The Authors of the Bible by Frederick Hoehn, copyright 2015, all rights reserved. Chapter 1 In discussions with people, when I tried to assert the Divine origin of the Bible, I've had people tell me that men wrote the Bible. They wanted to discount the notion that the Bible came from God. God told Jeremiah to write a book. One of the kings destroyed the book. Then God told Jeremiah to write the book again. I've tried to explain the origin of the Bible this way-- My Dad was a typist. He learned typing in the Navy. Being a typist was a part of being a Radioman. They also taught him Morse code. When I got to Junior High School (Middle school), I had the option to take typing class. Perhaps partly because my Dad was a typist, but also because I expected that the ability to type would be helpful when I got to college, I took typing class and learned to type. Now these days, they don't have many typewriters anymore because, to a large extent, they've been replaced by computers. But if I were to sit down at a typewriter, and type a letter to my friend Tom, would you then say, "Oh, Fred's typewriter wrote a letter to Tom."? No, you wouldn't. The typewriter is not the author of the letter. I'm the author of the letter. All the typewriter did was to put an "A" on the paper when I pressed the "A" key, or a B or a C, etc. Similarly, men were just the typewriters God used to write the Bible. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness So that the man of God will be perfect, thoroughly furnished for all good works." (2 Tim 3:16,17) "For the prophecy didn't come in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Pet 1:21) But those men God used to write the Bible were a very special group of people. It is said that Moses was the author of the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The book of Genesis tells us about the creation of the earth and stars and animals and birds and fish and man. God made a covenant with his friend, Abraham. Abraham fathered Isaac. Isaac fathered Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel. Israel had twelve sons, which are the twelve tribes of Israel. God used Moses to lead Israel out of the bondage in Egypt. Joshua was Moses' assistant. Over there today, in the Middle East, we have the modern nation of Israel. Another important book of the Old Testament is the Psalms. There are 150 Psalms. The main author of the Psalms is David, although a few of the Psalms were apparently from Asaph. The longest Psalm is Psalm 119. The shortest Psalm is Psalm 117. Solomon wrote three books: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon (also called Canticles). Then we have five books called the Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel. These five books were written by four authors. Jeremiah wrote both Jeremiah and Lamentations. And those four authors are four Prophets. And then, there are the twelve Minor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Malachi is the last of the thirty nine books of the Old Testament. Chapter 2 Then, there are twenty seven books of the New Testament. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are the four Gospels. John, of course, was John the Beloved, one of the twelve disciples of the Lord Jesus, not to be confused with John the Baptist. Luke apparently also wrote the book of Acts. Then we have many books from the Apostle Paul: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews. So, fourteen books from Paul. Someone might say, "How do you know that Paul is the author of Hebrews, since the author of Hebrews is not identified within the book of Hebrews?" Bible teacher Kenneth E. Hagin was given many visions from the Lord. (See his book, "I believe in Visions.") During one of those visions, at the end of the vision, Jesus turned to walk away from Hagin. Hagin asked the Lord if he could ask a question. The Lord said, "You may." Hagin asked the Lord, "Did Paul write Hebrews?" The Lord answered, "Yes." James was written by James. 1 & 2 Peter were written by Peter. Jude was written by Jude. And the Apostle John ("the Beloved"), in addition to writing the Gospel of John, also wrote the letters of John: 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John, and also the book of Revelation. We are very lucky and blessed to have the Holy Bible. In some nations of the world, Bibles or scripture portions have to be smuggled in. But in the U.S., you can buy and own as many Bibles as you want. But stay away from the "New World Translation" because it is not accurate, being the product of a false religion, "Jehovah's Witnesses." They've removed things from the Bible. They removed the whole verse of John 5:4 from the Bible. Removing things from the Bible is forbidden in Rev. 22:19 The book of Psalms gives us worship and praise for God. Proverbs gives us wisdom to live by. You'll find Daniel in the Lion's den in the book of Daniel. And the Lord showed Daniel things to come in the future. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell the gospel story of how Jesus came down to earth from heaven, was born of a virgin, taught the people, healed them, cast out demons, and then died on the cross of crucifixion for the sins of the world. Jesus is the Messiah (the Savior) promised to Israel by Old Testament prophets, including Moses. But Jesus is the Savior not only for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles. After Jesus' crucifixion and death on the cross, the third day, God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. He now sits at the right hand of God in heaven. The "Acts of the Apostles" is a history of the early church, and tells of the conversion of Paul the Apostle to Christianity. From there on, Paul becomes the main author, having written more than half of the number of books in the New Testament. Paul teaches many things to the Christians. About gifts of the Spirit, Baptism with the Holy Ghost, how to live the Christian life. The Book of Revelation tells us about the end times. There will be a period of seven years of Great Tribulation, when the earth is ruled by a man called the Antichrist in the New Testament, but called the Beast in the book of Daniel. There will be great tribulation "such as there has not been since the beginning of the earth, no, nor ever shall be." In the Old Testament, the book of Judges tells about some of the Old Testament heroes, such as the strongman, Samson, with his military exploits. David also was a valiant soldier who also killed the giant, Goliath, and enemy of Israel. The Old Testament books of 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles are books of history, and tell about the reign of various kings of Israel and of Judah. There were many wars. And the Lord participated in those wars. The Bible says, "The Lord is a man of war." The Lord is a greater General than any human General. The book of Job tells about the man, Job, whom God allowed Satan to test severely. But Job came through OK, and had twice as much at the end than he had at the beginning. The Evolutionists would have us believe that we came from some primordial swamp, and grew into humans. That's a lie. The book of Genesis shows how God did the creation, and He did it in six twenty four hour days, and then rested the seventh day. A man challenged me on that one time. He said, "It doesn't say six twenty four hour days." What it says is, "The evening and the morning were the first day,...second day,...third day." A twelve hour night time, followed by a twelve hour daytime makes one twenty four hour day. To become a Christian, obey Romans 10:9,10-- "That if you confess the Lord Jesus with your mouth, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you're saved. For with the heart man believes for righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made for salvation." ___James chapter 1 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes that are dispersed around, greetings. 2 My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into various temptations, 3 Knowing this, that the testing of your faith works patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, so you'll be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God for it, who gives to all men liberally, and won't find fault, and it shall be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. 7 For let that man not think that he'll receive anything from the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted, 10 But the rich, in that he is made low, because as the flower of the grass he'll pass away. 11 For the sun has no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withers the grass, and the flower of it falls, and the grace of the fashion of it perishes, so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. 