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It is often pointed out that the Bible is not one book, but a whole library of books in one volume. In fact, there are 66 'books' in the Bible altogether. They have been written by different people over a long period of time - at least 1600 years.
Just as in a real library, the books of the Bible are of different types and are arranged, therefore, in different sections. A major division of the Bible is that of the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is about twice as long as the New Testament
The Old Testament
The OT is about the people of Israel (sometimes referred to as 'God's Chosen People'). It contains the revelation given to them of how all things began; it tells the story of their beginning as a nation of escaping slaves from Egypt; the story continues to show how they entered the Promised Land, became a kingdom but, sadly, were conquered by the Babylonians and suffered exile from their land. Eventually, however, they returned, rebuilt their temple and the city of Jerusalem.The New Testament
After a break of some four hundred years, the New Testament brings us the story of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus and the beginning and spread of the Christian Church.The Library
These are the sections of the Old and New Testaments:- The Old Testament
- The Book of the Law: The first five books of the Bible (Pentateuch), sometimes called the Five Books of Moses. The Jews call this the Torah. It contains the sories of the beginnings and of the Patriarchs - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. Then there is the story of Moses and the escape from Egypt. Here we find the Law and the commandments of God.
- Old Testament History: This takes the reader through from Joshua and the conquest of the Promised Land, to the establishment of the Kingdom Of Israel under Kings Saul, David and Solomon, and then to the failure and defeat of invasion and exile, until finally the Jews return to Jerusalem.
- Poetry and Wisdom: These are some of the best known writings in the world - The story of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon.
- The Prophets: These 17 books contain the messages of God for His people, then and for the future.
- The New Testament
- The Gospels: record the various perspectives on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
- The Book of Acts: is the story of the beginning and development of the Church.
- The Letters: 21 letters written by Paul and other apostles.
- Prophecy: The Book of the Revelation - visions and revelation of things to come written against the background of 1st century persecution of Christians.