About the Bible
General Statement
God created his world, and it was very good. Then sin brought disorder, devastation, and death for God’s world and humanity. The Old Testament portrays God’s patience with his rebellious covenant people and His promises to rescue sinners and restore His broken world. The New Testament announces that God has fulfilled His ancient promises and demonstrated his goodness and loving kindness by sending Jesus Christ, our Savior. The Gospels narrate the life, death, and resurrection of the Savior and King Jesus Christ. Acts records how Jesus’ followers continued His mission by proclaiming the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit among all nations. The Epistles provide apostolic instruction for believers living between Jesus’ first and second comings. The book of Revelation is a letter written to seven churches as encouragement and challenge. It uses visions and symbolic imagery to offer a glimpse of God's plan for a new creation.
While the Bible is a unified book, there are differences between the Old Testament and the New Testament. In many ways, they are complementary. The Old Testament is foundational; the New Testament builds on that foundation with further revelation from God. The Old Testament establishes principles that are seen to be illustrative of New Testament truths. The Old Testament contains many prophecies that are fulfilled in the New. The Old Testament provides the history of a people; the New Testament focus is on a Person. The Old Testament shows the wrath of God against sin (with glimpses of His grace); the New Testament shows the grace of God toward sinners (with glimpses of His wrath).
Proverbs 20:9 asks the question "Who can say, 'I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin'?" (NLT). We can all identify with that. If we are honest with ourselves, we know we still sin. So why does Romans 6:18 say, "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness"? Is this a contradiction?
Sin can be defined as "any thought, action, or attitude that falls short of God’s holiness" (Romans 3:23). Sin has many layers. There are specific actions or thoughts which are sinful. Murder, adultery, and theft are sins (Exodus 20:1–17). Even the desire to commit murder, adultery, and theft are sins (Matthew 5:21, 28). But sin goes deeper than that. We commit sins because we are sinners. Since Adam first sinned in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:17; 3:17–19), every person born has inherited a sin nature from him (Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:23; 5:12). We cannot help but sin because it is our nature to do so. A bird does not have to be taught how to build a nest and keep her eggs warm. It is her nature to do so. A child does not have to be taught to be selfish and demanding. That comes naturally.
However, we were not created to be sinful. We were designed by God in His own image (Genesis 1:27). Humanity is His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10; Psalm 8:4–6). We were designed to live in fellowship with our Creator. But because of sin, we cannot enter His presence (Habakkuk 1:13). When Jesus died on the cross, He took upon Himself all the sin of the world (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:2). By taking the punishment for our sin, He cancelled the debt that each of us owes God (Colossians 2:14). He also reversed the curse of our old natures, which keeps us enslaved to sinful passions and desires (Galatians 3:10, 13). Before a person meets Christ, he or she is enslaved by that sin nature (Romans 7:25; 2 Peter 2:19). At the moment of conversion, we are given a new nature that has been freed from sin (Romans 6:18; 8:2). The entire chapter of Romans 6 explains this in detail. Verse 14 says, "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."
To be free from sin means that those who have made Jesus the Lord of their lives are no longer enslaved by sin. We have the power, through the Holy Spirit, to live victoriously over sin (1 Corinthians 15:56–67; Romans 8:37). Just like we once followed fleshly desires, those who are "in Christ Jesus" now follow the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:24). Because we live in a fallen world and are still fleshly creatures, we will still sin (1 John 1:9; 2:1; Romans 7:21–22). But those who follow Christ do not make sin a lifestyle choice (1 John 2:1–6; 3:6–10; Romans 6:2).
Those who have been born again (John 3:3) have received a new nature. Whereas the old nature drew us toward self-pleasure, the new nature tugs us toward holiness (2 Corinthians 5:17). To be free from sin means it no longer wields the power it once did. The stranglehold of selfishness, greed, and lust has been broken. Freedom from sin allows us to offer ourselves as willing slaves of the Lord Jesus Christ, who continues to work in us to make us more like Him (Romans 6:18; 8:29; Philippians 2:13). (from: GotQuestions)
What was the Old Testament way of Salvation?
How people were saved during the time of the Old Testament is a confusing question to some. In the New Testament era, salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (John 1:12; Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus is the Way (John 14:6). But, before Christ, what was the way?
A common misconception about the Old Testament way of salvation is that Jews were saved by keeping the Law. But we know from Scripture that that is not true. Galatians 3:11 says, “Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” Some might want to dismiss this passage as only applying to the New Testament, but Paul is quoting Habakkuk 2:4—salvation by faith, apart from the Law was an Old Testament principle. Paul taught that the purpose of the Law was to serve as a “tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). Also, in Romans 3:20 Paul makes the point that keeping the Law did not save either Old or New Testament Jews because “no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law.” The Law was never intended to save anyone; the purpose of the Law was to make us “conscious of sin.”
If the Old Testament way of salvation was not keeping the Law, then how were people saved? Fortunately, the answer to that question is easily found in Scripture, so there can be no doubt as to what was the Old Testament way of salvation. In Romans 4 the apostle Paul makes it very clear that the Old Testament way of salvation was the same as the New Testament way, which is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. To prove this, Paul points us to Abraham, who was saved by faith: “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3). Again, Paul quotes the Old Testament to prove his point—Genesis 15:6, this time. Abraham could not have been saved by keeping the Law, because he lived over 400 years before the Law was given!
Paul then shows that David was also saved by faith (Romans 4:6-8, quoting Psalm 32:1-2). Paul continues to establish that the Old Testament way of salvation was through faith alone. In Romans 4:23-24 he writes, “The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” In other words, righteousness is “credited” or given to those who have faith in God—Abraham, David, and we all share the same way of salvation.
Much of Romans and Galatians addresses the fact that there is only one way of salvation and only one gospel message. Throughout history people have tried to pervert the gospel by adding human works to it, requiring certain things to be done to “earn” salvation. But the Bible’s clear message is that the way of salvation has always been through faith. In the Old Testament, it was faith in the promise that God would send a Savior someday. Those who lived in the time of the Old Testament looked forward to the Messiah and believed God’s promise of the coming Servant of the Lord (Isaiah 53). Those who exercised such faith were saved. Today we look back on the life, death, and resurrection of the Savior and are saved by faith in Jesus Christ’s atonement for our sins (Romans 10:9-10).
The gospel is not an exclusively New Testament message. The Old Testament contained it as well: “The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith” (Galatians 3:8-9, quoting Genesis 12:3).
As early as Genesis 3:15, we see the promise of a coming Savior, and throughout the Old Testament there are hundreds of promises that the Messiah would “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21; cf. Isaiah 53:5-6). Job’s faith was in the fact that he knew that his “Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth” (Job 19:25). Clearly, Old Testament saints were aware of the promised Redeemer, and they were saved by faith in that Savior, the same way people are saved today. There is no other way. Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:11-12, quoting Psalm 118:22). (from: GotQuestions)
Other questions: What was the role of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament?
About Bible Translations
When selecting a Bible translation, it's crucial to choose one that speaks in terms we comprehend. If we often halt to decipher words (such as “propitiation”), grasping the overall meaning becomes challenging. However, when the language is familiar, the text's meaning is more apparent. Thus, opting for a translation in understandable language is logical. "Personally, I don't limit myself to one translation; I explore three or four." Comparing different translations of the same passage aids in internalizing the message and applying it to life. Notable translations include the ESV, NIV, NLT, and NASB. With today's technology, we also have the advantage of listening to the Bible, which is an enriching way to connect with God's wonders throughout the day.
Literal Translations - Attempts to keep the form and meaning of the original language in words, grammar, and structure as close as possible to the author’s original intent. Readability and understandability are not the primary focus (examples: KJV and NASB, ASV, ESV).
Dynamic Translations - Attempts to strike a balance between being a literal (word-for-word) translation and readable (thought-for-thought) translation (examples: NIV and CSB).
Readable Translations - Attempts to convey the original meaning and to be readable in contemporary English, using language and idioms that would be understood by modern readers (examples: NLT and NiRV).
Paraphrase - A literary work that retells the Bible in a way that's consistent with a certain set of political or theological beliefs. It's different from a translation, which aims to convey the original text word-for-word or thought-for-thought. Instead, a paraphrase is what the author believes the Bible is saying, not necessarily what it actually says. (examples: TLB, MSG)
Reading level:
King James Version (KJV): 12th grade
Revised Standard Version (RSV): 12th grade
New American Standard Bible (NASB): 11th grade
New Revised Standard Version (RNSV): 11th grade
English Standard Version (ESV): 10th grade
New International Version (NIV): 8th grade
Holman Christian Standard Version (HCSV): 8th grade
New King James Version (NKJV): 7th grade
New Living Translation (NLT): 6th grade
God’s Word (GW): 5th grade
The Message (MSG): 5th grade
New Century Version (NCV): 3rd grade
Compare: Heb 11:13
English Standard Version
13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
New International Version
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.
New Living Translation
13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth.
More on Translations- "A Quick Overview of Bible Translations." Article by Sam O'Neal
This list includes the divisions of the Bible
Divisions of the Old Testament: Introduction to the Old Testament
Books of the Law - Introduction to the Pentateuch
- Genesis - answers two big questions: “How did God’s relationship with the world begin?” and “Where did the nation of Israel come from?” Author: Traditionally Moses, but the stories are much older.
