Where Did the Word Bible Come From?

QUESTION: Where did the word Bible come from?

ANSWER:

The word Biblecomes from the Greek word "Biblos," which is translated "book." The original manuscripts of the Bible were kept in the synagogues. Those who had custody of the manuscripts first used the Greek word to describe the collection, which later became known as "the Book."

The Bible is comprised of 66 books with two major divisions: the Old Testament (39 books) and the New Testament (27 books).

The Old Testament has four major divisions: (1) the Law - 5 books; (2) History - 12 books; (3) Poetry - 5 books; and, (4) Prophecy - 17 books.

Similarly, the New Testament has four major divisions: (1) the Gospels - 4 books; (2) the Acts of the Apostles - 1 book; (3) the Epistles - 21 books; and, (4) the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ - 1 book.

The Bible is far more than a compilation of books; it is the inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). It is read and understood to be God's instructions and revelations to the individual members of Christ's church and to the Body of Christ, as a whole. The Bible not only instructs Christians on how to relate to one another and those outside the church, but reveals how we are to relate to our Heavenly Father. More important, it paints a clear portrait of God's love for us and how He longs to relate to us. Clearly, since the beginning of time we have spurned His love. . .yet He continues to reach out to us.

An individual can only relate to God the Father by believing and confessing that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. The result of believing that Jesus Christ died to save you from your sins and confessing your belief publicly is known as "salvation."

So where did the word "Bible" come from? It came from the heart of God, the author of our lives, who has written the definitive book on us all.