When I was a young man, I thought the Bible was nothing more than fiction. Yet in my college I met some students who actually believed it true. To prove them wrong, I set out to show how the Bible was unreliable. I’m pleased to report my failure. I discovered that the Bible is fully accurate and that we can know God personally through its pages.
Josh McDowell4
Did you have the same experience as Josh? I know I did. But instead of friends or classmates, it was with my husband. Similarly, I am happy to share that I was proved wrong. People often think that the contents of the Bible are myths and legends. Furthermore, they compare God’s stories with those of the Greeks, Romans, etc.
On this week’s insights we will discuss some of the facts that supports the authenticity of the Bible.
Scripture
2 Peter 1
Overview
The second letter of Peter was a teaching on how to handle heresy or trials from within the body of Christ. Peter knew that life on earth is limited, and his letter was a warning to believers about false teachers. Furthermore, reminds us on the unchanging truth of the Gospel. Believers today must be vigilant because false teachers are subtly deceitful and will try to deceive you with their false doctrines, heresy and cult activity.
In Peter’s letter, clue are given to assist in detecting false teachings and how to steer clear from it1. The first chapter on the second letter of Peter is divided into four parts, “Salutation”, “Growth in Christ”, “Experience of the Transfiguration”, and “Certainty of the Scripture”2.
Observation
2 Peter 1:20-21 KJV 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Application
There are a lot of evidences to prove that the Bible is true and factual. Writers of the Bible were different people from different tribes (Old Testament) and nations (New Testament). Yet, when we look into the context of the Bible, it seems like it was written by one person. As can be seen, the Bible was indeed made by one author and used different writers.
God is the author of the Bible. He used eyewitnesses to write down what they saw through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. There are a number of the prominent non-Christian historians and researches who have agreed on the authenticity of the events in the Bible.
Old Testament Review
David Rohl is an Egyptologist, a historian, lecturer, photographer and a free thinker5. Few of his famous writings are “A Test of Time: The Bible from Myth to History”, “Legend: the Genesis of Civilization”, and “The Lords of Avaris: Investigating the Origins of Western Civilization”5. One of his controversial works was in the accounts of the Exodus.
In this documentary, the accounts on the Bible were reviewed in alignment with that of archeological evidences and how it appears on the history timeline.
Watch: The Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus6 and see for yourself the data that is presented.
New Testament Review
Flavius Josephus was a Jewish priest, scholar and historian. Few of his major works are “History of the Jewish War”, “The Antiquities of the Jews” and “Against Apion”7. The events about Jesus in the New Testament can be studied and verified when you look into the works of Josephus.
Watch: Pontius Pilate Blunder: Supposed Biblical Error #128. This Youtube page has some interesting history facts for the Bible.
Scriptural Review
Peter, among the many man of God, has stated it well when he said that “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2 Peter 1:16 KJV).
As Christians, we should always immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Moreover, we should constantly ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in our reading and study of the scriptures. Researching outside the scriptures, is also helpful in understanding the Bible.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, author of our salvation. We thank You for giving us Your Son to be our Redeemer. Thank You Jesus for dying on the cross on our behalf. Giving us a chance to have eternal life with You, the Holy Spirit and the Father. We thank You, Holy Spirit for inspiring the writers of the Bible, and that the Bible is available for us today. May You guide us in our readings and give us wisdom and understanding in knowing God.
All these we pray in Jesus’ holy name. Amen.
REFERENCE
12012. Chronological Life Application Study Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
21989. King James Bible. Thomas Nelson, Inc.
42017. Apologetics: Study Bible for Students. Christian Standard Bible. Holman Bible Publishers.
5 https://andrewgough.co.uk/interviews_rohl/ retrieved on 28Nov2020.
6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peOj0DmS9YA retrieved on 28Nov2020.
7 https://www.britannica.com/biography/Flavius-Josephus retrieved on 28Nov2020.
8 Pontius Pilate Blunder: Supposed Bible Error #12 retrieved on 28Nov2020.