- Exodus - God saves Israel from slavery in Egypt, and then enters into a special relationship with them. Author: Traditionally Moses
- Leviticus - God gives Israel instructions for how to worship Him. Author: traditionally Moses
- Numbers - Israel fails to trust and obey God, and wanders in the wilderness for 40 years. Author: Traditionally Moses
- Deuteronomy - Moses gives Israel instructions (in some ways, a recap of the laws in Exodus–Numbers) for how to love and obey God in the Promised Land.Author: Traditionally Moses
- Joshua - Joshua (Israel’s new leader) leads Israel to conquer the Promised land, then parcels out territories to the twelve tribes of Israel. Author: Nobody knows
- Judges - Israel enters a cycle of turning from God, falling captive to oppressive nations, calling out to God, and being rescued by leaders God sends their way (called “judges”). Author: Nobody knows
- Ruth - Two widows lose everything, and find hope in Israel—which leads to the birth of the future King David. Author: Nobody knows
- I Samuel - Israel demands a king, who turns out to be quite a disappointment. Author: Nobody knows
- II Samuel - David, a man after God’s own heart, becomes king of Israel. Author: Nobody knows
- I Kings - The kingdom of Israel has a time of peace and prosperity under King Solomon, but afterward splits, and the two lines of kings turn away from God. Author: Nobody knows
- II Kings - Both kingdoms ignore God and his prophets until they both fall captive to other world empires. Author: Nobody knows
- I Chronicles - This is a brief history of Israel from Adam to David, culminating with David commissioning the temple of God in Jerusalem. Author: Traditionally Ezra
- II Chronicles - David’s son Solomon builds the temple, but after centuries of rejecting God, the Babylonians take the southern Israelites captive and destroy the temple. Author: Traditionally Ezra
- Ezra - The Israelites rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, and a scribe named Ezra teaches the people to once again obey God’s laws. Author: Ezra
- Nehemiah - The city of Jerusalem is in bad shape, so Nehemiah rebuilds the wall around the city. Author: Nehemiah
- Esther - Someone hatches a genocidal plot to bring about Israel’s extinction, and Esther must face the emperor to ask for help. Author: Nobody knows
Poetic Books - Introduction to Hebrew Poetry
- Job - Satan attacks a righteous man named Job, and Job and his friends argue about why terrible things are happening to him. Some scholars say he lived during the time of the patriarchs - Besides not having any information about the time or place in which Job lived, scholars know practically nothing of the man himself. Many think he lived before the law was written maybe a contemporary of Abraham. Author: Nobody knows
- Psalms - A collection of 150 songs that Israel sang to God (and to each other)—kind of like a hymnal for the ancient Israelites. Author: So many authors—meet them all here!
- Proverbs - A collection of sayings written to help people make wise decisions that bring about justice. Author: Solomon and other wise men
- Ecclesiastes - A philosophical exploration of the meaning of life—with a surprisingly nihilistic tone for the Bible. Author: Traditionally Solomon
- Song of Solomon - A love song (or collection of love songs) celebrating love, desire, and marriage. Author: Traditionally Solomon
Prophetic Books
- Major Prophets - How to read the major prophets
- Isaiah - God sends the prophet Isaiah to warn Israel of future judgment—but also to tell them about a coming king and servant who will “bear the sins of many.” Author: Isaiah (and maybe some of his followers)
- Jeremiah - God sends a prophet to warn Israel about the coming Babylonian captivity, but the people don’t take the news very well. Author: Jeremiah
- Lamentations - A collection of dirges lamenting the fall of Jerusalem after the Babylonian attacks. Author: Traditionally Jeremiah
- Ezekiel - God chooses a man to speak for Him to Israel, to tell them the error of their ways and teach them justice: Ezekiel. Author: Ezekiel
- Daniel - Daniel becomes a high-ranking wise man in the Babylonian and Persian empires and has prophetic visions concerning Israel’s future. Author: Daniel (with other contributors)
- Minor Prophets - Introduction to the minor prophets
- Hosea - Hosea is told to marry a prostitute who leaves him, and he must bring her back: a picture of God’s relationship with Israel. Author: Hosea
- Joel - God sends a plague of locusts to Judge Israel, but his judgment on the surrounding nations is coming, too. Author: Joel
- Amos - A shepherd named Amos preaches against the injustice of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Author: Amos
- Obediah - Obadiah warns the neighboring nation of Edom that they will be judged for plundering Jerusalem. Author: Obadiah
- Jonah - A disobedient prophet runs from God, is swallowed by a great fish, and then preaches God’s message to the city of Nineveh. Author: Traditionally Jonah
- Micah - Micah confronts the leaders of Israel and Judah regarding their injustice, and prophecies that one day the Lord himself will rule in perfect justice. Author: Micah
- Nahum - Nahum foretells of God’s judgment on Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. Author: Nahum
- Habakkuk - Habakkuk pleads with God to stop the injustice and violence in Judah, but is surprised to find that God will use the even more violent Babylonians to do so. Author: Habakkuk
- Zephaniah - God warns that he will judge Israel and the surrounding nations, but also that he will restore them in peace and justice. Author: Zephaniah
- Haggai - The people have abandoned the work of restoring God’s temple in Jerusalem, and so Haggai takes them to task. Author: Haggai
- Zechariah - The prophet Zechariah calls Israel to return to God and records prophetic visions that show what’s happening behind the scenes.
- Malachi - God has been faithful to Israel, but they continue to live disconnected from him—so God sends Malachi to call them out.
Divisions of the Books of the New Testament: Introduction to the New Testament
The Gospels -
- Matthew - This is an account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, focusing on Jesus’ role as the true king of the Jews. Author: Matthew
- Mark - This brief account of Jesus’ earthly ministry highlights Jesus’ authority and servanthood. Author: John Mark
- Luke - Luke writes the most thorough account of Jesus’ life, pulling together eyewitness testimonies to tell the full story of Jesus. Author: Luke
- John - John lists stories of signs and miracles with the hope that readers will believe in Jesus. Author: John
The Historical Book - Introduction to Acts
- Acts - Jesus returns to the Father, the Holy Spirit comes to the church, and the gospel of Jesus spreads throughout the world. Author: Luke
The Letters/Epistles - Introduction to the Epistles
- Romans - Paul summarizes how the gospel of Jesus works in a letter to the churches at Rome, where he plans to visit. Author: Paul
- I Corinthians - Paul writes a disciplinary letter to a fractured church in Corinth and answers some questions that they’ve had about how Christians should behave. Author: Paul
- II Corinthians - Paul writes a letter of reconciliation to the church at Corinth, and clears up some concerns that they have. Author: Paul
- Galatians - Paul hears that the Galatian churches have been lead to think that salvation comes from the law of Moses, and writes a (rather heated) letter telling them where the false teachers have it wrong. Author: Paul
- Ephesians - Paul writes to the church at Ephesus about how to walk in grace, peace, and love. Author: Paul
- Philippians - An encouraging letter to the church of Philippi from Paul, telling them how to have joy in Christ. Author: Paul
- Colossians - Paul writes the church at Colossae a letter about who they are in Christ, and how to walk in Christ. Author: Paul
- I Thessalonians - Paul has heard a good report on the church at Thessalonica, and encourages them to “excel still more” in faith, hope, and love. Author: Paul
- II Thessalonians - Paul instructs the Thessalonians on how to stand firm until the coming of Jesus. Author: Paul
- I Timothy - Paul gives his protegé Timothy instructions on how to lead a church with sound teaching and a godly example. Author: Paul
- II Timothy - Paul is nearing the end of his life, and encourages Timothy to continue preaching the word. Author: Paul
- Titus - Paul advises Titus on how to lead orderly, counter-cultural churches on the island of Crete. Author: Paul
- Philemon - Paul strongly recommends that Philemon accept his runaway slave as a brother, not a slave. Author: Paul
- Hebrews - A letter encouraging Christians to cling to Christ despite persecution, because he is greater. Author: Nobody knows
- James - A letter telling Christians to live in ways that demonstrate their faith in action. Author: James (likely the brother of Jesus)
- I Peter - Peter writes to Christians who are being persecuted, encouraging them to testify to the truth and live accordingly. Author: Peter
- II Peter - Peter writes a letter reminding Christians about the truth of Jesus, and warning them that false teachers will come. Author: Peter
- I John - John writes a letter to Christians about keeping Jesus’ commands, loving one another, and important things they should know. Author: John
- II John - A very brief letter about walking in truth, love, and obedience. Author: John
- III John - An even shorter letter about Christian fellowship. Author: John
- Jude - A letter encouraging Christians to contend for the faith, even though ungodly persons have crept in unnoticed. Author: Jude
The Book of Vision
- Revelation - John sees visions of things that have been, things that are, and things that are yet to come. Author: John
16 Periods of the Bible
1 - BEFORE THE FLOOD (Gen. 1-5)
1. Creation – Gen. 1
2. Adam and Eve – Gen. 2
3. First Sin – Gen. 3
4. Cain and Abel – Gen. 4
5. Generations: Adam to Noah – Gen. 5
2 – THE FLOOD (Gen. 6-10)
1. The flood itself (Gen. 6-8)
2. Meat for food (Gen. 9)
3. Capital punishment (Gen. 9)
4. Rainbow covenant (Gen. 9)
5. Curse on Canaan (Gen. 9)
6. Generations: Noah’s sons (Gen. 10)
3 – SCATTERING OF THE PEOPLE (Gen. 11)
1. Tower of Babel
2. Languages divided
3. Generations: Shem to Abraham
4 – PATRIARCHS (Gen. 12-50)
1. Abraham (Gen. 12-25)
2. Isaac (Gen. 25-28)
3. Jacob (Gen. 28-35)
4. Joseph (Gen. 37-50)
5 – EXODUS (Exodus 1 – Numbers 13)
