The Bible

How credible is the Bible?  Is it the Word of God?

 

The authority of the Bible is also discussed and will become clearer in the other meditations on www.gospel-truth.co.za, such as “Apparent Controversies in the Bible”, the meditation on Mohammed, and “Who is Jesus Christ”.

As far as the knowledge of ascendants conveyed to descendants are concerned, many a sceptic – and those leaning towards Darwinism and millions of years (Refer to the meditation “Evolution” and “The Gap Theory” on this website), seem to lose sight of the generations (descendants) given in The Bible, such as Gen 5:1-32; 10:1-32; 11:10-32.  Also, the Annexure examining the generations counting from Adam, in the meditation “Who is Jesus Christ”.  We read in the Genesis accounts that Adam, for instance, was still alive for 56 years after Lamech (Noah’s father) was born!

We will later consider the crucial five aspects of accreditation, further on in this meditation.  We’ll also touch briefly on some other doctrines in comparison, such as the so-called “Christian Science” and the related Mormons as an example of man-made efforts to produce a Bible [an equivalent].  The Muslim’s version is covered in a meditation on its own, also found on this website.  How Mrs. Mary Baker, for example, could develop her doctrines from the Bible as her “only textbook” is a great mystery because the Bible and “Christian Science” have absolutely nothing in common, yet they use – what seems to be – His Name?  So, let’s briefly look at some facts concerning the Bible.

What is the Bible?  What makes the Book so hated and so special in the entire world?  The reason stems from the history and the contents of the Bible, and the fact that it is self-proclaimed to be inspired by God.  If this is true, then it implies it is the final authority of the Creator to His creation.  This, many do not like to hear, because they soon discover how wrong they are on moral issues such as abortion, homosexuality, and Who Jesus Christ really is and who He is not.  (See the meditation by this author, “Who is Jesus Christ”).  People [nations, religions] generally just don’t like being wrong.  Remember here that confusion is a state of mind.  This means you cannot trust your mind – or by implication, the mind of another human trying to sell his/her ideas – you can only trust the Word of God [Who made/designed your mind].  So let us first look at this issue of inspiration [spiritual communication] and the significance of the Bible.

Note here that many people claiming to be Christians do not [yet] believe the gospel of Jesus Christ!  The meditation entitled “The Gospel” by the same author explains and proves this convincingly.  Most religious institutions is still a far cry from the Body of Christ [is not His Church, His Body, His Zion, His Bride].  You will also note that the Book of Revelation begins by stating it is the revelation of Jesus Christ… He, in the Spirit, took John back a little while, and then showed him “what would soon happen” – in other words, what Jesus Christ had accomplished on His cross, having paid for with His Blood (12:11; 15:8; 16:17 with Jn 19:30).  His work is a finished, accomplished work.  We have to believe Him that He succeeded.  There is only one Lamb of God Who was offered once for all on His cross at Golgotha.  It has happened, it is done!  And it was not Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, Mohammed, Darwin, Buddha, or Nelson Mandela!

Charles Wesley McDowell, in Evidence that demands a verdict, 1990:178, says, “The Bible must be the invention either of good men or angels, bad men or devils, or of God.  However, it was not written by good men, because good men would not tell lies by saying “Thus says the Lord”; it was not written by bad men because they would not write so honestly or about the good while condemning sin and unbelief, and themselves to hell; thus, it must be written by divine inspiration”.

But more concretely, surely over 60 000 ancient manuscripts must attest for something!  In 170 AD Irenaeus cited 23 of the 27 N.T. books, omitting only Philemon, James, 2 Peter and 3 John.  The Muratorian fragment, written about the same time, attests to the widespread use of all of the N.T. books except Hebrews, James, 1 Peter and 2 Peter.  However, other church fathers had already cited those omitted books in various writings defending against Gnostic doctrines.  The Codex Barococcio from 206 A.D. includes 64 of the 66 books of today’s Bible (Esther and Revelation were omitted), but they had already been declared as inspired Scripture by Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Clement, Tertullian and the Muratorian Canon.  In 230 AD, Origen declared that all Christians acknowledged as Scripture the four Gospels, Acts, the epistles of Paul, 1 peter, 1 John and Revelation.  In 367 AD, Athanasius formally circulated the “Easter Letter” that listed all 27 books as canonical.  The Synod of Hippo (393 AD) and the third Synod of Carthage (397 AD) also recognized these 27 books as canonical.  In addition, during this time, the highly influential church fathers, Jerome (340-420 AD) and Augustine (354-430 AD) published their lists of 27 books completing the N.T.

A honest and open investigation into evidence that the Bible must have been designed and influenced in a supernatural way, by someone outside [our] time and space and with pre-knowledge about the beginning and the end as we experience it, must at least get our attention if we consider a few interesting facts, such as…

Fact 1. The Bible indicates that the earth is round while, since ancient times, many believed the earth was flat. (Is 40:21-22; Prov 8:27; Job 26:10)

Fact 2. The earth is suspended in space. Remember that Job was unlikely to have had a scientific understanding of space, yet we read what he wrote in Job 26:7 (2 Tim 3:16-17).

