History of the Bible
Before we had the Bible as we know it — printed, translated, and searchable online — the story of how it came together is one of faith, preservation, and divine guidance across centuries.
Inspired by God, Written by People
The Bible wasn’t written all at once.
Over 1,500 years, God inspired more than 40 authors — kings, prophets, fishermen, scholars — across different regions and languages.
These writings include history, poetry, prophecy, wisdom, letters, and the life and teachings of Jesus.
“All Scripture is inspired by God…” — 2 Timothy 3:16
The Bible is comprised of the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Old Testament: The Foundation of the Story
The Old Testament is the first part of the Bible — and it tells the beginning of the story of God and humanity.
It’s not just a collection of ancient laws and stories. It’s a record of God’s pursuit of people through covenant, rescue, correction, and promises.
It shows us:
How the world began.
How sin entered the world and broke our connection with God.
How God chose a people (Israel) through whom He would one day bring redemption to all.
And how again and again, God remained faithful, even when people did not.
A Promise in the Waiting
Even from the beginning, the Old Testament carries a thread of hope — promises of a Savior who would one day come to restore what was broken.
You can see it in:
The sacrificial system — pointing to the need for a perfect sacrifice.
The prophecies — foretelling the birth, life, and suffering of the Messiah.
The covenants — God promising to redeem and bless all nations through one to come.
“All of us, like sheep, have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the Lord has caused the wrongdoing of us all
To fall on Him.”
— Isaiah 53:6
The Jewish Roots: The Tanakh
The Old Testament is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. In Hebrew Scripture, it’s called the Tanakh — made up of:
Torah (Law) — Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Nevi’im (Prophets) — books like Joshua, Isaiah, and the Minor Prophets
Ketuvim (Writings) — Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and more
These ancient writings were preserved, memorized, and passed down with extraordinary care — because they were believed to be the very words of God.
The Old Testament is not only spiritual — it is deeply historical. These writings reflect the real events, people, places, and cultures of the ancient Near East, and they were carefully preserved across generations.
Here’s what’s historically important to understand:
Time Span: The events of the Old Testament cover roughly 2,000 years of history — from the call of Abraham (around 2000 BC) to the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian exile (around 400 BC).
Geographic Setting: Much of the Old Testament unfolds across modern-day Israel, Egypt, Iraq (Babylon), and surrounding regions.
Cultural Context: The writings reflect life under empires like Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Persia — offering a unique window into ancient customs, governance, war, and worship.
Historical Records: Some Old Testament figures — like kings David, Hezekiah, Nebuchadnezzar, and Cyrus — are also mentioned in non-biblical historical sources and archaeological findings, confirming the Bible's cultural and historical framework.
Compilation: Though written by many authors — prophets, leaders, and scribes — over many centuries, the books were eventually recognized as sacred scripture by Jewish communities and preserved with meticulous care.
These writings weren’t simply passed down — they were copied by hand with extreme accuracy, especially after the Jewish exile, when preserving God’s word became even more vital to identity and faith.
How the Old Testament Was Recognized as Scripture
While the books of the Old Testament were written over centuries, they weren’t always compiled as a complete set right away. So how did the Jewish community determine which writings were truly sacred?
By the time of Jesus, most of what we now call the Old Testament was already widely recognized and used in Jewish worship. Here’s how the canon came together:
Torah (Genesis–Deuteronomy) had long been central to Jewish life and law.
The Prophets and Writings were gradually recognized over time based on their consistent message, use in worship, and alignment with God’s truth.
Around 90 AD, after the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, Jewish scholars gathered at what’s often referred to as the Council of Jamnia (or Yavne). While this was not a formal council like later Christian gatherings, it marked a period of discussion and affirmation of the books considered authoritative.
They affirmed:
That the books were written by trusted prophets or leaders.
That they were already in widespread use among Jewish communities.
That they reflected consistency with God’s character and message.
