The Journey of the Bible: Understanding Its Origins
Summary
In today's message, we explored the fascinating journey of how the Bible came to be, emphasizing the importance of understanding its backstory to fully appreciate its content. Many of us were introduced to the Bible as children, often receiving it as a complete, polished book. However, the story of how the Bible was compiled is as significant as the stories within it. This understanding is crucial, especially for those who have walked away from faith or are struggling with doubts. The Bible's story doesn't begin at the beginning but rather towards the end of the middle, with a first-century Greek doctor named Luke. Luke documented the life of Jesus for his friend Theophilus, providing an orderly account of events that had transformed the world.
Luke's account, along with those of Matthew, Mark, and John, were not initially intended to be part of a larger collection. They were individual documents, written to preserve the extraordinary events surrounding Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. These documents were considered sacred and valuable long before they were compiled into what we now know as the New Testament. The early Christians, despite facing severe persecution, risked their lives to protect these writings because they believed they contained the truth about Jesus.
The Roman Empire was suspicious of Christians, not because of their beliefs, but because they refused to worship the Roman gods and declare Caesar as lord. This led to intense persecution, culminating in Emperor Diocletian's edict to destroy Christian literature. Yet, the faith and determination of early Christians ensured the survival of these precious documents. Eventually, political changes allowed Christian scholars to work openly, leading to the assembly of the Bible as we know it today.
Understanding the Bible's backstory enriches our faith and helps us appreciate the sacrifices made to preserve these sacred texts. It reminds us that the Bible is not just a book but a testament to the extraordinary events that shaped history and continue to impact our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding the Bible's backstory is crucial for appreciating its content. Many people have walked away from faith due to a lack of understanding of how the Bible came to be. Knowing its history can help us embrace its stories with renewed faith. [02:29]
- The Bible's story begins with individual accounts, like Luke's documentation of Jesus' life for Theophilus. These accounts were not initially intended to be part of a larger collection but were written to preserve the extraordinary events surrounding Jesus. [07:16]
- Early Christians faced severe persecution for their beliefs, yet they risked their lives to protect the sacred documents that would become the New Testament. Their faith and determination ensured the survival of these writings. [35:41]
- The Roman Empire's suspicion of Christians was due to their refusal to worship Roman gods and declare Caesar as lord. This led to intense persecution, but the faith of early Christians prevailed, allowing the Bible's preservation. [33:05]
- The assembly of the Bible as we know it today was made possible by political changes that allowed Christian scholars to work openly. This collaboration led to the compilation of the New Testament, a testament to the extraordinary events that shaped history. [37:48]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:13] - Introduction to the Series
[01:38] - The Importance of the Bible's Backstory
[02:29] - The Story of the Bible
[03:05] - How We Got Our Bibles
[04:00] - Childhood Perspectives on the Bible
[05:12] - Different Upbringings with the Bible
[06:04] - Carrying Childhood Perspectives into Adulthood
[07:16] - The Story Begins with Luke
[08:03] - Luke's Documentation for Theophilus
[10:13] - Luke's Intentions
[11:01] - The Crucifixion and Its Impact
[12:55] - The Resurrection and the Birth of the Church
[15:18] - The Spread of Christianity
[16:59] - The Importance of Multiple Accounts
[20:12] - John's Purpose in Writing
[24:25] - The Core Belief
[27:16] - The End of the First Century
[33:05] - Roman Suspicion and Persecution
[35:41] - Diocletian's Edict
[37:48] - The Assembly of the Bible
[38:22] - Conclusion and Next Steps
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 1:1-4
2. Acts 2:32
3. John 20:30-31
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Observation Questions:
1. What motivated Luke to write an orderly account of Jesus' life, and who was it intended for? ([07:49])
2. How did early Christians respond to the persecution they faced from the Roman Empire, and what actions did they take to preserve their sacred texts? ([36:31])
3. What was the significance of the multiple accounts of Jesus' life, such as those by Luke, Matthew, Mark, and John, in the early Christian community? ([16:14])
4. How did the political changes under Constantine the Great impact the preservation and assembly of the Bible? ([37:48])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might understanding the backstory of the Bible be crucial for someone who is struggling with their faith or considering walking away from it? ([02:29])
2. How does the preservation of the Gospels and other New Testament writings reflect the early Christians' belief in the truth of Jesus' life and resurrection? ([36:50])
3. In what ways did the refusal of early Christians to worship Roman gods and declare Caesar as lord demonstrate their commitment to their faith? ([33:43])
