The word Bible was derived from the Greek word “biblion,” which means scroll. The Bible is made up of 66 books and this is also called the Holy Scriptures. The Bible is divided into two parts—the Old and New Testaments.

The Old Testament is composed of 39 books, while the New Testament is made up of 27 books. Do you know that the first Bible did not have chapters and verses, like the ones that we see now in the different Bible translations? That is why it used to be read up to these times.

Cardinal Hugo De Sancto Caro was the one who divided the Bible into chapters at Council of Carthage in 1250 A.D. On the other hand, R. Nathan was the one who divided the Old Testament into verses in 1488 A. D., while Robert Stephens or Robert Stephanus, was the one who reported the division into verses of the New Testament in A.D 1551.

As a result, the first Bible which was divided into chapters and verses came out. This was known as the Geneva Bible and this was published in A.D 1560.

When, where and who wrote these books?

The Bible was written by 40 writers or scholars who were guided by the Holy Spirit from 1500 BC until AD100. This was written in approximately 1600 years ago.

The Bible I believe is a book of everything that we man ought to know about us human and God and everything that surround us.. but of course there are secrets of God that is kept from us too.
.. since God created us.. if you would agree. We have to know from our Creator what on earth are we really here for? but since He cant really directly tell us coz man have “distanced” himself from God since the time ppl have turned their backs from Him and wanting to go their own ways or paths., he sent Spirits to the these Holy Men to write this Book.. for our knowledge and understanding of God’s “personality” - as what we humans do also possess.. His likes and dislikes.. His house rules.. is He the Jealous type.. What makes God happy? What is it like up there in the heaven? Where is he residing? Where is his office? What makes him sad and angry?

The Bible is our manual. But not all that contain here is the word of God. It’s a love story book but at the same a book full of mysteries and prophecies.
Did you know that the wars , famines, the strange diseases.. like bird flu.. the mad cow diseases and coldness and cruelties of human kind are written in the Bible?, the verse is written in Matthew 24:6 – 8
You shall hears of wars and rumors of wars. Nations shall rise against nations and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be famines, and pestilences and earthquakes in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

The proof of God is in his Word which were written in the Bible. The power of His Words is our key to prove his existence. --His warnings and prophecies. If prophecies from the Bible came true then it is from HIm. unlike astrologers or necromancers or psychics who can “see the future” and made some fearless forecasts nevertheless some of it didn’t materialized. Well, God aint like that.. at least the God in the Bible aint like that.

One things for sure Im not a fanatic.. Ive researched a couple of religious denominations like the CAtholic, the Born Agains, the Jehovah’s Witness.. and others but none of them can answer my questions.. Only here in the Bible I’ve found the answers in which Bro. Soriano has taught or revealed the answers to us fellow members and brethren.

Think on this.. you love your parents. You know their personalities. But suddenly one day some ppl are trying to say that your parents are like these horrible people.. wouldn’t you stand up for your parents? You might have doubts but since you know your parents behavior other than those accusing your parents, I believe you’d stood up for them too. Im not standing up for our minister.. but what he is trying to teach us.. the God In the Bible. Im standing up for the God in the Bible. Not just any other god.. coz there are so many gods.

I beliv that God is perfect and if He created a Church for us humans – it must and should be perfect also.. so if there are certain odd practices that we are doing and not based on the Bible.. well there’s something fishy. That got me started thinking of my previous religions – Buddhism and Catholicism

The Bible is my basis if our minister is from God or not. You will know if a minister is of God through his doctrines. If he had lived up to what God or the Bible has instructed him to do- that is to continue and observe and do God’s commandments. But some may say that it’s so impossible to do.. since all of us sin.. well that’s where the deeper understanding of the Bible comes in.. Nowadays, we’re just hearing the shallow part or the most basic part of God’s commandments , that’s it.

and Presto.. we have a new group hehe so easy to build a group.. so easy to claim to be of the Truth but proving is another thing..

quote:

Seriously, quit telling me. It's getting redundant. Although, what makes me laugh is that I'm called a bitch for the most ridiculous reasons. So I'm terse and to the point sometimes, therefore that makes me a bitch. Whatevah dude.

I was raised by seemingly cold, straight-to-the-point, no-bullshit people and now that I'm in college, I'm quite thankful for that. Sometimes I have to detach myself from mine and others emotions. I don't waste positive feelings on pointless shit that doesn't effect me, or else I'd be like I was a couple years ago constantly worrying and pulling my hair out (I even had a small bald spot). No thank you sir. It a peice of my nature that's always been there.

