What is listed below are specific themes found throughout the Bible, from cover to cover. The Scripture quoted in each instance is not an exhaustive list by any means, but a representative one, where my intent was to take representative passages from a wide range of authors and time frames. This is so that you can see that, even though the Bible was written by dozens of men over a period of 1000's of years, they seem to have all been of the same mind.

The Basic Themes of the Bible

Man is sinful; man is fallen; man is separated from God. People in the Bible are presented warts and all. They are real people. Even the greatest believers in the Bible are shown to fail.

Because man is separate from God and because man has sinned, man is sentenced to death.

Our good works, good intentions, and morality do not save us. The Bible is not a book which tells us how to behave in order to impress God. The universality of sin and God’s penalty upon all of us is death in the Lake of Fire.

God is holy; this means that He is perfect justice and perfect righteousness.

Jesus Christ is holy; He is perfectly righteous and He is perfect justice.

God will send a Messiah/Mediator/Savior to man. The Savior sent by God is Jesus, His Son.

Jesus died on the cross and took upon Himself the penalty for our sins.

We are saved by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.

These are not the only themes in the Bible, but these are the most fundamental.

I have mentioned several themes; let me give examples of what these authors have said concerning these basic themes. We will begin with all men are sinful.

I follow a certain convention when it comes to quoting Scripture: I use blue when quoting an Old Testament passage; red for a New Testament passage; and magenta when an Old Testament passage is quoted elsewhere in Scripture.

Man is Fallen—Man is Sinful—Man is Separated from God

Author/Time Period

Scripture

Unknown/

Unknown (before 1440 b.c.)

Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth (Gen. 6:11–12). This passage technically refers to a corruption of mankind, not just through sin, but by another means. However, the illustration is apt, as many things in the Old Testament illustrate essential truths found elsewhere in the Bible.

Job/

Unknown (before 1440 b.c.)

Therefore, I despise myself, and I have repented on dust and ashes (Job 42:6).

David/

circa 1000 b.c.

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. God looked down from Heaven on the sons of mankind, to see if there was any discerning, who was seeking God: Every one has turned aside, together they are corrupted, not one is doing good, not even one! (Psalm 53:1–3). I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me (Psalm 51:5). .

Solomon/

circa 950 b.c.

For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin (Eccles. 7:20).

Isaiah/

740–680 b.c.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have each one turned to his own way; and Jehovah made meet in Him the iniquity of all of us (Isa. 53:6).

Paul/

56–58 a.d.

For we have charged both Jews and Greeks before, all with being under sin; according as it has been written, "There is not a righteous one, not even one!" "There is not one understanding; there is not one seeking God." All turned away, they became worthless together, not one is doing goodness, not so much as one!" (Rom. 3:9b–12; Paul is quoting Psalm 13:1–3). All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).

Therefore, since we have sinned, we stand guilty before God and are sentenced to death:

All Men are Condemned to Death

Author/Time Period

Scripture

Unknown/

Unknown (before 1440 b.c.)

And Jehovah God commanded the man, saying, Eating you may eat of every tree in the garden; but of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil you may not eat, for in the day that you eat of it, in dying you will die (Gen. 2:16–17).

Ezekiel/

593–570 b.c.

The soul that sins, it will die (Ezek. 18:4b).

Paul/

56–58 a.d.

God's wrath is revealed from Heaven on all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is everlasting life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 1:18 6:23).

John/

95–96 a.d.

And I saw a Great White Throne, and the One sitting on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled; and a place was not found for them. And I saw the dead, the small and the great, standing before God. And books were opened. And another Book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged out of the things written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead in it. And death and hell gave up the dead in them. And they were each judged according to their works. And death and hell were thrown into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death. And if anyone was not found having been written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:11–15). This is the final end for those who do not believe in Jesus Christ.

Not only do we stand guilty before God, but there is nothing that we can do about it by way of works, morality or good deeds.

Our Morality, Good Deeds and Works will not Save Us

Author/Time Period

Scripture

Unknown/

Unknown (before 1440 b.c.)

And in the end of days, it happened, Cain brought to Jehovah an offering of the fruit of the ground. However, Jehovah did not have respect to Cain and to his offering. And Cain glowed with anger, and his face fell (Gen. 4:3, 5).

Job/

Unknown (before 1440 b.c.)

What is man, that he can be pure? Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous? (Job. 15:14).

Isaiah/

740–680 b.c.

But we are all as the unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as a menstruation cloth. And we all fade as a leaf, and like the wind our iniquities take us away (Isa. 64:6).

Jesus/

30–33 a.d.

Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." (John 6:28–29).

Paul/

61–63 a.d.

For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one should boast (Eph. 2:8–9).

John/

95–96 a.d.

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:11–15). Man is condemned to the Lake of Fire based upon his works.

