Books of the Bible

BOOKS OF LAW:

In accordance with Jewish tradition, Moses, under the inspiration of God, wrote the first 5 books of the bible; also known as the Pentateuch,

Genesis:	Records the beginning of the universe, man, the Sabbath, marriage, sin, sacrifice, nations, and government and key men of God like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.
Exodus:	Details how Israel became a nation with Moses as leader. Israel is delivered from bondage in Egypt and travels to Mt. Sinai where the law of God is given.
Leviticus:	A manual of worship for Israel. It provides instruction to the religious leaders and explains how a sinful people can approach a righteous God. It relates to the coming of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Numbers:	Records Israel's 40 years of wandering in the wilderness which was a result of disobedience to God. The title of the book is from two numberings (population censuses) taken during the long journey.
Deuteronomy:	Records the final days of Moses' life and reviews the laws given in Exodus and Leviticus.

BOOKS OF HISTORY:

Joshua:	Details how Joshua, the successor of Moses, led the people of Israel into the Promised Land of Canaan. It records the military campaigns and the division of the land among the people.
Judges:	Israel turned away from God after Joshua's death. This book records the sad story of their repeated sins and the judges God raised up to deliver them from enemy forces.
Ruth:	The story of Ruth, a woman of the Gentile nation of Moab, who chose to serve the God of Israel. She became the great grandmother of David.
I Samuel:	This book centers on three persons: Samuel who was the last of the judges of Israel; Saul, the first king of Israel; and David who succeeded Saul as king.
II Samuel:	The glorious 40 year reign of King David is recorded in this book.
I Kings:	King Solomon's reign and the kings of the divided kingdom through the reigns of Ahab in the north and Jehoshaphat in the south are the subjects of this book.
II Kings:	The final decline of Israel and Judah is recalled in this book. God's people fell into deep sin.
I Chronicles:	The reign of David and preparations for building the temple are recorded here. The time of this book is the same as II Samuel.
II Chronicles:	This book continues Israel's history through Solomon's reign with focus on the southern kingdom. It closes with the decree of Cyrus which permitted the return of the people from Babylon to Jerusalem.
Ezra:	The return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity is detailed.
Nehemiah:	The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under the direction of Nehemiah is recalled by this book. The project was begun about 14 years after Ezra's return with the people.
Esther:	God's deliverance of the Jews through Esther and Mordecai is the subject of this book.

BOOKS OF POETRY:

Job:	This book is the story of Job, a man who lived around the time of Abraham. The theme is the question of why righteous men suffer.
Psalms:	The prayer and praise book of the Bible.
Proverbs:	Divine wisdom for practical problems of everyday life.
Ecclesiastes:	A discussion of the futility of life apart from God.
Song Of Solomon:	The romance of Solomon and his Shulamite bride. The story represents God's love for Israel and of Christ for the church.

BOOKS OF PROPHECY:

Several of these books were written during a period when the nation of Israel was divided into two separate kingdoms: Israel and Judah.

Isaiah:	Warns of coming judgment against Judah because of their sin against God.
Jeremiah:	Written during the later decline and fall of Judah. Told of the coming judgment and urged surrender to Nebuchadnezzar.
Lamentations:	Jeremiah's lament (expression of sorrow) over the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon.
Ezekiel:	Warns first of Jerusalem's impending fall and then foretells its future restoration.
Daniel:	The prophet Daniel was captured during the early siege of Judah and taken to Babylon. This book provides historic and prophetic teaching which is important in understanding Bible prophecy.  The prophet Daniel was captured during the early siege of Judah and taken to Babylon. This book provides historic and prophetic teaching which is important in understanding Bible prophecy.
Hosea:	Theme of this book is Israel's unfaithfulness, their punishment, and restoration by God.
Joel:	Tells of the plagues which foreshadowed future judgment.
Amos:	During a period of material prosperity but moral decay, Amos warned Israel and surrounding nations of God's future judgment on their sin.
Obadiah:	God's judgment against Edom, an evil nation located south of the Dead Sea.
Jonah:	The story of the prophet Jonah who preached repentance in Ninevah, capitol of the Assyrian empire. The book reveals God's love and plan of repentance for the Gentiles.
Micah:	Another prophecy against Israel's sin. Foretells the birthplace of Jesus 700 years before the event happened.
Nahum:	Tells of the impending destruction of Ninevah which had been spared some 150 years earlier through Jonah's preaching.
Habakkuk:	Reveals God's plan to punish a sinful nation by an even more sinful one.  Teaches that "the just shall live by faith."
Zephaniah:	Judgment and restoration of Judah.
Haggai:	Urges the Jews to rebuild the temple after a 15 year delay due to enemy resistance.
Zechariah:	Further urging to complete the temple and renew spiritual commitment.  Foretells Christ's first and second comings.
Malachi:	Warns against spiritual shallowness and foretells the coming of John the Baptist and Jesus.

NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS:  (27 Books)

THE GOSPELS:

The four books known as the Gospels record the birth, life, ministry, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The approach of each book differs:

Matthew:	Emphasizes Jesus Christ as King and was directed especially to the Jews.
Mark:	Emphasizes Jesus Christ as the Servant of God and was directed especially to the Romans.
Luke:	Presents Jesus Christ as the "Son of Man," the perfect man and Savior of imperfect men.
John:	Presents Jesus in His position as the Son of God.

BOOK OF HISTORY:

Account of events occuring; particularly of the birth of the 'church' after the ascension of Christ.

Acts:

The one history book of the New Testament records the early growth of Christianity from the time of Christ's return to Heaven through Paul's imprisonment in Rome. The book covers about 33 years and emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit.

LETTERS:

Romans:	A presentation of the Gospel which stresses salvation by faith alone.
I Corinthians:	Written to correct errors of Christian conduct in the local church.
II Corinthians:	Speaks of the true ministry of the Gospel, stewardship, and Paul's apostolic authority.
Galatians:	Deals with the error of mixing law and faith. The theme is justification by faith alone.
Ephesians:	Encourages believers regarding their position in Christ.
Philippians:	Emphasizes the joy of the Christian unity.
Colossians:	Deals with the error of "Gnosticism," a false teachings which denied Jesus was truly Son of God and Son of Man. The book also emphasizes Jesus as head of the Church.
I Thessalonians:	Counsel in Christian living and emphasis on the return of Jesus.
II Thessalonians:	Further instruction on the Lord's return and how knowledge of this should affect everyday life.  Further instruction on the Lord's return and how knowledge of this should affect everyday life.
I Timothy:	Stresses sound doctrine, orderly church government, and principles to guide the church in the years to come.
II Timothy:	Describes the true servant of Jesus Christ. It also warns of the apostasy (spiritual decline) which had already started. It presents the Word of God as the remedy to correct all error.
Titus:	Paul's letter to a young minister named Titus who was serving God on the island of Crete. Doctrine and a Godly life are stressed.
Philemon:	Paul's intercession for a runaway slave of a wealthy Colossian Christian. It illustrates the intercession of Jesus on the behalf of believers who were once slaves to sin.
Hebrews:	Explains the superiority of Christianity over Judaism. Presents Jesus as the Great High Priest and the mediator between God and man.
James:	Teaches that true faith is evidenced by works, although salvation is by faith alone.
I Peter:	A letter of comfort and encouragement to believers, especially those suffering spiritual attacks from outside the church through unbelievers.
II Peter:	A warning against spiritual attacks from within. For example, false teachers who had already "crept" into the Church.
I John:	Written to combat Gnosticism which denied Christ's position as Son of God and Son of Man. The book emphasizes fellowship and love among believers and assures true believers of eternal life.
II John:	Warns against any compromise with doctrinal error and emphasizes that the truth must be guarded in love.
III John:	Warns of the sin of refusing fellowship with those who are true believers.
Jude:	Another warning against apostasy and false doctrine. The theme is similar to that of II Peter.

BOOK OF PROPHECY:

Revelation:

This prophetic book tells of the final events of world history. It tells of the things which were, are, and which will be in the future plan of God (Revelation 4:22).