So yeah, don't expect a tomboyish, no-nonsense, depressed, adult female to care too much.

thats your public profile. I believe my perception of you isn't very far off, actually you kind of admit to it in the quote i just conveniently posted.

god is a pickle in a cristal mug on top of a palm tree. Dadaism ftw.

quote:

well i have a question for you what do u think is the BIble and how it should be used in the first place?

I'm not sure what to think of the Bible. Without proof, I cannot believe that what it says is true, and therefore I cannot accept it as any sort of guide on how to live my life. It could, perhaps, be used as a sort of history book, since a great deal of the stories in the Bible (even the Old Testament) have been corroborated by other texts (such as Josephus in the case of New Testament events) and historical proof (such as the remains of Egyptian chariot wheels in the Red Sea). But beyond that, I'm not especially sure. To be fair, I view the Bible no differently than I do the Qu'ran, the Book of Mormon, the Bhagavad Gita, or any other religious text. By their very nature, they are impossible to prove. And while they often give good advice on how to live one's life (by accepting others, being kind, and so on), there is no concrete reason to accept any of them as necessary to live a good life. My mind is still open on the matter, though.

Also, Brother Soriano didn't really answer my question. At least, not that I could tell. I got the bit about false preachers, but I still don't know why I should think the Bible is true.

Members Church of God International, eh? I've never heard of them. So, how are your presiding ministers chosen? Are they just appointed or are they elected? And do they have any more "power," per se, than other members? What I mean, is are they more capable of interpreting the Bible than anyone else? Sorry if these questions seem odd. I want to understand what I'm arguing about.

quote:

So basically, you're here to get attention, right? You're going to brutally insult something someone holds as sacred, just to get a reaction?

The irony is that the only reaction he got was something along the lines of pity. Amusing, to say the least.

quote:

I don't care about religion in the least, I wanted to see what reaction I would get from an obvious religious fanatic by saying something inflaming and highly aggresive attacking her faith.

and don't try to teach me manners, just because your depressed you don't have a right to be nasty to everyone to make it more bearable to yourself. It's common to resort to extreme cynisim and nastyness towards others when you suffer depression, and to try to justify it using your malady as an excuse.
"I'm depressed, so I'm a realist that doesn't take shit from anyone, if you don't like it tough luck" - something along that line, right?

Sigh. Here we go again...

I'll mention I'm anti-social or a misanthrope, but I don't recall ever saying "I'm depressed so I'm going to be a bitch". If I did though, I was most likely tanked, as I do come to this site crazy-drunk every once in a while. I would never ever say anything that stupid while sober. Although, being depressed doesn't exactly help me be all that caring.

Me being bitchy, and my depression are totally separate. I don't have a mean bone in my body when I'm really depressed. I just simply don't care. And people misinterpret that as me being a bitch.

All that nonsense aside....

So basically, you're here to get attention, right? You're going to brutally insult something someone holds as sacred, just to get a reaction? If that's not an attention whore, I don't know what is. The world doesn't revolve around you. A book or a deity may not seem sacred or special to you or me, but it is to someone else and you should respect that. Just as they should respect our nonbeliefs. Somebody has to start respecting somebody, or else it'll continue to be a vicious cycle that would never end.

I don't care about religion in the least, I wanted to see what reaction I would get from an obvious religious fanatic by saying something inflaming and highly aggresive attacking her faith.

and don't try to teach me manners, just because your depressed you don't have a right to be nasty to everyone to make it more bearable to yourself. It's common to resort to extreme cynisim and nastyness towards others when you suffer depression, and to try to justify it using your malady as an excuse.
"I'm depressed, so I'm a realist that doesn't take shit from anyone, if you don't like it tough luck" - something along that line, right?

quote:

thats the answer you get from someone that know's how to use the bible correctly, that is... to roll joints

god doesn't exist

Seriously, dude. There's a difference between disagreeing and being flat out disrespectful of other people's beliefs. I used to be a God/Bible hating turd a while ago, but I've grown out of that. I'm not christian (nor do I want to be), but I don't appreciate it when people put down religious beliefs like that. Grow up.

quote:

Originally posted by ampmaster:

quote:

I was visited by a couple of JW's recently. They gave me a pamphlet about how the end of "false religion" is near.

yeah I got visited to that's what made me think of it

quote:

Who appointed who? well that descendant of peter who calls himself Father or Pope or Papa .. he violates God commandment himself

Really? Shocking that, given he was appointed by God

well hu said that they were appointed by God in the first place? God?the vatican?people? you will know an appointed leader through the doctirines john7:17
i dont think they're God appointed.. as wat the Bible would point it out..

