What Are the Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit?
September 2, 2025
Why Can We Trust the Bible?
September 2, 2025
For Christians, the Bible is much more than an old religious book. It is the written Word of God, given to humanity so that we can know who God is, understand His will and learn about His plan to save us through Jesus Christ.
But if you have never really read the Bible, it can be confusing. It is not actually one book written by one person. It is a collection of many different books written by different people, over a long period of time, in different places and circumstances.
Some parts of the Bible are history, poetry, prophecy. Others are letters written to churches and individuals. There are books about kings and nations, books about wisdom, accounts of Jesus’ life and letters explaining the Christian faith.
Yet all of these books come together to tell one much bigger story.
The Bible tells us about God, creation, humanity, sin, God’s relationship with His people, His promises, His plan of redemption and ultimately Jesus Christ.
So what is the Bible, really?
The Bible is the written revelation of God, given through human authors and preserved for generations so that we can know Him and understand the truth He has revealed.
Is the Bible Really the Word of God?
Yes.
The Bible teaches that Scripture comes from God. This does not mean that God physically wrote every word Himself. Human beings wrote the individual books, but Scripture teaches that God worked through those writers by the Holy Spirit.
This is one of the most important things to understand about the Bible.
The Bible was written by people, but Christians believe its ultimate source is God.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 — Scripture Is God-Breathed
“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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
Paul describes Scripture as being given by inspiration of God.
The word behind “inspiration” carries the idea of being God-breathed. Scripture is therefore not simply a collection of human thoughts about God. Christians believe God was working through the human writers as they wrote.
That is why the Bible can contain different authors and writing styles while still being regarded as God’s Word.
Who Wrote the Bible?
The Bible was written by many different people.
Moses is traditionally associated with the first five books of the Old Testament. David wrote many of the Psalms, while Solomon is associated with books such as Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. The prophets wrote messages given to them by God, and the New Testament contains writings from people such as Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James and Jude.
These people did not all live at the same time.
They came from different backgrounds and had different experiences.
Some were kings, prophets, fishermen, scholars, apostles and some were ordinary people whom God used for a particular purpose.
Yet the Bible teaches that God worked through these people to communicate His Word.
2 Peter 1:20–21 — Men Spoke From God
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
The writers were genuinely human, but Peter explains that they spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
This is why Christians believe the Bible is both written by human beings and inspired by God.
Why Did God Use Human Authors?
God could have given humanity a book in any number of ways, but throughout Scripture we see Him working through people.
He spoke through prophets, called apostles, used kings, shepherds, fishermen and teachers.
God even chose to enter the world Himself in human form through Jesus Christ.
God’s use of human authors does not make the Bible less divine.
Instead, it shows us something about the way God works. He often accomplishes His purposes through people.
This also explains why the Bible does not sound as though one person wrote every page.
Isaiah does not sound exactly like Paul.
David does not write like Moses.
John’s Gospel does not read exactly like Luke’s Gospel.
God used their individual abilities and circumstances while guiding the message they communicated.
How Many Books Are in the Bible?
The Bible is a collection of 66 books in most Protestant Bibles.
There are 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament.
These books were written over a long period of history and include many different types of writing.
The Old Testament contains the Law, historical books, poetry and wisdom literature, and the writings of the prophets.
The New Testament contains the four Gospels, the book of Acts, letters written by apostles and other early Christian leaders, and the book of Revelation.
Although these books are different, they are connected by one unfolding story of God’s relationship with humanity and His plan of redemption.
What Is the Old Testament?
The Old Testament is the first major part of the Bible.
It begins with creation and tells the story of God’s relationship with humanity, particularly His covenant relationship with Israel.
It contains the Law given through Moses, the history of Israel, poetry and wisdom, and the messages of the prophets.
The Old Testament also looks forward to the coming Messiah.
God made promises throughout the Old Testament that Christians believe are ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.
Luke 24:44 — Jesus Said the Scriptures Pointed to Him
“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”
Jesus Himself connected the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms with God’s plan that would ultimately be fulfilled through Him.
The Old Testament therefore should not be viewed as completely separate from Christianity.
It provides the foundation for understanding Jesus and the gospel.
What Is the New Testament?
The New Testament begins with the coming of Jesus Christ.
The first four books are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These are known as the Gospels because they tell us about Jesus’ life, ministry, death and resurrection.
Acts then tells us about the early church and the spread of the gospel.
The rest of the New Testament contains letters written to churches and individuals, followed by Revelation.
The New Testament explains what Jesus accomplished and what it means to follow Him.
