The manuscripts from Dead Sea Scrolls, along with Septuagint and Targums allowed scholars to examine Old Testament text. These examinations show that we have an Old Testament text free from error. This is due to obvious love that Jews had for scriptures and careful attention they gave to making transcripts of various texts.

The Old Testament text was written over a period of more than 1400 years. However, New Testament text was written approximately between 50 - 100 A.D., a span of about fifty years. At first written text of New Testament was in form of letters (epistles) from some of Apostles and early church leaders to various churches given for instruction. As time passed, these letters were circulated around to other churches and were considered authoritative instruction. During this period of time those who new Christ and could witness to His work shared their experiences with churches by word of mouth. As number of churches grew and need for these churches to be instructed in events of Christ's life grew, what we know as four gospels came into being. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John put in writing events of life and ministry of Jesus so that all churches could learn from their witness.

The book of Acts, historical account of early church and how it grew, was a natural outgrowth of this process. And finally, book of Revelation was given to encourage Christian to keep faith till end and welcome a victorious Christ.

The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and New Testament was written in Greek. We also have Old Testament text paraphrased in Aramaic (Targums).

Even though we do not have original manuscripts of Bible in existence today, much care has been taken to preserve Word of God by His people. We said earlier that painstaking transcription of Old Testament was evident in comparison of existing Old Testament texts with those found in Dead Sea Scrolls. We also know that New Testament text is accurate because early church fathers wrote extensively and quoted from scripture often. It has been said that perhaps all New Testament could be reconstructed just using quotes from early church fathers in their many secular writings. As centuries have passed since church was established several translations of Bible have been made. Much care and scholarly attention has been given to these translations to insure textual accuracy.

The oldest translation of complete Bible text (Old and New Testaments) dates to about 150 A.D. It is known as Old Latin version. Jerome revised Old Latin version around 382 and this revision became known as Latin Vulgate.

John Wycliffe was first to translate Bible into English. His translation was made from Latin version in 1382. The first person to publish an edition of Greek text was Erasmus in 1516. William Tyndale was first to publish an English translation based upon Greek text. Tyndale's translation was made in 1530's.

The King James Version or Authorized Version was made in 1611. The English Revised version appeared in 1885. The more modern translations all came into existence in 1900's: American Standard Version - 1901, Revised Standard Version - 1932, and New International Version - 1978.

The Word of God has withstood test of time. Moses set forth, by God's direction, to write first Bible text almost 3500 years ago. Yet today we have words Moses as well as all those who followed in one glorious book we affectionately call Holy Bible. It is a book that is loved and revered by millions of people all over world. It is a book that has been bombarded through ages by unbelievers in attempts to discredit it. But it is a book that has been preserved by God, for His people. As Timothy writes, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16,17)

All scriptures quoted are from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Stephen Kingery is an author, preacher, teacher and founder of The Home Bible Study Institute.

Visit our site at http://www.james1-22.org

"Therefore gird up loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon grace that is to be brought to you at revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:13-16) I really don't think we have a choice to be or not to be holy if we are to be a Christian. The very essence of being a Christian is to be holy. To say that we are one without being other is a contradiction of terms. As indeed God as said, "Be holy, for I am holy."

Not that above Scriptures are not sufficient to make our point, but consider following: "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." (1 Peter 2:9,10) It is our calling to be holy!

What does holiness cause us to do? Or, in other words, if we are indeed holy, what are some of attitudes and actions which we and others can and will see in our daily Christian walk? There are many!

We will show respect to our parents and others whom we may call our elders. Truly, Elders of our congregations must have our respect as overseers of body of Christ. We will show respect to those in authority over us: officers of law, agencies in government, our supervisors at work, our parents and so forth. Even when we do not necessarily agree with decisions being made, we will respect those who are in authority.

We will show respect, reverence and a worshipful attitude toward God. We will be faithful to worship services, faithful in our tithes and offerings, faithful in prayer and Bible study. We will literally put God first in our lives.

We will remember needs of others, have right attitude toward property of others, have right attitude toward less fortunate, and forgive and love our neighbors.

In short, we will have attributes of thoughtfulness, generosity, honesty, trustworthiness, compassion, justice, truthfulness, mercy, love, reverence and moral purity. The non-Christian may have some (or even all) of these qualities, but he is not holy. We are only holy if we are set apart for service of and glory to God.

God Father chose us for holiness (Ephesians 1:4), God Son died that we might be holy (Titus 2:14) and God Holy Spirit was sent to make us holy (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

Let us not be self-righteous or self-holy (for it is not we ourselves that make us so, or are even able to make us so). But let us be righteous and holy with help of Holy Spirit in our lives. Let us be set apart for service of God and kingdom.

All Scriptures quoted are from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Stephen Kingery is an author, preacher, teacher and founder of The Home Bible Study Institute.

Visit our site at http://www.james1-22.org