Reliability of the Bible: Part III

The Bible: The Most Bibliographically Verified Source in History

continued from Reliability of the Bible: Part I, and Reliability of the Bible: Part II

Same Theme all the way through

The continuity of the Bible amazes me.

66 different books
40 different authors
3 different languages
Written over a 1500 year time span
Same message, same God, same Savior


2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Secular Writings

Dr. Phil Fernandes took some time to point out several ancient secular writers who confirmed the message of the New Testament.

Thallus (52 A.D.) wrote about the darkness of the sky when Jesus died

Mark 15:33-34, “Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ which is translated, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ ”

Tacitus (115 A.D.) wrote about Christ’s death and the 50 day gap before the explosion of Christianity

Acts 2:41, “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” [on the day of Pentecost after Jesus’ ascension into heaven]

Josephus (37-97 A.D.) hired by the Romans to record Jewish history, says he used to visit Noah’s Ark on Mt. Ararat

Genesis 8:3-4, “The water receded steadily from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the water had gone down, and on the seventeenth day of the seventh month the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.”

Talmud (70-200 A.D.) talks about Jesus as illegitimate and a sorcerer.

Acts 2:22, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know…” [emphasis mine]

Common Experience of Christians

Since Jesus’ resurrection, millions of people have come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior. Each person is an eyewitness to the miracles that God performs in their own lives the lives of others. Every true Christian has a personal relationship with Jesus.

At Worldview Academy, I felt incredibly encouraged by the presence of so many young Christians. At a Christian leadership camp, it’s reasonable to expect that almost everyone is a Christian. That knowledge—that all these people believe the same truth I believe and that we all love the same Savior—fills me with joy.

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Resources

The Bible
The New Evidence by Josh McDowell
Thy Word is Truth by E.J. Young
The New Testament Documents by F.F. Bruce

http://www.everystudent.com/features/bible.html
http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/bibleorg.html
http://www.godsaidmansaid.com/topic3.asp?Cat2=262&ItemID=555
http://www.biblicaldefense.org/Writings/old_testament_reliability.htm
http://biblicaldefense.org/

Note: All Biblical references are from the New King James version.