John 20:30–31 — The Gospels Were Written So We Could Believe
“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
John tells us exactly why he wrote his Gospel.
He wanted people to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and to have life through Him.
That is at the heart of what the Bible is about.
What Languages Was the Bible Written In?
The original biblical writings were primarily written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek.
Most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, although some portions were written in Aramaic.
The New Testament was written in Greek.
This means that when we read the Bible in English, we are reading a translation of the original languages.
That is why you may sometimes see slightly different wording between Bible translations.
The translators are trying to communicate the meaning of the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts in another language.
Is the Bible One Book or Many Books?
Technically, the Bible is a collection of books.
The word “Bible” comes from a term meaning books or writings.
This is why the Bible contains so many different types of literature.
You can read a historical account in one book, a prayer or song in another, a letter in another and prophetic writing somewhere else.
It is more like a library than a single ordinary book.
Yet Christians believe these books belong together because they reveal the same God and tell the unfolding story of His purposes.
What Is the Main Message of the Bible?
The Bible contains many different messages, but there is one central story running through it.
God created humanity for relationship with Him.
Humanity sinned and became separated from God.
God began His plan of redemption.
He made promises concerning a coming Saviour.
Jesus Christ came into the world.
Jesus died for our sins and rose again.
Through faith in Him, we can be forgiven and reconciled to God.
The Bible then teaches us how to live as people who belong to Christ and looks forward to the day when God will finally make all things new.
Genesis 1:27 — God Created Humanity
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
The Bible begins by showing us that humanity was created by God and made in His image.
That gives human life value and purpose.
But the story does not stay in Eden.
Sin enters the world, and humanity’s relationship with God is broken.
What Does the Bible Say About Sin?
The Bible is honest about the human condition.
It does not pretend that people are naturally perfect.
Every person has sinned.
Romans 3:23 — Everyone Has Sinned
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
This explains why we need the Bible’s message of salvation.
If humanity had no problem with sin, we would not need a Saviour.
But the Bible explains that our greatest problem is not simply that we make mistakes.
Sin separates us from God.
The good news is that God did not leave humanity without hope.
What Does the Bible Say About Jesus?
Jesus is at the centre of the Bible’s story.
The Old Testament points toward Him, and the New Testament records His coming and explains what His life, death and resurrection mean.
Jesus is not simply one of many important people mentioned in Scripture.
He is the central figure of the gospel.
John 1:1–3 — Jesus Is the Word
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
John presents Jesus as the eternal Word who was with God and was God.
The Bible’s story ultimately leads us to Him.
Why Is Jesus So Important to the Bible?
Jesus came to do what we could never do for ourselves.
We cannot make ourselves righteous enough to remove our sin.
We cannot earn our way back to God.
Jesus came to save sinners.
John 3:16 — God Sent His Son
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
This verse captures the heart of the gospel.
God loved the world.
He gave His Son.
Jesus came so that those who believe in Him could have eternal life.
The Bible is therefore not simply a book telling us how to become better people.
It tells us how God has made a way for sinful people to be reconciled to Him.
Is the Bible Just a Book of Rules?
No.
The Bible contains commands, but it is much more than a list of rules.
It tells a story, reveals God’s character, teaches us about sin and salvation, gives wisdom for everyday life and it shows us what God has done throughout history.
And it points us toward Jesus.
If we reduce the Bible to a list of things we are allowed and not allowed to do, we miss much of what Scripture is actually saying.
God wants us to know Him, not simply follow a list of rules without understanding why.
Deuteronomy 6:5 — Love God
“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
God’s commands are ultimately connected to our relationship with Him.
The Christian life is not simply about following rules.
It is about loving God and allowing that love to shape the way we live.
Is the Bible Meant to Change the Way We Live?
Yes.
The Bible teaches us, corrects us and helps us understand how God wants us to live.
Psalm 119:105 — God’s Word Gives Direction
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
The Bible does not necessarily tell us every single decision we will make in life.
Instead, it gives us God’s truth and teaches us His character, so that we can learn to make wise decisions according to His will.
When we read Scripture, we should not only ask, “What does this verse say?”
We should also ask, “What is God teaching me through this?”
What Does the Bible Teach Us About God?
One of the main purposes of Scripture is to reveal God.
We learn that God is holy, righteous, loving, merciful, just, faithful and patient.
We also learn that God is not distant from humanity.
He created us.
God speaks to us.
He calls us to Himself.
And He made a way for us to be reconciled to Him through Jesus.
Exodus 34:6–7 — God Is Merciful and Gracious
“And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.”