quote:

I was visited by a couple of JW's recently. They gave me a pamphlet about how the end of "false religion" is near.

yeah I got visited to that's what made me think of it

quote:

Who appointed who? well that descendant of peter who calls himself Father or Pope or Papa .. he violates God commandment himself

Really? Shocking that, given he was appointed by God

quote:

Originally posted by speed:
thats the answer you get from someone that know's how to use the bible correctly, that is... to roll joints

god doesn't exist

god doesnt exist because youre cynical and all u see is struggle and injustice and the unimportance of your life or the way you see life in other people

thats the answer you get from someone that know's how to use the bible correctly, that is... to roll joints

god doesn't exist

quote:

Originally posted by speed:
quoting the bible to prove the bibles validity is questionable, then again

FAITH MEANS YOU DON'T KNOW... so i guess i can't expect any inteligence from you regarding religion.

Jesus was a hippie.

quote:

quoting the bible to prove the bibles validity is questionable, then again

i guess thats the answer you get from someone who dont know wat and dont know how to use the Bible.

quote:

Originally posted by speed:
quoting the bible to prove the bibles validity is questionable, then again

FAITH MEANS YOU DON'T KNOW... so i guess i can't expect any inteligence from you regarding religion.

Jesus was a hippie.

inteligence is from God.. Maybe u dont have enuf understanding on what you're talking about either.. your avatar conveys wat you are .. from the dead.. then again , i cant expect understanding from someone who is from the other side of the water

quote:

Originally posted by ampmaster:

quote:

the True Church

what church is this true church?

quote:

if we just gonna rely on some man to lead us

well I know I don't rely on some guy who's been to bible college I rely on a sacramental descendant of peter who was appointed by christ to lead the church on earth...

Who appointed who? well that descendant of peter who calls himself Father or Pope or Papa .. he violates God commandment himself?In matthew 23:8-9 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye ARE BRETHREN, AND CALL NO MAN YOUR FATHER UPON THE EARTH: FOR ONE IS YOUR FATHER , WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.. THis Descendant of Peter or the past descendants of Peter killed millions of people.. Pls do research on Catholic Church.
i believe there is a perfect and pure religion (james 1:27) coz God would not build an imperfect religion if he himself is Perfect. and that religion in that Church is in which the Bible is telling us.. ITim 3:15 the Church of God, the Pillar and Ground of Truth.

quoting the bible to prove the bibles validity is questionable, then again

FAITH MEANS YOU DON'T KNOW... so i guess i can't expect any inteligence from you regarding religion.

Jesus was a hippie.

quote:

Originally posted by speed:
Faith means you don't know

thank you aguagon, your avatar owns

Bible explains faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.Hebrews 11:1

quote:

Originally posted by ampmaster:

quote:

but I'm not too sure now.

I get the feeling she's a Jehovah's Witness they go on endlessly about being "the true church"

Sorry dude,im not from the Jehovah Witnesses.. The bible opposes to the name Jehovah.. God's name is not Jehovah. and the earth is not the heaven as wat they think..
we are called the Members of the Church of God International(Ephesians 3:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 4. )

..as God commanded that Gentiles should be FEllow heirs of the Promise.. NO other church is tru other than the Church built by our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the HEad of the CHurch which is his Body..So we Must join or be a part or a member of His Church.

Faith means you don't know

thank you aguagon, your avatar owns

quote:

Originally posted by clpo13:

quote:

what church is this true church?

I was going to say the Catholic Church, but the bit about not relying on a man to lead kind of through me for a loop. Usually, this is the kind of talk you hear from hardcore Catholics about not having a relationship with God or Jesus, but I'm not too sure now.

And then I was going to launch into a series of tough questions, but now I don't think I can. I noticed this

quote:

Please do note that in every answer to a question regarding faith.. the Bible or verses should be our basis.. JOhn 7:17

and decided that I just can't argue if the only answers I'm going to get are Bible verses. I need proof that the Bible can be trusted before I'm going to accept verses.

But maybe this one question will work:

Who said the Bible is true?

I'd love to see a Bible verse that answers that. Oh, logic how I love thee...

well i have a question for you what do u think is the BIble and how it should be used in the first place?

here is an excerpt of Bro. SOriano's - our minister's "teachings and explanations".. thanks..


