The Holy Bible

The Bible is the central text of mainstream Christianity and is considered the inspired word of God by believers, serving as the foundation of Christian faith and practice. It is divided into 2 sections, the Old Testament, containing 39 books, and the New Testament, containing 27 books. The Old Testament contains religious writings, stories, laws, and prophecies that trace the history and relationship between God and his chosen people, Israel, starting with the creation of the world and a covenant with the patriarch Abraham. It includes accounts of the Israelites, their struggles, triumphs, and the teachings of prophets. The Old Testament was originally recorded in ancient Hebrew and Aramaic, and generally spans from the beginning of recorded time until approximately 400 BCE.

The New Testament focuses on the life, teachings, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe to be the Son of God and the promised Messiah. It contains four Gospels, which narrate the life and ministry of Jesus, as well as letters, also known as epistles, written by early Christian leaders. It includes the apocalyptic book of Revelation at its conclusion. The New Testament was originally recorded in Koine Greek, and takes place primarily in the 1st century CE.

The Bible is regarded as a source of spiritual guidance, moral instruction, and theological insight for millions of Christians around the world, shaping their beliefs, values, and understanding of God's relationship with humans.

The Codex Alexandrinus is one of the earliest and most complete manuscripts found of the Bible, and resides today in the British Library. This is a page from the Gospel of Mark chapter 6.

The Council of Nicaea, in which early church elders gathered and compiled the Biblical canon was held in 325 CE.