Fact 3. The Bible has long taught good hygiene (Lev 15:13) while it wasn’t until the mid-1800’s when a study by Ignaz Semmelwenis and Oliver Wendell Holmes was established that hospital-acquired diseases were transmitted via the hands of health care workers and that many women were dying because doctors would not wash their hands between examining woman and delivering babies.

Fact 4. The Bible teaches sanitization (Dt 23:12-13), over 3,500 years before it was observed that more soldiers died because of sanitization issues with human waste than actually dying in battle.

Fact 5.  The Bible teaches about quarantining (Num 5:1-4; Lev 13:45-46) long before people “discovered” this remedy.

Fact 6. The Bible teaches about the importance of blood (Lev 17:11); while for 3,000 years bloodletting, that probably originated in ancient Egypt, was a popular way the sick were treated and many people died as a result of this treatment (The first president of the USA happen to be one of them!). So, according to the Bible, “life is in the blood.” The problem is that science didn’t teach us that until the late 19th century. Now we know blood is vital for life and the blood tells us so much about our health and what is going on in our body.  Instead of bloodletting we now do blood transfusions. But, there is more. Astonishingly, just before the eighth day after a human is born, the amount of blood clotting material increases rapidly, until on the eighth day itself, it is 110% of the norm! In other words, only on the eighth day of life do blood clotting substances reach their all-time high – well beyond the amount that will accompany a normal human being for the rest of his life. Regarding blood Clotting in Infants In 1872, Alexander Schmidt was credited for his research as he was the man responsible for naming the enzyme prothrombin. In the 20th century, it was discovered that Vitamin K, coupled with prothrombin, causes blood clotting or coagulation. The fact is that we find an old Biblical instruction that baby boys were to be circumcised on their eighth day (Lev 12:2-3)! See also Col 2:11-15.

Fact 7. The Bible teaches about oceanography, so much that the great oceanographer Matthew Maury was inspired by God’s Word, and discovered currents and their paths because of Ps 8:8. It wasn’t until the late 1970’s that people stopped believing the ocean was only fed by rivers and rain. Only recently mankind had submarines strong enough to discover what Job (without a submarine) penned in Job 38:16. Or, for that matter, about mountains in the depths of the sea, recorded by Jonah (Jonah 2:5-6)

Fact 8.  The Bible teaches we can get medicine from plants. In ancient Egypt lizard blood, dead mice, mud and moldy bread were used as typical ointments and dressings, and woman were sometimes dosed with horse saliva as a cure for an impaired libido, and physicians used human and animal excrement as a cure-all remedy for diseases and injuries. Read the contrast in The Bible (Ez 47:12; Rev 22:2). Felix Hoffmann, in 1890, modelled Aspirin after the naturally occurring polyphenol salicylic acid – a compound found in a handful of plants including Salix alba (white willow), Sipirea spp. (wintergreens), and Betula spp. (birch). So, once again we find in The Bible mysteries that only our modern science begins to understand.

Fact 9.  Bible teaches what to eat or avoid, such as birds of prey (Lev 11:13-19), now known to potentially spread diseases to humans. So also, pork (Lev 11:7-8) that potentially protected them from parasites, Hepatitis E, or multiple Sclerosis. We know today that mice (and their fleas) can carry all kinds of diseases such as the bubonic plague (the “black death”) and amphibians tend to carry salmonella.

Fact 10.  The Bible teaches about drinking safe water. Common sense to us that know about bacteria, but the ancient world would apparently not think much of it. As recent as 100 years or so, we learned that contaminated water can cause things like cholera and typhoid.

 

Consider the following cryptic summary, with credit to John N. Clayton, as well:

 

29 Scientific Facts from Bible Scripture

The different original text translated eventually in today’s Bible is estimated to have been written between 1450 B.C. and 95 A.D. This chart shows scientific facts and principles referred to in this ancient Bible, but not actually discovered by humankind until later centuries. Dead Sea scrolls, historical documentation, and other sources all confirm the authenticity of the Bible. Since people had no official knowledge of these scientific facts until more than a thousand years after the original text was written, is this evidence that the Bible was inspired by God the Creator ( 2 Tim 3:15)?

 

Scientific Fact or Principle

Bible reference

Date of discovery by man

Air has weight

Job 28:25

16th Century

The Earth is round

Isaiah 40:22

15th Century

Oceans have natural paths in them

Psalms 8:8

1854

Both man and woman possess the seed of life

Genesis 3:15

17th Century

There is a place void of stars in the North

Job 26:7

19th Century

Earth is held in place by invisible forces

Job 26:7

1650

Taxonomic classification of matter

Genesis 1

1735

Certain animals carry diseases harmful to man

Leviticus 11

16th Century

Early diagnosis of leprosy

Leviticus 13

17th Century

Quarantine for disease control

Leviticus 13

17th Century

Blood of animals carries diseases

Leviticus 17

17th Century

Blood is necessary for life

Leviticus 17:11

19th Century

Earth was in nebular form initially

Genesis 1:2

1911

Most seaworthy ship design ratio is 30:5:3

Genesis 6

1860

Light is a particle and has mass (a photon)

Job 38:19

1932

Radio astronomy (stars give off signals)

