Can We Count On

The Bible? (1)INTRODUCTION

Is the Bible Inspired?

Why This Study?• People are interested • Our confidence in the Bible

relates to how we will approach it• Are we sure it IS the Word of

God? 2 Tim. 2:15“Rightly divide”, Prov. 3:6, 11:5 cf. Rev. 22:18-19, Deut. 12:32

Why This Study?• God’s word the standard of

Judgment – Rom. 2:16, John 5:24-29, 12:48• We live in a society that doubts

and assaults the integrity of the Bible – Can we answer?• Can you defend the word of

God to those you are trying to teach? 1 Peter 3:15

Why This Study?• Because we don’t have to

blindly deny the things critics say. We CAN prove it!• Eph. 5:172 Pet. 1:16 1 Thess. 1:5

IN this study:• We shall see that the Bible IS

inspired• We will examine claims the

Bible makes• How do we know the 66 books

we have are the exclusive word of God?• Is the Bible we have accurate?

IN this study:• Are there errors in

interpretation?• We will examine terms and

sources related to inspiration: I.e. What about the Apocrypha, Septuagint, Dead Sea Scrolls, The “Church Fathers”, Canon, etc.?

IN this study:• How was the Bible translated?• How did we get our English

Bible?• Why so many English

translations? What’s the differences? Does it matter which one(s) we use?

The Bible:• From Greek word, βιβλίον

(Biblion), meaning a book or scroll.• Found 32 times in NT and

180+ times in LXX• In our language the word is

watered down.

Our definition: What we accept to be

the word of God revealedThe 66 books of the Old

and New Testaments

Inspiration• θεόπνευστος, theophneustos

Means, “God breathed”• 2 Tim. 2:16• That which was divinely

directed by God to be spoken and written.

InspirationThe Bible claims inspiration• “Thus says the Lord”• Exodus 24:3-4• Isa. 1:2• 1 Cor. 14:37• Eph. 3:3-5• 1 Cor. 2:10-13• 1 Tim. 4:1

InspirationScriptures claim truth

•Psalm 119:128, 151• John 17:17• Eph. 4:21

InspirationScriptures claim perfection• 2 Tim. 3:16,17•Psalm 19:7-9• James 1:17, 25• John 10:35

InspirationScriptures claim perfection• 2 Tim. 3:16,17•Psalm 19:7-9• James 1:17, 25• John 10:35

InspirationScriptures claim completion• 2 Pet. 1:3• Jude 3•Gal. 1:6-9

InspirationMen spoke as moved by

Holy spirit• 2 Pet. 1:19-21• cf. Num. 22:18, 24:13-14• Gal 1:12• John 16:13-14

Uniqueness of BibleUnique in Unity

• Written over 1600 years• By 40 authors including political

leaders, fishermen, kings, shepherds, prisoners, etc.• Written in palaces, wilderness,

a dungeon, prison, traveling, etc.

Uniqueness of BibleUnique in Unity

•Written during peace time and war•Written on 3 continents –

Europe, Asia & Africa• Written in 3 languages –

Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek

Uniqueness of BibleUnique in Unity

• YET, it’s message one of complete unity from one end to the other•Genesis 3 records Paradise

lost while Revelation 21-22 records Paradise regained.

Uniqueness of BibleUnique in Circulation

• In 2002 (UBS statistics), complete Bible in 392 languages, with portions in 2287 languages and dialects• #1 Best seller of all times and

at any time• Between 1816 and 1992, more

than 6 BILLION copies sold!

Uniqueness of BibleUnique in its survival

• It’s preservation treated with great care• It has withstood persecutions

and attempts to destroy it• It has survived intense

criticisms and assaults

Uniqueness of BibleUnique in its influence

• NO book in all of history has had the influence of the Bible• It influenced our founding

documents and those of many nations.• Jesus, the central figure of

history AND the Bible• 1 Pet. 1:23-25

Considering the claims and influence

of the Bible…

…Let us resolve to take it seriously and be firmly

persuaded of its message.