Lessons

Ever wonder about the history of the English Bible? After Jerusalem was destroyed in AD70, God has passed his written word down through the ages under various political and religious authority of the time. For appx 1,600 years, the written word was only available to a few… the political and religious elite until it finally was made available in English for all to have free access. The Bible is a compilation of works by more than 40 authors, written during a period of about 1,600 years, yet it is unified in spirit, outlook and inspiration because God kept his protection over it during all these years. We know from 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” The earliest parts of the Bible were written in approximately 1500 B.C.; the most recent around A.D. 63 and the original languages of the Bible were Hebrew (Old Testament), Aramaic (a few scattered parts of the Old Testament), and Greek (New Testament). The Bible is composed of 66 books (39 Old Testament, 27 New Testament) which is the complete Bible. These 66 books came to be called canonical, from the Greek word for a measuring stick (kanon). Today, we have free access to God’s word and are encouraged to study so we can be approved unto God (and not man). Ignorant of scripture? What’s your excuse? Click here to listen to the lesson on 05-19-2002 and learn about the history of the English Bible. Be sure and download the presentation as well to view while you are listening!