Who Wrote the Bible?
"men moved by the Holy Spirit" 2 Pe 1:21
The Old Testament
First and foremost, the whole Bible was written by the Holy Spirit (2 Pe 1:21). Even God’s own fi nger wrote ten important commandments on two tablets of stone and gave them to Moses to give to the people (Ex 31:18; De 9:10). Then God led Moses to write some of the first five books of the O.T., if not all five. These are called the Law, or the Law of Moses because he is the one who received it from God to write it down and pass it on to the Jewish people (Ex 24:4; 31:18; 32:19, 34:1, 27, 28). In many verses, the N.T. refers to the Law of Moses when it teaches that it is not in effect any more (Col 2:14; Ro 10:4).Several other inspired men wrote the rest of the O.T. Solomon wrote most of the book of Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes (Pr 1:1; Ec 1:1; Sol 1:1). King David wrote most of the book of Psalms, which were songs about his joys, sorrows, and needs. He also spoke of the Christ in them (Ps 2:7; Ps 22). Several other prophets spoke words from God that were written down; men such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. King David was also called a prophet (Ac 2:29, 30; 2 Sa 23:1, 2). Others contributed to the writings.
The Jews were the keepers and collectors of these O.T. writings. All of them have been copied and translated over the years and delivered to us today.
The New Testament
Evidently or traditionally, the 27 books in the N.T. were written by eight inspired men; seven were Jews, but Luke supposedly was a Gentile.1. Paul (Tent-Maker) wrote 14 books 2. John (Fisherman) 5 3. Luke (Physician) 2 4. Peter (Fisherman) 2 5. Matthew/Levi (Tax-Collector) 1 6. James (Carpenter) 1 7. Mark 1 8. Jude (Carpenter) 1These books were written between 33 A.D. and 120 A.D. in the Greek language of that day, and were circulated amongst Christian churches. For example, Paul said, “When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans” (Col 4:16). In his first letter to Timothy, in 5:18, Paul quotes from Matthew or Luke (Mt 10:10; Lk 10:7). So evidently Matthew’s and/or Luke’s Gospel account must have been circulated during the first century.
CREDIBILITY OF N.T. WRITERS Four Were Apostles of Jesus Christ
The apostles were twelve men in all who were chosen by the Messiah to be eyewitness companions of His majesty when he was on the earth (Lk 6:13; Mk 3:14; 1 Cor 12:28; 2 Cor 12:12). In this way, they could be the best witnesses to credibly tell others about the Lord. Matthew, John, and Peter were apostles in that sense. Paul also was chosen by the Messiah to be an apostle (1 Tim 2:7). Yet Paul only saw Jesus in a vision (Ac 9:1-7). But the Messiah used Paul mightily to spread the gospel, perhaps equally or even in greater measure than some of the other apostles. He wrote 14 of the 27, over half of the N.T. books.
Two Were Traveling Companions of an Apostle
Several men went with Paul on his evangelistic journeys to spread the gospel. Two of them wrote N.T. books. (1) Mark (Ac 12:25), also called John [not John the apostle]. (2) Luke, when writing the book of Acts, sometimes used the word “we” to indicate that he was with Paul on his evangelistic journeys (Ac 16:10; 27:2, 37). Both Mark and Luke would have understood fi rst hand from the apostle what the new message was all about.
Two Were Relatives of Jesus
The Messiah had brothers who, at some point, were followers of Him, James (Mk 6:3; Ac 1:14; Ga 1:19) and Jude (Mk 6:3; Ac 1:14). Therefore, they would be credible witnesses and writers of their N.T. books. In A.D. 397, the Council of Carthage gave their formal acceptance of the 27 books in the New Testament, books that were already being used by the churches as the standard of Christian faith.
CONCLUSION: Even though both testaments were written by several inspired men from different ages, each book of both the Old and New Testaments fi ts together like a fi nished puzzle. They are woven together like one multi colored cloth, showing forth a unifi ed picture of past, present, and future, especially in regards to the Messiah. This inspires our awe and wonder.
Why Are Other Books Not in the Bible?
Three excellent reasons can be given for why other books are not included in the Bible.- They Are Not Truly Inspired by God
First, and foremost, they are not considered inspired by God. For example, several books appeared between the period of both the Old and New Testaments. These have been grouped into what’s called the Apocrypha [meaning obscure or hidden books, that is hidden or unseen by their absence, or uncommon use by God’s Covenant People, the Jews]. The Apocrypha has been widely disputed as to whether it is inspired or not. The Catholic Bible includes some of these books as part of their Old Testament. But most any other Bible does not, including strictly Jewish Old Testaments. - We Have Been Given the Final Message
Second, the final message has already been given to us once and for all in the fi rst century AD (READ Jude 3). - We Have Been Sternly Warned Not to Add
Words [even Books] to the Bible
Third, warnings of the severest punishment await those who add to or take away from the previously established message of Christ (Ga 1:6-9; Re 22:18, 19).
BACK TO INTRO HOME PAGE
Website & Bible study content Copyright 2001-2010, © Patrick David Yanello, All rights reserved.