Historical Posts
The Tragedy of Ignorance
You know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God
In an encounter with the Sadducees, Jesus said to them: “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Matthew 22:29). I can’t help but wonder if He would not say the same thing to many believers today!
Ignorance is a dangerous thing
There are many things we do not need to know, but when it comes to the Scriptures we cannot afford to be ignorant. Hosea wrote: Hear the word of the Lord, O children of Israel, for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land (Hosea 4:1). My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children (Hosea 4:6). And of Ephraim he said, I have written for him the great things of My law, but they were considered a strange thing (Hosea 8:12).
Conditions today are not that much better
Pollster George Gallup Jr. has long referred to America as a “nation of biblical illiterates.” Only four in 10 Americans know that Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. A majority of citizens cannot name the four Gospels of the New Testament. Would those in the church do any better?
Which of the following is found in Scripture?
- Cleanliness is next to godliness.
- God helps those who help themselves.
- Confession is good for the soul.
- We are as prone to sin as sparks fly upward.
- Money is the root of all evil.
- Honesty is the best policy.
Many things the Bible does not say are widely embraced as Scripture
If you answered that none of them are in the Bible, you would be correct. Many things the Bible does not say are widely embraced as Scripture, while much of what it does say is denied. One survey of mainline Protestants revealed that barely half of Lutherans, Methodists, and Presbyterians believed in the devil, but 56 percent of Lutherans and 49 percent of Methodists believed in UFOs. And, while nearly three-fourths of all Americans believe in hell, hardly any believe it to be their likely destination for eternity.
The consequences of religious ignorance are devastating
Nations crumble, lives are destroyed, and souls are lost out of ignorance of God’s word. We need to be far more conscientious in our study of the Bible, and our commitment to living up to its demands. Biblical ignorance in the world is demoralizing, but in the church it is reprehensible. His word must be a lamp to our feet and light to our path (Psalm 119:105).
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Why Can’t We Agree?
Division is condemned
Why are there so many churches? Why is there so much disagreement among professed believers? Will believers ever be united? Unity is desirable. Jesus prayed that His disciples would be united (John 17:20-21). Division was condemned in the church at Corinth. Paul pleaded with them to speak the same thing and to be perfectly joined together in mind and thought (1 Corinthians 1:10). It is said of the early church at Jerusalem that they were of one heart and soul (Acts 4:32).
What can we do?
Can we understand the Bible? Is unity possible? Where have we gone wrong? What can we do?
We need unity
First, we must acknowledge the need for unity. A house divided against itself cannot stand (Matthew 12:22-28). When division occurs, believers become so involved in fighting each other that the real enemy, Satan, goes unchallenged. He (the devil) is, therefore, the greatest advocate of division. Only the devil rejoices when brethren fight. All of us should long for common ground upon which we can stand together.
Authority of Scripture is the answer
Second, not only is unity desirable, it is attainable. But, for unity to occur we must acknowledge the authority of Scripture, and willing submit to it. Here is where the problems arise. The difficulty is not in understanding what the Scriptures say, but in accepting what they say. Far too often, our actions are based, not on what the Bible teaches, but on what we think, feel, or believe! Everything is subjective, and the absolute standard of God’s word is ignored. There can be no unity where truth is ignored. Faith and practice must derive from Scripture (1 Peter 4:11).
Unity in faith
The pioneer preachers of the Restoration Movement made a valid plea when they proclaimed: “In matter of faith, unity! In matters of opinion, liberty! And, in all things, charity (love)!”
Cannot compromise principles
We desire unity, but we cannot compromise principles to achieve it!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Seven Steps to Greater Bible Understanding
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Introduction
A. Some claim that the Bible is too old, too long, too boring, or too difficult. Yet amazingly, the United Bible Society distributed 23,200,000 Bibles in 2001 alone — an average of 44 Bibles per minute throughout the year.
B. It is necessary to do more than just own a copy of the Bible, or engage in some superficial reading. We must learn to understand it and live by it.
Body
I. Step One — One Theme
The resurrected Christ met some disciples on the road to Emmaus. They were distressed while his identity was hidden from them. It was then the third day, and they had hoped he would redeem Israel.
The Lord said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken” (Luke. 24:25; 26-27,44-47).
We must familiarize ourselves with the single theme of Scripture:
Salvation through the suffering of Christ. Jesus is coming; Jesus is here; Jesus is coming back.
II. Step Two — Two Covenants
Failing to understand the divine purposes of the Old and New Testaments will invariably lead to misunderstanding the Bible. (Galatians 3:23-25)
The Old Testament was not given to teach how one becomes a Christian. It is not a guide for Christian worship. A pattern for the church is not given in the Old Testament; that must be read in light of New Testament revelation. (Colossians 2:14)
We do study the Old Testament, however, to satisfy life’s basic questions (Genesis 1:1), to perceive that our relationship with God is one of Creator and creature, to understand the nature of sin and its consequences, and to learn the principle that God rewards the obedient and punishes the rebellious. (Romans 15:4)
In the Old Testament, we also see valuable apologetic material in predictive prophecy. As we see God’s design in the Old and New Testaments, we come to understand the Bible better.
