Bible Study #1: Is There Anything Left You Can Trust? (Part 2 of 3)

Amazing  Facts Online Bible Studies
Bible Study #1: Is There Anything Left You Can Trust? Part 1

6. Are the historical statements of the Bible accurate?

The Bible says, "I the Lord speak the truth, I declare what is right." Isaiah 45:19, RSV.* Ancient artifacts unearthed by archaeologists repeatedly confirm the accuracy and truth of the Bible. Answer: Yes, Bible historical statements are accurate. What God says in His book is true. Sometimes, temporarily, evidence may not be found to substantiate certain historical facts from the Bible, but in time the evidence surfaces. Note the following: A. For years skeptics said the Bible was unreliable because it mentions the Hittite nation (Deuteronomy 7:1) and cities like Nineveh (Jonah 1:1, 2) and Sodom (Genesis 19:1), which they denied ever existed. But now modern archaeology has confirmed that all three did, indeed, exist. B. Critics also said that Bible-mentioned kings Belshazzar (Daniel 5:1) and Sargon (Isaiah 20:1) never existed. Once again, it has now been confirmed they did exist. C. Skeptics also said the Bible record of Moses was not reliable because it mentions writing (Exodus 24:4) and wheeled vehicles (Exodus 14:25), neither of which they said existed at the time. They, of course, know better today. D. At one time the 39 kings of ancient Israel and Judah who reigned during the divided kingdom were authenticated only from the Bible record, so critics charged fabrication. But then archaeologists found cuneiform records that mentioned many of these kings and, once again, the Bible record was proved accurate. Critics have repeatedly been proved wrong as new discoveries confirm biblical people, places, and events. It will always be so. 7. One of the greatest miracles of the Bible is its unity. Please ponder the following amazing facts: Answer: A. The 66 books of the Bible were written: 1. On three continents. 2. In three languages. 3. By about 40 different people (kings, shepherds, scientists, attorneys, an army general, fishermen, priests, and a physician). 4. Over a period of about 1,500 years. 5. On the most controversial subjects. 6. By people who, in most cases, had never met. 7. By authors whose education and background varied greatly. B. Yet, though it seems totally inconceivable, 1. The 66 books maintain harmony with each other. 2. Often new concepts on a subject are expressed, but these concepts do not undermine what other Bible writers say on the same subject. C. Talk about astounding! Ask people who have viewed an identical event to each give a report of what happened. They will differ widely and will virtually always contradict each other in some way. Yet the Bible, penned by 40 writers over a 1,500-year period, reads as if written by one great mind. And, indeed, it was: "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21. The Holy Ghost "moved" them all. He is the real Bible Author. The four Gospels do sometimes differ in the way they report the same event, but they complement each other. 8. What evidence of Bible inspiration is found in the lives of people? Accepting Christ and obeying Scripture changes a drunken, immoral, profane sinner into a loving, sober, pure Christian. Skeptics cannot explain this fact. The Bible says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17. Answer: The changed lives of those who follow Jesus and obey Scripture constitute the most heartwarming proof of Bible inspiration. The drunkard becomes sober; the immoral, pure; the addicted, free; the profane, reverent; the fearful, courageous; and the rude, kind. An American skeptic was visiting an island whose natives were originally cannibals. When he spotted an old man reading the Bible, he ridiculed him for reading a book "full of myths which had already been exposed." The native smiled at him and said, "My friend, be grateful we do believe this book. Otherwise, we would be serving you for dinner." The Bible really does change people, and this amazing fact confirms its inspiration.

9. What evidence for Bible inspiration emerges when we compare Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah with New Testament happenings in the life of Jesus?

The Bible says, "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He [Jesus] expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27. "For he [Apollos] vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ." Acts 18:28, NKJV.* Answer: The Old Testament predictions of the Messiah to come were so specific and so clearly fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth that both Jesus and Apollos used these prophecies to prove to the Jews that Jesus was, indeed, the Messiah. There are more than 125 of these prophecies. Let's review just 12 of them: Prophecy Old Testament Scripture New Testament Fulfillment 1. Born in Bethlehem Micah 5:2 Matthew 2:1 2. Born of a virgin Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:18-23 3. Of David's lineage Jeremiah 23:5 Revelation 22:16 4. Attempted murder by Herod Jeremiah 31:15 Matthew 2:16-18 5. Betrayal by a friend Psalms 41:9 John 13:18, 19, 26 6. Sold for 30 silver coins Zechariah 11:12 Matthew 26:14-16 7. Crucified Zechariah 12:10 John 19:16-18, 37 8. Lots cast for His clothes Psalms 22:18 Matthew 27:35 9. No bones broken Psalms 34:20; Exodus 12:46 John 19:31-36 10. Buried in rich man's tomb Isaiah 53:9 Matthew 27:57-60 11. Year, day, hour of His death Daniel 9:26, 27; Exodus 12:6 Matthew 27:45-50 12. Raised the third day Hosea 6:2 Acts 10:38-40 Jesus fullfilled more than 125 Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. Dr. Peter Stoner, former chairman of the departments of mathematics, astronomy, and engineering at Pasadena College (California), worked with 600 students for several years applying the "principle of probability" to the prophecies of the Messiah's coming. They chose just eight from the many available and finally decided the chances of all eight being fulfilled in one man in a lifetime is one in 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. What would the odds be on the more than 125 prophecies of the Messiah? It couldn't just happen! If you have any questions, leave them as a comment and I'll do my best to answer them. If I don't know the answer, I'll find someone who does. Have a great weekend! :)