1. Escape from Egypt (Exo. 1-15)
2. Journey to Sinai (Exo. 15-19)
3. Covenant with Israel (Exo. 20-24)
4. Tabernacle instructions (Exo. 25-30)
5. Two special craftsmen (Exo. 31)
6. Covenant: broken/renewed (Exo. 32-34)
7. Tabernacle built (Exo. 35-40)
8. Laws for priests/Levites (Lev. 1-7)
9. Leviticus teaches holiness (Lev.)
10. Censuses taken (Num. 1-4)
11. Tabernacle dedicated (Num. 7-8)
12. Second Passover (Num. 9)
13. Sinai to Kadesh Barnea (Num. 10-12)
14. Fearful report (Num. 13)
6 – WANDERING IN THE WILDERNESS (Num. 14-Deuteronomy)
1. Sentenced to 40 years (Num. 14)
2. Holy/unholy (Num. 15-19)
3. Time of transition (Num. 20-21)
4. Balaam blesses Israel (Num. 22-24)
5. Fornication with Midianites (Num. 25)
6. Second Census (Num. 26)
7. Wrath on Midianites (Num. 31)
8. Speeches of Moses (Deut.)
9. Moses dies (Deut. 34)
7 – CONQUEST OF CANAAN (Joshua)
1. Joshua in charge (Josh. 1)
2. Rahab (Josh. 2)
3. Israel crosses the Jordan (Josh. 3-5)
4. Campaigns (Josh. 6-12)
5. Land divided (Josh. 13-19)
6. Cities for refuge/Levites (Josh. 20-21)
7. Eastern tribes go home (Josh. 22)
8. Joshua challenges Israel (Josh. 23)
9. Israel renews covenant (Josh. 24)
8 – JUDGES (Judes 1 – 1 Samuel 8)
1. Joshua dies (Judg. 1-2)
2. Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar (Judg. 3)
3. Deborah (Judg. 4-5)
4. Gideon (Judg. 6-8)
5. Abimelech (Judg. 9)
6. Jair and Tola (Judg. 10)
7. Jephthah (Judg. 11-12)
8. Ibzan, Elon, Abdon (Judg. 12)
9. Samson (Judg. 13-16)
10. Right in his own eyes (Judg. 17-21)
11. Ruth (Ruth)
12. Eli (1 Sam. 1-2)
13. Samuel (1 Sam. 3-7)
14. Israel demands a king (1 Sam. 8)
9 – UNITED KINGDOM (1 Sam. 9 – 1 Ki. 11)
1. Saul (1 Sam. 9-31)
2. David (2 Sam. 1-24)
3. Solomon (1 Ki. 1-11)
10 – DIVIDED KINGDOM (1 Ki. 12 – 2 Ki. 17)
1. Solomon dies, Israel divides (1 Ki. 12)
2. Early kings (1 Ki. 13-16)
3. 3rd dynasty: Omri - Joram (1 Ki. 16 – 2 Ki. 9)
4. Elijah and Elisha (1 Ki. 17 – 2 Ki. 13)
5. 4th dynasty: Jehu – Zechariah (2 Ki. 9-15)
6. 5th dynasty, Fall of Israel (2 Ki. 15-17)
11 – JUDAH ALONE (2 Ki. 18-24)
1. Hezekiah’s reform (2 Ki. 18-20)
2. Manasseh and Amon (2 Ki. 21)
3. Josiah’s reform (2 Ki. 22-23)
4. Kings before the fall (2 Ki. 23-24)
5. Judah falls(2 Ki. 24)
12 – CAPTIVITY (2 Ki. 24-25)
1. 70 years of captivity (2 Ki. 24-25)
2. Messages of hope (Daniel, Ezekiel)
3. Cyrus’ decree (2 Chron. 36)
13 – RETURN FROM CAPTIVITY (Ezra-Esther)
1. 1st Return: Temple Rebuilt (Ezra 1-6)
2. Esther saves Israel (Esther)
3. 2nd Return: Ezra’s reforms (Ezra 7-10)
4. 3rd Return: Nehemiah’s reforms (Nehemiah)
5. A Corrupt Nation (Malachi 1-2)
6. The Coming Messiah (Malachi 3-4)
14 – YEARS OF SILENCE
1. Maccabean revolt
2. Jewish parties
3. Roman Empire
4. Herod the Great given Judea
15 – LIFE OF CHRIST (Luke)
1. Early years (Luke 1-2)
2. Early Judean ministry (Luke 3-4)
3. Galilean ministry (Luke 4-9)
4. Set for Jerusalem (Luke 9-19)
5. The last week (Luke 19-21)
6. Death and resurrection (Luke 22-24)
16 – EARLY CHURCH (Acts)
1. The beginning (Acts 1-2)
2. Preaching, persecution, growth (Acts 3-8)
3. Paul’s conversion (Acts 9)
4. Gentiles Accepted (Acts 10-12)
5. Paul’s Journeys (Acts 13-20)
6. Paul Arrested, sent to Rome (Acts 21-28)
Probable Writing dates of Books of the Bible
see also: https://biblehub.com/timeline/
see also: https://biblehub.com/timeline/
Old Testament:
Job: Considered earliest, but date unknown
Genesis: 1445-1405 BC
Exodus: 1445-1405 BC
Leviticus: 1445-1405 BC
Numbers: 1445-1405 BC
Deuteronomy: 1445-1405 BC
Psalms: 1410-450 BC
Joshua: 1405-1385 BC
Judges: 1043 BC
Ruth: 1030-1010 BC
Song of Songs: 971-965 BC
Proverbs: 971-686 BC
Ecclesiastes: 940-931 BC
1 Samuel: 931-722 BC
2 Samuel: 931-722 BC
Obadiah: 850-840 BC
Joel: 835-796 BC
Jonah: 775 BC
Amos: 750 BC
Hosea: 750-710 BC
Micah: 735-710 BC
Isaiah: 700-681 BC
Nahum: 650 BC
Zephaniah: 635-625 BC
Habakkuk: 615-605 BC
Ezekiel: 590-570 BC
Lamentations: 586 BC
Jeremiah: 586-570 BC
1 Kings: 561-538 BC
2 Kings: 561-538 BC
Judith*: Uncertain (538 BC-AD 70)
Daniel: 536-530 BC
Haggai: 520 BC
Baruch*: 500-100 BC
Zechariah: 480-470 BC
Ezra: 457-444 BC
1 Chronicles: 450-430 BC
2 Chronicles: 450-430 BC
Esther: 450-331 BC
Malachi: 433-424 BC
Nehemiah: 424-400 BC
Susanna*: 400 BC-AD 70
Psalm 151*: 400 BC-AD 100
Letter of Jeremiah*: 307-317 BC
Tobit*: 225-175 BC
Ben Sira (Sirach)*: 200-175 BC
Bel and the Dragon*: 200-100 BC
Greek Esther*: 200-1 BC
Prayer of Azariah*: 200-1 BC
1 Maccabees*: 150-100 BC
2 Maccabees*: 150-100 BC
1 Esdras*: 100 BC-AD 100
Prayer of Manasseh*: 100-1 BC
3 Maccabees*: 100-1 BC
4 Maccabees*: 100-1 BC
Wisdom*: 50-20 BC
2 Esdras**: AD 100-200
New Testament:
James: AD 44-49
Galatians: AD 49-50
Mark: AD 50-60
Matthew: AD 50-60
1 Thessalonians: AD 51
2 Thessalonians: AD 51-52
1 Corinthians: AD 55
2 Corinthians: AD 55-56
Romans: AD 56
Luke: AD 60-61
Ephesians: AD 60-62
Philippians: AD 60-62
Philemon: AD 60-62
Colossians: AD 60-62
Acts: AD 62
1 Timothy: AD 62-64
Titus: AD 62-64
1 Peter: AD 64-65
2 Timothy: AD 66-67
2 Peter: AD 67-68
Hebrews: AD 67-69
Jude: AD 68-70
John: AD 80-90
1 John: AD 90-95
2 John: AD 90-95
3 John: AD 90-95
Revelation: AD 94-96
Genesis: 1445-1405 BC
Exodus: 1445-1405 BC
Leviticus: 1445-1405 BC
Numbers: 1445-1405 BC
Deuteronomy: 1445-1405 BC
Psalms: 1410-450 BC
Joshua: 1405-1385 BC
Judges: 1043 BC
Ruth: 1030-1010 BC
Song of Songs: 971-965 BC
Proverbs: 971-686 BC
Ecclesiastes: 940-931 BC
1 Samuel: 931-722 BC
2 Samuel: 931-722 BC
Obadiah: 850-840 BC
Joel: 835-796 BC
Jonah: 775 BC
Amos: 750 BC
Hosea: 750-710 BC
Micah: 735-710 BC
Isaiah: 700-681 BC
Nahum: 650 BC
Zephaniah: 635-625 BC
Habakkuk: 615-605 BC
Ezekiel: 590-570 BC
Lamentations: 586 BC
Jeremiah: 586-570 BC
1 Kings: 561-538 BC
2 Kings: 561-538 BC
Judith*: Uncertain (538 BC-AD 70)
Daniel: 536-530 BC
Haggai: 520 BC
Baruch*: 500-100 BC
Zechariah: 480-470 BC
Ezra: 457-444 BC
1 Chronicles: 450-430 BC
2 Chronicles: 450-430 BC
Esther: 450-331 BC
Malachi: 433-424 BC
Nehemiah: 424-400 BC
Susanna*: 400 BC-AD 70
Psalm 151*: 400 BC-AD 100
Letter of Jeremiah*: 307-317 BC
Tobit*: 225-175 BC
Ben Sira (Sirach)*: 200-175 BC
Bel and the Dragon*: 200-100 BC
Greek Esther*: 200-1 BC
Prayer of Azariah*: 200-1 BC
1 Maccabees*: 150-100 BC
2 Maccabees*: 150-100 BC
1 Esdras*: 100 BC-AD 100
Prayer of Manasseh*: 100-1 BC
3 Maccabees*: 100-1 BC
4 Maccabees*: 100-1 BC
Wisdom*: 50-20 BC
2 Esdras**: AD 100-200
New Testament:
James: AD 44-49
Galatians: AD 49-50
Mark: AD 50-60
Matthew: AD 50-60
1 Thessalonians: AD 51
2 Thessalonians: AD 51-52
1 Corinthians: AD 55
2 Corinthians: AD 55-56
Romans: AD 56
Luke: AD 60-61
Ephesians: AD 60-62
Philippians: AD 60-62
Philemon: AD 60-62
Colossians: AD 60-62
Acts: AD 62
1 Timothy: AD 62-64
Titus: AD 62-64
1 Peter: AD 64-65
2 Timothy: AD 66-67
2 Peter: AD 67-68
Hebrews: AD 67-69
Jude: AD 68-70
John: AD 80-90
1 John: AD 90-95
2 John: AD 90-95
3 John: AD 90-95
Revelation: AD 94-96
Timeline from Joshua to the Prophets (from Wikipedia)
c. 1250 BC–c. 1025 BC Biblical Judges lead the people. (prophecy of Deborah)
During the Kingdom of Israel and Judah
c. 1003 BC–c. 963 BC King David, prophecy of Nathan prophecy of Gad
c. 963 BC–c. 923 BC King Solomon
c. 923 BC–c. 913 BC King Rehoboam of Judah, prophecy of Shemaiah
c. 922 BC–c. 910 BC King Jeroboam of Israel, prophecy of Ahijah
c. 913 BC–c. 910 BC King Asa of Judah prophecies of Elijah, Micaiah, and Elisha
c. 837 BC–c. 800 BC King Joash of Judah prophecy of Jonah[1] during the time of Babylonian captivity, though dating of the book ranges from the 6th to the late 3rd century BC.
