MAJOR DIVISIONS OF THE BIBLE

MAJOR DIVISIONS OF THE BIBLE

The Bible is divided into two main sections i.e.

1. The Old Testament.
2. The New Testament.

Apocrypha/Deutro-canonical Books

• The word ‘Testament’ means covenant, agreement or promise.
• The Old Testament has 39 books while the New Testament has 27.
• The Roman Catholic Church Bible contains other books known as apocrypha books.
• Apocrypha is a Greek word which means hidden/secret writings.
• ​They are also referred to as Deutro-canonical books.

These include:

1.  Tobit.
2. Judith.
3. Ecclesiastics.
4. Baruch.
5. 1 Maccabees.
6. 2 Maccabees.
7. Book of Wisdom.
8. 1 Esdras.
9. 2 Esdras

The major divisions of the old and new testament

The books of the Bible can be grouped into different disciplines, these are;

• Law books / Torah / pentateuch
• Historical books
• Poetic books
• Prophetic books
• The Gospels / Biographical books
• Epistles / letters

Note;

• Canonical books are books accepted by all Christians as Holy Scriptures.
• They make up the canon of the Old Testament and the New Testament.
• The word ‘Canon’ in Greek means;

             Rule, Standard, Guidance

DIVISIONS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

The books of the Old Testament are divided into four main categories and these are:

(i) Law books

These are the first 5 books of the Bible that are believed to have been written by Moses.  These are:

1. Genesis.
2. Exodus.
3. Leviticus.
4. Numbers.
5. Deuteronomy.

They are also referred to as the Torah or Pentateuch or Mosaic Law.

(ii) Historical Books

They are 12 Historical books and they record the history of the Israelites from the time they entered Canaan and settled until after the Babylonian exile. These are:-

1. Joshua.
2. Judges.
3. Ruth.
4. 1st and 2nd Samuel.        
5. 1st and 2nd Kings.
6. 1st and 2nd Chronicles.
7. Ezra.
8. Nehemiah.
9. Esther.

(iii) Poetic books

They are 5 and contain words of wisdom.
They are poetic in nature and these are:-

1. Job.
2. Psalms.
3. Proverbs.
4. Ecclesiastes.
5. Songs of Songs.
6. Prophetic books

They contain the prophecies of the people of Israel.  They are further sub-divided into two i.e.

(a)Major Prophets

They are referred to as Major Prophets because their messages cover a longer historical period and are 5 in number i.e.

1. Isaiah.
2. Jeremiah.
3. Lamentations.
4. Ezekiel.
5. Daniel.
6. Minor Prophets

The messages of this prophets cover a shorter historical period
They are twelve i.e.

1. Hosea
2. Nahum
3. Joel
4. Habakkuk
5. Amos
6. Zephaniah
7. Obadiah
8. Haggai
9. Jonah
10. Zechariah
11. Micah    
12. Malachi

Note: The following are the books of the Bible referred to as the writings;

1. Job
2. Psalms
3. Proverbs
4. Ecclesiaste
5. The Song of Solomon/ Song of Songs

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DIVISIONS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

It is divided into 5 major categories. These are:-

(i) Biographical Books

They are referred to as Gospels.
These Gospels were written by the disciples of Jesus Christ.
They tell the life story and ministry of Jesus Christ.
They are 4 in number i.e.
             a)    Mathew.
             b)    Mark.
             c)    Luke.
             d)    John.
The first three books in the New Testament are also referred to as the synoptic Gospels.

(ii) Historical Books

It outlines the history and development of the church after Jesus’ ascension.
It is one book namely:

• Acts

The author is Luke.
It deals with the history of the early church after the ascension of Christ.

(iii)Pauline Epistles

These are 13 letters written by Paul to the congregation and individuals to address certain problems that arose among them.
They are:

• a)    Romans    
• b)    Colossians
• c)    1st and 2nd Corinthians
• d)    1st and 2nd Thessalonians
• e)    Galatians
• f)    1st and 2nd Timothy
• g)    Ephesians
• h)    Titus
• i)    Philippians
• j)    Philemon.

(iv) General Epistles

These letters are not addressed to specific churches or individuals but to all Christians to encourage them.
Are eight namely:-
               a)    Hebrews.
               b)    James.
               c)    1st and 2nd Peter.
               d)    1st, 2nd and 3rd John.
               e)    Jude.

(v) Prophetic books

There is only one book i.e. Revelation.
It presents God’s will for the future.