Answer: It claims to be inspired. It was written by men who were led by the Holy Spirit and can neither be broken nor refuted.

Jesus said: “It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone.” “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” “...it is written: You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” Matthew 4:4.7.10 “Your word is truth.” John 17:17

Answer: Jesus quoted Scripture when he was tempted by Satan and confirmed that the Bible is the truth (John 17:17). Scripture was often quoted by Jesus as the authority for the truth he taught.

The Bible says: “I am the LORD, that is my name; and I will not give my honour to another, nor my glory to idols. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I proclaim; before they come forth I will let you hear them.” Isaiah 42:8.9 “Remember .... that I am God. I proclaim the end from the beginning and from ancient times what has not yet happened.” Isaiah 46:9.10

Answer: Biblical predictions concerning future events confirm the inspiration of Scripture when they are fulfilled. Consider the following examples of fulfilled biblical predictions:

A. Four successive world empires: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome (Daniel chapter 2.7.8).

B. Cyrus as conqueror of Babylon (Isaiah 45:1-3)

C. The city of Babylon would never be inhabited again after its destruction (Isaiah 13:19.20; Jeremiah 51:37)

D. Egypt would never again be a commanding power among the nations (Ezekiel 29:14.15; 30:12.13).

E. Shattering events, fear and terror at the time of the end (Luke 21:25.26).

F. Moral decline and dwindling faith in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

The Bible says: “The sum of your word is truth...” Psalms 119:160. “The Spirit of truth will ... guide you into all the truth.” John 16:13

Answer: Yes, the Bible is reliable. The Holy Spirit, who inspired the biblical writers, always speaks the truth. The following biblical statements have been confirmed by science:

A. “and hangs the earth over the void.” Job 26:7 This scientific fact is mentioned in the book of Job, the oldest book of the Bible.

B. “It is he who sits enthroned above the circle of the earth...” Isaiah 40:22 The Bible says that the earth was round long before people discovered this.

C. “When he gave his weight to the wind.” Job 28:25 Long before scientists knew it, God said that the air has weight.

D. “...and all things are established in him (Jesus).” Colossians 1:17 The term “consist” here means “hold together”. Many Bible translations use the term “hold together”. This is the answer to the anxious question of atomic physicists. The real secret of the atom is not its terrifying mega-power, but rather the fact that it does not explode. According to scientific knowledge, it should burst, but this is not the case. Scientists puzzle over the unknown force that holds the atom together. The Bible explains that this mysterious force is to be sought and found in God, the Creator.

Answer:

A. ...you shall dig a hole with it and turn round and close up what has gone from you. (Deuteronomy 23:13.14).

The biblical instruction given in the days of Moses that what people excrete should be buried was 3,500 years ahead of its time and saved the lives of many thousands of Jews. The cause of major health problems is often to be found in the lack of sanitary facilities.

B. “Neither let us commit fornication...” 1 Corinthians 10:8

The term “fornication” is used to describe any kind of amoral, sexual behaviour. There would be neither the AIDS epidemic nor the international scandal of abortion if this biblical principle were observed.

C. Avoid alcoholic drinks (Proverbs 23:29-32).

Imagine the impact if this highly effective biblical instruction were introduced:

1. millions of alcoholics would become sober, respected citizens.

2. millions of families could be reunited.

3. millions of broken homes are healed again.

4. thousands of lives are saved by sober driving.

5. thousands of clearly thought-out, sensible decisions are made in government, business and professional life.

6. billions of dollars would be available for humanitarian purposes.

Remark: God not only tells us how to stand joyfully in the midst of today's problems, but He also gives us the strength to do so (1 Corinthians 15:57, Philippians 4:13, Romans 1:16). Observing biblical health principles is not only of great benefit, but also urgently needed. (For more on the topic of health, see study guide 13)

The Bible says: “I, the LORD, speak what is right and proclaim what is just.” Isaiah 45:19

Answer: Yes, the historical statements of the Bible are accurate. What God says in his word is true. Sometimes evidence may be delayed for a period of time to support corresponding biblical-historical facts, but in due time the evidence appears. Consider the following:

A. For years, sceptics said that the Bible was unreliable because it mentions the nation of the Hittites (Genesis 7:1) and cities like Nineveh (Jonah 1:1.2) and Sodom (Genesis 19:1), which in their eyes never existed. However, modern archaeology has now confirmed that they really did exist.

B. Critics also said that the kings mentioned in the Bible, Belshazzar (Daniel 5:1) and Sargon (Isaiah 20:1), never existed. And again, it has now been confirmed that they did exist.

C. Sceptics claimed that the biblical account of Moses was unreliable because it spoke of the art of writing (Exodus 24:4) and of wheeled vehicles (Exodus 14:25), which they claimed did not exist at the time. Today, of course, they have been taught better.