c. 796 BC–c. 768 BC King Amaziah of Judah prophecy of Amos, Hosea
c. 767 BC–c. 754 BC King Uzziah of Judah
c. 722 BC–Kingdom of Israel falls to Neo-Assyrian Empire
c. 715 BC–c. 687 BC King Hezekiah of Judah prophecy of Joel(?) prophecy of Nahum
c. 648 BC– c. 609 BC King Josiah of Judah prophesy of Jeremiah
Before and during Exile
c. 609 BC–King Jehoahaz of Judah 3 Months
c. 608 BC–c. 598 BC King Jehoiakim of Judah
c. 598 BC–c. 597 BC King Jeconiah of Judah
c. 597 BC–c. 520 BC In Judea: prophecy of Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Obadiah, and Habakkuk In Babylon: prophecy of Ezekiel
Four Reasons To Read The Bible Daily
Source: PatheosWhile most households in the US own a Bible, many Americans have read little or none of it. Daily reading of the Bible is even rarer. But regular reading offers valuable benefits. Obedience, discipline, preparation, and guidance, provide four reasons to read the Bible daily.
People view the Bible as a book, but it is actually a book of books. Written over the span of 1500 years, the Bible collects sixty-six books within one cover. The word “Bible,” which derives from a Greek word meaning “the books,” emphasizes this makeup.
People view the Bible as a book, but it is actually a book of books. Written over the span of 1500 years, the Bible collects sixty-six books within one cover. The word “Bible,” which derives from a Greek word meaning “the books,” emphasizes this makeup.
The books which the Bible contains are quite different. Their genres include poetry, prophecy, instructions, and stories, among others. Likewise, the topics addressed are those of interest to all humans such as money, marriage, authority, nature, power, sex, work, and children. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John provide narratives about Jesus, detailing the final three years of His life, His death, and His resurrection. Such information offers compelling reading for His followers.
The Bible expressly addresses its usefulness. In 2 Timothy 3:16, Paul enumerates ways the Scripture can help believers—teaching, correcting, rebuking, and training in righteousness. Since God inspired all Scripture, is it surprising reading His world would be of benefit?
1. Reading As Obedience
A good reason to read the Bible daily is obedience to God. Reading His words was an activity He directed, and believers should comply with that directive.
When Joshua took leadership over the Israelites following Moses’ death, God told the new leader what to do with His word, the law He gave Moses. Specifically, He instructed: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” God’s children cannot follow what He has said without reading the Bible, becoming familiar with it, and staying familiar with it by regular reading.
Psalm 119, the longest Psalm, focuses on God’s word and confirms the need to read the Bible consistently. The psalmist assures God that he will not neglect His word. He hides the word in his heart and meditates on God’s word. The psalmist recounts God’s word verbally, delights in God’s decrees, and asks to be taught God’s laws He asks God to give him understanding. The psalmist’s activities all necessarily involve reading God’s word. And only occasionally doing so would not propel him toward his goal of not neglecting God’s word.
Even the New Testament supports regular Bible reading. Jesus told His followers to seek first the kingdom of God. No better source exists for learning about that kingdom than Jesus’ own words found in the Gospels. Jesus left His followers with the Great Commission when He left Earth. How can they “Go” and spread His word if they do not know what it is? Reading the Bible equips them to obey that directive.
When Joshua took leadership over the Israelites following Moses’ death, God told the new leader what to do with His word, the law He gave Moses. Specifically, He instructed: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” God’s children cannot follow what He has said without reading the Bible, becoming familiar with it, and staying familiar with it by regular reading.
Psalm 119, the longest Psalm, focuses on God’s word and confirms the need to read the Bible consistently. The psalmist assures God that he will not neglect His word. He hides the word in his heart and meditates on God’s word. The psalmist recounts God’s word verbally, delights in God’s decrees, and asks to be taught God’s laws He asks God to give him understanding. The psalmist’s activities all necessarily involve reading God’s word. And only occasionally doing so would not propel him toward his goal of not neglecting God’s word.
Even the New Testament supports regular Bible reading. Jesus told His followers to seek first the kingdom of God. No better source exists for learning about that kingdom than Jesus’ own words found in the Gospels. Jesus left His followers with the Great Commission when He left Earth. How can they “Go” and spread His word if they do not know what it is? Reading the Bible equips them to obey that directive.
2. Reading To Develop Discipline
Obedience to God isn’t the only reason to read the Bible. Developing discipline results from daily Bible reading. Discipline is essential to the Christian life. Are believers disciplined enough to flee from the Devil, to love their neighbor, to take up their cross daily? Disciplining themselves to accomplish daily Bible reading will encourage them to be disciplined in other facets of their faith life such as ongoing prayer with God, regular attendance at worship, and tithing (and beyond).The discipline required for daily Bible reading resonates with the top reason given in the Lifeway Research results. People don’t read the Bible simply because they don’t prioritize that activity. How can it be prioritized? Schedule it. Setting a specific time to read God’s word is essential. Failing to plan is planning to fail. Make an appointment with your Bible, and then keep it.
3. Reading As Preparation
Accepting Jesus is merely the beginning of a believer’s faith journey. When people travel to some place new, they typically consult maps or guidebooks. The Bible helps prepare Christians for their faith journey. Reading about Jesus’ time on earth and His words to His followers prepares them for what they will face. And what will that be? Jesus faced opposition, rejection, and ridicule. Jesus even pointed out His followers had to pick up their cross daily. The faith walk will be a tough one.Although Jesus made clear Christians would face trouble while on earth, He provided reassurance to His followers. They could take heart in the fact He had overcome the world. Bible readers are prepared to do life because they are fully aware it will be challenging but that Jesus will be with them.
4. Reading As Guidance
Guidance is another of four reasons to read the Bible daily. While believers understand generally things will work out well in the end per Romans 8:28, they crave God’s guidance in specific circumstances. One way to obtain His guidance is to read His words to them. The psalmist appreciated this guidance when he likened God’s word to a lamp to his feet and a light showing him the path.Proverbs, for example, gives practical advice such as responding to anger with a “soft” word. In the New Testament, James urges believers not simply to hear the word, but to put it into practice.
Why read the Bible daily? This activity exhibits obedience to God’s direction, helps believers develop discipline in their faith life, prepares them for their faith journey, and offers guidance in the day-to-day challenges life brings. The goal is not to have a Bible, but to use it regularly. If believers are not reading the Bible daily, aren’t they saying it isn’t a priority or that they are too busy for God?
Why read the Bible daily? This activity exhibits obedience to God’s direction, helps believers develop discipline in their faith life, prepares them for their faith journey, and offers guidance in the day-to-day challenges life brings. The goal is not to have a Bible, but to use it regularly. If believers are not reading the Bible daily, aren’t they saying it isn’t a priority or that they are too busy for God?