Job 38:7

1945

Oceans contain fresh water springs

Job 38:16

1920

Snow has material value

Job 38:22

1905, 1966

Infinite number of stars exist

Genesis 15:5

1940

Dust is important to survival

Isaiah 40:12

1935

Hubert Spencer’s scientific principles

Genesis 1

1820

Light can be split up into component colors

Job 38:24

1650

Matter is made up of invisible particles

Romans 1:20

20th Century

Plants use sunlight to manufacture food

Job 8:16

1920

Arcturus and other stars move through space

Job 38:32

19th Century

Water cycle

Ecclesiastes 1:7

17th Century

Life originated in the sea

Genesis 1

19th Century

Lightning and thunder are related

Job 38:25

19th Century

Human beings were the last living things created

Genesis 1

15th Century

The first Book of Moses, commonly called Genesis, is introduced in The Amplified Bible with the following quotes from its narrative: Genesis, a Greek word meaning ‘origin’ or ‘beginning’, was the title given to this book by the translators of the third century B.C. Greek Old Testament known as The Septuagint.  The first statement (third word) word in the Hebrew text (ראשׁית Ray-sheeth, H7225), means ‘in the beginning’ and is thus used as the Hebrew name for the first book in The Bible. Although this book begins with the creation of the universe, the focal point is the creation of man.  As the human race multiplies, the account is narrowed to certain genealogical limits… Archaeology has provided so much information about contemporary culture of the Ancient Near East that Old Testament scholars generally recognize that the patriarchal narratives reflect the historical culture of the Near East during the first half (2000 to 1500 B.C.) of the second millennium B.C.  Certain scholars question the historic of the events recorded in Gen 1:1-11. Although they regard them as ‘mythical’ or ‘supra-historical’ stories, they assert that these stories have [only] religious value.  This position is difficult to maintain in view of Jesus Christ’s authority and attitude to the Genesis record as is reflected in even just the following passages: Mt 19:4-6; 24:37-39; Mk 10:49-52; Lk 17:26-32 (Gen 18:20; 19:24,25); Jn 1:1-4,14; 7:21-23; 8:44; Col 1:16-17. The book of Genesis, as the introductory book in the account of God’s progressive self-revelation to humankind, is crucially important.  It is quoted more than sixty times in the New Testament, where this revelation culminates in the person of Jesus Christ. In this way Genesis provides the historical account of the beginning of God’s relationship with man foundational for and essential to a proper understanding of subsequent divine revelations.

This author finds it rather strange (if it wasn’t so tragic it would have been funny), how many people in blindness to their self-righteousness ask, “Why the many translations for the Bible?”  Implying they have now pointed out a major technical flaw – without having made any real in-depth study, nor put any rational thought to this question.  Well, would you today have preferred only the original Greek script to be available world-wide or do you think it’s a mere [admirable] practical effort by scholars to try and give The Word of God in your language for you to benefit from without having to study – at least as a necessity – ancient and modern Greek?  It should rather have been indicative of something remarkable that The Bible is today still the book printed in the most languages…

Translations such as the King James Version are derived from existing copies of ancient manuscripts such as the Hebrew Masoretic Text (Old Testament) and the Greek Textus Receptus (New Testament), and are not translations of texts translated from other interpretations.  The primary difference between today’s Bible translations are merely related to how translators interpret a word or sentence from the original text source (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek).   Hermeneutics is the study of Scripture interpretation, known by scholars.

The absolute reliability of the manuscripts from which today’s Bibles are translated, has significant evidence in its favour.  There are more than 14 000 existing Old Testament manuscripts and fragments copied throughout the Middle East, Mediterranean and European regions that agree dramatically with each other.  In addition, these texts agree with the Septuagint version of the OT, which was translated from Hebrew to Greek some time during the 3rd century BC.  The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the 1940’s and 50’s, also provide phenomenal evidence for the reliability of the ancient transmission of Jewish Scriptures before the arrival of Jesus Christ.  A single error would require the immediate destruction of the entire text, sometimes apparently even the death of careless scribes.  The writings of so-called “Scientologists”, in contrast, contradict numerous original texts in its contextual meaning.  We will later consider a few prime examples.

The honest and serious scholar will therefore soon discover that the Bible is [can only be] one, progressive, unfolding, revelation of God; and that this revelation is Jesus Christ as Lord and His gift to us – His Holy Spirit indwelling permanently those that believe Him.  (Note that we are not [a] god(s), but that we are of God if we follow Him!). We then become new creations (2 Cor 5:16-21) to His image, we then reveal to be a spirit (re-born, 1 Cor 15:45-49, God -conscious) with a soul (self-conscious intellect, emotion, will) inside a body (physical).  If not re-born [spiritually] you are still only like a beast.  A beast is Bible language for a creature with a soul (mind, intellect, emotion, will) and a body that is all self-centred, but is not spiritual [Spirit is all God-conscious, living according to what His Spirit teaches, guides].  Jesus attests to the inspiration (Theopneustos means “God breathed out”) of the O.T. and His fulfilment of both the prophets and the law (ex. Mt 5:17,18; Lk 24:44; Jn 5:39).  When Jesus refers to the law of Moses, the prophets and the Psalms, He is referring to the three-part division of the Tanakh[1].