Understanding the Bible


Is it true that the Bible is a book that had already been explained? Is it true that it no longer needs to be interpreted by man? Does any one today have the right to explain the Bible? Let us study these things, one by one. Let us read what was written in Mat. 10:14-16— “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city. Behold, I sent you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Our Lord Jesus Christ is the one speaking here and he was talking to the 12 Apostles whom He, Himself, elected. What did our Lord Jesus Christ tell His Apostles whom He commissioned to preach? He told them that as they preach, whosoever shall not receive them, nor hear their words, when they depart from that house, they should shake off the dust of their feet. It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment, than for that city that rejects them. If you have noticed, there are several things about these verses that need to be explained for us to understand God’s admonition fully. But the question is, who is going to explain them? We assure you that we do not have to explain them! For instance, the Bible says that, if nobody receives the Apostles, they must shake the dust off their feet. Some of those who have read this interpreted it literally. They really shake the dust off their feet. But the point is, what if you made your visit during the rainy season when there are no dusts on the road? What if the road is flooded? What dusts will you shake off then? For us to understand all these, what we need is the Bible’s own explanation. In Matthew 10:16, Christ said— “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Let us find out from the Bible. What did our Lord Jesus Christ mean when He said that, He is sending them “as sheep in the midst of wolves?” Wolves are mountain dogs that eat fellow beasts. They are carnivores. A wolf is an epitome of fierceness and cruelty. On the other hand, a sheep can easily be devoured because of its meekness. What now is the significance of the “sheep” which represents the Apostles, or the Church, being sent “in the midst of wolves?” And once they are already in the midst of wolves, they must be as wise as serpents. But while they were advised to be wise as serpents, they must also be as harmless as doves! What does this mean? How must we interpret it? Or, must a preacher, who claims that he has the authority to explain the Bible, explain it? Is that it? Let us find out from the Bible. What is the meaning of this particular pronouncement of our Lord Jesus Christ? What did He mean when He said, “I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves?” Do you know the Biblical significance of “wolves”. Let us read Mat.7:15— “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” What did our Lord Jesus Christ say? The false prophets that come to people, wearing sheep’s clothing are pastors/preachers whose hearts are filled with pretenses and lies. They pretend to be like sheep, but in reality, they are ravenous wolves. But of course, they are only able to devour because of their pretenses and disguises. They can never devour a prey if they will right away show their fierceness and wild nature. Otherwise, the sheep will readily take caution and run away. In other words, they manage to devour because they pretend to be meek, like a sheep. Their outer appearance is likened to a sheep, but deep inside, they are ravening wolves.Therefore, as far as the Bible is concerned, the “ravening wolves” refer to false teachers. Beware of them! Some of them even wear coat and tie; others are in Barong Tagalog. They wear the finest apparels to hide their real identities. Many are deceived by their appearances.Let us resolve through the Bible, the meaning of the Apostles being sent like sheep in the midst of wolves. Thereby, they must be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. What do these things mean? Let us find out by reading Gen. 3:1-4— “Now the serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field which the Lord God had. And he said unto the woman; yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree in the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, ye shall not surely die.” It is in this particular part that we can read about the cunning serpent. It said that the serpent was more subtle than any other beast in the field, which the Lord God had made. And this serpent spoke with Eve to entice her to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree. The serpent had convinced Eve that even if she ate the fruit, she would not die. Remember, God told Adam and Eve, not to eat it; if you do, you shall die. But the serpent said, you shall not surely die. Obviously, the serpent that is God’s foe, and the serpent does not really refer to the literal serpent.Now, let us find out from the Bible the significance of the serpent, who happened to be God’s enemy. What kind of serpent is it? Let us read 2 Corinthians 11:3— “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

If you noticed, the serpent mentioned here is the one that corrupts the innocent minds. This is not an ordinary serpent. Paul said, I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. This serpent is capable of corrupting minds, just like how it corrupted the mind of Eve, who, in turn, infected, Adam’s mind. Now, who could be this serpent that corrupts minds and also happens to be God’s foe? Let us read Revelations 12:7-9. The Bible should no longer be explained by man inasmuch as the Bible already explains itself. This is what was written—

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels. And he prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

Who was the serpent that corrupted Eve? It was the serpent that is fighting against God … it is the subtle serpent, which the Bible called the great dragon and the old dragon. He is the devil, or Satan. Who is the cunning and crafty serpent? He is Satan! Now, Satan, whom the Bible described as cunning, or subtle, is not alone, because as the Bible says, he was joined by the other angels who also rebelled against God. That is why, if you still recall what was written in Matthew 10:16, it says, “be wise as serpents.” Therefore, there are many serpents. The first serpent that was desc