How We Got the Bible: The Incredible Journey from Ancient Scrolls to Your Hands

The Bible is the most influential book in history, but have you ever wondered how it went from God’s inspired words to the book (or app) you read today?

It wasn’t just written all at once and handed down, it’s the result of over 1,500 years of history, dozens of authors, ancient scrolls, and intense preservation efforts. The journey of how we got the Bible is nothing short of miraculous.

Let’s break it down!

1. Who Wrote the Bible?

The Bible isn’t just one book, it’s a collection of 66 books written over 1,500 years by more than 40 different authors. These authors came from different backgrounds, locations, and time periods, yet their writings tell one unified story of God’s redemption.

The Old Testament:

The Old Testament was written by prophets, kings, priests, and leaders between 1400 BC and 400 BC. The Old Testament contains prophecies about Jesus, written hundreds of years before He was born. 

Authors of Old Testament:

  • Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
  • David (Psalms)
  • Solomon (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon) 
  • Isaiah (Book of Isaiah)
  • Jeremiah (Book of Jeremiah and Lamentations)
  • Ezekiel (Book of Ezekiel)
  • Daniel (Book of Daniel)

New Testament:

The New Testament was written by Jesus’ apostles and early Christian leaders between 45 AD and 100 AD.

Authors of New Testament:

  • Matthew (The Gospel of Matthew) 
  • Mark (The Gospel of Mark) 
  • Luke (The Gospel of Luke & Acts) 
  • John (The Gospel of John, 1-3 John, Revelation) 
  • Paul (Romans-Philemon, possibly Hebrews) 
  • Peter (1 & 2 Peter) 
  • James (The Book of James) 
  • Jude (The Book of Jude) 

The Bible has a divine purpose and consistency. Its historical accuracy and preserved messages prove its reliability.

2. How Were the Scriptures First Written?

The Bible is unique because it wasn’t just human thoughts or philosophy, it was divinely inspired by God. Scribes meticulously copied every word, using extreme precision to ensure accuracy. If they made a mistake, they would destroy the entire manuscript and start over.

Before the printing press, the Bible was handwritten on fragile materials. The scriptures had originally been written on:

Stone Tablets – The Ten Commandments were engraved in stone (Exodus 31:18).
Clay Tablets – Some of the earliest writings in history were recorded on clay.
Papyrus Scrolls – A paper-like material made from plants, commonly used in Egypt.
Parchment (Animal Skins) – Used for long-lasting documents, including Torah scrolls.

The Bible was also written in three ancient languages:

Hebrew – The primary language of the Old Testament (except for a few portions in Aramaic).
Aramaic – A common language of the Jews during and after exile (parts of Daniel & Ezra).
Greek – The New Testament was written in Koine Greek, the common language of the Roman Empire.

The intense copying process preserved the Bible with unmatched accuracy. The Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered in 1947) confirmed that our modern Old Testament matches copies from over 2,000 years ago. This proves the Bible wasn’t written by accident, it was carefully recorded, preserved, and passed down so that you could read it today.

3. How Were the Books of the Bible Chosen?

The Bible didn’t fall from the sky or come in a pre-packaged collection, it was written over 1,500 years ago. But with so many religious writings throughout history, how do we know which books belong in the Bible? The process of choosing and confirming the 66 books of the Bible was not random, it was a careful, Spirit-led process that ensured only God-inspired writings were included.

Let's break it down.

The term "canon" comes from a Greek word meaning "measuring rod" or "standard." The Canon of Scripture refers to the official, God-inspired books that belong in the Bible. Other ancient religious writings exist, but not all are inspired by God. The books in the Bible were recognized, not invented, by believers, they had clear evidence of divine inspiration.

The Old Testament was already considered Scripture long before Jesus' time. By 400 BC, Jewish scholars and leaders had already confirmed the books as God’s Word. 


The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 100 AD by the apostles and early church leaders. Church leaders (like Athanasius) officially listed the 27 books as the New Testament canon. This means it was recognized as authoritative by the first-generation church.

By 367 AD, church leaders formally confirmed the 66 books we have today.

The Bible wasn’t randomly assembled, it was carefully preserved and confirmed by those closest to its history. It is more historically and textually reliable than any other book from ancient times, including works by Plato, Aristotle, and Julius Caesar.

4. How Did the Bible Survive History?

The Bible is the most attacked, banned, and persecuted book in history, yet it has survived for thousands of years, outlasting empires, dictators, and even efforts to erase it completely.  From ancient manuscripts to modern translations, the Bible’s survival is nothing short of miraculous.

How Did the Old Testament Survive?

Jewish scribes followed extreme accuracy rules when copying Scripture. Every letter and word was counted, if a mistake was found, the entire scroll was destroyed. Scrolls were stored in synagogues and protected by religious leaders. The Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered in 1947) contained Old Testament books from over 2,000 years ago, and they match today’s Bible almost exactly. 

How Did the New Testament Survive?

Early Christians copied the New Testament by hand and spread it across the world.
Over 25,000 handwritten copies of the New Testament exist, more than any other ancient document. Even with minor variations, the text remains 99.5% identical across all manuscripts. 

The Bible suffered tons of persecution. Roman emperors like Diocletian ordered all Bibles to be burned in 303 AD. Communist and extremist regimes have tried to erase it but failed. Yet within 25 years, Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity and commissioned more Bibles to be copied.  Over 25,000 ancient copies of the Bible exist today, making it the most well-preserved ancient text.

The Bible has survived fire, persecution, war, and time itself because it is God’s eternal Word. Its survival and widespread influence point to its divine preservation. 

5. How Do We Know the Bible Is Reliable?

The Bible is the most debated, analyzed, and scrutinized book in history, yet, despite countless attacks, it remains historically accurate, prophetically fulfilled, and unchanged over thousands of years. 

Skeptics often ask, “Hasn’t the Bible been changed?” or “How do we know it’s really God’s Word?” The truth is, no other ancient book has been preserved, verified, and proven true like the Bible.

How we Know:

Manuscript Evidence – The Bible has more ancient copies than any historical document, proving its accuracy.
Historical Accuracy – Archaeological discoveries confirm places, people, and events recorded in the Bible.
Prophecies Fulfilled – Hundreds of Old Testament prophecies about Jesus were fulfilled with 100% accuracy.

With historical proof, fulfilled prophecies, scientific accuracy, and life-changing impact, the answer is clear, the Bible is reliable, trustworthy, and true. God’s Word has been protected, preserved, and proven reliable for thousands of years. You can trust that the Bible you hold today is the same one God intended.

Final Thought:

The Bible isn’t just an old book, it’s God’s message. It wasn’t just written for history, it was written for YOU. 

So what's stopping you? Pick up your bible and start reading!

Back to blog