This theme in itself is revolutionary. How many times have you heard the lie, if you are good, you will go to heaven and if you are bad, you will go to hell? Every religion developed by man offers up some system of works by which you placate or ingratiate God. The Bible is just the opposite. The Bible teaches that there is no set of good works which will gain God’s favor.

The character of God:

God is Holy: God is Perfect Righteousness and Absolute Justice

Author/Time Period

Scripture

Asaph/

circa 1000 b.c.

And the heavens shall declare His righteousness, for God Himself is judge (Psalm 50:6).

Isaiah/

740–680 b.c.

For as the heavens are high from the earth, so My ways are high from your ways, and My thoughts from your thoughts (Isa. 55:9).

Ezra/

circa 450 b.c.

O Jehovah, God of Israel, You are righteous (Ezra 9:15).

Jesus/

25–30 a.d.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matt. 6:33).

John/

95–96 a.d.

Lord God Almighty, Your judgments are true and righteous (Rev. 16:7b).

The Messiah to come:

God will Raise up a Messiah/Savior/Mediator to Man

Author/Time Period

Scripture

Job/

Unknown (before 1440 b.c.)

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall rise on the earth at the last (Job 9:25).

Moses/

circa 1400 b.c.

Jehovah your God shall raise up to you a prophet from among you, of your brothers, one like me; you shall listen to Him (Deut. 18:15).

Isaiah/

740–680 b.c.

For a Child is born; to us a Son is given; and the government is on His shoulders; and His name is called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6).

Malachi/

450–425 b.c.

Listen, I will send My messenger, and He will clear the way before Me. And Jehovah, whom you seek, shall suddenly come to His Temple, even the Angel of the Covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He comes, says Jehovah of Hosts (Mal. 3:1).

Matthew/

45–60 a.d.

And as he thought upon these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take to you Mary as your wife. For that in her is fathered of the Holy Spirit. And she will bear a son, and you will call His name Jesus: for He will save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:20–21).

Jesus is this Messiah:

Jesus is the Savior/Mediator of Mankind, the Messiah Promised

Author/Time Period

Scripture

David/

circa 1000 b.c.

Sing to Y^ehowah, and praise [or, celebrate] His name; every day, announce [the good news] of His deliverance [or, proclaim His Jesus] (Psalm 96:2). I have exegeted this verse, word by word, in the Hebrew, and it says, “Proclaim His Jesus” in the Hebrew.

Isaiah/

740–680 b.c.

For a Child is born; to us a Son is given; and the government is on His shoulders; and His name is called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6).

Luke/

64–70 a.d.

Jesus/

25–30 a.d.

And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And, as His custom was, He went in to the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And unrolling the book, He found the place where it was written [and He read these words], "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me; because of this He has anointed Me to proclaim the Gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim deliverance to the captives, and new sight to the blind, to set at liberty those having been crushed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." And rolling up the book, returning it to the attendant, He sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your ears.” (Luke 4:16–21).

Paul/

56–58 a.d.

Christ [Messiah] is God over all, and is blessed forever (Rom. 9:5b).

Unknown/

circa 60 a.d.

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 3:1–3).

Paul/

63–67 a.d.

There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus (1Tim. 2:5).

I should point out that Christ means Messiah; and every time you say the name Jesus Christ, you are affirming that Jesus is the Messiah.

The character of Jesus:

Jesus, the Messiah, is Holy; He is Righteousness and Just

Author/Time Period

Scripture

Isaiah/

740–680 b.c.

For a Child is born; to us a Son is given; and the government is on His shoulders; and His name is called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6).

Jeremiah/

626–580 b.c.

This is His name by which He shall be called, Jehovah our Righteousness (Jer. 23:6b).

Pontius Pilate/

28–33 a.d.

So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, I find no fault in this man (Luke 23:4).

John/

circa 90 a.d.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us. And we beheld His glory, glory as of an only begotten from the Father, full of grace and of truth (John 1:1, 14).

Peter/

55–64 a.d.

Jesus committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth (1Peter 2:22).

The basis of our salvation is Christ’s death on the cross; by His death, we are saved. His death for our sins was revealed in many ways in the Old Testament.

Jesus Died on the Cross for our Sins

Author/Time Period

Scripture

Unknown

Unknown (before 1440 b.c.)

God clothes Adam and the woman in animal skins, which indicates that an animal was sacrificed in order to cover them. In the Old Testament, since Jesus had not yet come, their sins are said to be covered rather than forgiven. Gen. 3:21.

Unknown (before 1440 b.c.)

God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son whom he loves (Isaac). It is possible that Abraham even took his son to mountain of Golgotha to offer him up (Golgotha is where our Lord was sacrificed, and it would have been a 3 day journey for Abraham). The moment before Abraham is to cut the throat of his son, God provides a substitutionary sacrifice. This all represents God giving His Son on our behalf, to bear our sins as a substitute for us. Gen. 22.

