to write about His love and way of life. We hear His voice by reading His inspired writings, known as 'The Scriptures' or 'The Bible.'

Reading and meditating on the Scripture is a transformative experience. It opens our minds, expands our vision, provides superior wisdom, and guides us toward victory. When we seek sincerely to understand The Scripture or the Bible, though a mystery, our Creator reveals its truth! Jesus said:

“To you is given the mystery of God’s Kingdom, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables”,   (Mark 4;11)

And,

“Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45)

The disciples and followers of Jesus, guided by divine inspiration, diligently recorded and shared their daily experiences and lessons from Jesus. This was not just for their immediate community but also for people in remote cities and countries, ensuring that the Good News, the essence of Jesus' life and teachings, could be heard by all.

The word "Bible" means "a collection of books." The Bible is a collection of sixty-six books or letters. Thirty-nine existed before Jesus was born, and Jesus' followers wrote twenty-seven of them after Jesus ascended to heaven. We call the thirty-nine books "The Old Testament" since it's about the commandments and the covenant between God and people before Jesus was born. We call the twenty-seven books "The New Testament." The New Testament is about the new covenant between God and believers of Jesus Christ. Those books are letters addressed to the leaders of nations, the Christian leaders, and people like you and me!

Every book of the Bible is a personal letter from the Creator of the universe to his people, his children. This personal touch, combined with the diversity of the authors, makes the Bible a unique and powerful document. God has protected these books for centuries, as Jesus said: 

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.”

The books of the Bible are conveniently divided into chapters and verses, making it easy for you to reference specific passages. For instance, to refer to the 5th verse of the 2nd chapter of the Gospel of Luke, you write "Luke 2:5". Some of the disciples wrote multiple letters to the same churches. For instance, when you encounter "2 Peter 3:5," it indicates the 2nd letter of Peter, chapter 3, verse 5. Similarly, "Luke 2:5-9" refers to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 5 to 9.

Now that you know what those notations mean, I'll use them whenever I quote from the Bible. And since there are different styles of translations, we may see abbreviations after a verse, for example (NIV), which means "New International Translation." Unless stated otherwise, I'll quote from the "World English Bible" translation in all my references to the Bible verses.

Engaging in daily Bible reading is not just a routine; it's a powerful tool for spiritual transformation and empowerment. It guides us to lead an honorable life that pleases our Creator and blesses our community.

“Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Bible is translated into many languages, but they all deliver the same message. You may search on the Internet, compare different translations, and choose a style or translation you like most. You may read the Bible on the Internet or purchase a copy. https://www.biblegateway.com is one place to find different translations and styles. Some translations are for personal study, which includes special sections explaining each verse and providing guidance. “Life Application Bible” is a good example.

The purpose of reading the Bible is not just reading for knowledge. We pause, meditate, and let it speak to us. It’s good practice highlighting verses that speak deeply to us with a colored pencil. You may start reading a chapter from the beginning of the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew, and continue to the end of the Bible. Then start reading from the Old Testament once you finish reading the New Testament.

Please click on “He Listens” to continue.

Questions:

1. We read the Bible as a ritual.
2. Every writer of a book in the Bible was inspired and directed by God.