Interesting Facts About the Bible You Might Not Realize
Source: Newinterestingfacts.com The Bible, also known as the Holy Scriptures, is one of human history’s most widely read and influential books. It contains sacred texts that billions of people revere and continue to significantly shape some societies and cultures. While many are familiar with its teachings, numerous intriguing facts about the Bible are still less commonly known. In this article, we will explore 22 interesting facts about the Bible that may surprise you. 1. The Bible is a Bestseller Did you know that the Bible is the best-selling book of all time? According to Guinness World Records, over 5 billion copies have been sold worldwide. 2. The Bible has been Translated into Over 700 Languages According to Wikipedia, the Bible is available in over 700 languages, making it one of the most translated books in history. This not only allows more people to access its teachings but also showcases its global impact and influence. The new testament and other smaller portions have been translated into even further languages. 3. It Took Over 1,500 Years to Write While some books are written quickly over a small amount of time, the Bible takes over a century to compete. The Bible was written over a period of 1,500 years. Despite this vast time span and numerous authors, the Bible maintains a cohesive message and theme throughout its entirety. 4. It Was Written in 3 Different Continents The Bible was written on three different continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe. Its authors came from various backgrounds, cultures, and languages but were all inspired by God to write the sacred texts. 5. It Has Over 40 Authors While there are a few key authors that are well known, such as Moses, David, and Paul, the Bible was written by over 40 different authors. These included kings, fishermen, doctors, farmers, and more. Despite their diverse backgrounds and experiences, the message remains unified. 6. The Smallest Book in the Bible The smallest books in the Bible are less than 500 words. These include 3 John, 2 John, Philemon, Obadiah, and Jude. Although short in length, these books still contain powerful messages and teachings. 7. The Longest Book in the Bible On the other end of the spectrum is the book of Psalms, which contains a whopping 150 chapters. It is also one of the most widely read and quoted books in the Bible. 8. The Word “Bible” Comes from Greek The word “Bible” comes from the Greek word “biblia,” which means “books.” This is fitting since the Bible is a collection of 66 books, divided into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. 9. The Old Testament The Old Testament contains 39 books in the Protestant version and 46 books in the Catholic version. It covers the history of the Jewish people, their laws, prophecies, and writings. It was written primarily in Hebrew, with some portions in Aramaic. 10. The New Testament The New Testament contains 27 books that focus on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as the early Christian Church. It was originally written in Greek and includes the four Gospels, Acts, letters from early church leaders, and Revelation. 11. The Bible contains 17 historical books The Bible contains 17 historical books that are as follows: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. These books present the historical events that took place in the Old Testament. 12. The Bible includes 5 poetical books The Bible’s poetical books – Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon – serve as a bridge between the historical past and the prophetic books of the future. 13. The Bible has 17 prophetic books These 17 prophetic books of the Bible were written by the “minor” prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. 14. The Bible includes 4 Gospels The Bible contains four Gospels named after their authors – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The word “Gospel” comes from the Old English term “Gos” which means “God” or “good” and “Spel” which means “news. In Christianity, the term “Good News” refers to the story of Jesus’ birth, death, sacrifice, and resurrection, which are believed to be part of His mission to save humanity. 15. The Bible has 21 Epistles These are the 21 Epistles of the Bible: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude. These books are all attributed to the apostle Paul, although some dispute whether he wrote all 13. 16. A 1631 Edition Accidentally Promoted Adultery In 1631, a printing mistake led to the misprint of “thou shalt commit adultery” in the Ten Commandments instead of “thou shalt not commit adultery.” This edition became known as the “Wicked Bible.” 17. The Bible has been Banned and Burned Throughout history, there have been numerous attempts to ban or burn the Bible. For example:In the 1600s, King James I of England authorized a new translation of the Bible, which was met with opposition from some religious groups. In the 1800s, Protestant copies of the bible were burned by an Italian Archbishop. In more recent years, the Bible has been banned in countries like North Korea and Saudi Arabia. 18. The Longest Word in the Bible The longest word in the Bible is “Mahershalalhashbaz,” which appears in Isaiah 8:3 and has a total of 18 letters. It means “hurry to plunder” and was the name given to Isaiah’s son. 19. The Shortest Verse The shortest verse in the Bible is found in John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.” It contains only two words and is a powerful example of Jesus’ humanity and compassion. 20. The Largest Producer of Bibles China is the largest producer of Bibles in the world that are distributed worldwide. The biggest company in China is Amity Printing Company. 21. The Most Expensive Bible The most expensive Bible is from the 9th or 10th century, known as the Codex Sassoon. It is valued at over $50 million dollars. 22. The Were No Verses in the First Bible The original Bible did not have chapter and verse divisions, which were added in the 13th century. This was done to help with referencing and studying the text.
The 100 most significant Old Testament people
- Aaron – Brother of Moses and Israel’s first high priest. (Exodus 4:14)
- Abner – The general of King Saul’s army, treacherously killed by David’s general, Joab. (1 Samuel 14:50)
- Adebnego – One of Daniel’s three friends who were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to worship the golden image of Nebuchadnezzar. “Abednego” is the Babylonian name assigned to him by his captors. His Hebrew name is Azariah. (Daniel 1:7)
- Abimelech – One of the “Judges” of Israel who for a short time ruled as a king. (Judges 8:31)
- Abraham – The man whose life of faith and covenant with God established the nation of Israel, his descendants, as the people of God. God changed his name from “Abram.” (Genesis 11:26)
- Absalom – The son of King David whose bitterness at how his father treated him led him to usurp his father’s throne. David’s general Joab killed Absalom to end the rebellion. (2 Samuel 3:3)
- Adam – The first human being, created out of the dust of the ground. His wife’s name was Eve. (Genesis 2:20)
- Adonijah – A son of David and half-brother of Solomon who tried to steal the throne during David’s declining years. (2 Samuel 3:4)
- Ahab – Powerful king of Israel (though in fact he only ruled over the northern 10 tribes). As a result of marrying Jezebel, Ahab introduced his kingdom to Baal worship. (1 Kings 16:28)
- Ahasuerus – King of the Persian empire and husband to the Jewess Esther. Known outside the Bible as Xerxes. (Esther 1:1)
- Amos – Farmer-shepherd whom God calls to denounce the northern nation of Israel. Amos is the subject and presumed author of the Old Testament Book of Amos (Amos 1:1)
- Athaliah – Wicked daughter of Ahab and Jezebel who ruled over Israel until she was executed to make way for the boy-king Joash. (2 Kings 8:26)
- Balaam – Non-Israelite prophet who prophesied blessing for Israel rather than the curses he was being paid to declare. Balaam is also known for beating his donkey, who then spoke to him by God’s power. (Numbers 22:5)
- Bathsheba – Wife of Uriah with whom David committed adultery before murdering her husband. Bathsheba’s second child, and the only one to survive more than a few days, was Solomon. (2 Samuel 11:3)
- Belshazzar – The last ruler of Babylon before it was conquered by the Medes and Persians. Daniel prophesied his destruction–a prediction fulfilled that very night. Babylonian records disclose that Belshazzar was really the prince, son of King Nabonidus, but Belshazzar may have been at the least de facto ruler of Babylon while his father was in Tema worshipping the moon goddess. (Daniel 5:1)
- Bildad – One of the three friends who visited Job and ended up discouraging him rather than comforting him. (Job 2:11)
- Boaz – A godly man in an ungodly age, Boaz married Ruth of Moab and became great-grandfather of King David. (Ruth 2:1)
- Caleb – A tribal leader who, along with Joshua, counseled Israel to courageously conquer the land that they and the 10 unbelieving leaders had spied out. (Numbers 13:6)
- Cyrus – As the first great leader of the Medo-Persian empire, Cyrus abruptly changed the policy of the Babylonians, allowing exiled peoples to return to their ancestral homelands. In doing this, Cyrus was unwittingly fulfilling Isaiah’s much earlier prophecy that he was actually carrying out God’s will. (2 Chronicles 36:22)
- Daniel – One of the Israelites taken into Babylonian exile who, because of his faithfulness to God and to the king, rose to great power and influence in both the Babylonian and Medo-Persian empires. Daniel’s Babylonian name was Belteshazzar. Daniel is the main subject and presumed author of the Book of Daniel. (Daniel 1:6)
- David – Second king of Israel and famous as “the man after God’s own heart,” as a singer of psalms. Of the 150 psalms in the Old Testament Book of Psalms, 74 are ascribed to him, and it is possible that some of the 34 unascribed psalms come from him as well). In addition to these are a few other psalms found in the historical books of Samuel and Chronicles. He is also well known as the slayer of the giant, Goliath. David’s reign and that of his son Solomon was the time of greatest power and prosperity for the ancient nation of Israel. (Ruth 4:17)
- Darius – The first ruler of Babylon in the Medo-Persian empire, Darius the Mede appointed Daniel to be his counselor. Wicked advisors manipulated Darius into throwing Daniel to the lions, but he was greatly relieved when God’s prophet emerged unharmed. (Daniel 5:31)
- Deborah – As the only woman who served as a “Judge” of Israel, Deborah led the Israelites to a military victory over Sisera of Damascus. (Judges 4:4)
- Delilah – This Philistine woman deceived Samson into revealing the secret of his great strength so that she could deliver him to his enemies. (Judges 16:4)
- Eli – The high priest who took in Samuel when his mother Hannah dedicated him to the Lord. God punished Eli for not restraining the wickedness of his sons. (1 Samuel 1:3)
- Elihu – A young man who became angry as he listened to the discourse between Job and his three friends. In contrast to the friends, Elihu believed that God imposed suffering on Job, not to punish him for sins but to prevent him from sinning. (Job 32:2)
- Elijah – One of the greatest of the prophets, Elijah stood for God virtually alone during the time when King Ahab and his wife Jezebel were persecuting true believers and promoting the worship of Baal. (1 Kings 17:1)
