A study that shows evidence that the Bible comes from God and is reliable. The words contained in it were given to men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit who gave the writers the words He heard from God. The New Testament contains the words that Jesus Christ gave to His apostles before He ascended to heaven. Before leaving, Jesus promised them that the Holy Spirit would be sent to them who would teach them all things and would bring all things to their remembrance whatsoever Jesus said to them (John 14:26). He further stated in John 12:48 that those words would judge us in the last day.
2. THE BIBLE – THE WORD OF GOD The bible claims to be the word of God. Anyone who reads it cannot help but notice the phrases that say, “the Lord said” (219 times), “God said” (46 times), “the word of the Lord came to me saying” (42 times), etc. These are bold statements made by the writers. They are either true or false. Note 2 Tim 3:13 thru 2 Tim 4:4 2
3. THE BIBLE – THE WORD OF GOD Written over a period of 1500 years By about 40 writers many who never knew one another Yet an honest investigator cannot find a contradiction in what they wrote. Any subject the Bible speaks on is always in complete harmony with known facts. Science and archeology continue to confirm what the Bible has already stated. 3
4. THE BIBLE – THE WORD OF GOD How can we depend on it’s words today? What assurances are we given? To what degree is the Bible inspired? We have no original manuscripts of OT or NT. How do we know our translations are reliable? 4
5. THE BIBLE – THE WORD OF GOD What the Bible says for itself. Ps 119:89 forever thy word is settled Is 55:10-11 My word shall not return… void Matt 24:35 …My words shall not pass away. 1 Cor 10:11 All these things happened … Eph 2:7 in the ages to come He might show.. Eph 3:1-11 I wrote afore in few words … 5
6. THE BIBLE – THE WORD OF GOD What the Bible says for itself(cont’d). Jude 3 earnestly contend for the faith Matt 28:20 teaching them to observe all 1 Cor 14:37 the things I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord Num 23:19 hath He said and shall he not do it? 1 Pet 1:24-25 the word of the Lord endureth forever 6
7. THE BIBLE – THE WORD OF GOD The Bible claims to be inspired 2 Tim 3:16-17 all scripture given by the inspiration (theopneustos) of God Inspiration -theo =God, pneustos =breathed 2 Pet 1:3, 12,13 & 15 God hath given us all things pertaining to life and godliness From this, we believe the Bible to be fully, by word, inspired by God. 7
8. THE BIBLE – THE WORD OF GOD The Bible claims to be inspired - OT (cont’d) Ex 20:1 God spake all these words saying Ex 24:1-4 Moses wrote all these words Ex 34:27 write thou these words Deut 4:1-2 not to add to or take from Ps 40:7 I come in the volume of a book Prov 30:5-6 every word of God is pure 8
9. THE BIBLE – THE WORD OF GOD The Bible claims to be inspired - OT (cont’d) Neh 8:1-18 reading and translating Is 34:16 seek ye out the book of the Lord Jer 30:1-2 write thee all the words Jer 36:1-32 write and rewrite the words Mal 4:1-6 close of the OT revelation 9
10. THE BIBLE – THE WORD OF GOD With Malachi the OT age of inspiration ceases. It is the last book written and no more words from God for about 400 years. Notice; Malachi 4:5 will send Elijah the prophet Luke 1:17 in the spirit and power of Elias Matt 17:10-13 Elias is come already 10
11. THE BIBLE – THE WORD OF GOD OT written in Hebrew and copies made by uninspired scribes as they were needed In 285BC the Hebrew scriptures were translated into Koine Greek by 72 uninspired Jewish scholars and called the Septuagint or LXX which means 70. This was necessary because most Jews understood only the Koine Greek which was used by all at the time. Jesus and His apostles used and quoted from this version. 11
12. THE BIBLE – THE WORD OF GOD Full, word for word, inspiration of the translated word of God. Jesus quoted it. Matt 15:8-9 a quote from the LXX Mk 12:36 David said by the HS (Ps 110:1) Acts 2:34-35 Peter quotes the same scripture Heb 3:7-8 wherefore the HS saith (Ps 95:7-8) Heb 9:8 the HS this signifying (Lev 16) Heb 10:15 the HS yet bears witness (Jer 31:33) 12
13. THE BIBLE – THE WORD OF GOD It must be noted that Jesus and His apostles also used and quoted from the existing Hebrew scrolls of the OT. Lk 4:16-21 This day is this scripture fulfilled (Is 61:1) Acts 13:15, 26-27 reading of the law and the prophets 13
14. THE BIBLE – THE WORD OF GOD So, the internal evidence of the Bible forces us to the conclusion that God’s word was faithfully copied down from the time it was originally given to Moses and the prophets. The OT was complete when Jesus came and had been for some 400 years. (since Malachi). Jesus quoted from the Koine Greek translation (LXX) as well as the Hebrew, thereby approving them as reliable even though they were copied and translated by uninspired men. 14
15. THE BIBLE – THE WORD OF GOD God has given us assurances Is 40:8 ..the word of our God shall stand Deut 4:2 ..ye shall not add unto the word Prov 30:6 ..add thou not unto His words Matt 5:18 ..one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled Jot – smallest letter; Tittle – smallest stroke 15
16. THE BIBLE – THE WORD OF GOD We’ll look at OT prophecy fulfillment next. But notice what Jesus says : John 12:48 we will be judged by His words John 8:24 if you believe not that I am Lk 13:3&5 except ye repent Lk 12:8 whosoever shall confess Me Mk 16:16 believeth and is baptized John 8:31-32 if you continue in my word 16