Biblical study for dummies - written by a dummy
The Holy Bible is one of the most popular book published in human history. We have many versions of bibles available in many languages. However, there are two types of gospels and only one type is included in the bible. The ones that is included in the Bible and others that are excluded. When the Roman Empire decided to make Christianity as an official religion, they decided which Gospels should be included in their official teaching. For this reason, the Gospels that are often taught in Gnosticism and sects were not included. Synoptic Gospels would be another category, yet it is about the similarity of the description. Bible is thought as written by God. People usually interpret this statement as how God influenced the significant people to write his message to his followers.
Basically, the Old Testament, the first part of the full volume bible, is about the story before the birth of Christ. It explains how the ancient Jews lived and contacted with God. Mose and other important figures like Noah and Abraham are written in this part. It tells you what the Lord encouraged his people to follow and how he would think about them. Because, Jewish has the roots in the Old Testament part, we can find similar explanations about the events in Torah, the Jewish doctrine. It is same for Koran, also.
New Testament is about the life of Jesus Christ. Mathew and other apostles writings show the summary of Jesus' life. We can say that apostles' writings are much more like biography of Christ. There are three important characters, John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and Paul. First, John started baptism and Jesus received his blessing with water. After Jesus was crucified, Paul who was converted to Christianity by the spirit of Jesus continued to spread the Gospels.
Because Christians are the followers of Jesus Christ's teaching, we put importance on Christ's explanation of the old teachings. If you read both parts, Old Testament and New Testament, you will find the gaps in interpretation of God's teaching. Apostles like Paul wrote his own understanding of the teaching. Jesus often used parables to explain matters to his followers, his teaching would have different explanations by each person who received his message. In my opinion, how the one takes his message is with the help of the Holy Spirit. Understanding his message in particular way is just like Koan in Zen Buddhism.
The last chapter of the New Testament is very confusing as it shows the last war that humans have against devils. John write that part while he was in agony. The current situation of electromagnetic warfare and covert programs against the protectors of humanity can be very similar to what is written in this part. We have body implants, and some people are expelled from the church with the claims of pedophilia, criminals, sex-offenders, etc. John says that Virgin Mary will appear in this war and the Christians will suffer greatly from the persecutions. If you are Christian and TI, do not lose your faith as you are on the side of winning.
New Testament will not tell you the detailed lives of apostles as they focused on writing of Jesus and his teaching. The biblical scholars done the research on the apostles and historical backgrounds of the religion. So, you will find more about apostles in references of the Bible.