Understanding the Bible: Structure and Key Themes

Posted on Nov 16, 2024 in Religion

Old Testament

Genesis: Creation, sin, hardship, and the promise of redemption.
Exodus: Out of Egypt, receiving the Mosaic Law.
Leviticus: Laws regarding the priesthood and sacrifices.
Numbers: Israel in the desert.
Deuteronomy: Last words of Moses to Israel.
Joshua: Conquest of Canaan (fulfillment of the promise).
Judges: Inconsistency of Israel, patience, and strength of God.
Ruth: Lineage of Christ preserved and God working in a Gentile.
I Samuel: United Hebrew kingdom established under Saul and David.
II Samuel: Kingdom of David.
I Kings: Reign of Solomon and the division of the kingdom.
II Kings: The kingdom divided, degenerated, and destroyed.
I Chronicles: History of the Hebrew kingdom, especially under David.
II Chronicles: Reign of Solomon and the division of the kingdom.
Ezra: Return from captivity; rebuilding of the temple.
Nehemiah: Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.
Esther: Release of the people by God’s providence.
Job: When human suffering is allowed by God.
Psalms: Praise, prayers.
Proverbs: Wise advice on practical life.
Ecclesiastes: Searching for happiness and purpose in life.
Songs: Love poem.
Isaiah: Exhortations to repentance and Messianic prophecy.
Jeremiah: Warnings, captivity, Messianic prophecies.
Lamentations: Lamentation over the destruction of Jerusalem.
Ezekiel: Visions of the destruction of Jerusalem.
Daniel: Captives in Babylon, God’s sovereignty.
Hosea: Justice and love for the Lord.
Joel: The coming of the Lord, outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Amos: Predictions of punishment and restoration of Israel.
Obadiah: Prediction of punishment of Edom.
Jonah: Love of God for the sinner and Jonah’s lack thereof.
Micah: Prediction of the destruction of Samaria and Judah.
Nahum: Prediction of the destruction of Nineveh.
Habakkuk: Predicting the invasion of Judah.
Zephaniah: Prediction of destruction and restoration of Judah.
Haggai: Urgent exhortation to rebuild the temple.
Zechariah: Rebuilding the temple and Messianic predictions.
Malachi: Corruption, religious indifference, and warnings.

New Testament

Matthew: Jesus Christ fulfills the Old Testament prophecies.
Mark: The works of the Savior.
Luke: The story of Jesus Christ in an orderly fashion.
John: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Acts: Establishment of the Church and its early days.
Romans: Justification by faith.
I Corinthians: The doctrine of the cross and its social application.
II Corinthians: Paul’s defense of his ministry.
Galatians: Constitution of freedom in Christ.
Ephesians: The glorious Church.
Philippians: Christian joy.
Colossians: The preeminence of Christ.
I Thessalonians: The second coming of Christ.
II Thessalonians: Prediction of apostasy.
I Timothy: Reject the false teachers.
II Timothy: The sound doctrine.
Titus: The work of the evangelist.
Philemon: Guidelines for treatment of slave and master.
Hebrews: The superiority of Christ over the Old Covenant.
James: Practical religion.
I Peter: Strength and courage in the midst of persecution.
II Peter: The danger of false teachings.
I John: Love, obedience to God, and fidelity to the doctrine.
II and III John: Doom false teachers and warnings.
Jude: Warning against false teachers.
Revelation: The victory of Christ and the Christian faithful.

Overview of the Bible

The Bible is a book inspired by God (II Tim. 3:16). This means that God breathed (inspired) the minds of writers, filling them with knowledge to avoid mistakes when preparing the books and epistles of the Bible.

The main purpose of the Bible is to reveal the will of God to human beings so that they may reach salvation. Each book of the Bible is fundamental or essential in shaping the message’s integrity.

