Which Book of the Bible Came First?

By: Tasha Moore
Image: D-Keine / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

This religion challenge is like a Bible school throwback to a time when naming all 66 books of the Bible in the correct order won you bragging rights among your peers. 

For some of us, this information will forever be ingrained in our hearts and minds, and for a good reason. Understanding how Bible books are ordered allows for a better appreciation of biblical history and context. For example, if you know that 3 John is just two books away from Revelation, you'd probably guess that John the Apostle is the one who writes to his "well-beloved Gaius," since John doesn't identify himself by name as "the elder" in the introductory phrase.

The book of 3 John is one of many New Testament books—from Romans to Jude—that provides specific instruction on church conduct and rebukes the false teachings that were rampant in the early church. Understanding why these admonishing epistles were grouped lends credence to the fact that heresy was a huge issue and not something that was taken lightly by religious leaders.

Use our challenge to learn even more about groups of Bible books, like the Old Testament Pentateuch and the New Testament epistles, to broaden your divine knowledge. Let's begin!

Name the biblical book that discloses that "Jesse begot David."

Ruth emphasizes how God wants Jews, as well as Gentiles, to believe in him. Interpersonal love and loyalty are major themes in Ruth. The eponymous figure was a Moabite who was determined to stay with her Israelite daughter-in-law, Naomi—which symbolized Ruth's devotion to God.

Choose the book that includes many prophetic examples of God's eventual victory?

The book of Daniel describes a time when Gentiles ruled and the people of God lived under unrighteous tyranny. Throughout his text, the prophet Daniel pleaded with the Israelites to remain faithful to God in spite of their dire circumstances.

When did God command: "If my people ... shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face ... will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

In 2 Chronicles, Solomon, son of David, secures reign over his kingdom, for "the Lord his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly," according to 2 Chronicles: 1. In the book, Israel questions whether God still maintained a covenant with the people since they were subject to Persia.

Where can you find the phrase, "The Lord is there"?

The book of Ezekiel acknowledges how the Israelites were so wicked that God was compelled to leave Jerusalem and the existing temple. The eponymous prophet predicts God's return to the land, the temple and the people.

Select the book that deals with human suffering.

The Book of Lamentations uses the national suffering of Judah as an example. It offers coping mechanisms for sufferers during trials, and it reassures that rehabilitation after a devastating ordeal is possible.

Choose the Bible book that admits that the deeds of Jesus were so plentiful that "even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written" about him.

The Gospel of John introduces Jesus as God who became a man. Out of all the miracles that are recorded in John's book, the disciple chose those that exemplify God's most divine qualities.

Do you know the book that's full of poetic responses to God?

Psalms are used for communal worship, as well as individual utterance. Verses from this book are some of the most referenced in Christianity. Types of Psalms include Davidic psalms, psalms of the sons of Korah and anonymously written psalms.

Which book addresses Jewish believers, in particular?

Matthew's gospel gives an account of Jesus' life story and emphasizes to Jewish adherents that Jesus is the Messiah they seek. Specifically, the genealogy of Jesus in the first chapter proves the point that Jesus is the Christ whom God promised would descend from the seed of David.

The Apostle Paul comments on God's grace in ________.

Paul's second letter to the Corinthians was the apostle's attempt to remedy problems that the church at Corinth had been having. Regarding the issue of charity, Paul admonished in his letter, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity ..."

Theophilus was the intended recipient for which biblical text?

Luke's Gospel was also meant as a book of instruction among a select few readers, but its primary purpose was to help fortify the faith of all believers. Luke's accounts served to disprove false tales about Jesus' life.

Jesus portrayed as God's son is the scope of _______.

The Gospel of Mark includes Jesus's divine and biological lineages; Mark 10:47 refers to Jesus as "son of David." Mark targeted gentile Christians of the early church, as the gospel expounds Jewish customs and does not mention that Jesus frowned upon the practice of preaching to gentiles.

How well do you comprehend the book that is named for its principle figure?

The book of Ezra is a historical account of the returning Israelite exiles. Ezra's stories demonstrate how God's promises to the children through the prophets were ultimately manifested.

Identify the Bible book that details the sins of rulers and their people?

The pressures of politics and the demands of faith collide in 1 Kings. God showed favor to rulers who resisted the temptations of evil for good. However, the balance of the acts recorded in 1 Kings is of evildoing that incited God's chastisement.

Saul and David are monarchs in the book of ________.

Samuel was appointed as prophet of these first two kings of Israel. First Samuel includes Saul's reign, but it delves most deeply into David's kingly exploits. The book is a careful account of how the kingship of Israel came to fruition, in general.

The last word of which New Testament book is "Amen"?

The full title of this last biblical book is "The Revelation of Jesus Christ." Revelation refers to Jesus Christ as bridegroom, worthy lamb, lion of Judah, King of kings and Lord of lords, among other descriptors.