- Eliphaz – One of the three friends of Job, all of whom were convinced that God was punishing Job for his wickedness. (Job 2:11)
- Elisha – The successor of Elijah as God’s prophet. Elisha sought and apparently received a double dose of Elijah’s miraculous power. (1 Kings 19:16)
- Esau – The elder brother of Jacob, who sold the birthright of the firstborn to his brother and later also lost his father’s blessing to his brother. Although at the time of this second incident, Esau vowed to kill Jacob, he, later on, was reconciled to him declaring how much God had blessed him. (Genesis 25:25)
- Esther – A beautiful Jewess whom the Persian king Ahasuerus married and made his queen. Esther later saved the Jews from certain destruction by exposing the plots of Haman against her uncle, Mordecai. Her Jewish name is Hadassah. Her story is found in the Old Testament Book of Esther. (Esther 2:7)
- Ezekiel – Prophet among the Hebrew exiles in Babylonia who saw visions of why God would destroy Jerusalem and how He would restore it. Ezekiel is the subject and presumed author of the Book of Ezekiel. (Ezekiel 1:3)
- Ezra – A righteous priest and one of the exiles who returned under the sponsorship of the Persian government. Ezra helped Nehemiah to turn the hearts of the people back to the Lord. Ezra is a major character and presumed author of the Old Testament Book of Ezra, and he figures prominently in the Old Testament Book of Nehemiah as well. (Ezra 7:1)
- Eve – The first woman, created from the side of the first man, Adam. (Genesis 3:20)
- Gideon – One of the “Judges” of Israel, convinced to lead the army against the Midianites by two miracles involving a fleece and dew. At God’s prompting, Gideon reduced his large army down to 300 men, and still won the victory. (Judges 6:11)
- Gomer – Wife of the prophet Hosea, whom he married despite her prostitution. Gomer’s unfaithfulness to Hosea was symbolic of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. (Hosea 1:3)
- Habakkuk – A prophet who struggled to understand how God could punish the wicked of his nation by the Babylonians, who were even more wicked. God’s reply, to which Habakkuk complied, was simply to trust him. Habakkuk is the presumed author of the Old Testament Book of Habakkuk. (Habakkuk 1:1)
- Hagar – The slave of Sarah, the wife of Abraham. When Sarah remained childless after many years of trying to conceive, she gave Hagar to her husband–a practice common to the culture of that time. Hagar conceived and bore Abraham his first son, Ishmael. (Genesis 16:1)
- Haggai – Worked closely with his fellow prophet Zechariah to inspire the people to return to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile to finish rebuilding the temple of the Lord. Haggai is the presumed author of the Old Testament Book of Haggai. (Haggai 1:1)
- Haman – An advisor to King Ahasuerus whose arrogance and pride led him to plot against Mordecai, the righteous uncle of Esther. When Esther uncovered Haman’s plot, the king ordered that he be hung on the gallows he had built to hang Mordecai. (Esther 3:1)
- Hannah – Mother of Samuel who dedicated him to the Lord as soon as he was weaned. (1 Samuel 1:2)
- Hezekiah – Righteous king of Judah who sought and received God’s deliverance from the Assyrian army, reformed the worship of God, and brought about a second golden age similar to that of David and Solomon. Hezekiah benefitted greatly from having the prophet Isaiah for an advisor. (2 Kings 16:20)
- Hiram – King of Tyre who entered into a treaty and a close personal friendship with King Solomon. Hiram supplied the cedars for the building of the temple and Solomon’s palace. (2 Samuel 5:11)
- Hosea – Prophet of God who obeyed God’s command to marry the prostitute Gomer, as a living parable of God’s relationship to wayward Israel. Hosea is the presumed author of the Old Testament Book of Hosea. (Hosea 1:1)
- Isaac – Second son of Abraham but regarded as the firstborn, since he alone was the son of Abraham’s wife Sarah. Isaac also entered into a covenant with the Lord and prospered under His blessing. (Genesis 17:19)
- Isaiah – Prophet of God who advised King Hezekiah and, along with Micah, inspired the nation of Judah to return to the Lord. Isaiah is the presumed author of the Old Testament Book of Isaiah. (Isaiah 1:1)
- Ishmael – First son of Abraham, by Hagar, the slave-woman of Abraham’s wife Sarah. (Genesis 16:11)
- Jacob – Also known as “Israel” (Prince of God), Jacob was the son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, husband of Leah and Rachel, and father of twelve sons, who became tribal leaders of what would be known as “The Sons of Israel.” Jacob also had a daughter named Dinah. (Genesis 25:26)
- Jehu – The successor of Ahab as king of the northern nation of Israel. Appointed by the prophet Elijah, Jehu had Ahab’s wife, Jezebel killed, as well as all of Ahab’s sons. (1 Kings 16:1)
- Jephtha – A judge of Israel who delivered the nation from the oppression of the Ammonites. Jephthah foolishly vowed that if the Lord gave him the victory, he would sacrifice whatever came out to greet him upon his return home. Little did he know that it would be his only daughter. (Judges 11:1)
- Jeremiah – Called by God when very young and serving as a prophet for many years, denouncing Judah for its sin and predicting its fall to the Babylonians and a 70-year exile. Jeremiah lived to see his prediction fulfilled when Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem in 586 B.C.E. Jeremiah is known as “the weeping prophet” because of his sorrow over the fate of Jerusalem and the people of Judah. He is the presumed author of the Old Testament Book of Jeremiah and the Book of Lamentations. (Jeremiah 1:1)
- Jeshua – Also called “Joshua.” High priest for the Israelites allowed by Cyrus to return to Jerusalem. Along with Zerubbabel, Jeshua led the people to complete the reconstruction of the Lord’s temple, in response to the prophetic ministry of Zechariah. (Zechariah 3:1)
- Jezebel – Princess of Sidon who married Ahab and led the northern nation of Israel into the practice of Baal worship. Jezebel tried to kill off all of the faithful prophets of the Lord, including Elijah. Among her other sins, Jezebel ordered the murder of Naboth in order to seize his vineyard. She was killed at the order of Jehu. (1 Kings 16:31)
- Joab – The nephew of David who served as the general of David’s army once David became king. Joab was a treacherous and violent man who nevertheless was fiercely loyal to David. (1 Samuel 26:6)
- Joash – A righteous king of Judah contemporary with Jehu, king of Israel. Joash became king when he was only six years old, having survived the wrath of Queen Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. Among his other righteous deeds, Joash repaired the temple of the Lord. He was assassinated at age 22. (1 Kings 22:26)
- Job – (pronounced “jobe”). A righteous man whose severe trials and enduring faith are the subject of the book that bears his name. The book is a series of dialogues between Job and his friends regarding the cause of his suffering. (Job 1:1)
- Joel – A prophet the Lord sent to the northern nation of Israel, calling them to repentance on the occasion of a locust plague that happened during a drought. Joel describes the spiritual renewal that awaits those who heed his call. Joel is the presumed author of the Old Testament Book of Joel. (Joel 1:1)
- Jonah – A prophet the Lord sent to warn Nineveh that the city was about to suffer destruction. Jonah tried to run from God but eventually delivered the message, prompting the city to respond in fear and repentance. Jonah was angry that the Lord spared the penitent Ninevites and received a rebuke from the Lord in the form of an object lesson. Jonah is the subject and the presumed author of the Old Testament Book of Jonah. (Jonah 1:1)
- Jonathan – As son of Saul, Jonathan was prince of Israel and should have been next in line for the throne. But the Lord had chosen David as Saul’s successor, and Jonathan, who was David’s best friend, was willing for David to assume the throne in his place. Jonathan lost his life in a battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. (1 Samuel 13:2)
- Joseph – As the favorite son of his father Jacob, Joseph provoked the jealousy of his 10 older brothers, who sold him into slavery. God blessed Joseph, however, so that he eventually rose to become the ruler of Egypt, second only to the Pharaoh. From this position of authority, Joseph was able to save his entire family from famine after he had demonstrated to his brothers that he had forgiven them. (Genesis 30:24)
- Joshua – The assistant of Moses who after the Lawgiver’s death, became his successor and led the Israelites in their conquest of the land of Canaan. The book of Joshua relates the history of his life. Joshua is the presumed author of most of the Old Testament Book of Joshua. (Exodus 17:9)
- Josiah – A righteous king of Judah who led important religious reforms. Unfortunately, Josiah lost his life in a battle near Megiddo against Pharaoh Neco. (1 Kings 13:2)
- Judah – One of the sons of Jacob whose descendants became one of the most populous tribes of Israel. Judah was the tribe of both David and Jesus. (Genesis 29:35)
- Laban – Brother of Rebekah and father of Leah and Rachel, Laban. (Genesis 24:29)
- Leah – Wife of Jacob, sister of Rachel, and daughter of Laban, Rachel was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, during whose childbirth she died. Rachel was her husband’s favorite wife. (Genesis 29:16)
- Lot – Nephew of Abraham whom Abraham had to rescue from being a prisoner of war. After barely escaping from the destruction of Sodom, Lot fathered a son by each of his two daughters after they got him drunk on two successive nights. The descendants of the two boys became the nations known as the Moabites and the Ammonites. (Genesis 11:27)
- Malachi – Prophesied during the period after the return from Babylonian exile. Malachi predicted the coming of both John the Baptizer and Jesus. Malachi is the presumed author of the Old Testament Book of Malachi. (Malachi 1:1)
- Manasseh – Succeeding his father, righteous Hezekiah, to the throne of Judah, Manasseh was one of the wickedest kings of Judah. According to tradition, he was responsible for stuffing the prophet Isaiah into a hollow log and then sawing the log in half (alluded to in Hebrews 11:37). After being punished by the Lord by going into exile, Manasseh turned back to the Lord at the end of his life. (2 Kings 20:21)
- Meshach – One of the three friends of Daniel who refused to bow to the image of Nebuchadnezzar and were thrown into a fiery furnace. The Lord rescued the three from martyrdom as a testimony to Nebuchadnezzar of His greatness. “Meshach” is the name the Babylonians assigned to him; his Hebrew name was Mishael. (Daniel 1:6-7)
- Micah – A prophet of the Lord who prophesied to the nation of Judah. Micah was an older contemporary of the prophet Isaiah. Micah is the presumed author of the Old Testament Book of Micah. (Micah 1:1)
- Michal – Daughter of Saul given in marriage to David. When David fled from the wrath of Saul, Michal’s father gave her in marriage to another, who was forced to return her to David when David became king. Later on in their marriage, Michal came to despise her husband. She died childless. (1 Samuel 14:49)
- Miriam – Sister of Moses and Aaron and a prophetess. Miriam led the women in their song of rejoicing after the Lord drowned the Egyptian army in the Red Sea (Exod. 15:20-21). Miriam was temporarily struck with leprosy as punishment for joining with Aaron in questioning Moses’ unique authority. (Exodus 2:4; 15:20)
