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Brief Outline of each Book of the Bible

1. OLD TESTAMENT

A. PENTATEUCH (5)

GENESIS -- First book of Moses -- History of Man from the beginning
EXODUS -- Second book of Moses -- Deliverance of Israel from captivity
LEVITICUS -- Third book of Moses -- Book of the law
NUMBERS -- Fourth book of Moses -- Story of wandering in the wilderness
DEUTERONOMY -- Fifth book of Moses -- 2nd recital of law before promise land

B. HISTORICAL BOOKS (12)

JOSHUA -- Took over as judge of Israel after Moses
JUDGES -- 6 Judges, men and women, who lead the children of Israel until they asked God for a king
RUTH -- (Author possibly Samuel) -- In the family line to Jesus
I & II SAMUEL -- 1st and 2nd book of the Kings (Anoints the first two Kings of Israel)
I & II KINGS -- 3rd and 4th Book of the Kings, History of the Kingdom of Israel (Elijah and Elisha appear)
I & II CHRONICLES -- Record of David, Solomon, and the kings of Judah after the division of Israel up to the time of captivity
EZRA -- Record of the return of the Jews from captivity, and the rebuilding of the temple
NEHEMIAH -- Account of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, and the re-establishment of the sacred ordinances
ESTER -- Story of Queen Esther's deliverance of the Jews from the plot of Haman

C. POETICAL (5)

JOB -- The story of how one man overcome affliction despite the attack led by Satan against him
PSALMS -- Collection of 150 spiritual songs, poems, and prayers used through the centuries by the church in its devotion
PROVERBS -- Solomon -- Collection of moral and religious guidance and a discussion on wisdom
ECCLESIASTICS -- The Preacher Solomon -- A reflection on the vanity of life by Solomon
SONG OF SOLOMON -- Solomon -- A religious poem symbolizing the mutual love of Christ and the church

D. PROPHETICAL BOOKS. MAJOR PROPHETS (5)

ISAIAH -- (Prophet of Redemption) -- Announces woes on sinful nation
JEREMIAH -- (Weeping Prophet) -- THEME: Backsliding, bondage, restoration of Jews, Lived from time of Josiah to the Captivity
LAMENTATION -- Series of wailing for the affliction of Israel
EZEKIEL -- A book showing the sad condition of God's people and the pathway to restoration
DANIEL -- Personal biography of Daniel, lived during captivity, also a vision of the end times

E. MINOR PROPHETS (12)

HOSEA -- Lived with Isaiah and Micah -- Shows the spiritual adultery of Israel
JOEL -- Prophet to Judah -- National repentance and it's blessing
AMOS -- The herdsman prophet, a reformer denouncing selfishness and sin
OBADIAH -- The doom of Edom and final deliverance of Israel
JONAH -- "Reluctant Missionary", went to Ninevh, shows the blessing of obedience
MICAH -- Shows a dark picture of the moral condition of Israel and Judah
NAHUM -- The destruction of Ninevh
HABAKKUK -- THEME: How can a just God allow a wicked nation to oppress Israel
ZEPHANIAH -- A somber book filled with threatening, but ends in a vision of the future glory of Israel
HAGGAI -- A colleague of Zechariah. Reproves the people for slackness in building the second temple, promises return of God's glory upon completion
ZECHARIAH -- Contemporary of Zechariah. Helps arouse the Jews to rebuild the temple
MALACHI -- Gives a graphic picture of the closing period of Old Testament History. Shows necessity of reforms before the coming Messiah

2. NEW TESTAMENT

A. BIOGRAPHICAL (4)

ST MATTHEW -- Apostle writer -- Purple, Jesus, King of Kings -- Tax Collector -- Written to Jews showing the kingly Messiah of Jewish Prophecy
ST MARK -- Apostle writer -- Scarlet, Servant -- Brief record of Jesus' Life -- Emphasis on the supernatural power of Christ over nature, disease, and demons
ST LUKE -- Apostle writer -- White, Son of Man -- Beloved Physician -- the most complete biography of Jesus -- portrays Christ as the Son of Man, compassion on the poor, sinful
ST JOHN -- Apostle writer -- Blue, Heavenly -- Beloved Apostle -- writes about Love, unveils Jesus Christ as the Son of God -- reveal his deeper teachings

B. HISTORICAL (1)

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (Author: St Luke) -- A sequel to the Gospel of Luke -- THEME: the origin and growth of the early church, from the ascension of Christ to the imprisonment of Paul at Rome

C. THE PAULINE EPISTLES (14)

ROMANS -- Addressed to the Roman Christians -- shows a need for salvation and spiritual, social and civic duties
I CORINTHIANS -- Addressed to the Corinthian church -- Cleansing of the Church from various evils and doctrinal instruction
II CORINTHIANS -- Corinthian Church -- characteristics of an apostolic ministry and shows Paul's apostleship
GALATIANS -- Addressed to the Galatian Church -- Doctrine of Justification by Faith, warnings against false teachers and the return to Judaism
EPHESIANS -- Addressed to the Church at Ephesus -- Glorious plan of Salvation, All barriers between Jews and Gentiles are broken down
PHILIPPIANS -- Addressed to the Philippian Church -- reveals Paul's intense devotion to Christ, steadfast doctrine, and joy in prison
COLOSSIANS -- Addressed to the Colosse Church - Glory of Christ as the head of the Church -- Abandon worldly philosophy and sin
I THESSALONIANS -- Addressed to Thessalonica Church -- apostolic commendation, reminiscences, counsels. Future coming of Christ
II THESSALONIANS -- Enlightens church concerning the doctrine of Christ's second coming and warning against unrest and social disorders
I TIMOTHY -- Counsels to a young pastor -- conduct and work
II TIMOTHY -- Written shortly before Paul's death, giving instruction
TITUS -- An apostolic letter giving counsels and exhortations to a trusted friend
PHILEMON -- A private letter written to Philemon, beseeching hi to receive and forgive Onesimus, a runaway slave
HEBREWS -- Blessing of the new dispensation, compared with those of the Old Testament -- Shows Christ's glory

D. GENERAL EPISTLES (6)

JAMES -- Apostle -- the Lord's brother -- Addressed to Jewish converts, Practical religion by good works contrasted by Faith
I PETER -- Apostle -- Letter of encouragement to saints scattered throughout Asia Minor -- privilege of believers following the example of Christ
II PETER -- Apostle -- Warning against false teachers and scoffers
I JOHN -- Apostle -- Deep spiritual message to believers in the church, stress upon believer's privilege of spiritual knowledge and duty of love
II JOHN -- Apostle -- Message on worldly error, warning against false teachers
III JOHN -- Apostle -- Letter of commendation written to Gaius
JUDE -- Brother of James -- Historical examples of apostasy and divine judgement on sinners, warning against immoral teachers

E. PROPHETICAL (1)

REVELATIONS -- Apostle John -- Visions concerning the end of time, the battle between Jesus and Satan, Jesus' victory, and Heaven