4. How does John's purpose in writing his Gospel, as stated in John 20:30-31, provide a foundation for Christian belief and faith? ([24:25])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own introduction to the Bible. How has your understanding of its backstory influenced your faith journey? ([01:38])
2. Have you ever faced doubts about your faith due to a lack of understanding of the Bible's origins? How might learning more about its history help you address those doubts? ([02:52])
3. The early Christians risked their lives to preserve the writings about Jesus. What sacrifices are you willing to make to deepen your understanding and practice of your faith? ([36:31])
4. How can you apply the courage and determination of early Christians in your own life when facing challenges or opposition to your beliefs? ([35:41])
5. John's Gospel was written so that future generations might believe in Jesus. How can you share the message of Jesus with others in a way that is meaningful and impactful? ([24:25])
6. Consider the political and social changes that allowed for the assembly of the Bible. How can you use the freedoms you have today to further your understanding and sharing of the Bible? ([37:48])
7. Identify one aspect of the Bible's backstory that you find particularly inspiring. How can this inspire you to live out your faith more fully in your daily life? ([02:29])
Devotional
Day 1: Understanding the Bible's Backstory Enriches Faith
Understanding the Bible's backstory is crucial for appreciating its content. Many people have walked away from faith due to a lack of understanding of how the Bible came to be. Knowing its history can help us embrace its stories with renewed faith. The Bible is not just a collection of ancient texts but a testament to the extraordinary events that have shaped history and continue to impact our lives. By delving into its origins, we gain a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made to preserve these sacred writings and the faith of those who risked their lives to protect them. [02:29]
"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a time when you struggled with doubt or walked away from faith. How might understanding the Bible's backstory help you reconnect with its teachings today?
Day 2: The Bible's Story Begins with Individual Accounts
The Bible's story begins with individual accounts, like Luke's documentation of Jesus' life for Theophilus. These accounts were not initially intended to be part of a larger collection but were written to preserve the extraordinary events surrounding Jesus. Luke, a first-century Greek doctor, meticulously recorded the life and teachings of Jesus, providing an orderly account for his friend. These writings, along with those of Matthew, Mark, and John, were considered sacred long before they were compiled into the New Testament. They serve as a testament to the transformative power of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. [07:16]
"Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus." (Luke 1:1-3, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on the significance of individual stories in your own life. How can you document and share your personal experiences of faith to inspire others?
Day 3: Early Christians' Sacrifices for the New Testament
Early Christians faced severe persecution for their beliefs, yet they risked their lives to protect the sacred documents that would become the New Testament. Their faith and determination ensured the survival of these writings. Despite the Roman Empire's attempts to destroy Christian literature, the early believers' unwavering commitment to preserving the truth about Jesus allowed these texts to endure. Their sacrifices remind us of the profound impact that faith and courage can have in the face of adversity. [35:41]
"Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body." (Hebrews 13:3, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a time when you faced opposition for your beliefs. How can the example of early Christians inspire you to stand firm in your faith today?
Day 4: Roman Suspicion and Christian Perseverance
The Roman Empire's suspicion of Christians was due to their refusal to worship Roman gods and declare Caesar as lord. This led to intense persecution, but the faith of early Christians prevailed, allowing the Bible's preservation. Despite the threat of death, these believers remained steadfast in their commitment to Jesus, prioritizing their faith over their safety. Their perseverance serves as a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from unwavering devotion to God. [33:05]
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you feel pressured to conform to societal norms. How can you draw strength from the early Christians' example to remain true to your faith?
Day 5: Political Changes and the Assembly of the Bible
The assembly of the Bible as we know it today was made possible by political changes that allowed Christian scholars to work openly. This collaboration led to the compilation of the New Testament, a testament to the extraordinary events that shaped history. As political climates shifted, Christians were able to gather and preserve the sacred texts, ensuring their transmission to future generations. This process highlights the importance of collaboration and the role of divine providence in the preservation of God's word. [37:48]
"And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." (2 Peter 1:19, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when collaboration with others helped you achieve a significant goal. How can you apply this principle to your spiritual journey and the study of Scripture?