Old Testament (Twelve Periods or COPD)

  1. Antediluvian
  2. After the flood
  3. Patriarchal
  4. Stay in Egypt
  5. Pilgrimage in the desert
  6. Conquest of Canaan
  7. Previous judges
  8. United Kingdom
  9. The divided kingdom
  10. Judah alone
  11. The Babylonian captivity
  12. After the captivity

1. Antediluvian (Genesis 1 – 8:4)

The Bible begins with a record of creation. The man and woman, the last things created by God, were placed in the Garden of Eden, but because of sin, they became naked. According to Gen. 3:15, God promises salvation, though not deserved. Cain killed his brother Abel. Sin multiplied over several generations until God decided to destroy humankind by a flood, except for Noah and his family.

2. After the Flood (Genesis 8:15 to 11:25)

Noah and his family were part of a new beginning. Larger cities emerged, but human pride and self-importance again took them away from God. The construction of the Tower of Babel is an example of man’s rebellion against his Creator. God changed the languages to prevent further corruption. God chose Abraham as his agent in the plan to bless all nations.

3. Patriarchal (Genesis 11:26 – 38:30)

Before the flood, humanity had become so bad that it required destruction and a new beginning to develop God’s plan of blessing. God chose Abraham and his seed to create conditions for the development of his plan of salvation.

Patriarchs:

  • Abraham, father of Isaac.
  • Isaac, father of Jacob and Esau.
  • Jacob, called Israel (Gen. 32:28).
  • Israel (Jacob), father of 12 tribes (The people of God.)

Twelve tribes of Israel:

  • Reuben
  • Simeon
  • Levi
  • Judah
  • Issachar
  • Zebulun
  • Joseph
  • Benjamin
  • Dan
  • Naphtali
  • Gad
  • Asher

4. Stay in Egypt (Genesis 39 – Exodus 12)

Before Abraham’s descendants could fulfill their role in global salvation, a period was needed for all necessary conditions to be met. The Israelites needed to be humiliated so that when they achieved greatness as a people, they would not believe in their own efforts but recognize the divine strength in them. Joseph (great-grandson of Abraham) was sold by his brothers to Egypt, came to power, and sent for his family to live with him. In Egypt, the Israelites were numerous and enslaved after Joseph’s death. God, continuing his redemptive plan, chose Moses to lead his people to freedom. A number of miracles witnessed by all of Egypt and Israel showed God’s power to deliver them from slavery.

5. Wandering in the Wilderness (Exodus 12:37 – 40:38, Leviticus, Deuteronomy)

After leaving slavery, the Israelites went into the land of Canaan, which God had promised to deliver. They had to cross the desert. God did not want his people to wander for 40 years in the desert before giving them Canaan, but due to the default and distrust of those Israelites, they were condemned to die on this pilgrimage, except for Joshua, Caleb, and the children.

6. The Conquest of Canaan (Joshua)

.

A new generation descendant of Abraham, it was necessary to conquer the Promised Land. Under the leadership of Joshua crossing the Jordan River. Jericho falls, Hai is destroyed and so many other cities are conquered. Finally, the territory is divided among the twelve tribes.

7. THE PERIOD OF THE JUDGES (Judges, Ruth, I Samuel 1:1 – 10:16).

The conquest of Canaan began with success. Then each tribe should win its own territory. The Israelites began to accept the culture and religion of the Canaanites, or whether they were contaminated with pagan nations to join. For this reason God allowed them to be defeated by other nations but the rescue if they repented. It was when the judges went into action to lead Israel. They were brutal times in which we must consider the judges as people of that time and not think of them as infallible but men nonetheless.

8. THE UNITED KINGDOM
(I Samuel 10:17 – II Samuel, I Chronicles 10 – II Chronicles 9; I Kings 1-11).

The Philistines constantly threatened Israel. This made it wanted a strong government and demanded a king like other nations had it. The first king was Saul, who had great qualities to be. He was followed on the throne David, who also showed good skills. Solomon, son of David, inherited the kingdom, was the wisest, brightest built an empire and despite this, for its deviation and idolatry, was the main cause of the division of the kingdom.