David/

circa 1000 b.c.

Psalm 22 provides us more details about the crucifixion of our Lord than do any of the gospels. My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from saving Me, from the words of My groaning? But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see Me mock Me; they make mouths at Me; they wag their heads; "He trusts in the LORD; let Him deliver Him; let Him rescue Him, for He delights in Him!" Many bulls encompass Me; strong bulls of Bashan surround Me; they open wide their mouths at Me, like a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue sticks to my jaws; You lay me in the dust of death. For dogs encompass Me; a company of evildoers encircles Me; they have pierced My hands and feet--I can count all My bones-- they stare and gloat over Me; they divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots (Psalm 22:1, 6–8, 12–18).

Isaiah/

740–680 b.c.

"Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD; “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. My Servant, will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities (Isa. 1:18 53:4–6, 11b).

Zechariah/

520–518 b.c.

"And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on Me, on Him Whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over Him, as one weeps over a firstborn.” (Zech. 12:10).

Matthew/

45–60 a.d.

Jesus/

25–30 a.d.

Jesus made it clear to Peter that the crucifixion was absolutely necessary. From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you." But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a hindrance to Me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." (Matt. 16:21–23).

Peter/

55–64 a.d.

He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed (1Peter 2:24; paraphrasing Isa. 53:5).

Paul/

65–70 a.d.

We are waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works (Titus 2:13–14).

The most important aspect of our salvation is confirmed by Jesus being brought back from the dead, to live evermore to make intercession on our behalf. This tells us that God the Father accepted the work of Jesus, His Son, as efficacious in the forgiveness of our sins.

Jesus Rises from the Dead and Sits at the Right Hand of the Father

Author/Time Period

Scripture

Job/

Unknown (before 1440 b.c.)

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God (Job 19:25–26). The fact that we will be resurrected is a doctrine of the Old Testament. As we find out in the New Testament, our Lord’s resurrection is the basis for our resurrection.

Unknown (David?)/

circa 1050 b.c.

When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed, and then she asked Saul, "Why did you deceive me? You are Saul!" But the king said to her, "Don't be afraid. What do you see?" "I see a spirit form coming up out of the earth," the woman answered (1Sam. 28:12–13). Samuel was raised from the dead temporarily, not for the benefit of Saul, but to draw further parallels between Samuel and Jesus to come.

David/

circa 1000 b.c.

You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your Holy One see corruption (Psalm 16:10). The LORD declared to my Lord: "Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool." (Psalm 110:1).

Isaiah/

740–680 b.c.

Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For you will be covered with the morning dew, and the earth will bring forth the departed spirits (Isa. 26:19).

Jesus/

30–33 a.d.

Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (He was speaking about the temple of His body) (John 2:19, 21).

John Mark/

writing in 60–70 a.d. of what he heard from Peter

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so they could go and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise. They were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?" Looking up, they observed that the stone--which was very large--had been rolled away. When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; they were amazed and alarmed. "Don't be alarmed," he told them. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has been resurrected! He is not here! See the place where they put Him” (Mark 16:1–6).

Paul/

55–56 a.d.

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain (1Cor. 15:1–6, 12–14).

Unknown/

circa 60 a.d.

The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but He [Jesus] holds His priesthood permanently, because He continues forever. Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them (Heb. 7:23–25).

John/

90–96 a.d.

When I saw Him [Jesus Christ], I fell at His feet as though dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades (Rev. 1:17–18).

How are we saved?

God Will Forgive Us; Salvation is by Faith in Christ Jesus

Author/Time Period

Scripture

Unknown

Unknown (before 1440 b.c.)

And Abraham believed the LORD, and He [God] counted it to him [credited this faith to his account] as righteousness (Gen. 15:6).

Isaiah/

740–680 b.c.

"Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD; “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” My Servant, will justify for many, and He will bear their iniquities (Isa. 1:18 53:11b).

Ezekiel/

593–570 b.c.

Then I will sprinkle clean waters on you, and you shall be clean. I will cleanse you from all your defilement and from all your idols. And I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give to you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall keep My judgments and do them (Ezek. 36:25–27). Although this passage specifically refers to Israel, this is applicable to mankind in general.

Jesus/

30–33 a.d.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:16, 18, 36).

Paul/

56–58 a.d.

For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin." (Rom. 4:3–8; Paul quotes from Gen. 15:6 and Psalm 32:1–2).

Paul/

65–70 a.d.

[God’s love and grace come to us] not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).

John/

circa 90 a.d.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him (John 3:36).

This is the most important theme of the Bible; the ones which come before essentially set us up for this.