D. In the past, the 39 kings of ancient Israel and Judah who ruled during the division of the kingdom were only known from the biblical account. Critics therefore believed they were an invention. But then archaeologists discovered reports in cuneiform script in which some of these kings are mentioned. And again, the Bible proved to be accurate and truthful. The critics' accusations have repeatedly been proven false. New discoveries confirm the existence of biblical people, places and events. And so it will always be.

Answer:

A. The 66 biblical books were written:

1. on three continents.

2. in three languages.

3. about 40 different people (kings, shepherds, scientists, lawyers, a military leader, fishermen, priests and a doctor).

4. over a period of approximately 1500 years.

5. on the most controversial issues.

6. by people who in most cases had never met.

7. by authors whose education and background were very different.

B. And although it seems completely incomprehensible,

1. is there a correspondence between the 66 books?.

2. when new aspects are expressed on a topic, they do not undermine what other biblical writers had said on the same topic.

C. Amazing!

Ask people to describe an event they have experienced together. The different accounts would diverge widely and even contradict each other on some points. But the Bible, which was written by 40 scribes over a period of 1500 years, reads as if it was written by a single great spirit. And indeed: “driven by the Holy Spirit, the holy men of God have spoken.” 2 Peter 1:21 The Holy Spirit had “moved” them all. He is the true author of the Bible. The four Gospels sometimes differ somewhat in their accounts of the same event, but they complement each other.

The Bible says: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new! ” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Answer: The changed lives of those who follow Jesus and obey the Holy Scriptures are the most joyful proof that the Bible is inspired. The drunkard becomes sober the amoral pure the addict free the blasphemer reverent the fearful courageous and the rude friendly.

An American sceptic visited an island whose former inhabitants were cannibals. When he spotted an old man reading the Bible, he made fun of him for reading a book that was “full of fairy tales” that had long since been debunked. The native smiled at him and said: “My friend, be thankful that we believe this book, otherwise we would have eaten you for lunch.” The Bible really does change people and this amazing fact confirms its inspiration.

The Bible says: “and he (Jesus) expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27 “For he (Apollos) publicly refuted the Jews with great vigour, proving by the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.” Acts 18:28

Answer: The Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah were so precise and so accurately fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth that both Jesus and Apollos used these prophecies as proof that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. There are more than 125 such prophecies. We will look at just 12 of them:

Dr Peter Stoner, former chairman of the Department of Mathematics, Astronomy and Technology at Pasadena College California, worked for several years with 600 students by applying the “probability principle” to the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah. Of the many predictions, they selected only eight and calculated the chances of all eight being fulfilled in the lifetime of an individual person. The result was one in 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. What would be the chances of the more than 125 prophecies concerning the Messiah? It couldn't be a coincidence!

The Bible says: ”I am more discerning than the ancients, for I heed your commands.” Psalms 119:100 “You make me . . . wiser than my enemies are.” Psalms 119:98 “...But as high as the heavens are above the earth, so much higher are my ways than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

Answer: A person who accepts the Bible as God's Word will soon find answers to the many complex challenges that remain hidden from worldly scholars. The Bible teaches, for example:

A. God created the earth and all living organisms in six literal 24-hour days Genesis 20:11; Psalms 33:6.9

B. A worldwide flood destroyed everything that lived, except the life in the sea and what was in Noah's ark Genesis chapter 6.7.8.

C. The beginning of the different world languages goes back to the Tower of Babel Genesis 11:1-9

God, who is from eternity and knows everything, communicates the three truths mentioned above to us because he is aware that we would never have come up with them on our own. Our knowledge is “fragmentary” 1 Corinthians 13:9, whereas God's wisdom and knowledge are “beyond our comprehension”. Romans 11:33 Evolutionists will never fathom the age of the earth because it was obviously already of a certain age when it was created, just like Adam and Eve. The couple were only one day old on their second day of life, although they already appear to be mature human beings. It is not possible for human measuring devices to measure pre-existing age. In such cases, they are not trustworthy. If you believe the Bible, you will always be ahead of the speculations of secular scholars and worldly wise men.

Answer: The failure and collapse of communism and the inconsistency of the theory of evolution have put the Bible centre stage.

Remark:

The socialist republics of the Soviet Union tried communism, atheism and also evolution, which is the number one tenet of Marxism. They all failed. The new democracies that have emerged are aware that only one thing works. Almost with one voice they call out to Christianity: “Bring us the Bible and Christian doctrine. We must now build on the firm, immovable foundation of prayer and Christian faith. Nothing can compare with it, nor will anything else answer the great questions of life and bring peace of heart to mankind. Please don't keep us waiting! We urgently want and need the Bible, God and Christians now.” And once again, God's word triumphs.