This passage gives us a beautiful picture of God’s character.
He is merciful and gracious, but He is also just.
The Bible does not present God as simply overlooking evil.
It shows us a God who takes sin seriously while extending mercy to those who turn to Him.
What Does the Bible Teach Us About Ourselves?
The Bible also helps us understand who we are.
We are created in God’s image, which gives every human being value.
At the same time, we are sinful and in need of God’s grace.
This means the Bible gives us both dignity and humility.
We are valuable because God created us, we are not perfect because we are human and therefore we need God.
Psalm 139:13–14 — God Created Us
“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
The Bible tells us that our lives are not accidents.
God created us and knows us.
That truth can completely change the way we see ourselves.
What Is the Bible For?
The Bible has many purposes.
It teaches us truth, corrects us when we are wrong, gives us wisdom, shows us God’s character and teaches us how to live.
The Bible tells us about salvation and it points us toward Jesus.
And it helps us understand God’s purposes for our lives.
Psalm 19:7–8 — God’s Word Gives Wisdom and Joy
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
God’s Word is not meant to make our lives miserable.
It is given to guide us toward what is good and true.
Does the Bible Tell Us Everything About God?
No.
The Bible reveals what God has chosen to reveal to us, but God Himself is far greater than what we can fully understand.
There are things about God that remain beyond our understanding.
Deuteronomy 29:29 — Some Things Belong to God
“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
There are things God has revealed and things He has not.
The Bible gives us what we need to know Him and respond to Him, even though we will never understand everything about God.
Can We Understand the Bible?
Yes, but we should approach it carefully.
Some parts of the Bible are straightforward.
Other passages require more study because they were written thousands of years ago in different cultures and languages.
Understanding the context matters.
We should consider who wrote a passage, who it was written to, what was happening at the time and what kind of writing we are reading.
A Psalm should not always be read in exactly the same way as a historical account.
A proverb is not necessarily a promise that something will happen every single time.
A letter to a particular church may address a specific problem while also teaching principles that apply to Christians today.
Studying the Bible well takes patience.
Why Do Christians Read the Bible?
Christians read the Bible because it helps us know God.
It reminds us of what He has done.
The Bible teaches us how to live, it corrects us when we go in the wrong direction and it strengthens our faith.
And it continually points us back to Jesus.
Romans 15:4 — Scripture Gives Hope
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
The Bible was not preserved simply so we could know what happened thousands of years ago.
It was given for our learning and to give us hope.
That is one reason Scripture remains relevant today.
What Happens When We Read the Bible?
The Bible can challenge us.
Sometimes it will encourage us, convict us and comfort us when we are hurting.
There may be times when we read a passage and realise that something in our lives needs to change.
Other times, we may read a verse that gives us hope when we feel like we cannot keep going.
This is one reason Scripture is different from simply reading an ordinary book.
It speaks to our relationship with God and to the way we live.
Hebrews 4:12 — God’s Word Is Living and Powerful
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
The Bible can reach places in us that we might prefer not to examine.
It can expose our motives, challenge our attitudes and show us where we need God’s help.
That is not always comfortable, but it can be incredibly good for us.
What Is the Bible’s Purpose for Salvation?
The Bible tells us that we are sinners who need a Saviour.
It then tells us about Jesus and what He did for us.
The Scriptures point us toward faith in Christ.
2 Timothy 3:14–15 — Scripture Makes Us Wise for Salvation
“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
The purpose of Scripture is not simply to give us knowledge.
It points us toward salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
That is why reading the Bible should ultimately bring us closer to God rather than simply making us more knowledgeable about religious subjects.
Is the Bible Still Relevant Today?
Absolutely.
People sometimes think the Bible is too old to speak to modern life.
But although the world around us has changed dramatically, the basic struggles of the human heart have not disappeared.
People still experience fear.
We still experience grief.
We still struggle with pride, anger, jealousy and temptation.
People still search for purpose.
We still experience broken relationships and loneliness.
We still ask whether God exists and whether He cares about us.
The Bible speaks into all of these areas because it deals with something much deeper than changing technology or culture.
It deals with our relationship with God.
Isaiah 40:8 — God’s Word Endures
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
Human life changes.
Cultures change.
Technology changes.
But God’s Word remains.
Is the Bible a History Book?
Parts of the Bible contain history, but the Bible is not simply a history textbook.
It tells us about real people, places, nations and events, but it does so as part of God’s larger story.
The Bible is concerned with what happened, but it is also concerned with what those events mean.
For example, the Gospels do not simply tell us that Jesus lived and died.