The manuscript evidence for the NT is also dramatic, with over 5 300 known copies of fragments in the original Greek, nearly 800 of which were copied before 1 000 AD.  Some manuscript texts date to the early second and third centuries, with the time between the autographs (original manuscripts) and our earliest existing copies being a remarkable short 60 years.  This manuscript evidence far surpasses the manuscript reliability of other ancient writings that we trust as authentic every day.  Look at these comparisons:  Julius Caesar’s “The Gallic Wars” (10 manuscripts remain, with the earliest dating to 1 000 years after the original autograph); Pliny the Younger’s “History” (7 manuscripts, 750 years elapsed); Thucydides’ “History” ( 8 manuscripts, 1 300 years elapsed); Herodotus’ “History” (8 manuscripts, 1 300 years elapsed); Sophocles (193 manuscripts, 1 400 years); Euripides (9 manuscripts, 1 500 years); and Aristotle (49 scripts, 1 400 yrs).

Homer’s “Iliad”, the most renowned book of ancient Greece, has 643 copies of manuscript support.  In those copies, there are 764 disputed lines of text, as compared to 40 lines in all the NT manuscripts[2].  In fact, many people are unaware that each of William Shakespeare’s 37 plays (written in the 1 600’s) has gaps in the surviving manuscripts, forcing scholars to “fill in the blanks”.  This pales into textual comparison to the over 5 300 copies and fragments of the NT that assure us nothing has been lost.  In fact, all of the NT except 11 verses can be reconstructed from the writings of the early church fathers in the 2nd and 3rd centuries.

The Bible – not the “Scientologist’s” or any other cult’s ideas that contradicts the Bible – clearly defines itself as the communication of God to His creation, through OT men known as prophets and ultimately in the historical [real] Person Jesus Christ. (Check the date – on Who is it based?).  This communication defines His being, Himself, to His created.  Also His plan [idea] with us and how men, throughout history, have missed it through their own unbelief [distrust, offense] in His Word.  So He sent His unique Son [Word] to legally enter the natural realm to represent man and demonstrate how man should be with His Spirit inside of us.  The first part of the Bible refer to this Messiah, then how He came and paid on His cross with His blood on behalf of all, once for all; and then in the last part, His teachings, revelations of what Jesus had accomplished in the Spiritual realm with that exchange on His cross (Is 53; Col 2; Rev 5:12; 7:14,17; 12:11; 13:8; 21:23,27), and examples of a new (NT) dispensation.  God as a Father could so be understood to remain to be God, while sending a special Son to be the sole expression of Himself [Lord of lords, King of kings] here on earth with His Holy Spirit inside a real human body.  No illusions! God is Spirit [invisible], so He is seeking those who worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (Jn 4:24; 8:32,36; 20:22).  The Bible is very clear that Jesus will return as He left – in a visible, physical body (Jn 21:1-14; Lk 24; Mt 28; Acts 1:11; 1 Cor 15:12-22).  No other foundation can anyone lay than that which is already laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Cor 3:11).  Consider Jesus Christ crucified (1 Cor 1:23-2:2; Is 53 and 1 Pet 2:24).  The OT has a covenant; the NT a Testament (that’s why Jesus had to be buried – Heb 7; Heb 9).  Righteousness does not come out of you, it has come to you in Jesus Christ (Phil 3:9; 2 Cor 5:21).

Man might have flaws, but God imputes His righteousness to believers in the finished work of Jesus Christ.  The purpose of the law was so that people can see and hate self-righteousness (Gal 3; Js 2:10…).  This the “Scientologist” completely misses in his blinded and puffed-up “knowledge” and ridiculous philosophical errors in reasoning. The law-mentality [merit-system] makes you think you can cash in on your goodness, and that God has this pre-requisite that you must impress Him first with works (even obedience to law, rules), before He can accept you.  This is self-righteousness and not the righteousness God imputes through your Savior Jesus Christ, as Lord.  Jesus [also] demonstrated that He was obedient because of sonship, not how to become a Son through obedience.  Laws cannot change the desire in your heart to do wrong, only Jesus can when you accept His Spirit inside of you   – Rom 3:20-28; 8:1-4; 10:1-4.  Try Gal 5:4 again, you try to impress Him, and you sever yourself from grace.  To reject the Word of God with philosophical nonsense is utterly futile.

The Bible defines the purpose of man and his life on earth.  We are created to His image and we are to be above the natural as His children – in Christ (His anointing, power, Light, Life), we are supposed to trust in the certainty of His promises of an everlasting life in Christ, just as certain as the true prophecy Jesus gave of His own death and resurrection.  God’s promise was His Spirit continuously inside and upon us, only achievable by the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead.  And yes, His resurrection was physical [real] – Jn 20:19-31.

In the Bible God had OT prophets announce, and then apostles (eye-witnesses.  And please note that hallucinations are not contagious, in case you were told that hundreds of people hallucinated) who declared and proved, that Jesus Christ was this Savior, His salvation plan for all mankind that would accept His Word [Trust His Word].  Remember that God is Love, and that true love never manipulates.  He gave you your will [to choose] for that very reason.  Think about it.  He gave you the ability and now you have the choice to respond.  Ability + response = responsibility.   Today still, to prophecy means to say what God has said all along (Num 11:29; 1 Cor 14:1-4; 1 Pet 1:10-13).

