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THE BIBLE

Surprisingly, the word "Bible" is not generally found in English or other translations of the Holy Scriptures. The Phoenician port of Gebal (Modern Jubayl), imported papyrus from Egypt, the fibrous pith inside the stem of the plant was used as a material for writing. The Greeks called this ancient seaport Byblos and its inhabitants Biblians, by the second century B.C., the Hebrew Scriptures were being referred to by the Greeks, as ta biblia. The word biblia was used by Paul (2Timothy 4:13) and the apostle John (John 21:25; Revelation 20:12) it literally meant a (sc)roll or book, however the diminutive Greek word biblion had more common use. The codex was an ancient type of book produced by folding a stack of papyrus sheets or vellum in half, then sewing the folded end to form a spine.

The Latin use of the word biblia describes anything written, scrolls, or books, even a collection of books, it then became Biblia Sacra meaning Sacred Books. A collection of books, was first named the bible in catalogues of the ninth and tenth centuries, from this we have in English today the Holy Bible.

PALESTINE

From very early times some countries have been important in world history, not for their size or wealth, or mineral resources, but for their geographical position. This is true of Palestine, which has been described as "the bridge-head" between Egypt and the East, situated on one side is the desert, which is almost impassable for large bodies of men, and on the other the sea, by no means a popular method of travel in those early days.

Across that bridge-head, after following the coast route of the Sinai Peninsula, rode Thotmes III and other Pharaohs of the Imperial Age, to invade Syria and the plain of the Euphrates. Down, through the narrow pass of Mount Carmel, swept the triumphant Assyrians. From beyond the Jordan came a wandering race, seeking a settled home in "a land flowing with milk and honey".

ARCHAEOLOGY

The spade of the archaeologist has uncovered a great deal of evidence about those remote times that has verified much of the Bible.

The ancient city Nuzi to the east of the Tigris River and southeast of Nineveh, excavated between 1925 and 1931, yielded many artefacts, including some 20,000 clay tablets. Written in the Babylonian language, they contain legal customs similar to those of the patriarchal era described in Genesis 31:14-35.

The Cyrus Cylinder was recovered at the site of ancient Sippar on the Euphrates, about 20 miles [32 km] from Baghdad. It speaks of the conquest of Babylon at the hands of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire. Amazingly, some 200 years earlier.

An excavation at the site of ancient Nineveh, Assyria's capital, revealed a sculptured slab in the palace of King Sennacherib, which depicts Assyrian soldiers leading Jewish captives into exile after the fall of Lachish in 732 B.C.E. (2 Kings 18:13-15).

Recently (2005) archaeologists working at Tel Zayit, midway between Jerusalem and the Mediterranean, found an archaic Hebrew alphabet, incised on a piece of limestone, indicating that the ancient Israelites were a literate people.

After a life time in the Middle East, W. F. Albright, the great archaeologist, wrote, 'the Bible towers in content above all other religious literature'.

It is also of the highest value to historians.

THE OLD MANUSCRIPTS

Naturally, we do not possess all the original writings of the last 3,000 years as printing was unknown and everything was copied by hand, Hebrew was written without vowel signs, this has led to a difficulty in pronouncing God's name, religious superstition has arisen, with many feeling that Gods name can only be spoken by perfect lips.

God's name, is represented by the Tetragrammaton

(which translates into English as YHWH or in the Latinized form JHVH)

The copyists (scribes), substituted between the consonants of the name, the vowels, for Elohim (God), or Adonai (My Lord) to remind one not to use the name. These alterations have been noted in the marginal notes of copies made by the Masoretes. This has contributed to the use of a title such as LORD for God's name in many translations of the Holy Scriptures. Our familiarity with God is therefore based on an alteration to the original text, there can be no doubt that many do this in a reverential way, but substituting any form of title is not God's personal view, His name occurs many times in the Holy Scriptures, and is personal to our heavenly Father.

It raises the questions: Should respect for God's name, cause its obscurity?

Are we not in breach of the commandments, by not making everyone aware of its origin, and the reverence it is due?

The Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) have been preserved with 6,000 thousand manuscripts containing parts of the different books. There are over 170 scrolls parchment or leather, written fragments, (located at Jerusalem Israel) from the caves in the region of the Dead Sea (Wadi Qumran [Nahal Qumeran] ).There are also hundreds of papyri fragments, of varying size and importance in existence from the Septuagint through to the middle of the 7th century.

The arrangements of the Jewish and Christian canons differ considerably. The Jewish writings include only the books known to Christians as the Old Testament, in which thousands of the words are attributed directly to God. It is widely accepted that the Jews received sacred pronouncements from God, we read, in the New Testament that all scripture is inspired of God (2Timothy 3:16) the Greek word theopneustos rendered "inspired of God" literally comes from the words theos "God" and pneo "breathed", the Greek word logion rendered "oracles" (Acts 7:38; Romans 3:2; Hebrews 5:12; 1Peter 4:11;) literally means "an utterance", Jesus also refers to Old Testament quotes as 'words spoken of God' (Matthew 22:31;).

Traditionally the Jews have divided their scriptures, the Old Testament into three parts: the Torah (the "Law"), or Pentateuch; the Nevi`im (the "Prophets" ); and the Ketuvim (the "Writings"), or Hagiographa.

The story of the early suffering is given in the first five books of the Old Testament, the Pentateuch together with the book of Joshua (hence the name Hexateuch) it can be seen as the account of how Israel became a nation and possessed the Promised Land. The division designated as the "Prophets" continues the story of Israel in the Promised Land, it describes the establishment and development of the monarchy and presents the messages of the prophets to the people.

So great was the gulf between the direction they received, from the Almighty God, than that of the debased and idolatrous cults that surrounded them, they became unique. The Hebrews were a nation of people who produced one of the most magnificent buildings, Solomon's temple their works of art, and buildings have not survived, like those of other important ancient nations. But their immeasurably superior religious values have shone out, with its insistence on the worship of one, unseen God, and his high moral code, from the darkness of the superstition and idolatry, of the other nations.

Unfortunately, time and again, many of the Jews were seduced by the cults of their neighbours and the worship of their false gods, Baal, Dagon, and Astarte, with its debasing accompaniments. The history of the Jews (belonging to the tribe of Judah) and their religion Judaism, is an illustration of the disasters that result from disobedience. In their case the penalties were all the more severe because they had been shown special favour. They were to contend with many powerful Empires Egypt - Assyria - Babylon - Medes & Persians - Greece and Rome.

The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures [39 Books] ), were for some years an oral tradition, which was turned into a permanent record, the Hebrew Scripture's provide a well documented history of the Jews down to about 300 B.C. It also contains some of the finest religious poetry ever written and some remarkable books that may seem obscure, but foretell the future.

The Jews still believe they are the chosen people of God and that a Messiah is coming to save them.

NEW TESTAMENT

In the early years of the Christians (Acts 11:26; 26:28; I Peter 4:16) the Gospels of the New Testament had yet to be written, obviously they were orally relating the account of the life of Jesus Christ, not all scholars agree when the books of the New Testament were written, or even who wrote them, they suggest that the synoptic Gospels are based on a common source of the sayings of Jesus - usually referred to as "Q" [from the German word Quelle "source"]. Collections of his sayings do appear in the Pirqe Aboth and also in Greek literature. However evidence among the writings (Acts 5:42; 8:25; 10:42; 20:21, 24; 23:11; 26:22; 28:23;) point to the disciples congregating in Jerusalem, from where a co-ordinated approach was established in forming Christianity, first among (Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1-37; 28:1-16. ) the Jews and then among the Samaritans and the Gentile nations. Our confidence can only be strengthened by the work of the scribes and printers in preserving these early writings.

The early Greek manuscripts, were confusing, as the letters of one word ran on to the next without a break. There are 5,000 very early manuscripts containing all or part of the New Testament in the original Greek, with 50 fragments going back to within 150 to 200 years of the originals. In addition there are over 8,000 manuscripts in various other languages, a total exceeding 13,000 manuscripts. The oldest manuscripts that are more or less complete are in the British Museum and the Vatican Library. They are not scrolls but leaf-books and date from the fourth century.