They explain why His death matters and what His resurrection means.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 — The Gospel Centres on Christ’s Death and Resurrection
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
The Bible connects history with God’s purposes.
The events matter because God was working through them.
Is the Bible a Book of Prophecy?
Some parts of the Bible contain prophecy.
The prophets often spoke about what God was doing in their own time, while some prophecies also pointed forward to things God would accomplish in the future.
The Old Testament contains many promises concerning the coming Messiah, and the New Testament presents Jesus as their fulfilment.
Isaiah 53:5 — The Suffering Servant
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
Christians understand this passage as pointing toward the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus.
The Bible’s story is therefore connected across both Testaments.
Why Is the Bible Called God’s Word?
The Bible is called God’s Word because it claims to communicate what God has revealed.
Psalm 119:160 — God’s Word Is True
“Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.”
The Bible presents God’s Word as trustworthy and enduring.
This does not mean that every translation will use exactly the same English words.
It means that the Scriptures themselves are regarded as God’s revelation.
Does the Bible Tell Us How to Have a Relationship With God?
Yes.
The Bible does not simply give us information about God from a distance.
It calls us into relationship with Him.
The central message of Christianity is that sin has separated us from God, but Jesus made a way for us to be reconciled to Him.
Romans 5:8 — God Showed His Love Through Christ
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
God’s love is not merely an idea in the Bible.
It is demonstrated through Jesus.
Christ died for sinners so that we could be brought back to God.
What Is the Bible in Simple Terms?
The Bible is God’s written Word, given through human authors and made up of many books that together tell the story of God’s relationship with humanity.
It tells us where we came from, why the world is broken, about sin, about God’s promises.
The Bible tells us about Jesus and how Jesus came to save us.
And it tells us how God wants His people to live.
Most importantly, the Bible tells us who God is and invites us to know Him.
John 14:6 — Jesus Is the Way to the Father
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
The Bible ultimately points us toward Jesus.
The goal is not simply to know more facts about the Bible.
The goal is to know the God the Bible reveals.
Why Should We Read the Bible?
If you have never read the Bible before, you do not need to understand everything before you begin.
You do not need a theology degree, know all the history and you do not need to have every question answered.
You can simply begin.
If you are new to Christianity, starting with one of the Gospels can help you learn about Jesus and understand the heart of the Christian faith.
As you read, you will come across things that are easy to understand and things that require more study.
That is okay.
The Bible is a book that we can continue learning from throughout our lives.
Joshua 1:8 — Meditate on God’s Word
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
Reading Scripture is not supposed to be something we do just so we can say we have read our Bible that day.
We are meant to think about God’s Word and allow it to shape the way we live.
The Bible Is More Than an Old Book
The Bible is an ancient collection of writings, but it is not simply an ancient book.
It tells us about the living God.
The Bible explains where humanity came from, why we are separated from God and what God has done to bring us back to Himself.
It tells us about a God who created us in His image, loved us despite our sin and sent His Son to save us.
The Bible was written by many different people, but Christians believe God worked through those people by His Holy Spirit.
It contains history, poetry, wisdom, prophecy, letters and the accounts of Jesus’ life.
Yet all of it comes together to tell one unfolding story.
2 Peter 1:21 — Scripture Came From God
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
That is why Christians call the Bible the Word of God.
It was written through human hands, but we believe God was behind it.
What Is the Bible?
The Bible is God’s written revelation to humanity.
It is a collection of books written by many different human authors over many generations, yet Christians believe those writers were guided by the Holy Spirit.
The Bible teaches us about God.
It teaches us about ourselves, about sin and its consequences, shows us God’s faithfulness throughout history and it points us toward His promises.
And above all, it points us toward Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 — Scripture Was Given to Teach Us
“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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
The Bible is not simply a book we are expected to read because Christians say we should.
It is God’s Word given to teach us, correct us, guide us and help us grow.
The Bible shows us what God is like.
It shows us how much we need Him.
And it shows us the incredible love God has shown us through Jesus.
If you are wondering what the Bible is, perhaps the simplest answer is this:
The Bible is the story of God and humanity, and at the centre of that story is Jesus Christ.
It tells us where we came from, why the world is broken, what God has done about it and where His story is ultimately leading.
And that is why the Bible is worth reading.
Not simply because it is an ancient book.
Not simply because generations of Christians have read it.
But because if the Bible really is God’s Word, then it is God’s invitation for us to know Him..
✨ Still Have a Question?
You can send it through the Ask a Bible Question page, and I’ll respond with guidance from God’s Word.
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