One thousand years before crucifixions were invented as a method of execution, David prophesied it in Ps 22:16[3].  That same Psalm starts with the words Jesus uttered on His cross, and ends with His last words on His cross.  Jesus fulfilled it, not Mrs. Eddy, Mohammed, Buddha or Mandela.  Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah described the death of the Christ [anointed] of God Who would die for all the sin of all the world (Is 52:13-53:12).  In Daniel, 539 years before the birth of Jesus, we are given the exact day He would die as Messiah (Dan 9:24-27 is discussed in the meditation “Rapture raptured” p. 17-19)!

For more powerful revelations about the true gospel of Jesus Christ, study the other meditations by the same author.  Jesus fulfilled over three hundred prophecies in amazing detail.  But there is infinitely more.  This is merely accepting historical facts recorded by the most credible writers of their time, as well as supernatural evidence of signs, miracles and wonders (not “illusions”);  today still in the name of this same Jesus Christ as Lord.  The author has seen Jesus save his own son from certain death and has seen many cancers healed.  Contact him on 27(09)82 4428407 for his and many other verifiable true witnessing of the true Jehovah:  Jesus Christ as Lord.  If you have a problem with the Deity of Jesus Christ, you have a problem with God Himself.  And this fact is no illusion!

The [Christian’s] Bible, containing its 66 Books, is thus most likely to be the Word of God in written form, as should be seen by the honest reader that consider this website in its entirety, and own further empirical research.

The Bible cannot to be compared with human efforts at writing [composing] even “holy” scriptures such as the Qur’an (Refer to “Jesus Christ’s passion for the lost vs Mohammad and the Qur’an” on www.gospel-truth.co.za); or the so-called NWT (New World Translation) of the so-called “Jehovah’s Witnesses” that selectively altered the context of the Bible and other manuscripts in an attempt to offer a “holy” book.  Do yourself a favour, and also peruse [study] the meditations “The Four Gospels”; “Worldly philosophies vs the Word of God” and “Genesis to Revelation” on this website to realize The Bible can only be truly of God… it is so declared in 2 Tim 3:16-17, and then we find it’s absolutely unique statements in Jn 1:1-4; 3:14-21; Col 1:17; there is no mention of any name above that of Jesus Christ (Lk 23:2; 1 Tim 6:15; Rev 19:16); as a matter of fact, the Bible makes it abundantly clear that no human can be saved by any other means or name other than that of Jesus Christ [only] – Acts 4:12; Phil 2:9 (not any politician, preacher, “guru”, Mohammed, Buddha, “Freedom fighter”, TV personality… no one else! (See the footnote[4] on so-called psychics).  This makes nonsense of feeble attempts at righteousness and wisdom in all the non-Christian’s systems of “political correctness” (see meditation “Worldly Philosophies versus the Word of God”).  Take note here that many false “Christians” have come and gone and are running amuck with their own self-interests…  The Bible says that anyone claiming to be a Christian but does not follow the teaching of Jesus Christ, has not the Truth (Jn 14:6;3:16; 8:32,36!) in them – Jn 14:6; 1 Jn 2:4!  The meditations “Church” also expand on this great truth.

It is logical that a God [Creator as a Loving Father and Provider] would leave us a guideline on morality and His will for us without manipulation (see the meditation “The Will”… of God on this website, for more thoughts on this subject).

 

A Broad and brief overview of the Bible

It is a book.  But, is soon discovered, a book like NO other.  The name Bible is derived from the old Egyptian name for the papyrus that was weaved to form the oldest form of “writing meditation” known.  The Greek then used the word Biblos. This is universally accepted today as referring only to the Book of all books under discussion here.

The Protestant Bible is a collection of 66 canon books (named later on in this meditation.  kanon is from the Greek word describing a straight carpenters ruler and understood to mean the Truth against which all can be measured).  It conveys the message of God’s righteousness as opposed to the self-righteousness of man.

The Bible is divided in two parts.  The Old that is a Covenant (Gen 15:18) and a New that is a Testament (Heb 9:11-18). The Old comprises 39 books in which we read about God introducing Him to man before Jesus Christ was sent, and the New comprise 27 books (2 Cor 3:6).  These will be very basically summarised shortly.

The fact that at least 40 different people wrote this down over a period of 1 500 years so that we see a result of one progressive unfolding revelation; can only be described by a super-natural phenomena.  It makes the claim of a God that is a Spirit (Jn 4:24), very plausible so that He – that same Holy Spirit – inspired different men from different walks of life and vastly different backgrounds to contribute and knit together one and the same revelation over 1 500 years.  Because God is not the manipulator propagated by so many religious institutions, was He prior to Jesus Christ heard only by those “who had ears to hear”, i.e. to those who humbled themselves to Him who is God; hence the “prophets” and writers of the books found in the Bible.  Note here Heb 1:1-2.

The 10 extra books in the Roman Catholic Bible is called Apocrypha[5], and cannot be canon for reasons set out below.  This is discussed further in the meditation “Church part two”.  The Official Roman Catholic Bible, the Doway English Translation, is a good translation [literally], but from the corrupt Latin Vulgate Translation.  The Alexandrian Bible by Origen in 240 A.D., from the Egypt Alexandrian cult (Acts 6:9), was used as the main source for the Latin Vulgate.  After Martin Luther and the break of the Protestants from the Roman Catholic Church, the R.C. Church, in reaction, came up with their own Bible, declaring the Apocrypha to be canon at the Council of Trent (1545 – 1563) to legitimise their doctrines.

