Part 1, The Sufficiency of the Scripture series
2 Peter 1:16-21
One of the most common questions to our faith is the reliability of the Bible. Very few, if there is any, will come up to you and ask, “What shall I do to inherit the kingdom of God?” The faith question has now shifted to, “How do I know that your Bible can be trusted?” However, this is not just the question of non-Christians but many Christian as well. Many believers find it hard to explain why the Bible can be trusted. There are many reasons, I want to share with you to help you gain confidence in the Bible, so this is just part one. I hope that this confidence will grow your desire to read the Bible daily and give you the courage to share the gospel.
1. The Bible was written by many ordinary people who were moved by the Holy Spirit.
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty…“21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:16, 21.
40 different authors from different positions in the society.
3 different continents: Asia, Europe and Africa.
3 different languages: Hebrew, Greek and some portions in Aramaic.
A collection of 66 books written in a span of 1500 years.
Words of instructions came from God.
The authors were moved by the Holy Spirit to write.
The Holy Spirit used their personalities, thought processes, their experiences and their own language to write the Word of God without error.
2. The Bible is a compilation of facts written by first-hand eyewitnesses (and a historian named Luke).
“but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty…” 2 Peter 1:16.
True stories by first-hand eyewitnesses.
Some were kings, Jewish leaders, and governor. Some were ordinary fisherman like Peter and John, a tax collector, a doctor and historian (Luke).
Their motive was simply to tell the story as it happened.
They wrote about the prophecies concerning Jesus, including his life and ministry.
3. The Bible is not a fiction book but a record of Jesus’ miracles.
18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.” 2 Peter 1:16a-18.
“13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 2:13-14
The Bible is a spiritual book.
Not from human wisdom.
Spiritual realities cannot be understood apart from God.
It’s foolishness to those who reject it.
Thus, we cannot force people to trust the Bible, but as believers, we should fully trust it.
5. The claims of the Bible regarding Jesus are verifiable.
“19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” 1 Peter 1:19.
Flavius Josephus, a Jewish Historian wrote about Jesus in his book Jewish Antiquities.
Other historians also wrote about Jesus.
We have been challenged today, to go back to the fundamentals of our faith. We need to ask God for wisdom and to give us the desire to read, study, meditate, and memorize some verses that would be useful in defending the reliability of the Bible.