9. The divided kingdom (I Kings 12 – II Kings 17, II Chron 10-28).

After the death of Solomon the kingdom was split in two. The twelve tribes (the kingdom) were divided as follows: The Northern Tribes (known as Israel) chose Jeroboam as king. Tribes of the South (known as Judah) remained loyal to Rehoboam. The kings of Israel belonged to different families, while those of Judah were all descendants of David. While the kingdom remained divided there were four periods:

Of mutual hostility (from 931 to 869 BC) In co-operation (869 to 841 BC)
Renewed hostility (from 851 to 753 BC) in decline (753 to 721 BC)

Note: The dates listed above are approximate.

10. JUDAH ONLY (II Kings 18 – 25; II Chronicles 29-36).

Assyria and Babylonia began to decline as an empire grew. Judah is captive and nothing could be done. And this great nation, that great kingdom, God’s chosen people again the captivity not divine but by default themselves.

11. The Babylonian captivity (Daniel, Ezekiel, Obadiah).

Judah in captivity would be a great nation. Separation from the church learned that religion should be personal and ethical. The remainder is looking forward to coming home in Jerusalem.

12. After the captivity (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther).

Israel’s mission was beyond itself. Israel’s political history was insignificant when compared with the rise and fall of great empires. Israel’s greatness was short and the time of the divided kingdom was suffering and captivity. From this we learn some things, among them the true mission of the People of God: to be an example and stay away from bad habits and corruption. The people of God is finally released by his providence. It was rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem and the temple.
IV.B) THE NEW TESTAMENT (three divisions).

1. The life of Jesus. 2. The missionary Church. 3. The persecuted Church.

1. THE LIFE OF JESUS.

BIRTH.

Jesus born in Bethlehem of Judea when the fullness of time (Gal. 4:4), ie when all the conditions and circumstances and were prepared. In Bethlehem was visited by wise men. Herod the Great ordered the killing of all children in Judea, this forced Joseph fled with Mary and the child to Egypt. When Joseph heard that Herod reigned no longer be moved to Nazareth in Galilee.

PREPARATION AND MINISTRY.

John the Baptist began preaching in the wilderness of Judea. Shortly after Jesus came to be baptized by John. After 40 days of fasting was tempted in the desert. Shortly after he called his first disciples (Simon, Andrew, James and John). With these disciples Jesus participated in the celebration of a marriage which turned water into wine, then went to Capernaum for a few days and was present at the feast of Passover. On this occasion, drove the money changers from the temple, spoke with Nicodemus and continued preaching in Judah. As these days John was imprisoned.

MINISTRY GALILEO.

The exact days of Jesus are hard to locate in a precise chronology. The events and teachings of esteperíodo occupy a large portion of Matthew, Mark and Luke. At least two trips from preaching are mentioned but not given the exact itinerary.

Some important events were:

a) The rejection of Nazareth. b) Call the first disciples. c) The twelve chosen (Mark 3: 13-19). d) The Sermon on the Mount. e) The second rejection in Nazareth. f) Sending of the Twelve.

The withdrawal period.

When the opposition of the Jewish leaders became more pronounced and the loyalty of the crowds was selfish, Jesus withdrew from public view as much as possible to teach his disciples and prepare them for work that would take place after his death and resurrection. . THE LAST SUPPER.

Jesus entered Jerusalem in triumph and following the crowd. You did not start a political revolution as some thought. The next day drove the moneychangers again. During the week again and again clashed with Jewish authorities. Judas conspired to aid in the capture of Jesus. Jesus instituted the Holy Communion, then went to Gethsemane to pray. . Crucifixion and resurrection.

After being condemned by the Council was brought before Pilate, who finally gave permission for the crucifixion. The first day of the week, some people visiting the tomb, they found that Jesus had risen. It appeared in several that day, as well as in the next 40 days. Before he ascended to the Father sent his disciples to go throughout the world and make disciples of all men and women.

2. MISSIONARY CHURCH.

. THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM.

Ten days after the ascension of Christ, on the day of Pentecost, the disciples received the Holy Spirit and began speaking in unknown languages. To gather a large crowd, Peter preached the Gospel.

. PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH.