SESSION 5: IS THE BIBLE REALLY THE WORD OF GOD?

SESSION 5: IS THE BIBLE REALLY THE WORD OF GOD?
Introduction:
As we discovered in the last two sessions, there is a lot of rational evidence for the existence
of God. The Christian, however, bases most of his/her belief in God by what is revealed in the
Bible. The Bible teaches us not only that God exists, but what He is like and Who He is in Jesus.
Crucial to our study then, are questions like, “Is the Bible really God’s Word?”, “Is the Bible
reliable?” and “Can I trust that the Bible is true?”
Who wrote the Bible? And how was it written?
The Bible makes an awesome claim concerning itself.
2 Timothy 3:16 says that the Bible is inspired by God -
literally “God-breathed.” It refers not to the writer but to
the words written. (See also 2 Peter 1:21)
Men wrote the Bible as they were inspired by God.
Why do you think God used regular men as “instruments”
for His communication?
Is my Bible reliable?
Over
“God said…”
times in the Old Testament alone we read,
It’s interesting that the writers themselves knew they were being used as
mouthpieces for God to speak through…
“The Lord spoke through me.” (2 Samuel 23:2)
“What I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.” (1 Corinthians
14:37)
What would you expect from a book inspired by God?
Some people challenge the reliability of the Bible, not
because they’ve read it but because they don’t want
to confront its truth.
Interesting Facts about the Bible
2,000
We don’t have the original handwritings of Paul,
Peter, John or any other writer of the Bible. We don’t have any original handwritings - or
what are called “ “autographs” ” - of any literary work from ancient history
that are of any real significance.
The real test of the reliability of any ancient work then, depends on the
- the handwritten copies.
manuscripts
Be Ready / Men’s Bible Study-Spring 2012 16

The key is manuscripts we have and they were written.
how many
The New Testament we read today is based on about
early manuscripts or pieces of manuscripts all written in the orignal
Greek.
The Gallic Wars, written about the same time as the New Testament,
is based on 9 or 10 manuscripts. (It’s interesting that no one
questions the reliability of the Gallic Wars).
50 AD to 90 AD
when
5,500
The New Testament was written from . The
earliest fragment dates about 120 fragments dating within
150-200 years. Compare that again to the Gallic
Wars, written about that time, where the earliest copy dates about
1,000 years after it was written!
Another famous work of antiquity is The Iliad by Homer. The first complete copy is dated
about 2,200 years after it was written!
The 5,500 manuscripts were found throughout the known world of the New Testament.
These manuscripts are surprisingly exact in comparison to one another. The minor discrepancies
never alter the meaning of any text. The bulk of these manuscripts agree word
for word with one another!
Our Bible today is based on these first manuscripts. There has not been a lot of “passing
down through the ages” because we have access to these early manuscripts.
1947
The famous Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in , proved that the Old Testament
had been passed down correctly through the years by scribes whose job was to copy exactly
from one text to another (most scholars date the Scrolls at about .
The more you dig into the facts concerning the Bible
the more reliable it becomes!
The early church leaders quoted the New Testament
in their writings. Almost every New Testament
book is quoted by Clement, bishop of Rome, who wrote
about 96 AD.
25,000
150 BC—50 BC
More that sites showing some
connection with the Old Testament period have been
located in Bible lands (archaeologists have found the
Bible to be accurate).
The Bible is full of remarkable prophecies that have been fulfilled. Countless prophecies
are fulfilled in Jesus – His birth, life and death. (Micah 5:2, Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Luke 24:25-
27)

Jesus Himself quoted Scripture as final authority (Matthew 26:54, 56).
For Discussion and Application
Let’s go back to Anselm of Canterbury (from Session Two) which is more true?:
I must understand in order to believe.
I must believe in order to understand.
Don’t forget that the Bible is a spiritual book and the Holy Spirit speaks through Scripture to your
heart. We cannot rely on reason alone.
1. Did you believe the Bible was inspired before you became a Christian? Did you think it was
reliable? Explain:
2. Look at 2 Timothy 3:16 again. What does it mean to you that the Bible is “God-breathed”?
3. What would you expect from someone who is convinced that the Bible is truly the Word of
God? Does your engagement with Scripture reveal your high regard of Scripture?
Pray for God’s Word to be central in your life. Pray for those you’re seeking to reach for
Christ.
Be Ready / Men’s Bible Study-Spring 2012 18