Quotes
Understanding how we got the Bible is almost as important as knowing what's in the Bible. Because as we're going to see, the backstory sheds enormous light on the story. Now, for children growing up, was it important that children knew, that we knew when we were kids how the Bible came to be? Probably not. We would have been bored stiff, we weren't interested at all so it wasn't a big deal. But as adults, this is an extraordinarily important topic and it's a fabulous, fabulous story. Because if you don't know, if you don't know the story of the Bible, it's easy to discount the stories in the Bible. [00:02:01]
The story of the Bible does not begin in the beginning. The story of the Bible doesn't begin in the beginning, the story of the Bible actually begins toward the end of the middle. The story of how we actually got the Bible begins with a first century doctor who was not Jewish but Greek and his name is Luke. And Luke actually spent the time necessary to document the events of the life of Jesus. And the reason he sat down to document the events and the life of Jesus is he had a wealthy friend named Theophilus and Theophilus was a first century Jesus follower, a first century Christian. [00:07:12]
Luke documented, Luke documented the life of Jesus because the story of Jesus didn't end on a Roman cross. If the story had ended there, there would be no story. Luke tells us the reason that he was a Jesus follower, the reason that Theophilus was a Jesus follower in the first century is because Jesus was seen alive. And once he came back to life, his followers came out of hiding and they went to Jerusalem and they went into the streets of Jerusalem and faced down the very people that had Jesus crucified. [00:13:49]
Luke goes on to document what happens for the next about 30 years following the resurrection. He documents it in a book in our New Testament called Acts or Acts of the Apostles. Luke knew Peter, he interacts with Peter. There are conversations between Luke and Peter that are documented. Luke knew John, there are conversations between Luke and John and James, the brother of Jesus. These men knew each other. Luke traveled with the Apostle Paul all around the Mediterranean basin planting churches and he documents the rise of the Gentile church as the church became more and more Gentile and less and less Jewish. [00:15:08]
John writes, Jesus performed many other signs, because he's just given us a list of things that Jesus has done, so we're at the very end of the Gospel. He says oh yeah we're getting to the end of this thing, but I want you to know this isn't the whole story. Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples. These weren't done in secret. And by disciples he's not talking about the 12, he's talking about the hundreds of people that followed Jesus from the banks of the Jordan River right through the crucifixion and then showed up after the resurrection. [00:20:29]
But these, the ones I have chosen, the ones I have chosen, these are written. In other words, as I face the end of my days. As I face the end of my life, my faith is still intact. Not based on what I see around me now. But based on someone I met and what I saw. And so John says I want to speak to future generations. I want future generations to know what I saw. What my hands have handled. What we experienced. [00:21:30]
The Empire, the Roman Empire was very suspicious of Christians. And the reason the Roman Empire was suspicious of Christians was not because of what Christians believed, it was because of what Christians didn't believe. Because Christians didn't believe in the gods. Now Rome could care less who you worshiped as long as you kind of threw a few, you know, did a grain offering every once in a while to Caesar and a grain offering every once in a while for the sake of the gods of Rome. You could keep your household gods, you could keep your regional gods. [00:33:07]
All Christian literature, all Christian literature was to be turned in and was to be burned and if you were caught with Christian literature you could lose your life after you watched your wife, your daughter and your son lose their lives in order. And hundreds and hundreds of Christians risked and lost their lives protecting, this is important, not the Bible, there still wasn't a the Bible. They risked and lost their lives protecting fragments of Matthew and Mark and Luke and John. Bundles of two or three Gospels together. Copies of the letters of Paul and the letters of Peter. [00:36:03]
And the reason that those valuable documents survived the third and early fourth century is because of their confidence that these documents told the truth about something that had happened on planet Earth in the first century when God showed up in the person of Jesus Christ. They died rather than give up those sacred documents. Even during that persecution Christianity continued to spread. And then political change brought about reform and an easing of hostilities. [00:36:50]
For the first time ever, Christian scholars were able to work in the open. And Christian scholars were able to work in the daylight. And Christian scholars could gather together without fear of persecution and without fear of having their ancient documents taken away. They were able to work in the open. And for the first time they were able to bring together this extraordinary collection of valuable what we would call New Testament documents and the stage was set for the assembly of the very first Ta Biblia, the Bible. [00:37:44]
Understanding the Bible's backstory enriches our faith and helps us appreciate the sacrifices made to preserve these sacred texts. It reminds us that the Bible is not just a book but a testament to the extraordinary events that shaped history and continue to impact our lives. [00:37:48]
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