Written over 1,500 years by about 40 authors from diverse backgrounds—fishermen, physicians, shepherds, and more—the Bible is foundational to the Christian faith. It is composed of the Old and New Testaments, shaping spiritual practice and culture throughout history.
A golden thread runs through all of Scripture, clearly revealing God’s intimate involvement. We believe the Bible is divinely inspired—God’s revelation of Himself to humanity. It contains the principles we are to live by and serves as the measure of our faith and doctrine.
“All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” — 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (AMP)
The Old Testament is largely synonymous with the Hebrew Bible, which is sacred to Judaism. It contains a series of books that include historical narratives, poetry, prophecies, and laws that trace the origins of the universe, the history of the Israelites, and their covenant relationship with God. These texts were written and compiled over a period of many centuries, starting from around 1200 BCE, and they reflect the religious, social, and political conditions of the ancient Near East.
The New Testament, distinct to Christianity, emerged in the context of the 1st century CE, focusing on the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is considered the Messiah in the Christian belief. It includes the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), which narrate Jesus’ life and work; the Acts of the Apostles, which describes the early days of the Christian community; the Epistles (letters) written by early Christian leaders like Paul to various congregations; and the book of Revelation, a prophetic text about the end times. We believe that salvation involves the redemption and transformation of the total man and is available freely to all who believe in Jesus Christ. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
Discover the journey of how the Bible was formed, translated, and spread across the world—from early church councils and ancient languages to global impact through culture, art, and history.
Canonical formation means to how the books of the Bible were chosen and agreed upon as the official scriptures for Christians. This process was complicated and took several hundred years to develop. Different groups of church leaders and official church meetings, called “councils”, discussed and decided which books should be included. By around the 4th century (the 300s AD), most of the books in the New Testament were generally accepted by Christian communities as part of the Bible. However, it took even longer for all branches of Christianity to agree on the exact list of books that make up the Bible as we know it today.
The Christian Bible has had a profound and far-reaching influence on Western culture and world history, shaping literature, art, law, ethics, education, politics, and more. As the foundational text for over 2.4 billion Christians worldwide, its themes and narratives are deeply embedded in the collective consciousness of many societies, making it one of the most studied, quoted, translated, and respected texts in the world.
Spiritually, the Bible has been a source of personal transformation for billions, offering hope, salvation, and moral direction. It has inspired countless missionary movements that have established hospitals, schools, and humanitarian initiatives across the globe. Its influence on culture is equally significant—shaping legal systems with principles of justice and mercy, enriching language through idioms and expressions, and inspiring iconic works of art, architecture, and music.
Educationally, the Bible spurred global literacy efforts and the creation of written alphabets, fueled by the desire to read Scripture in one’s own language. Some of the world’s earliest universities, like Oxford and Harvard, were founded to teach the Bible. It also catalyzed the printing revolution, being the first major book printed using movable type on the Gutenberg Press.
The Bible has played a pivotal role in social reform, motivating abolitionist movements, advancing human rights through its teachings on human dignity, and inspiring care for the poor and vulnerable. Politically, it has influenced democratic principles such as the rule of law and constitutional governance, with biblical covenants shaping early ideas of social contracts and national constitutions.
With translations in over 3,600 languages, the Bible remains the most translated and widely distributed book in human history, reaching nearly every culture and people group. Despite persecution and censorship, its enduring message of love, truth, justice, and reconciliation continues to transform lives and societies. In a world often marked by division, the Bible serves as a unifying moral compass and an enduring legacy of spiritual and cultural influence.
It can be a bit overwhelming when you’re a brand new believer, or even if you’ve been a believer for a while, but have a refreshed and renewed desire to learn more about God, His Word, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit. The Bible is our roadmap for life. Here are a few tips on how to approach it.
Begin each day with reverence for God. Set aside time to meet with Him as you would for any important appointment—whether it’s with the dentist or a loved one. Honor God with the first part of your day, dedicating time to spend in His presence.
“Lord, shine the searchlight of heaven into the deepest crevices of my heart, uproot anything that is not of You, and plant Your Word deeply within me.”
There are various ways to read the Bible based on what you’re looking for:
Decide what you want to focus on in your Bible study. Use a journal to write down:
Be still and allow God to speak. Give Him room to minister to your heart.
Take time to worship God and pray. Ask Him how He wants you to respond to the Scripture you’ve read. Seek His strategy for applying His Word to your life.
“But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners… He who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it… he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].” – James 1:22-25 (AMP)
Scripture memorization is a powerful tool for spiritual growth and a weapon against the enemy. Set a goal to memorize a new verse each week or day. Meditating on God’s Word throughout your day helps keep it at the forefront of your mind.
“Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, That I may not sin against You”. – Psalm 119:11
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