Berean Digest

Tavares D. Mathews

The Bible in Miniature

Our Past: Where Did We Come From?

(Genesis 1:26, 27; 2:7, 21, 22)

Our Present: Why Are We Here?

(Isaiah 43:7; Eccl. 12:13)

Our Future: Where Are We Going?

(Matthew 25:34, 41, 46)

The Patriarchal Dispensation: Adam – Moses (Genesis 1 – Exodus 20) – 2500 years

The Mosaic Dispensation: Moses – Christ                 (Exodus 20 – Acts 2) – 1500 years

The Christian Dispensation: Christ (cross) – Christ Return – Almost 2000 years

(Note: From the cross to Acts 2 the New Testament was, in a sense, being probated, thus the Jews remained under the Law of Moses and the Gentiles remained under God’s Moral Law. When the apostles executed the will on Pentecost, the New Testament became enforced. Thus, the teachings of Jesus in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John became binding. Notice the Hebrew writer stated that wills (testaments) are enforced after men are dead. Christ died on the cross, but wills must be probated before they are enforced. Fifty days from Passover the Twelve executed the will. Those who would benefit from the Will would be those who obeyed the terms of the Will. 16For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. – Hebrew 9:16, 17)

Berean Digest

Tavares D. Mathews

Two Testaments

Old Testament: (39 Books)

5 Books of Law (Books of Moses)

12 Books of Hebrew History

5 Books of Poetry (Wisdom Books)

5 Major Prophets (books are longer)

12 Minor Prophets (books are shorter)

New Testament: (27 Books)

4 Gospel Accounts (Biographical in nature; Birth, Life, Death, Resurrection of Jesus)

1 Church History

13 Pauline Letters (Letters written by Paul to churches and individuals)

8 General Letters (two apostles, Peter, John and two half-brothers of Jesus, James and Jude)

1 Book of Prophecy (Apocalyptic)

Berean Digest

Tavares D. Mathews

Authors of the Bible

  1. Moses
  2. Joshua
  3. Samuel
  4. Ezra
  5. Nehemiah
  6. David
  7. Asaph
  8. Sons of Korah
  9. Heman
  10. Ethan
  11. Solomon
  12. Lemuel
  13. Agur
  14. Isaiah
  15. Jeremiah
  16. Ezekiel
  17. Daniel
  18. Hosea
  19. Joel
  20. Amos
  21. Obadiah
  22. Jonah
  23. Micah
  24. Nahum
  25. Habakkuk
  26. Zephaniah
  27. Haggai
  28. Zechariah
  29. Malachi
  30. Others Unknown

(New Testament)

  1. Matthew
  2. Mark
  3. Luke
  4. John
  5. Paul
  6. James
  7. Peter
  8. Jude

Berean Digest

Tavares D. Mathews

Preparing For Eternity

The Pathway to God

Hear the Gospel: John 6:45; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Believe the Gospel: Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:17

Repent of your sins: Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30

Confess that Jesus is the Son of God: Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9,10

Be Baptized for the remission of your sins: Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21; Mark 16:16

Be faithful unto death: Revelation 2:10