Choose the epistle among the options.

You'll find a number of Jewish traditions and Old Testament references mentioned in the Epistle of Jude. Apostle Jude used his letter to educate believers and rebuke false teachers of the faith.

Where can you find these comforting words? "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh ..."

The prophet Joel called for national repentance during his tenure. His predictions, such as the one reference here from Joel 2:28, also served to encourage the righteous with promises of blessings and salvation assurances.

Can you guess the book that illustrates these attributes of God: loving, vengeful, jealous?

Prophet Hosea assailed sin and predicted inevitable judgment. Through the prophet, God demands that his people show him their complete devotion. Hosea 1:9 warns of the alternative: "... ye are not my people, and I will not be your God."

Can you identify the book that spans the period from King Saul's death to the end of David's rulership?

Second Samuel details the unification of Israel's kingdom under King David's reign. It portrays David, who was morally flawed, as the consummate representative of a ruling monarch of Israel.

The book of ________ is named for a godly ruler who was born of slaves in Egypt.

After Moses was disobedient, God chose Joshua to lead the children of Israel into the promised land. Joshua's book stresses strict adherence to God's covenant and steadfastness in daily life.

Can you name the book written by Solomon?

Through the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon demonstrates a recommitment to living a righteous life in the sight of God. Incidentally, the text serves to help others resist decadence and vanity.

Choose the book that emphasizes the rebuilding of God's temple.

Zechariah's book encourages returning exiles of Israel to seek God and be cleansed of sin. Prophet Zechariah was also a priest who was among the children of Israel who returned to Judah.

Apostle Paul is the author of ________.

In 1 Timothy, Paul provides instruction on the way the church should function. The apostle focuses on nurturing leadership for a divine purpose and rooting out false church doctrine.

Where in the Bible does the Apostle Paul rebuke heresy?

To counter pervasive heresy in Colossae, the Apostle Paul promotes Jesus as the Christ and manifestation of God, in his letter to the city. Paul expounds on the sufficiency of Christ's doctrine, to dispel the need for human philosophy.

Pick the Bible book that includes the verse: "Unto the pure all things are pure ..."

The Apostle Paul's letter to Titus is a discourse concerning salvation — how it's not determined by one's deeds alone, but by God's love and mercy for his believers. Titus 1:4 regards Titus as Paul's "son after the common faith."

Identify the choice that is Paul's reply to two letters he received concerning the church.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul aims to correct conduct problems in the church. His instructions pertain to general behavior during worship services, the role of gifts in the church and the importance of formality during the Lord's Supper ritual.

Biblical scholars have suggested that the author penned which book in Ephesus?

Scholars place John in Ephesus, where he based his ministry after Jerusalem fell. Third John is a letter to an early Christian named Gaius, who was likely a member of a church in Asia Minor.

The Apostle Paul rebukes false teachers in ________.

False teachers were a significant problem in the days of the early Christian church. Paul's letter to the Galatians attempts to counter false doctrine with the promise of justification "by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law ..."

The author wrote what letter in preparation for an important trip?

The Apostle Paul, the author of the Romans Epistle, sought to provide detailed instructions for how Gentiles and Jews should coexist harmoniously. His letter also establishes key points of faith.

Identify the biblical text that was inspired partly by loneliness.

A lonely Apostle Paul also authored 2 Timothy because he was distressed about the oppression of the churches under Nero's rule. In 2 Timothy 2:1, Paul encourages Timothy, whom Paul regarded as a son, to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" in spite of the persecutions.

Where in the New Testament are early Christians reminded about the importance of their conversion?

Hebrews 5:7 reminds believers of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who "learned ... obedience by the things which he suffered." This example, as well as others in the text, was intended to reassure early Christians, who second-guessed their conversions.

The primary theme in ________ was belief backed by action.

John relied on the doctrine of Christ to communicate his message of action-backed faith. Some early Christians had parted ways with the church due to conflicts in devotional practices; 1 John emphasizes Christ's love-based doctrine and deeds to counter the dissent.

In which text have you seen the quote, "Will a man rob God?"

Malachi 3:8 begins with the referenced quote, which exemplifies the prophet's concern for those who contend with worship of God. The verse ends with the question and resolute answer, "Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings."

Prophets Elisha and Elijah are prominent figures in ________.

Second Kings continues where 1 Kings leaves off, with a record of the divided kingdom during the rulerships of Ahaziah in the north and Jehoshaphat in the southern kingdom. Some scholars surmise that Jeremiah wrote both 1 and 2 Kings.

Pick the fourth book of the Pentateuch.

Numbers is the fourth book of the Old Testament's first five books, which together are referred to as the Pentateuch. The Book of Numbers is comprised of two parts and each part begins with a census.

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