The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.
~ Isaiah 40:8
Evidence that the Bible is the Word of God
No book has affected the world as much as the Bible. It is the most-translated and best-selling book of all time. It is one of a kind. Through the Bible we have a revelation of God and of the Messiah [Luke 24:27].
There can be no more important question than how to enter the world to come. The Bible gives the answer. The Law of Moses pointed ahead to the Messiah, a redeemer. A new covenant – promised in the Prophets [Jeremiah 31:31-34] – has been instituted by that redeemer, Jesus of Nazareth. The promise of a new covenant foretold full acceptance with God. That salvation comes through faith in the redeeming work of Jesus on the cross.
The New Testament makes little sense unless it is read as a continuation of the Hebrew Bible. And the Hebrew Bible is incomplete without the revelation of the promised Messiah.
Faith that brings reconciliation with God rests upon the whole Bible, both Old and New Testaments.
What does the Bible say about itself?
... the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.
~ Psalms 12:6
All Your words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal.
~ Psalms 119:160
All Scripture is God-breathed ...
~ 2 Timothy 3:16
What did Jesus say about Scripture?
“I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”
~ Matthew 5:18
The New Testament records that Jesus quoted many times from the Tanach – the Law, the Prophets and the Holy Writings. He mentioned events like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Noah and the flood, Jonah and the whale. He referred to biblical characters, from Adam and Eve to Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel. He demonstrated His belief in, and literal interpretation of, the whole canon of Old Testament Scripture.
The unity of the Bible
The sixty-six books of the Bible were written in diverse places, over a 1600-year period, by diverse authors – from kings and priests, to farmers and fishermen. It covers hundreds of themes and controversial subjects, such as heaven and hell, sickness and death, God and the devil, and yet there are no contradictions. Instead, there is harmony in the writings of both testaments.
The Bible describes one basic cause of all human failure – sin, rooted in pride and selfishness. And the Bible gives one way of deliverance – faith in God’s Messiah, who has done for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
Study of the Bible brings us to the conclusion that it is accurate history. It also presents the highest ethical standards, without compromise. We discover that it is one book, with one purpose, one moral standard, one plan of salvation and one explanation for everything.
We come to the conclusion that we have it because it has been supernaturally inspired and supernaturally delivered – by the Spirit of God.
Evidence for the truth of the Bible:
- Part 1: PROPHECY FULFILLED
The Torah contains many prophecies of the coming Messiah which were fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth.
- Part 2: ISRAEL REGATHERED
God warned Israel that He would scatter them if they disobeyed Him. He also promised that He would regather them in the last days. Those prophecies, given thousands of years ago, are being fulfilled now. Only God could have known.