Important Greek papyri are those of the Chester Beatty collection, (Located at Dublin Castle Ireland, & Princeton N.J. U.S.A. ) these date from the 2nd and 4th centuries, containing parts of 11 codices preserving fragments of nine Old Testament books and fragments of many of the New Testament books.

A great deal of scholarship has been devoted to the task of distinguishing the various parts of what is in places a literary mosaic. Biblical scholars have sifted this mass of material, like detectives following a complicated clue. It is remarkable that in spite of all the difficulties of correctly transmitting what had been written down centuries before, no serious discrepancies have been discovered.

These various writings were composed at different times and with different objectives; yet the total effect is of one single, coherent story. Following years of research and criticism, the integrity of the Christian Bible is without dispute. The New Testament (Greek Scriptures [27 Books]) is an important part of the Christian Bible, it has a clear message which is easy to understand. The Christian Bible is therefore based on 66 books, compiled by 40 different writers, over a period of 1,500 years, with a single theme. Protestant and Roman Catholic arrangements of the bible nearly match one another.

To-day we know more about the Bible than ever before, we can now be confident of its original meaning. The bible is based on faith, and faith on revelation, faith is a necessity, even for society as a whole, as Voltaire said, " If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him." We have not created the idea of an unseen God, Christians believe because they have examined the scriptures to prove it.

GOD'S PURPOSE

It is therefore the bible that teaches us about God, his qualities, his personality, of his influence upon events over thousands of years (Romans 15:4;). It is not only in the writings of the Holy Scriptures that have come down to us, that we find the evidence of Gods will, but also in the great turning points of history that both Jew and Christian can see the unmistakable signs of divine purpose. Nothing has been imagined by the mind of man to compare with the bibles prophetic words. Christianity is not intelligible unless it is viewed in the context of the history of the Jews and the prophecies contained in the Old Testament..

The Bible begins with an account of the revelation of God's purpose for the earth, that man should inhabit it and become fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28; Isaiah. 45:18).

THE ORIGINAL SIN

The promise of a seed (saviour) (Genesis 3:14-19;) to ransom obedient and faithful mankind from the original sin of the first human pair.

THE PROMISE

The fulfillment of the promise of God starts not with the birth of Abrahams (Genesis 17:9-14; 22:17-18; Acts 7: 1-53; Hebrews 2:14-17; who was not a Jew, because Jews or Judeans were descendants of his great-grandson Judah) first son Ishmael, but his second son Isaac, but the covenant for a seed by whom "all nations of the earth" will bless themselves remains a mystery for many generations.

ISRAEL

Isaac had twin sons, Esau and Jacob, God chose the second son, Jacob (Genesis 21:12; 28:12,14;), and repeated his promise of a blessing. After Jacob struggled with an angel at Bethel, God named him Israel, Hebrew for "he who wrestles with God" (Genesis 32:22-32; 35:9-10;). It was of the line of Judah (Genesis 49:8-10; "Shiloh" the one to whom it belongs) that the Messiah (Ezekiel 21:25-27;) would come. The twelve sons who were originally tribesmen, became patriarchal heads of the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel, who settled in very ancient times in Palestine, this was to be the stage great events were to be enacted on. The raw material of the bibles account may be as old as 5000 B.C., it is clear that the author of the account of this migration was familiar with the civilisation of the Euphrates Valley.

THE LAW COVENANT

The Old Testament includes the law covenant made (Exodus 19:1-5; 24:3-8; Deuteronomy 28:1-68;) between God and Moses (Ephesians 2:14; Galatians 3:17, 19;), the Hebrews were chosen and set apart (Leviticus 19:2; 20:26;), just before Israel entered the Promised Land, additions were made to the law covenant with Israel at Moab.