These texts — the Tanakh — became the foundation of the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament used by Christians today.
How It Connects to Jesus
Jesus Himself affirmed the Old Testament:
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.”
— Matthew 5:17
He quoted from the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings, showing that He saw them all as Scripture. The Old Testament was not replaced, but fulfilled — its promises, prophecies, and patterns all pointed forward to Him.
How the New Testament Came Together
When Jesus walked the earth and taught His disciples, His message was direct, personal, and rooted in relationship with God — not religion. The early Church, led by apostles like Peter, focused on the Gospel:
Jesus as the Son of God, salvation through faith in Him, and a call to follow Him with a surrendered heart.
In the first 300 years after Jesus’ resurrection, many letters and writings were circulated among believers — some true, others were questionable.
Church leaders began meeting in councils to prayerfully discern what was genuinely inspired by God.
They used 3 key criteria:
Apostolic Origin: Was it written by an apostle or someone close to them?
Orthodox Teaching: Did it align with the truth already revealed in Jesus?
Widespread Use: Was it being read and respected across the early Church?
By the 4th century, Church leaders began forming the collection we now call the Bible. In 397 AD, at the Council of Carthage (397 AD), they formally confirmed the New Testament canon, containing 27 books.
The New Testament was originally written in Koine Greek, which was common, everyday language spoken across much of the Roman Empire at the time of Jesus and the early Church (1st century AD).
The New Testament is divided into:
The Gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John: Four eyewitness accounts of Jesus' life and ministry.
The Book of Acts — The history of how Jesus’ followers began spreading the Gospel after His resurrection.
The Letters (Epistles) — Letters written by early Christian leaders (like Paul, Peter, James, and John) to churches and individuals, teaching them how to follow Jesus and live out their faith.
Revelation — A prophetic book full of imagery and visions about the end of this age and the ultimate victory of Jesus.
These books weren’t chosen at random.
Most were written by eyewitnesses of Jesus or by those who were closely connected to them — like Peter, John, Paul, and Luke.
Their writings were trusted, widely shared, and recognized by early Christians as faithful to the life and teachings of Jesus.
“For we did not follow cleverly devised tales... but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.”
— 2 Peter 1:16
Just like the Old Testament, the books of the New Testament were affirmed over time — not because of tradition, but because of truth, testimony, and trust.
Together, both parts of the Bible tell one story:
The Old Testament shows God’s pursuit; the New Testament shows God’s fulfillment — Jesus.
God made a way for us to be with Him again.
From Relationship Teachings to Theology
Over time, different Christian traditions developed their own theological frameworks and practices. One of the most significant branches is the Roman Catholic Church, which traces its roots back to the early followers of Jesus — especially Peter.
But many of the doctrines and practices we associate with Catholicism today were developed centuries later, influenced by evolving church structures, councils, and cultural influences.
The early Christian Church was united — rooted in Scripture, community, and faith in Jesus.
Over time, human leadership systems took shape, and by the 4th century, Christianity became institutionalized through the Roman Empire.
The Catholic Church, as we know it today, formed through a mix of early apostolic teachings and later human traditions.
“Do not add to His words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.”
— Proverbs 30:6
“All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness.”
— 2 Timothy 3:16
Catholic Doctrine/Practice:
Prayers to Saints & Mary:
Introduced gradually after the 3rd century. Not found in Scripture. Based on tradition, not biblical instruction.
The Apocrypha (extra books):
Added officially by the Catholic Church in the Council of Trent (1546). These books are not part of the Jewish Tanakh or Protestant Bible canon.
Purgatory:
Rooted in non-canonical writings and later theological development; not clearly taught in the 66-book canon.
Infant Baptism & Sacramental Salvation:
Gained momentum in the 4th century; contrasted with New Testament pattern of believer’s baptism
“Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
— Acts 2:38
The Pope’s Authority:
Centralized authority structure formed over centuries. The title “Pope” and concept of papal infallibility were developed much later.