If you’ve never read the Bible, here is a brief summary of what the Bible is about.

Generally, it is a compilation of witness testimonies of people who had supernatural experiences with God. These people saw, heard, and felt the presence of God, which still happens today. They wrote about things that God revealed to them, or what they directly experienced. It is broken into several ‘books’ which have specific names, such as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus. Then by Chapter, and then by verse. This is where you get references like “Genesis 2:4“. This means, the Book of Genesis, Chapter 2, Verse 4.

Genesis explains creation, how God created the Earth, Adam and Eve, how the Earth became populated, and the life stories of our first ancestors. Then we get into the history of the Israelites. Exodus tells us about Moses and how the Israelites escaped slavery in Egypt. Over the next few books, we see how they wandered in the wilderness until they reach the promised land, a land God promised the Israelites would take possession of. They were also given the 10 commandments during this time.

We then see a history of the various kings of Israel and what is happening, or will happen, to the people over time. Many of the following Books focus on the predictions (and sometimes life stories) of the great prophets, such as David, Isaiah, and Elijah who predicted events that happened 400 to 1000 years in the future, after their time. This is why many of the Books are titled using a person’s name. It is about their life and/or they wrote it. King David was especially beloved by God, and he is believed to have written most of the Psalms, which are a compilation of poems, hymns (or songs), and prayers. His son, Solomon, who was thought to be one of the wisest kings of all time, wrote the Proverbs. He was also a man of God. The Proverbs are a compilation of wise sayings, which describe high moral standards and principles to live by. The Song of Solomon follows this and is a (somewhat saucy) love song between a man and his wife.

The Old Testament is riddled with historical accounts of extraordinary events where God miraculously saves or helps His people, such as the great flood, the parting of the Red Sea, the 10 plagues in Egypt, David and Goliath, snake bites healed by faith, the collapse of the fortress around Jericho, men surviving a burning furnace unscathed, and many others. You may know some of these.

The Old Testament was completed and followed by the Israelites for about 400 years before the New Testament was written. The New Testament begins with the Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. John, Matthew, and Peter (who comes in later) were some of Jesus’ original 12 disciples. They knew Him intimately for roughly 3 ½ years. They lived with Him, travelled all over, ate and drank, and camped with Him during this time. Luke was a physician, and a friend of Paul (who comes in later) and Mark was thought to be a friend of Paul and Peter. Each of these 4 men provide an account of the life of Jesus from their own perspective They start with the birth of Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, who also predicted His coming. These men write about His birth, life, mannerisms, personality, the Godly advice and warnings He gave people, His ministry, the miracles they witnessed, and finally, His death, and resurrection – and all of the events surrounding that. So, as you have probably concluded, this is not a book of fiction, as some people think. In fact, Luke begins his book with the following introduction, “Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account… that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed” (Luke 1:1-2).

Some of these men, also wrote some of the later Chapters like Acts, and John 1, 2, and 3. Acts describes events that happened after Jesus’ death and the disciples were given supernatural power by the Holy Spirit to continue Jesus’ ministry by preaching the Gospel, and performing many of the same miracles He did, such as divine healing, exorcism, and resurrection.

Many of the following Books were written by Paul (formerly Saul, a leader in the Jewish church) who later became a disciple, after encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus (ironically on his way to persecute Christians). This encounter changed his whole life and even changed his name. He then began to preach the Gospel and teach. His journey is documented in Acts. After traveling all over the place, and visiting many of the churches in the area, he wrote letters back to those churches to tell them what was going on with him, and also to continue to teach them in the ways of God. The Books of Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, for example, were written to the churches in Corinth, Galatia, and Philippi. These letters included guidelines for Christian living, and some stark warnings against immoral and sinful behaviors. This covers Romans through Hebrews.

We then see a few more letters from other people James (thought to be Jesus’ brother), and apostles Peter, and John. These are addressed either to a specific person, a certain group of people, or to a broad audience (perhaps a future audience). Peter writes “to those who have obtained precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1). Jude writes “to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:1). These letters again emphasize Godly living and God’s purposes for us.

Riddled throughout the New Testament are guidelines on what it means to get saved, and how to pray, worship, and lead a good Christian life. We see many more of those extraordinary events that Jesus performed to glorify God and bring people to faith. Some examples are turning water into wine, walking on water, dead people brought back to life, divine healing for what was medically incurable at the time; leprosy, blindness, muteness, deafness. In addition to this, at least 10 prophets, living at different times, predicted the coming of Jesus, and it is estimated that Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophesies about Him from the Old Testament.

The final Book, Revelation, is written by the disciple John, who received visions and revelations from Jesus of the end of mankind as we know it – and our future on a new Earth, and with a new Heaven. We are a full account of the end times, the final battle between Christ and the Beast, and we are given glimpses of Heaven and Hell.

Does much of this sound unbelievable to you? Yes, I know. Everyone thinks that at first, until they encounter God themselves…

Recommended Reading

You may want to read “Why is it So Important to Read the Bible”, “Is There A God”, or “Am I Saved?” next.