- Mordecai – Uncle of Esther who raised her as his own daughter. Mordecai enjoyed a position of favor in the court of Ahasuerus after exposing a plot against the Persian ruler. Esther rescued him from a plot against his life by wicked Haman. (Esther 2:5)
- Moses – Used by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. Among the men of the Old Testament Moses was unequaled as a prophet and the lawgiver for the Israelites. His life is recorded in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. He is believed to be the author of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and most of Deuteronomy. Psalm 90 is also ascribed to him. (Exodus 2:1, 10)
- Naaman – Syrian military leader who sought healing of his leprosy from the prophet Elisha. The Lord healed his leprosy after he dipped seven times in the Jordan River, as Elisha directed him. (2 Kings 5:1)
- Naomi – The mother-in-law of Ruth, who brought the young widow with her when she returned to Bethlehem from Moab after the death of her husband and both of her sons. It was Naomi who advised Ruth to seek protection from Boaz, resulting in Ruth’s eventual marriage to the rich kinsman. (Ruth 1:2)
- Nahum – A prophet of the Lord who predicted the fall of Nineveh. His predictions were fulfilled in 612 B.C.E. when the Babylonians conquered the Assyrian capital. (Nahum 1:1)
- Nathan – Faithful prophet of the Lord who served as David’s trusted spiritual advisor. Nathan had the honor of announcing to David that his dynasty would last forever, a prophecy ultimately fulfilled in the eternal reign of Jesus Christ. To Nathan also fell the unpleasant task of confronting David with his sin of adultery and murder and announcing that his infant child would die. (2 Samuel 7:2)
- Nebuchadnezzar – King of the Neo-Babylonian empire, who deported nobles from Judah, including Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, better known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. A few years later, in 586 B.C.E., the Babylonian army laid siege to Jerusalem, captured it, and destroyed it. Nebuchadnezzar recognized the potential of the young Hebrews and promoted them to leadership positions in his kingdom. (2 Kings 24:1)
- Nehemiah – Cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes and appointed by him to be governor of the exiles returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of the city. Against strong opposition, Nehemiah led his people to rebuild the walls of the city and helped Ezra in turning the people’s hearts toward the Lord. (Nehemiah 1:1)
- Noah – A man who found grace from the Lord in a desperately wicked generation and built the ark that rescued from the Great Flood his entire family and representatives of all of the land animals than living upon the earth. Upon leaving the ark, Noah entered into a covenant with the Lord and received from Him gracious promises, including the promise never again to destroy all life by a flood. (Genesis 5:29)
- Obadiah – A prophet the Lord used to denounce the Edomites for celebrating the fall of the Israelites and even cutting down their refugees. Obadiah’s predictions that Edom would be utterly destroyed were fulfilled. Obadiah is the presumed author of the Old Testament Book of Obadiah. (Obadiah 1:1)
- Rachel – The wife whom the patriarch Jacob loved more than his other wife, her older sister Leah, and who gave birth to Jacob’s two favorite sons, Joseph and Benjamin. Benjamin became the head of one of the tribes of Israel, almost wiped out in a war against the other tribes. (Genesis 29:6)
- Rahab – A prostitute of the pagan city of Jericho at the time the Israelites were about to invade. Rahab hid the Israelite spies in exchange for their protection in the coming battle. After the spies kept their word and spared her at the fall of the city, she married an Israelite, becoming one of the ancestors of Jesus Christ. (Joshua 2:1)
- Rebekah – Wife of Isaac chosen by Abraham’s servant because of her willingness to serve him by drawing water for him from a well and watering his camels. Rebekah was the daughter of Nahor and the sister of Laban. When Isaac became blind in his old age, Rebekah conspired with her son Jacob to deceive him into giving Jacob the Father’s Blessing in place of his older twin, Esau, to whom it rightly belonged. When Rebekah heard Esau threaten his revenge, she sent Jacob off to her father’s people and died without ever seeing him again. (Genesis 22:23)
- Reuben – The firstborn son of Jacob who lost his position over his brothers because of his sin with his father’s concubine. When his brothers wanted to kill their younger brother Joseph, Reuben intervened and persuaded them not to kill him. Reuben’s descendants became one of the twelve tribes of Israel. (Genesis 29:32)
- Ruth – A woman from Moab who, after the death of her Israelite husband, firmly committed herself to attend her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi, the Israelite. After the two women returned to Bethlehem, Naomi’s home, Ruth married Boaz, Naomi’s kinsman. Their son Obed turned out to be the grandfather of King David. (Ruth 1:4)
- Samson – An Israelite dedicated to the Lord from before he was born, who nevertheless was vain, selfish, sensual, and violent. God used him despite his sinfulness to bring deliverance to Israel from their Philistine oppressors. Samson was deceived by a Philistine woman Delilah to reveal the secret of his great strength, his long hair, uncut as a sign of his dedication to God. When Delilah cut off Samson’s hair while he slept, Samson lost his great strength and fell victim to his enemies, who put out his eyes and bound him with chains. Samson got his revenge, however, for when his hair grew back, he pulled down a Philistine temple to which he was chained, killing not only Samson but all of the Philistines who had assembled there to mock him. (Judges 13:24)
- Samuel – Another Israelite dedicated to the Lord before he was born and raised as the servant of the high priest Eli. Samuel grew up serving God and after Eli’s death, became the last judge of Israel and also one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament. Under the Lord’s guidance, Samuel anointed both Saul and his successor, David as the first two kings of Israel. (1 Samuel 1:20)
- Sarah – Wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac. Sarah was very beautiful even as an older woman. God changed her name from “Sarai.” He blessed her to conceive a child after she was beyond the age of bearing children, in fact, when she was 90 years old. (Genesis 11:29)
- Saul – The first king of Israel and a powerful warrior who led Israel’s armies against the Philistines. Because Saul sinned against the Lord and apparently did not repent, the Lord took his kingdom away from him and gave it to David. Saul compounded his sin by trying to kill David again and again. Saul committed suicide on the battlefield after he realized the Philistines had won the battle and were about to capture him. Saul’s son, Jonathan was killed in the same battle. (1 Samuel 9:2)
- Sennacherib – King of Assyria who led an invasion that swept through Syria, Israel, and Judah at the end of the eighth century B.C.E. Sennacherib destroyed all of the fortified cities of Judah except Jerusalem. He surrounded Jerusalem and would have destroyed it as well, had not Hezekiah prayed and received from the Lord a mighty deliverance–in one night an angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 soldiers of Sennacherib’s army. Sennacherib returned to Assyria in humiliation, where two of his own sons assassinated him. Sennacherib’s palace in Nineveh has been excavated, on the walls of which he depicts the taking of Lachish, an Israelite city near Jerusalem. He boasts, “I walled up Hezekiah in his city like a bird in a cage,” but makes no mention of taking Jerusalem or of the decimation of his army. (2 Kings 18:13)
- Shadrach – One of the three friends of Daniel was taken into exile by the Babylonians before they destroyed the city of Jerusalem. His Hebrew name was Hananiah. With his two friends, Mishael and Azariah, better known as Meshach and Abednego, Shadrach refused to worship the golden image of Nebuchadnezzar. Although the three of them were thrown into a furnace of blazing fire, God sent someone Nebuchadnezzar described as “someone like a son of man” to rescue them, and they escaped unharmed. (Daniel 1:6-7)
- Solomon – King of Israel, succeeding his father David to the throne. At the beginning his reign, the Lord offered to give him whatever he wanted. Although quite young, Solomon asked for wisdom rather than riches or long life. In response, the Lord gave him all three, blessing his reign until he became renowned as the wisest and richest king in history. Tragically, however, his many marriages to foreign women turned his heart away from the Lord. Despite being remembered for building a glorious temple to the Lord in his capital city of Jerusalem, Solomon actually became an idolater. Solomon is the presumed author of the Old Testament books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs, and Psalm 72 is attributed to him. (2 Samuel 5:14)
- Uriah – A Hittite warrior among the elite soldiers in the army of King David, whom David treacherously ordered to be exposed to the enemy in battle and killed to hide the king’s adultery with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. The Bible has nothing but praise for this victim of a king’s lust and the subsequent, self-serving cover-up. (2 Samuel 11:3)
- Uzziah – King of Judah and father of King Hezekiah. Uzziah was also known as “Azariah” (not the much later Azariah also called Abednego). He was a righteous king, but at the end of his reign became conceited and wrongly offered incense in the temple of the Lord. The Lord punished him with leprosy that remained with him until his death. (2 Kings 14:21)
- Zechariah – A prophet of the Lord who, along with Haggai, persuaded the returned exiles to complete the temple they had begun four years earlier and neglected to finish while they built their own houses. Zechariah greatly encouraged the governor, Zerubbabel, reassuring him that the Lord could care for the nation’s defense while the governor devoted himself to finishing the sanctuary of God. Zechariah also told the high priest Jeshua that the Lord Himself purified him for his duties as the spiritual leader of God’s people. Zechariah is the presumed author of the Old Testament Book of Zechariah. (Zechariah 1:1)
- Zephaniah – A prophet of the Lord chosen from among the royal household to urge the people to return to following after the Lord. Zephaniah is the presumed author of the Old Testament Book of Zephaniah. (Zephaniah 1:1)
- Zerubbabel – The Persian-appointed governor of the exiles who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Supported by the prophetic ministries of Zechariah and Haggai, along with the ministry of the high priest, Jeshua, Zerubbabel was able to motivate the people to complete the rebuilding of the temple of Solomon in 516 B.C.E. (Ezra 2:2)
- Zophar – One of the friends of Job, who, in the guise of trying to comfort him in the loss of all of his children, his possessions, and his health, instead sought to accuse him of deserving God’s punishment because of some hidden sin. Eventually, the Lord vindicated Job and prompted him to pray for his three friends. (Job 2:11)
- Ananias – He was a devout and well-respected believer living in Damascus who ministered to the stricken Saul of Tarsus following his Damascus Road Conversion (Acts 9:10-18; 22:12-16).