 

Translations

To make this vitally important Book available to more people in their mother tongue, translations were necessary.

The oldest translation known is The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Covenant, often shortened as LXX that means seventy. This refers to the legend that 70 translators that worked totally independently produced 70 identical results of the original Hebrew in 70 days. This translation was completed around 250 B.C. in Alexandria and used in the times of Christ.  The handwritten text remained preserved in old codex’s, namely the Codex Vaticanus (4 A.D.; the Codex Sinaiticus (4 A.D.) and the Codex Alexandrinus (5 A.D.).

The 39 Old Covenant Books

The reader may find valuable insight regarding [ancient] language and the premise of faith versus provable fact and patterns of evidence in the discussion in the Youtube video “Hebrew Voices # 92”, entitled “Unpacking the Moses controversy” by Dr. Nehemia Gordon and Tim Mahoney.

The Pentateuch. 

The five books of which Moses is said to be the writer, has some critics. The earliest texts date from the second millennium BC and evidence suggest that the Israelite tribes who invaded Canaan spoke Hebrew and was commonly spoken until the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC.  According to modern scholars, the earliest written language is the Proto-Siniatic script also known as “Paleo-Hebrew”.  Texts of the Pentateuch, whoever wrote them, are not in 13th century language; they are in classical 1st millennium Hebrew so the question arises whether the Torah could have been written by Moses? Note here that, (a) just because evidence of Hebrew writing in the time of Moses hasn’t been found yet, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.  (b) Also, Moses could have written in an Arabic script in which he must have been educated (Ex 2:10; Acts 7:22) and could very possibly have been later translated to Hebrew. We simply don’t know yet. But this is where patterns of evidence and faith exercise its influence.

  • From the Greek meaning origin.  The absolute and literal accurate records herein, particularly the creation account in six days at about 4 000 B.C. which are expanded on in the other meditations on this website, such as “Evolution”, “The Gap Theory” and “The Gospel” with the time span of 4000 years explained in the meditation “Who is Jesus Christ”.  In Gen 6-8 we read of the world-wide flood.  This is addressed in a dedicated meditation entitled “The Flood” on gospel-truth.co.za.  It also gives the history of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and especially Joseph.   Carefully read Gen 22:2 with Gal 3:8; Ps 121:1; Mt 27:33…

A subtle note.  “Universe” is a compound English word formed from “one” and “spoken sentence”.  Note then, that we read early in Genesis chapter one of the creation “… And God said…”  Then also, in Gen 1:2, that the “face” of the earth (H6440 from H6437) has in its meaning a concept of turning [away – as in Jn 1:10! (bear in mind Jn 1:1-4; Col 1:15-19)], so possibly also a notion of something that has [also] rotation…

  • Exodus. Derived from the Greek meaning to “depart”.  It describes Israel and their slavery in Egypt and how God called Moses to lead them out of slavery.  Refer to the meditation entitled “Israel racism”, for general misconceptions regarding the “elect” of God.  Suffice for now, to consider Ex 32:7,9; 33:3,5 with Acts 7:39,43,51-58 (2:22-24,40).  The parting of the Red Sea in Ex 14:13-31; 15:1-14 should fascinate the unbeliever and believer alike when watching even TV programs such as [the non-Christian] National Geography and Discovery Channel that show how the actual evidence was found on the sea-bed ridge in the Gulf of Aqabah in the Red Sea. Observe also the incorrect placing [charting by some scholars] of Mt. Sinai on maps while Gal 4:21-31 should have guided them to the absolute Biblical Truth.  Take careful note of the astonishing correlation between Ex 15:17 and Gal 4:24; 5:4,18; Mt 27:33-35; Jn 19:17,18 with the amazing explanation Daniel gave Nebuchadnezzar of his dream (vision of historical forms of government) in Daniel 2:34-37 and its connection to 1 Pet 2:3-8 and David’s Ps 68:18 and 121:1-2!  Then consider Acts 4:12 and Philippians 2:3-11…
  • Leviticus. After the name of the Levis who were responsible to teach the Law.  Study Jesus’ words in Mt 5 to see how they misunderstood the purpose of the law – namely to reveal self-righteousness (Jn 1:17; 9:28; Rom 3:20,28; Phil 3:9) and that it was at any rate given to show – if you follow it – how to compensate, not how to retaliate!
  • Numbers. Describes two counts (census), one of the army and one of the nation at the end of their wanderings. It also mentions their prescriptions and guidelines for general conduct and ceremonies. These are interspersed with experiences on the way to the Promised Land.
  • Deuteronomy. It literally means repeating of the law.  The death of Moses is also described.

