Holy Scriptures.
UESI Doctrinal Statement: The Divine inspiration and infallibility of Holy Scriptures (by which we mean the Sixty Six books of the Bible) as originally given, and its supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
- God has given a library of 66 books. The Latin word Biblio means ‘books’.
- The Old Testament which has 39 books cover a period of more than 2000 years.
- The New Testament has 27 books cover about 80 years.
7-Symbols used to illustrate the Word of God:
- Sword: – Sharper than 2-edged sword.(Heb.4:12)
- Hammer: Like a hammer that breaks the rock into pieces. (Jer.23:29)
- Seed: Incorruptible seed (1 Pet.1:23).
- Mirror: See yourself (Jam.1:23-25).
- Fire: Word like a fire (Jer.23:29, 20:9).
- Food: Eat well (1Pet2:2).
- Lamp: Word is lamp unto my feet and light unto my path (Ps.119:105).
The Word of God convicts, breaks, regenerates, reveals, consumes, illuminates and nourishes the individual.
The Bible can be broadly divided into:
Old Testament:
- Pentateuch: From Genesis to Deuteronomy.
- History books: From Joshua to Esther.
- Poetic & Wisdom books: From Job to Song of Songs.
- Biblical prophets: From Isaiah to Malachi.
The New Testament
- Biography: Matthew to John.
- Letters: Acts to Jude.
- Apocalyptic: Revelation.
Some common questions:
1). What is Cannon ?
The word “canon” means “standard” or “rule.” It is the list of authoritative and inspired Scriptures. Different religions have different canons.
In Judaism, the canon consists of the books of the Old Testament only.In Protestant Christianity, the canon is the body of scripture comprised in the Bible consisting of the 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.
In Roman Catholicism, additional books were added in 1546. These books are known as the apocryphal books: Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, The Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus (Sirach), and Baruch. It is very sad to say that Roman Catholicism maintains that the apocrypha was always inspired along with the Eastern Orthodox, Coptic and Armenian churches. The Protestant movement has not accepted the apocrypha.
2). What is Old Testament and New Testament.
| Old Testament (OT) | New Testament (NT) |
| OT contains 39 books | Contains 27 books |
| Explains the history of the creation of the world, the exodus of Israelites and the Ten Command-ments given to Moses by God. | NT focuses more on the life and teachings of Jesus and the Christian Church |
| Written in Hebrew and Aramaic. | Written in Greek |
| In OT forgiveness of sins is through the sacrifice of lamb. | In OT repentance of sins leads to forgiveness of sins. |
| God is portrayed as only One God | The Only One God is portrayed in Trinity. |