- Andrew – He was a former fisherman and one of the twelve apostles who brought his brother Peter to Christ (Mk. 1:16; Mt. 10:2; Jn. 1:40-42).
- Apollos – He was a gifted teacher and preacher from Alexandria who ministered in Ephesus, Greece, and Corinth (Acts 18:24-28; 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:6).
- Barnabas – He was a godly exhorter, the uncle of John Mark, who initially ministered in Antioch and later joined up with Paul during his first missionary journey (Acts 4:36; 11:22-26; 13:1-3).
- Caiaphas – He was the wicked high priest who plotted the death of Jesus and who later persecuted the leaders of the early church (Mt. 26:3-5, 62-65; Acts 4:6-7).
- Cornelius – He was a God-seeking military commander living in Caesarea who was eventually led to Christ by Simon Peter (Acts 10).
- Elisabeth – She was the wife of Zacharias the Jewish high priest who supernaturally gave birth to John the Baptist in her old age (Lk. 1:5-7, 57-60).
- Herod Antipas – He was the ruling son of Herod the Great who beheaded John the Baptist and later ridiculed Jesus during one of the Savior’s unfair trials (Mt. 14:10-11; Lk. 23:10-11).
- Herod the Great – He was a great builder who (for the most part) constructed the second Jewish Temple and later attempted to kill the infant Jesus in Bethlehem (Mt. 2).
- James the Apostle – He was a former fisherman, the brother of John and the first of the twelve apostles to be martyred for Christ (Mt. 4:21; 10:2; Acts 12:1-2).
- James the half-brother of Jesus – He was an unbeliever prior to Jesus’ resurrection but following his conversion became pastor of the church in Jerusalem and would author the New Testament Book of James (Jn. 7:3-5; 1 Cor. 15:7; Acts 15:13-14, 19; 21:17-18; James 1:1).
- John the Apostle – He was a former fisherman, the brother of James, the beloved disciple of Jesus, and the author of five New Testament books (the Gospel of John, First, Second, and Third John, and the Book of Revelation).
- John the Baptist – He was the miracle baby of the barren Elisabeth, the Nazarite evangelist who both introduced the Messiah and baptized Him, who would later be martyred for his fearless preaching (Lk. 1:5-17; Jn. 1:29; Mt. 3:16-17; 14:1-11).
- Joseph – He was the husband of Mary and the godly, legal (but not physical) father of Jesus (Mt. 1:18-25).
- Judas Iscariot – He was the dishonest and demon-possessed apostle of Jesus who betrayed his master for 30 pieces of silver and then committed suicide (Jn. 12:4-5; 6:70-71; Mt. 26:14-15; 27:5).
- Lazarus – He was the brother of Mary and Martha whom Christ raised from the dead at Bethany (Jn. 11).
- Luke – He was a Gentile physician, who traveled with Paul and author of the gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts (Acts 16:8, 10; Lk. 1:1-4; Acts 1:1)
- Lydia – She was a businesswoman and Paul’s first female convert in Greece (Acts 26:14-15).
- Mark – He was the nephew of Barnabas who initially failed God in the ministry but was later restored and wrote the gospel of Mark (Acts 13:13; 2 Tim. 4:11).
- Martha – She was the sister of Mary who reaffirmed her faith in Jesus during the funeral of her brother Lazarus and then witnessed him being raised from the dead by the Savior (Jn. 11).
- Mary, the mother of Jesus – She was the virgin wife of Joseph who was chosen to give birth to the Savior of the world (Lk. 1:26-38; 2:7).
- Mary Magdalene – She was a demon-possessed woman who was delivered by Jesus and later became the first person to see the resurrected Christ (Lk. 8:2; Jn. 20:16).
- Mary, sister of Martha – She worshipped at the feet of Jesus, witnessed Him raising her dead brother Lazarus, and later would anoint the body of the Savior (Lk. 10:39; Jn. 11:43; 12:1-3).
- Matthew – He was a former tax collector, called by Jesus to become an apostle, who would later author the Book of Matthew (Mt. 9:9; 10:3).
- Nathanael – He was also known as Bartholomew, introduced to Christ, and later called to become one of the twelve apostles (Jn. 1:45-51; Mt. 10:3).
- Nicodemus – He was a well-known Pharisee and teacher, led to Christ during a midnight visit with the Savior and who would later help prepare His crucified body for burial (Jn. 3:1-15; 19:39).
- Paul – He was the greatest missionary, church planter, soul winner, and theologian in all of church history, who would author (at least) 13 of the 27 New Testament books before being martyred by Nero in Rome (Acts 13:2-3; 20:17-21; 2 Tim. 4:6-8).
- Peter – He was a former fisherman, brought to Christ by his brother Andrew, called to serve as one of the twelve, later denying his Savior on three occasions but after the resurrection becoming His chief spokesman at Pentecost, finally authoring two New Testament epistles (1 and 2 Peter) and dying a martyr’s death (Mt. 4:18-19; 10:2; Jn. 1:40-42; Lk. 22:54-62; Acts 2:14-40; 2 Peter 1:13-14).
- Philemon – He received a letter from his imprisoned friend in Rome, the apostle Paul, urging him to forgive and restore Onesimus, a new convert who had previously stolen money from his master but was now returning a brother in Christ (Book of Philemon).
- Philip the Apostle – He led his friend Nathanael to Christ shortly after his own conversion and later was called to serve as one of the twelve apostles (Jn. 1:43-46; Mt. 10:3).
- Philip the Evangelist – He was one of the original seven deacons in the Jerusalem church who later became a powerful evangelist, preaching to the masses in Samaria and a single man (the Ethiopian eunuch) in the Gaza desert (Acts 6:3-5; 8:6-8; 27-39).
- Pilate – He was the Roman governor who was pressured by the wicked Jewish leaders to release the guilty Barabbas and to both scourge and crucify the innocent Jesus (Mt. 27:2, 15-26).
- Priscilla – She and her husband, tentmakers by trade, instructed Apollos in the scriptures and greatly assisted the apostle Paul in his ministry (Acts 18:1-3, 24-26; Rom. 16:3-4).
- Silas – He was Paul’s faithful companion during the second missionary journey (Acts 15:40).
- Stephen – He served as one of the original seven deacons, later ministering as a spirit-filled, miracle-working evangelist who was eventually arrested, unjustly condemned, and stoned to death by some wicked Jewish leaders, thus becoming the church’s first martyr (Acts 6-7).
- Thomas – He had an unnamed twin brother and was known as the doubting apostle as he initially could not believe the glorious reports of Christ’s resurrection until the Savior appeared to him personally a week later (Jn. 20:19-29).
- Timothy – He was one of Paul’s most faithful associates, being looked upon by the great apostle as his own son in the faith, who would later address two New Testament epistles (1 and 1 Timothy) to this godly undershepherd (1 Tim. 1:2; 6:11; 2 Tim. 1:5).
- Titus – He was a Greek Gentile, pastoring on the Isle of Crete, and along with Timothy, one of Paul’s most trusted associates who later received a New Testament epistle from the great apostle (the Book of Titus).
- Zacchaeus – This dishonest tax collector met Jesus while in a sycamore tree and immediately accepted Him as Savior (Lk. 19:1-10).
- Zacharias – He was a priest, visited by the angel Gabriel who predicted his barren wife would present him with a son, John the Baptist (Lk. 1:5-25, 57-80).
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