The Historical books

  • Joshua. The successor of Moses leads the Israelites into the Promised Land.  This is the fore-shadow of Joshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ).  Chapters 13-22 describe the division of the tribes.
  • Judges. Chapter 2:11-16 gives a reference to the perpetual relapse into disobedience and self-righteousness that is mentioned in this book.  Then we see God’s wrath and grace.  12 Judges rise up to lead the people.
  • Ruth. A Moabite woman goes to Israel with her Jewish mother-in-law.  It shows how a woman from heathendom gets a prominent place in the ascendants of David, and eventually, even Jesus of Nazareth…
  • I and II Samuel; and I and II Kings. Regarded together as books 1-4 of the kings. The two books of Samuel contain the history of the last judge, Samuel, who also anointed the first king of Israel, Saul.  The history of David’s government is also given in detail.  The two books of Kings give us the history of the reign of David’s son, Solomon. It records the split of the kingdom in the 2 around Jerusalem (Judah) and the 10 in the north (Israel).  Then follows the account of the fall of these two dynasties.  In 722 B.C. Israel is lead away in exile to Assyria, and in 586 B.C. in exile to Babylonia.
  • I and II Chronicles. The first part of the first book mainly repeats the history of the previous books. It serves to clarify some points (refer to “Apparent controversies in The Bible”), and the rest mainly cover the same as Kings but with numerous new details. It ends with the decision of king Koresh of Persia that the temple would be rebuilt at Jerusalem and that the Jews could return to their homeland.  (See Acts 7:42-60).
  • Ezra. It deals with the history of Ezra, the priest-scribe that in 450 B.C. returned from exile to Canaan.  His purpose was to get the returned Jews to repent from their impure hearts and he fought their apostasy.
  • Nehemiah. This book is mentioned in certain translations as II Ezra.  He tried to get the nations to comply with the Law.  Note in the other meditations on gospel-truth.co.za that law is generally greatly misunderstood.
  • Esther. The story of the Jew through whom the Jewish people was saved from extinction in the time of king Ahasuerus (Xerxes 486 – 465 B.C.).

 

The poetic books.

  • Job. The trials of Job are greatly misrepresented (refer to the meditation “Christian suffering”, “Who by Fire” and “The Testimony”).  Job’s three friends offer some superficial advice while a fourth, Alihu, more accurately hears from God and gets the message through.  We see how Job’s prosperity returns. We also learn a lesson in 3:25-26 about fear that is distrust (unbelief), but how his prayers (1:5) were still heard.  In Job 42:10 we deduct eternal life because his 7 sons and 3 daughters can only be double the first (Job 1:2) if the first children (Job 1:18-19) were still alive in another [spiritual] realm (Dt 30:1-3; Ps 126:1-2; Lk 20:38).
  • Psalms. Mostly songs sung with string instruments and used in temple services.  Profound depth of supernatural impartation via God-fearing people.  According to tradition, the psalms were not referred to by the numbers we have today (for our reference purposes), but by the first and/or last sentence only.  Now take Ps 22, for example, that re-iterates the words of Jesus Christ on His cross at Golgotha (Mt 27:46), the uncanny representation of Ps 22:6 in Mt 27:39-44; verse 7 in Mt 27:43; verse 8 in Mt 27:39,43; Mk 15:29,30; Lk 23:35; verse 12 in Ezek 39:18; verse 15 in Jn 19:28; verse 16 in Is 53:7 and Jn 19:37 (describing a crucifixion 1000 years before it was invented by the Romans); verse 17 with Lk 23:27,35; verse 18 with Jn 19:23,24; verse 22 with Jn 20:17; Rom 8:29; Heb 2:12;  and verse 31 with Jn 19:30 – to name a few!  Bear in mind as well, that Jesus on the cross was suffocating and could probably only with difficulty show that He was the fulfilling Messiah by quoting merely Ps 22:1,31.  Selah.
  • Proverbs. A collection of sayings, admonitions and exhortations. Wisdom is shown as impartation from God through His Holy Spirit.
  • Ecclesiastes. Perhaps the crux of these thoughts is expressed in 12:13 where it is stated that the main aim in life should be to follow God [Holy Spirit, God the Creator’s wisdom] and adhere to His precepts (also what Jesus said in Jn 4:23-24; 14:6 with Jn 1:12; Rom 8:14…). This is reiterated by Paul in Col 3 and summarized in Col 3:2.  One of the revelations to get is that the “Commandments of God” is not the futile attempt at self-righteousness via the 10 Commandments (The Law of Moses), but by following the precepts of Jesus Christ (Jn 1:14, 17).
    (Refer to the meditations “The Covenant and the Law” and “The Gospel” on www.gospel-truth.co.za)
  • Song of Solomon. Husband and wife serenades each other in this simultaneous human and prophetic book. There are metaphorical language with the symbolism of Jesus (The Groom) and His true followers (Zion, His bride, church).   (Eph 1;22,23; 4:12-16; especially Eph 5:32; Col 1:26,27; 1 Tim 3:15; 1 Pet 2:5)…

 

