WHY BELIEVE THE BIBLE

WHY BELIEVE THE BIBLE?

This is my Bible - my Light and my Guide.

It points me to JESUS the Savior of the world.

It tells me of God's great Love for me,

and spells out the many Promises of Hope

and how God puts people right with Himself

through the kind of Faith that Abraham had.

God's Word is truth and refreshing water to my soul.

Thank You God for teaching me to seek You

in all that I do. I trust You today and choose to

commit my every decision to You so that

I can grow strong like the tree planted by

the water. In Jesus' name, Amen.

    The certainty of those things in which you were instructed.    “Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.”  Luke 1:1-4 (NKJV)

1. Why want to believe????

    a) The Bible teaches life after death.

    b) I want a better home in Eternity.

    c) I want to meet friends and loved ones who have passed on.

    d) Greatest scientists, philosophers and great men of the past believed the Bible is true.

    e) Jesus taught the Bible is true.  I do not want to reject the Bible without good reason.

2. Must take the Bible on faith?

    a) But this is also true of atheism.  It is a "faith."

    b) What is "proof"??? - testimony we will accept.

    “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.”  Heb 11:1-2 (NLT)

3. Proof of the Bible.

    “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Tim 3:16-17 (NKJV)

    a) The Bible Itself.  We do not think it strange that we go to mathematics to prove mathematics.

        1) The unity of the Bible.  From Genesis to Revelation.

        2) The influence of the Bible.  Changes hearts.

    b) Prophecy and fulfillment.  The antiquity of the Bible can be established.  Therefore its prophecies and the later fulfillment are proof.

4. Archaeology.  The facts uncovered by digging in the ancient ruins all support the facts of the Bible.  This is proof.  Recent new discoveries continue to confirm the Bible.

5. Testimony of Historians.

    a) The "church fathers" who wrote of these things oin ancient times.  Their testimony is not to be rejected simply because they were part of the church.

    b) Disinterested parties.  Ancient historians who had no reason to support Christianity also wrote things which help establish the truth of the Bible.

    c) Enemies of Christianity.  Some who actively opposed Christianity nevertheless wrote things which establish facts and truths of the Bible.

6. Its Indestructibility.  Jesus said: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."  Mark 13:31.

    Other "sacred books" are lovingly preserved by their followers, in dusty archives, in dead languages, protected from the destructive forces of the world.

    The Bible continues to be out in the forefront of the battle, rendered into the languages of Man, surviving the attacks and slurs - indestructible!!!  The Bible Societies and many others work to present the Bible in the numerous languages of mankind.  Satan cannot prevent this from happening.  The “gates of hell” cannot prevail against it.