The Authority of the Bible

Is the Bible the true word of God?

Introduction

"I believe God exists, but how do I know that the Bible was inspired by God?" is a good question. It comes from a spiritually maturing mind that is seriously and sincerely seeking to know the answer. For such seekers, this Bible study guide outline was prepared.

JOHN 17:17 "Your [God, the Father's] word is truth."

II TIMOTHY 3:16 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God ...."

1. If the Bible is the word of God, then its statements must be true. Do you agree?

2. If one can find a verse that is not true, then it must not be inspired by God. Do you agree?

Scientifically Accurate

1. When was the Bible written? Has scientific knowledge increased in the last century and proven false earlier theories and concepts? Find out when the following scriptures were written and when scientists came to the same conclusion.

a. The earth is round. Isaiah 40:22It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
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b. The Water Cycle. Job 36:27-28 [27] For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:
[28] Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.

See All...; Ecclesiastes 1:6-7 [6] The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
[7] All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.

See All...; 11:3; Amos 9:6It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name.
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c. There are warm and cold ocean currents. Psalm 8:8The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
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d. The earth is held in place by an invisible force. Job 26:7He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.
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e. Human blood is the same among all races and nations. Acts 17:26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
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f. Quarantining patients with contagious disease is a vital practice. Leviticus 13:46All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be.
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g. Sanitary disposal of human waste. Deuteronomy 23:12-13 [12] Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad:
[13] And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:

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2. How do you explain that these Bible writers were able to record accurate scientific knowledge centuries before man discovered the facts for himself?

3. Do biblical statements conflict with known facts of science?

Historically Accurate

1. Has archaeology been successful for confirming the biblical record?

2. Other cultures have legends and historical records similar to the biblical account of stories concerning all mankind (for example, creation, Noachian flood, Tower of Babel). What does this fact imply about the Bible’s veracity?

Prophetically Accurate

II PETER 1:21 ...for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

1. Do men make specific predictions about the future? How often has any man's prophecies been right? Is only God powerful enough to make His prophecies always come true?

2. Did the Bible prophesy events that have occurred? Was the prophecy written after the event, as some charge? Was the prophecy written shortly before the event showing that the writer may have only been making an educated guess about the future?

3. Compare the following prophecies with history:

a. Kingdom of Edom and its capitol, Petra -- Isaiah 34; Jeremiah 49; Ezekiel 25,35

b. Cities of Ashkelon and Gaza -- Jeremiah 47; Amos 1; Zephaniah 2; Zechariah 9

c. City of Samaria -- Hosea 13; Micah 1

What is the probability that each of these prophecies was fulfilled entirely by chance?

LUKE 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He [Jesus] expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

4. Did Jesus fulfill all the prophecies concerning the Messiah?

Contradictions?

JOHN 10:35 ... the Scripture cannot be broken

1. How many men were used to write the Bible? Over how many years were the books of the Bible written?

2. Are there supposed contradictions in the Bible? List some. Can they be explained reasonably?

Experience

I THESSALONIANS 5:21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.

1. How can one "test" the Bible?

2. Is this statement true or false: If the Bible is truly the words of God, then applying its commands and exhortations in one's life should prove wise. Compare with Proverbs 2:6For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
See All.... Read Psalm 19:6-11 [6] His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
[7] The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
[8] The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
[9] The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
[10] More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
[11] Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

See All... and Psalm 119:1(ALEPH.) Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
See All..., 93, 98-100, 105, 129-130, 138, 165 and comment.

3. Are there plausible explanations for Biblical laws?

4. What have you experienced as a result of obedience to God's commands as recorded in the Bible?

Summary

1. What does God say about the Bible?

2. Does God claim to have inspired every word of it? Does God want us to try applying its teachings?

3. What do people in the world say about the Bible's veracity? Is there a consensus that it is the "Word of God"?

4. Do your peers think the stories of the Bible are myths? Do they think biblical commands are outdated?

5. What do you believe? Are you personally convicted that the Bible is the "Word of God"? Why or why not?