Category Archives: The Bible

Chapters and Verses

The Bible is indexed into chapters and verses for easy reference.  For example, ‘Romans’ would point the reader to Paul’s epistle (or letter) to the Romans.  (The reader would need to have a general idea where Romans is in the Bible.  Please see our article on Bible Books.)  Romans 2:5 would point the reader to Romans, chapter 2, verse 5. Origins of Chapters and Verses The Bible, as originally written, was not divided into chapters and verses.  Chapters were introduced in the 13th century by Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury.   Verses were introduced in the 16th century by the French scholar Robert Estienne (commonly known as Stephanus). As a Reformation-era scholar, he produced several editions of the (Textus Receptus) Greek New Testament text, and first introduced verse numbering in his 1551 edition. Issues with Chapters and Verses Chapters and verses are man-made additions to the Bible; they should not be considered inspired.  On the contrary, there are many chapter divisions that seem out of place. Example:  Immediately after Jesus tells Peter that he will deny Him, He also tells him not to be troubled. John 13:36 – 38 36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. 37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. 38 Jesus answered him, Wilt

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Books of the Bible

  Books by their Biblical Order Order Full Name Abbreviations * Chapters 1 Genesis Gen, Gn 50 2 Exodus Ex, Exo, Exod 40 3 Leviticus Lev, Lv 27 4 Numbers Num, Nm, Nu 36 5 Deuteronomy Deut, Dt 34 6 Joshua Josh, Jos, Jsh 24 7 Judges Judg, Jdg 21 8 Ruth Ruth, Rth 4 9 1 Samuel 1 Sam, 1 Sm 31 10 2 Samuel 2 Sam, 2 Sm 24 11 1 Kings 1 Ki 22 12 2 Kings 2 Ki 25 13 1 Chronicles 1 Chron, 1 Chr 29 14 2 Chronicles 2 Chron, 2 Chr 36 15 Ezra Ezr, Ez 10 16 Nehemiah Neh, Ne 13 17 Esther Esth, Est 10 18 Job Jb 42 19 Psalms Ps 150 20 Proverbs Pro, Prov 31 21 Ecclesiastes Ecc, Ec 12 22 Song of Solomon Song, SOS 8 23 Isaiah Isa, Is 66 24 Jeremiah Jer, Je 52 25 Lamentations Lam 48 26 Ezekiel Eze, Ezek 12 27 Daniel Dan, Dn 5 28 Hosea Hos 14 29 Joel Jl 3 30 Amos Am, Ams 9 31 Obadiah Obad, Ob 1 32 Jonah Jon, Jnh 4 33 Micah Mic, Mch 7 34 Nahum Nah, Nh, Nhm 3 35 Habakkuk Hab, Hb 3 36 Zephaniah Zeph, Zep 3 37 Haggai Hag, Hg 2 38 Zechariah Zech, Zec 14 39 Malachi Mal, Ml 4 40 Matthew Matt, Mt 28 41 Mark Mark, Mk 16 42 Luke Lk, Lu 24 43 John Jn 21 44

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Lost in Translation? Do all Bibles really say the same things?

1. Is it hard to get to heaven? Mark 10:24 KJV And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! NASB The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is [] to enter the kingdom of God! ESV And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is [] to enter the kingdom of God!

Where to Begin

If you’re new to the Bible, you may be feeling overwhelmed.  Where do I begin reading? Here is an (incomplete) list of recommended readings.  You may also want to read our article, A Brief Summary of the Bible.

A Brief Summary of the Bible

The Bible is more than just a history book. The Bible is the inspired Word of God. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16). “[G]iven by inspiration of God” literally means “God breathed.” The Bible is God’s Word. God brought it into existence, and it is infallible. The human writers wrote what God’s Holy Spirit moved them to write. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:21). The Bible reflects the attributes of it’s author. God’s word is pure. The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (Psalms 12:6) (See also Ps 19:8, 119:140; Prov 30:5). God’s word is true. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17) (See also Ps 119:142, 151, 160; Rev 21:5). God’s word is perfect. The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (Psalms 19:7) (See also Ps 119:56, James 1:25). God’s word is righteous. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. (Psalms 119:128) (See also Ps 19:8, 119:72) Despite being written by dozens of human writers over a span

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