Who Wrote the Bible—and How Do We Know It’s True?
The Bible is the best-selling book in the world. It has changed lives, shaped nations, and inspired people for thousands of years. But if you’re just starting your journey with Jesus, you might be wondering: Who wrote the Bible? And even more importantly: How do we know it’s true?
Let’s take a closer look at this incredible book and explore where it came from and why so many people believe in its truth.
What Is the Bible?
The Bible isn’t just one book—it’s a collection of 66 books written by over 40 different authors over more than 1,500 years! It has two main parts:
The Old Testament, which tells the story of God’s people before Jesus.
The New Testament, which tells the story of Jesus and the early church.
Despite being written across centuries, in different places, and by different people, the Bible tells one big story: the story of God’s love for humanity.
Who Wrote the Bible?
The writers of the Bible came from all walks of life. Some were kings, others were fishermen, prophets, doctors, or even tax collectors. Here are a few key writers:
Moses
He wrote the first five books of the Bible, known as the Torah or Pentateuch. These include Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Ten Commandments from God.
David and Solomon
King David wrote many of the Psalms, which are songs and prayers. His son, King Solomon, wrote Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs—books full of wisdom.
Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah
These men were chosen by God to speak His truth. They warned people, encouraged them, and shared God’s promises for the future—including predictions about the coming of Jesus.
The Apostles
In the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote the four Gospels, which tell us about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Paul, a former enemy of Christians, wrote many letters (called epistles) to early churches, encouraging and teaching them about faith.
How Was the Bible Written?
Most of the Bible was written by hand—on scrolls made from animal skin or papyrus (a type of paper made from plants). The writers didn’t just make things up. They were inspired by God.
What does "inspired" mean?
2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” That means God guided the writers through His Holy Spirit. They used their own style and personality, but the message came from God Himself.
How Do We Know the Bible Is True?
That’s a great question! With so many books out there, why trust this one? Here are five strong reasons:
1. Historical Evidence
The Bible talks about real places, people, and events. Archaeologists have found ancient cities, scrolls, coins, and other items mentioned in the Bible. For example:
The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the 1940s, include parts of the Old Testament written over 2,000 years ago—and they match what we read today!
Places like Jericho, Nineveh, and Bethlehem have been found and studied by archaeologists.
2. Manuscript Reliability
We don’t have the original scrolls (called autographs), but we have thousands of ancient copies of the Bible. There are over 5,800 Greek New Testament manuscripts, more than for any other ancient book!
This means we can compare copies and be confident the Bible hasn’t been changed over time.
3. Fulfilled Prophecy
The Bible includes hundreds of prophecies, many of which came true. One amazing example is about Jesus. The Old Testament, written centuries before He was born, predicted:
He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
He would be rejected by people (Isaiah 53:3)
He would die for our sins (Isaiah 53:5)
He would rise again (Psalm 16:10)
Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies in His life, death, and resurrection!
4. Unity of the Message
Remember, the Bible was written over 1,500 years, by 40+ writers, in three languages (Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic), on three continents. And yet, its message is completely unified: God loves us, we are broken by sin, and He offers us salvation through Jesus Christ.
No other book has this kind of unity across time and culture.
5. Changed Lives
Millions of people—throughout history and today—have had their lives radically changed by the message of the Bible. People who were hopeless, addicted, or even violent have found peace, forgiveness, and purpose through faith in Jesus.
Maybe you’re already seeing that in your own life.
So, Can We Trust the Bible?
Yes! The Bible is not a myth or a fairy tale. It’s a real book, based on real events, written by real people, and inspired by a real God. It tells the truth about who we are, why we’re here, and how we can have a relationship with God.
But don’t just take someone else’s word for it—read it for yourself.
Where Should I Start?
If you’re new to the Bible, here are some good places to begin:
The Gospel of John – A powerful story of Jesus' life and love.
Psalms – Honest prayers and songs to help you connect with God.
Genesis – The beginning of everything and God’s plan for humanity.
Take your time. Ask questions. Pray for understanding. God promises that when we seek Him, we’ll find Him.
Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Final Thoughts
The Bible is more than just a book—it’s a love letter from God, written through people, preserved through history, and offered to you today. It’s full of hope, truth, and life. Whether you’re just starting your faith journey or still asking big questions, know this:
God wants you to know Him, and the Bible is one of the best ways to do that.
So open it up. Dig in. Discover the truth for yourself.
You're not alone on this path. StepsWithJesus.com is here to walk with you every step of the way.