12 Blessed is the man that endures temptation, for after he's been tested, he'll receive the crown of life, that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God can't be tempted with evil, nor does he tempt any man, 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it produces sin, and sin when it's finished, produces death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, nor shadow of turning. 18 He chose to father us with the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. 19 So, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, 20 For the anger of man doesn't accomplish the righteousness of God. 21 So, lay apart all filthiness and the unnecessary naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man seeing his natural face in a mirror, 24 For he sees himself, and goes his way, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues in it, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seems to be religious, and doesn't bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is for nothing. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. ___James chapter 2 1 My brothers, don't have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if a man with a gold ring comes to your assembly in fancy clothes, and a poor man in dirty clothes comes in also, 3 And you have respect to him that wears the fancy clothes, and say to him, "Sit here in a good place," and say to the poor, "Stand there, or sit here under my footstool," 4 Aren't you then partial in yourselves, and have become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, hasn't God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have despised the poor. Don't rich men oppress you, and bring you before the judgment seats? 7 Don't they blaspheme that worthy name by which you're called? 8 If you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor like yourself," you do well, 9 But if you have respect of persons, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as sinners. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not kill." Now if you don't commit adultery, yet if you kill, you've become a breaker of the law. 12 Speak in such a way, and do, as those who'll be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has shown no mercy, and mercy rejoices against judgment. 14 What does it profit, my brothers, though a man says he has faith, and doesn't have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister needs clothes, and lacks daily food, 16 And one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you don't give them the things that are needed for the body, what good is that? 17 Even so faith, if it doesn't have works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yes, a man could say, "You have faith, and I have works, show me your faith without your works, and I'll show you my faith by my works." 19 You believe that there is one God, you do well, the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But don't you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Wasn't Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see how faith worked with his deeds, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness, and he was called the friend of God." 24 You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also wasn't Rahab the prostitute justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For like the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. ___James chapter 3 1 My brothers, don't be many masters, knowing that we'll receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man doesn't offend in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 See, we put bits in the horses' mouths, so they'll obey us, and we turn around their whole bodies. 4 Look also at the ships, which though they're so large, and are driven by fierce winds, yet they're turned around by a very small helm, wherever the captain wants. 5 Even so, the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how great a matter a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of sin, so is the tongue among our members that it makes dirty the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of animals, and of birds, and of snakes, and of things in the sea, gets tamed, and has been tamed by mankind, 8 But no man can tame the tongue, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless God, the Father, and with it we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be. 11 Does a fountain send out at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brothers, produce olive berries? Or a vine, figs? So no fountain can yield both salt water and fresh. 13 Who is a wise man, possessing knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good lifestyle his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, don't glory, and don't lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom doesn't descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be reasoned with, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is planted in peace by those who make peace. ___James chapter 4 1 Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don't they come from your lusts that war in your members? 2 You lust, and don't have, you kill, and desire to have, and can't obtain, you fight and war, yet you don't have, because you don't ask. 3 You ask, and don't receive, because you ask wrongly, so you can consume it on your lusts. 4 You adulterers and adulteresses, don't you know that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world is an enemy of God. 5 Do you think that the scripture says for nothing, "The spirit that lives in us lusts to envy?" 6 But he gives more grace. So he says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he'll run away from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and cry, let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he'll lift you up. 11 Don't speak evil about each other, brothers. He that speaks evil about his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil about the law, and judges the law, but if you judge the law, you're not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy, who are you that judges someone else? 13 Go on now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we'll go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and make a profit," 14 Actually, you don't know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is a puff of steam, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. 15 For you ought to say, "Lord willing, we'll live, and do this, or that." 16 But now you rejoice in your boastings, all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knows to do good, and doesn't do it, to him it is sin. ___James chapter 5 1 Go on now, you rich men, cry and howl for your miseries that shall come on you. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your clothes are moth eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are rusted, and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh like fire. You've heaped treasure together for the last days. 4 See, the wages of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which you've kept back by fraud, shouts, and the shouts of those who've reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabbath. 5 You've lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton, you've nourished your hearts, like in a day of slaughter. 6 You've condemned and killed the just, and he doesn't resist you. 7 Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for it, until he receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is getting near. 9 Don't grudge against each other, brothers, so you won't be condemned, see, the judge stands at the door. 10 Take, my brothers, the prophets, who've spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 See, we count them happy that endure. You've heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. 12 But above all things, my brothers, don't swear, not by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath, but let your yes be yes, and your no, no, so that you don't fall into condemnation. 13 Is anyone among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is anyone merry? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he has committed sins, he'll be forgiven. 16 Confess your faults to each other, and pray for each other so you'll be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man is does a lot of good. 17 Elijah was a man subject to the same kind of passions that we are, and he prayed earnestly that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. 19 Brothers, if any of you strays from the truth, and someone converts him, 20 Let him know, that he that converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.