Bible Intro - the "P's" of the Word

I wanted to write a short teaching on Bible basics as I have been asked to teach a few classes on the Bible. I want to begin by saying that I always say "the Bible has a heartbeat." It is a living document. There is no other document or book one could purchase that is living. This means while reading the Word, you will receive wisdom straight from the throne of God. Imagine what a pipeline the Bible is for us believers.

2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and training in righteousness.

How do you approach a living document of wisdom? You approach intending to not only gain knowledge but to grow and change. Years ago, I heard a preacher say to allow oneself the privilege of removing all bias and entering the Word for the first time every time.

Two Testaments (also called Covenants)

The Bible is divided into two testaments, the Old Testament, which has 39 books, and the New Testament, which consists of 27 books. Reading only the New Testament will not give you the whole perspective that understanding the Old Testament will lend you.

The Old Testament is divided into 5 sections:

1. The Torah, also called the Pentateuch, is the first five books of the Bible. This constitutes Genesis through Deuteronomy and contains historical narratives.

2. Historical books: Joshua through Esther are historical narratives (like the Torah) that continue the story of the Israelites.

3. Wisdom books: Job through Song of Solomon. These books include Psalms and Proverbs.

4. Major Prophets: Isaiah through Daniel.

5. Minor Prophets: Hosea through Malachi.

   
   

   Between the Testaments is a 400-year gap with no writings that are considered God breathed. This period is called the Intertestamental Period, and it takes place between Malachi and Matthew.

   
   

   Of note: the book of Enoch was written in the 400-year gap. There are many theories and conspiracies surrounding Enoch, and many believe it was removed from the Bible in a nefarious manner. The truth is that the book of Enoch has several authors and was completed during the Intertestamental Period, when God was considered silent. The Israelites never thought the book of Enoch to be anything but a book of historical interest.

   
   

   Now, onto the New Testament, which has three sections:

   1. The Historical narratives: Matthew through Acts.

   2. Letters: Romans through Jude

   3. Revelation: an apocalyptic prophetic book written by the apostle John.

   
   

Overarching themes:

Let's go over the "P" words that we can apply to the Word to give us perspective on the ultimate story. Neither Testament is in chronological order, but one can find a list of Bible books in chronological order if they want to read it that way.

P for Perfect:

In the beginning, (which are the first words of the Bible), God created the world and it was perfect. God called every creation good (tov) in Hebrew. This word for good means it was perfect for the purpose for which God created it. One glaring thing regarding tov is that it holds in its meaning this ability to bring life or recreate. We see that in all creation - this ability to reproduce and live fully.

There was only one thing God said was "not good," and that was Adam, who needed a partner (Genesis 2:18). Adam could not reproduce and was lonely without another human. Therefore, Eve was created from Adam.

P for purpose:

It is noteworthy to see that God gives humans purpose in the first recorded words to Adam and Even (Genesis 1:28). "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth." It behooves us to realize that God, as creator, understood something imperative about our design - we need purpose.

P for problem:

God's first command to Adam after He placed him in the Garden of Eden was as written. "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." (Genesis 2:16)

As we know, the enemy deceives Eve, and she eats the fruit and gives some to Adam. This is a problem. Humans had now sinned and gone against God's commands. Adam and Eve do not die instantly, but will die eventually. The Garden of Eden was not a place of death, but had the Tree of Life that allowed for continued life.

God's response is to give consequences to Adam, Eve, and the enemy. He then sacrifices an animal to cover their sin and shame, and they are mercifully led out of the Garden because God does not want them to have access to the Tree of Life and life forever in this sinful state.

P is for promise:

Before leaving the garden, God gives the seed promise. Genesis 3:15 is the first gospel. God declares that a seed from the woman will eventually defeat the enemy. This is the first mention of Jesus Christ, who will be born of a woman and allow for humanity's forgiveness.

This promise starts the genealogy of Jesus. Why do Matthew and Luke stress the genealogy of Jesus? Because of this promise right here.

P is for plan:

God initiates a plan to bless the world through the nation of Israel. Genesis 12:1 begins the story of Abram (later named Abraham), who is the first Hebrew. Contrary to some speculation, God did not make a new nation, but started the Israelite tribe from a multi-ethnic group. The role of the Israelites is to reveal God's ways to the world, be a light, and a refuge so that all can be part of God's kingdom.

God's plan has always been to reach the whole world with salvation.

P is for prophets:

As one reads the Old Testament, one sees the ebb and flow of the Israelites through blessings and famine. God eventually sends prophets to help them set their paths straight and return to His ways. Prophets spoke for God, and one commonly sees them say, "Thus says the Lord." Reading through the prophetic age in the Old Testament is a massive way to discover God's heart for all people and His command for obedience.

When I think of prophecy, I think of the candy now and later. Prophecy often includes both immediate and distant events. It takes some discernment to see all that God is expressing, and much of it is seen through hindsight.

New Testament:

As we progress to the New Testament, we see the fulfillment of many prophecies in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If you have studied the Old Testament, it helps you imagine the scene around Jesus and the mindset of His audience. The New Testament "sings" after reading the Old Testament, as we discover God's faithfulness through the life of Jesus.

The gospels reveal the prophetic fulfillments in Jesus' life, so that the reader understands that Jesus is not only God's Son but also God. It is undeniable when you take the Word in all its wholeness to the cross and resurrection of Jesus.

Acts is an important historical book as it declares the ascension of Jesus to His Father and the coming of the Holy Spirit to lead the church.

One could break down the Scriptures into categories based on which deity was near. God was near in the Garden and through the prophets. Jesus is born in the early text of the Gospels and is human, appearing

to humans even after His resurrection. Next, in Acts, the Holy Spirit comes to fill believers and direct the bride of Christ. One of the Trinity is always close to humankind.

Paul's letters and those of other New Testament letter writers are crucial for the Church, as they provide sound doctrine and direction for the body.

Revelation is a whole new kind of book. It is an apocalyptic prophecy of sorts regarding the end of the age. It was written to give us hope and comfort in God's ultimate plan to have an eternal place for all believers to dwell with God.

In Revelations, we come full circle. In the beginning was the Garden, and Heaven will be a return to a similar paradise. At that future time, however, the faithful will not be innocent created humans like Adam and Eve, but they will be redeemed people who have tasted the consequence of sin. God is going to place the redeemed back into the Garden with purpose and commands just like He had designed it all in the first place.

What a glorious God to make a promise and plan after the problem of sin so that people can be in paradise. I had to end this with five p's.

Praise Him as He deserves the glory!