Prophetic books

  • Isaiah. Called to prophecy (say what God says) in the year when king Uzziah died (around 740 B.C.).  Note that a true prophet says what God says, and is nothing like the soothsayers of the world, or the many false prophets the Bible warns against, and who have shown/will show themselves to be false. We also find gripping songs regarding “The coming Servant of the Lord” in chapters 42,49,50,52 and 53 – fulfilled in Jesus Christ.  For us today, consider Heb 1:1-4 and the meditation “Church Part 1”, specifically the role of prophets and apostles [then] and God’s Spirit in all re-born Christians…
  • Jeremiah. He acts as a prophet of God in Jerusalem up to the exile in 586 B.C.  Typically, the people disregarded his warnings and even prosecuted him.  He therefore consequently witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of those who scoffed at him for hearing from God.
  • Lamentations. He now empties his grief and affliction over the devastation of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. But, despite all the sorrow he finds comfort in the forgiveness, the grace and mercy of our Father-God.
  • Ezekiel. He prophesies amongst the people whilst in exile with the message to persevere in faith.
  • Daniel. The familiar history of Daniel and his three friends and their actions in the palaces of kings Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar and Darius during the 6th century B.C. The book Daniel is in fact significantly important. The major prophecy in the Bible is given us via a heathen (Nebuchadnezzar) in Dan 9:24-27. This is expanded on in the meditations “Rapture raptured” and “Revelation the book” in gospel-truth.co.za. This book is yet more proof that The Bible is supernaturally inspired and then only by Holy Spirit (God; Jn 4:23-24). The Dead Sea scrolls confirmed that these events took place in the 6th century B.C. and that the prophesy given by Daniel is accurate. It silenced Bible sceptics who argued that these prophecies were written later (as late as the 6th century A.D.) with hindsight. A footnote a on page 1134 in the Amplified Bible tells us that Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream outlines the further history of Gentile world power. The four metals of which the image was made represented four successive empires, each with the power to possess the inhabitable earth – though each stopped short of that. They were: (1) Babylon (Dan 2:31-32,37, 38; Jer 51:7) (2) Medo-Persia (Dan 2:32,39) (3) Greece  (Dan 2:32, 39) under Alexander (Dan 2:32, 35; 8:8) (4) Rome. The latter power was divided (Dan 2:3341,42,43) and it turned out just as predicted by Daniel (as God told him, the “diviners”, sorcerers, enchanters or soothsayers [of course] could not tell Nebuchadnezzar even what he had dreamt but Daniel could (Dan 2:1-16, 17-23,26,27,28-31. The meditation “A Christmas message” might also be enlightening to the reader, giving a plausible explanation why the magos [descendants of these sorcerers, astrologers, soothsayers, diviners and enchanters] six centuries later travelled to Bethlehem to see the Messiah.) The power of Rome was divided first into the two legs (Dan 2:33,40; 7:7,23), corresponding to the eastern and western Roman empires, and then (after a very long time apparently) into the ten toes, a confederacy made up largely of European nations (Dan 2:40-43; 7:24-27). The eternal Kingdom of God, the Messianic Kingdom, will extend over “the whole earth,” and all who reject Jesus, the Messiah, the Stone not made by human hands (Dan 2:45), will be crushed (Dan 2:44,45; 7:14-17; Luke 1:31-33; Rev 11:15. Refer to Dan 2:45-47; Prov 3:32 and Rev 19:16 as well). See also Ps 118:22-23; Is 8:14; Mt 21:44; Lk 2:34; 20:18; 1 Pet 2:3-8.

The 12 “minor prophets” follows

  • Hosea. Around 750-735 B.C.
  • Joel. He warns “The day of the Lord” is approaching (For us:  Jn 19:30; Rev 16:17; Heb 9:10-26!)
  • Amos. A farmer from around 750 B.C. that reveals the sins of Israel (eventually Jn 1:11; 16:9; 1 Jn 4:3)
  • Obadiah and Jonah. About 800 B.C.
  • Micah. Around 750 B.C.
  • Nahum. Announces the fall of Nineveh in approximately 612 B.C.
  • Habakkuk and Zephaniah. Both operated in the time of King Josiah (620 B.C.)
  • Haggai. In 520 B.C. motivates the people to rebuild the temple (Job 4:19; Is 66:1-2; Acts 7:48; 17:24; Jn 2:19-25; Heb 9:11;  Mt 7:20-24…)
  • Zechariah. Also around 520 B.C.
  • Malachi. Approximately 450 B.C. In the last chapters he announces that the coming of Jesus Christ as the Messiah would be preceded by the arrival of the big prophet Elijah.  This then a perfect crossing to the New Testament with the arrival of Jesus Christ.  Note that the NT technically only commences after the crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus (Heb 9:16-18)!  The profound meaning and implication of this all too easy overlooked fact is discussed in the meditation “The Gospel”.

 

The New Testament

The historical books

The four Gospels are discussed in greater detail in the meditation “The Four Gospels” on www.gospel-truth.co.za.

The gospels by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were not dated by the writers but we find in all four references to the life, ministry, crucifixion, death and resurrection of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus was crucified in 30 AD [1]. Our [world-wide standardised] Gregorian calendar was decreed by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582.  In A.D. 532, however, Dionysius Exiguus invented the calendar of the Christian Era based upon the time of the building of the city of Rome, and this kind of time was called ab urbe condita, or A.U.C. (or simply, U.C. time).  Dionysius placed the birth of Christ U.C. 753.  Later when it was ascertained that Herod had died in U.C. 749, Jesus’ birth was moved back to the latter part of U.C. 749, a little more than three years before A.D. 1.  Therefore, Jesus was 30 years of age in A.D. 27.  The “Child” had been born in Bethlehem (4 B.C.); the “Son” was given 30 years later at the Jordan (Is 9:6,7) and Jesus crucified when He was 33 in 30 AD!  Read Mt 28:11-15 to see desperate Jews covering prophecies fulfilled. Read the rest of this entry »