First, we should note the extreme antiquity of the Bible. Did you know that the average life of a contemporary book is less than 10 years? Do you realize that 70 percent of all printed books are thrown out within 90 days? Throughout the centuries the Bible has withstood organized attack after attack—yet it remains a perennial best seller! Why?
Christians believe the primary reason for the Bible’s survival and its popularity is its Author. The words in the Bible are not man’s but rather the very words of God Himself—just like it claims. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16a). Since its words are from the Creator of everything, they are worth reading, understanding, and following. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Second, consider some empirical evidence of the uniqueness of the Bible. The Bible is made up of 66 books written by more than 40 writers over a period of 1600 years. The writers were a diverse group which included fishermen, herdsmen, physicians, judges, priests, prophets, poets, scribes, scholars, and kings.
There are two major sub-sections in the Word of God. The Old Testament contains 39 books and the New Testament contains 27 books. There was a period of about 400 “silent years” between the last writing of the Old Testament and the first writing of the New Testament. Even though there are two main sections of the Bible, it is truly only one book.
The New Testament is CONCEALED in the Old Testament. The Old Testament is REVEALED in the New Testament.
Thought of slightly differently: the New Testament is CONTAINED in the Old Testament.
The Old Testament is EXPLAINED in the New Testament.
Still another way of stating this is: the New Testament LIES HIDDEN in the Old Testament. The Old Testament LIES OPEN in the New Testament.
The Old Testament PREDICTS a Person—Jesus Christ. The New Testament PRESENTS that Person—the Son of God.
Or one might say: the Old Testament ANTICIPATES the New Testament. The New Testament AUTHENTICATES the Old Testament.
In the Old Testament we find the revelation of God, revealing God’s righteousness and justice.
In the New Testament we see clearly the salvation of man and God’s mercy, His love, and His grace.
It has been correctly stated that you cannot understand the last book of the New Testament, Revelation, unless you understand the Old Testament book of Daniel. Yet these two books were written 630 years apart and the writers were about 1,200 miles apart when they wrote.
When the Son of God came to earth, His life and His words authenticated the reality of the “messianic” nature of the Old Testament (about the Messiah). For example, Jesus Christ quoted from 24 of the 39 books in the Old Testament. He quoted or made allusions to 66 portions of the Pentateuch (the first 5 books of the Bible), 40 passages in Isaiah, 36 writings in the Psalms, 22 portions of the book of Daniel, as well as others.
The Old Testament is largely about a nation—Israel. Yet the careful and analytical reader finds Jesus Christ throughout the Old Testament. For example: The Pentateuch presents FIGURES OF CHRIST. The Psalms present the FEELINGS OF CHRIST. Moving into the New Testament we find the Gospels (first 4 books) present the FACTS OF CHRIST. The epistles present the FRUITS OF CHRIST.
The New Testament is about a person, Jesus Christ the Messiah. The Gospels are about HIS PERSON. The next book, Acts, is about HIS POWER. The epistles are about HIS PRECEPTS, and the last book, Revelation, is about HIS PROGRAM.
“For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give [a future] account” (Hebrews 4:12-13).