Evolution, like communism, is losing its claim to power and its credibility. Let us not forget that this is nothing more than an unproven, shaky theory. We will only mention three points:

1. Robert Gentry's book “The Tiny Secrets of Creation“ has unsettled many evolutionists in their seemingly clear proof of a Big Bang. “Mystery of the Rocks“, an easily understandable book, can be useful for further reading.

2. Recently, molecular biology has shown that the single cell turns the random origin of life into a mathematical absurdity.

3. The widely divergent age determinations of the layers of the Grand Canyon by scientific measurements, which contradict earlier determinations, make evolutionists and their previous measurements appear irresponsible. The atheistic theory of evolution, which claims that man and ape are of the same ancestry, mocks the idea of man being created in the image of God. It denies the existence of God and completely rejects Jesus as Saviour, rejects the Bible and ridicules the truth of an eternal home in heaven. Satan likes the theory of evolution because it destroys the credibility of salvation. The communists are relearning. And what about us?

The Bible says: “Your word is . . . a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105 “These things have I spoken unto you, that your joy may be full.” John 15:11 “And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him.” Genesis 1:27 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 “...I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3

Answer: Because it answers the most puzzling questions of life:

A. Where do I come from? God created us in his image. We did not come into being by chance from the slime of primeval times. We are sons and daughters of God, the mighty King (Galatians 3:26). We are so valuable in God's eyes that when Adam and Eve sinned, he gave his Son to die to take the punishment for our sins so that we could go free. He wants to restore his image in us and then bring us back to Eden, the home that Adam and Eve lost.

B. What am I here for? Our goal in life should be to discover the marvellous biblical answers to life's puzzling problems and to accept Jesus' offer to restore His image in us (Romans 8:29).

C. What does the future hold for me? There is no guessing about the future. Jesus will return very soon to take his people to the beautiful home he has prepared in heaven for his children. There the redeemed will live forever in indescribable happiness and everlasting joy (John 14:1-3; Revelation 21:3.4).

Answer:

Yes, that is precisely one of the facts that gives the Bible credibility. In most biographies, the bad is omitted or trivialised and the good is often exaggerated. Truthful reporting gives people confidence in the Bible because it doesn't gloss over anything. It is Satan's strategy to try to convince people that they are too big sinners for God to want to and be able to save them. What joy then seizes such people when the Bible shows them cases similar to their own (or worse), which God freed from sin and justified (Romans 15:4)!

The Bible itself answers this: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 The Bible not only contains the Word of God, but it is the Word of God. The Bible is the source of information about human life and the instruction for it. Anyone who ignores even a little of it will have unnecessary difficulties and problems.

No. Her age is her advantage. In fact, it is proof of their inspiration. The Bible says: “But this is the word which was preached to you as the gospel.” 1 Peter 1:25 The Bible stands firm as a rock. It is the book of God - his word. It cannot be destroyed. People, even entire nations, have burned, banished, destroyed and tried to discredit the Bible. In doing so, they have discredited themselves. They are no longer around and their attacks on the Bible are forgotten. But the Bible remains a bestseller and is in constant demand. Millions would lay down their lives for it if they had to. Its message is God-given and 100 per cent up to date. Pray before you study the Bible and ask God to open your heart as you read.

Intelligent people, who can understand and explain almost everything, are often quickly at a loss when they read the Bible. The reason for this is that spiritual things must be understood “spiritually”. 1 Corinthians 2:13.14 The deep truths of the Word of God can never be grasped by the worldly mind, no matter how highly intelligent it may be. Unless one sincerely seeks an experience with God, divine things remain hidden from him. The Holy Spirit, who interprets the Bible (John 16:13; 14:26), is not comprehended by the carnal, worldly mind. On the other hand, the humble, even uneducated Christian receives amazing understanding through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 11:25; 1 Corinthians 2:9.10).

The overwhelming majority of so-called errors in the Bible have proven to be simply a lack of understanding or judgement. They are not errors at all, but simply misunderstood truths. The inspired Bible

1. will always tell you the truth,

2. will never mislead you,

3. is always trustworthy,

4. is reliable and authoritative - not only in spiritual matters, but also in other areas, including history and science.

Satan is constantly endeavouring to find some apparent error in Scripture, which is not surprising. He even claims to have discovered errors in God and heaven. Mistakes may have been made in some instances in the copying of the Bible, but no such alleged error affects the truth of God's Word. The doctrine is not based on a single Bible text, but on all the statements made by God on any subject. We are not aware of any alleged error of any kind that could influence the truth of the Holy Scriptures. However, there are things in the Bible that are difficult to understand and therefore there will always be room for doubt for those who want to doubt. We believe that even alleged errors that have not yet been fully explained will soon prove to be false alarms (as they have in the past). The more doggedly attempts are made to undermine the credibility of the Bible, the brighter its light will shine.