You’ve heard of the Bible—but what is it really? Is it just an old book, or something more? In this video, discover why generations of Christians risked everything to preserve it, and why it still matters for your life today.
What is the Bible?
A sacred library that tells one unified story about God, His people, and the King who came to set every thing right.
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What Is the Bible?
In the year 303 A.D., the Roman emperor Diocletian launched a violent campaign to erase Christianity from the empire. Churches were destroyed. Christians were imprisoned, tortured, and executed. And those known to possess copies of the Scriptures were targeted with particular intensity. Some gave up their scrolls to avoid death. Many did not. They chose martyrdom over surrendering even a single piece of what we now call the Bible. That should make us ask: What made these writings so precious? Let's explore what the Bible actually is, whether it can be trusted, and how followers of Jesus are meant to engage with it.
It’s Not a Book—It’s a Library
When we say “Bible,” we’re borrowing from the Greek word biblos, meaning “book.” But calling the Bible a book is a bit misleading. It’s more accurate to think of it as a library—a collection of 66 writings spanning 1,600 years, written in three languages, by over 40 authors across multiple cultures and continents. The Old Testament (39 books) tells the story of God’s covenant with Israel—how creation went wrong, how God called a people through Abraham, and how He promised a coming King who would make all things right. The New Testament (27 books) proclaims that the King has come. His name is Jesus. These writings include four biographies of His life (the Gospels), the story of the early church (Acts), letters of instruction and encouragement to churches and leaders, and a final apocalyptic vision of how God's Kingdom will be fully realized (Revelation).
Can You Trust the Bible?
A lot of people think the Bible is full of myths passed down like a game of telephone. But history doesn’t support that idea. Jesus died around A.D. 33. Just thirty years later, the emperor Nero blamed a catastrophic fire in Rome on the Christians—people who were already following Jesus and being persecuted for it. That means the message of Jesus’ resurrection spread over a thousand miles across the Roman Empire within one generation. The earliest Christians weren’t believing myths. They were eyewitnesses. They knew Jesus. And many of them died claiming they saw Him alive after His death. That’s why Christians believe the Bible is trustworthy—not because they start with blind faith in a book, but because they start with trust in Jesus. If you come to believe in Him, you begin to trust what He trusted—the Scriptures of the Old Testament—and the writings He commissioned—what we now call the New Testament.
How Should You Read It?
If you’re new to the Bible, here’s where to start: Begin with Jesus. Start in the Gospel of Luke. Then read Acts (the story of the early church), and then the other Gospels. Then the rest of the New Testament. Read the letters to the churches and leaders. These show how the good news of Jesus gets lived out. Then the Old Testament. With Jesus as your reference point, the whole story will begin to make more sense. The goal isn’t just to read. It’s to reflect, study, and obey. Think of it like making tea—you’re letting the truth of Scripture steep in your soul, slowly transforming your heart and life.
One Last Thought
The Bible was never meant to be merely analyzed. It was meant to be lived. Jesus invites us to hear His words and build our lives on them—because through them, He meets us, shapes us, and sends us. So ask yourself: Will I make space today to let God speak? And when He does—will I listen?