Six hundred and forty-one years after the patriarch Judah, David of the town of Bethlehem become king of the nation. The seed continued through the line of King David, who also received a covenant (Psalms 132:11; Isaiah 11:1-10;) that a son would possess the throne forever (2Samuel 7:11-16;).

THE WOMAN

God's holy, faithful heavenly organization, those associated with the seed of Abraham are indicted to have taken up the role of the woman (Genesis 3:15-19; Galatians 4:27, Paul quotes from Isaiah 54:1; Revelation 12:1-6;), they will receive the blessing, we can belong to that woman, the Jerusalem (Revelation 17:6-18; or Zion, Isaiah 52:1-2; 54:1-13;) above that is free (Galatians 4:26-31;). The apostle John writes (1John 3:10-12) that the children of God and the children of the Devil are evident by this fact: Everyone who does not carry on righteousness does not originate with God, neither does he who does not love his brother.

THE HARLOT & the DEVIL

The seed of the serpent throughout the centuries has consisted of those who have the spirit of the Devil, who are not righteous, meek, peaceable, it includes those religious persons who claim to serve God but who are actually false (John 8:44;), hypocrites. In the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15) it was stated that enmity, or hatred, would exist between the seed of the woman and those of Satan the Devil, the serpent's woman, is a harlot who provides him with seed, Ezekiel s prophecy indicated that Jerusalem the faithful city become a harlot (Isaiah. 1:21;), the apostle John also revealed that even after the destruction of Jerusalem many would live with a harlot (Revelation 14:8; 17:1-5, 15, 18; 19:2;), that corrupts the earth, but she would be completely burnt up with fire (Revelation 17:6-18; 19:1-3;) along with the Devil.

THE MYSTERY REVEALED

The new covenant shows that all those things written in the law of Moses, the Prophets and Psalms were fulfilled. (Luke 24:44-47;). From the beginning, the identity (Colossians 1:26-2:3;) of the promised seed had been a mystery, the New Testament reveals the supreme act of love, that God gave his son on our behalf, and the eternal blessings in store for his faithful servants (Amos 3:7; John 3:16; Romans 15:4). Yes, Jesus is of the seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16;), and the line of King David, it is through him that the nations receive a blessing, far superior to anything possible for Israel alone.

THE NEW COVENANT

It has been preached both to Jew and Gentile that Jesus Christ the Son of God, has suffered, and paid (Matthew. 20:28; Hebrews 9:14;) for the sins of mankind (I Peter 1:19;), and has risen from the dead. It was his lifeblood that provided (Isaiah 28:16;) for the "spiritual house" (I Peter 2:4-6; Ephesians 2:19-22;), those who exercise faith, on the basis of his name, can obtain repentance and forgiveness of sins.

ANOINTED HIGH PRIEST

While Jesus lived only a few followers, appreciated (Galatians 3:15-18;) that he was the anointed high priest of the Almighty God's spiritual temple (Luke 3:21-22; Hebrews 7:26; 8:1-2; 9:1-12;). Jesus Christ was more than a prophet (Romans 15:12;), his life and teachings, and the writings of his disciples, are found in the New Testament of the Bible. It holds an incredible message, Jesus explained simply by the use of parables, about the kingdom (Psalms 72:7-9;) that will come, the same kingdom that Daniel prophesied about when in captivity in Babylon c. 536 B.C.E. (Daniel 2:44). Truly then the earth (Hebrews 12:22-29;) will abound with love, joy (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1,10;), peace, mankind in complete harmony with the living God.

Due to its truth beauty and dignity, the bible is regarded as the greatest literary masterpiece and widely accepted as the inspired work of the Almighty God. Christianity holds true to God's moral code, the Holy Scriptures are referred to as the Bible canon, which derives from the Hebrew word for a reed used for measuring (qaneh), the apostle Paul applied the Greek word kanon both to the measured "territory", and to a "rule of conduct" (2Corinthians 10:13-16; Galatians 6:16; Philippians 3:16;), the scriptures give clear insight, of how to live in harmony with the Almighty God, and obtain a good conscience, to repeat the dictum of Bishop Butler:

"Conscience is the voice of God in the soul"