III. Step Three — Three Ages of Time
The point of this step is this: we must familiarize ourselves with the content of the Bible, and we must follow its history from beginning to end.
We must actually read the content of Scripture to understand it better. Otherwise, we may pick up facts here and there and fail to have a comprehension of the wonderful unity of Scripture.
It has a single theme is to be followed through three vast periods of time — the Patriarchal Age, the Mosaic Age, and the Christian Age.
IV. Step Four — Four Gospels
The four gospels, like four witnesses, testify to the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Without any appearance of collusion, these independent witnesses provide accounts of the ministry, death, and resurrection of Christ, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Since they contain the foundation for faith (John. 20:30-31), the Gospel accounts need to be read and re-read by Christians regularly because the one theme of the Bible is the redemptive work of Christ. How valuable it is to rehearse those events that are the focal point of human history.
V. Step Five — Five Steps to Salvation
Some characterize the idea of “five steps” in the “plan of salvation” as legalism, calling those who preach it “five-steppers.”
No matter how many requirements there might be, the truth is that people must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17).
Individuals are required to believe the gospel of Christ (John 8:24).
All men are commanded by God to repent (Acts 17:30).
They must confess their faith in Christ, that he is Lord and that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10).
And the Lord requires penitent believers to be baptized in water for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). According my first grade teacher, that makes five.
There is no need to be ashamed of what the Lord requires, and anyone who criticizes such demonstrates that he has been influenced by the trends of denominationalism.
VI. Step Six — Six Things God Hates
“Yeah seven!” With this numerical proverb, Solomon indicates that his list is by no means exhaustive (Proverbs 6:16-19).
But this is the point. It does matter how we live.
Even after we become Christians, we must continue to take sin seriously and stop doing anything that the Lord hates.
VII. Step Seven — Seven Churches of Asia
These congregations were all held to the same doctrinal standard. They all belonged to Christ, and there were no different religious brands. The Lord knew what was going on, and he commended their efforts or condemned their sins. (Revelations 2, 3)
There is only one way to right wrongs — repent and do right.
Seeing our individual and collective responsibilities, we learn that understanding the Bible translates into lives and congregations that are pleasing to the Lord. “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).
Conclusion:
1. 1 – 7 is very easy to learn, but hard to put into our lives
2. Have you done step five?
3. If you have about six and seven?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Bible Preservation and Translation
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(Can We Trust The Bible’s Preservation and Translation?)
Introduction
1. Has the Bible we have today been altered or corrupted…?
a. We have no original “autographs” (manuscripts penned by the authors)
b. All we have are copies of copies, made over the years
2. How do we know there hasn’t been:
a. Significant changes or errors made in the process of copying?
b. Collusion (secret cooperation for deceitful purposes) by those who possessed the early copies?
3. It is not uncommon to hear such statements as…
a. “The Bible was corrupted by the Catholic church who possessed it” (Mormons, JWs)
b. “Only Catholic Bibles are reliable, since the church possesses the oldest copies” (Catholics)
4. Is it possible to have confidence in the Bible? That it:
a. Contains the Scriptures as they were originally written
b. Is free from attempts to twist the Scriptures to support a particular church or doctrine
5. This confidence comes from keeping two things in mind:1) Textual evidence for the Biblical documents, and2) Translation guidelines for selecting a translation of the Bible.
Body
I. TEXTUAL EVIDENCE
A. FOR THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. The Massoretic Text (900 A.D.)
a. Earliest complete text of Hebrew OT, copied by Jewish scribes called the Massoretes
b. Comparison with earlier Greek and Latin versions
1) Reveal vary careful copying
2) With little deviation during the thousand years from 100 B.C. to 900 A.D.
2. The Dead Sea Scrolls (150 B.C. – 70 A.D.)
a. Discovered in 1947, containing copies of OT books dating back to 100 B.C.
b. Compared with the “Massoretic Text” of 900 A.D., they confirm the careful copying of Jewish scribes for over 1,000 years!
3. The Septuagint version of the OT (200 B.C.)
a. A Greek translation of the OT, done in 200 B.C. by 70 scholars
b. It also confirms the accuracy of the copyists who gave us the Massoretic Text
4. In his book, Can I Trust My Bible, R. Laird Harris concluded, “We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament, even back to 225 B.C….Indeed, it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity.”
B. FOR THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. The number of the manuscripts
a. Over 4,000 Greek manuscripts
b. 13,000 copies of portions of the N.T. in Greek
2. The location of the manuscripts
a. Found in various places: Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Turkey, Greece, Italy
b. Making collusion very difficult (not one church or religion contains them all)
3. The date of the manuscripts
a. Several papyri fragments have been dated to within 50-100 years of the original
b. We have several nearly complete N.T. Greek manuscripts within 300- 400 years
1) Codex Sinaiticus, found near Matthew Sinai
2) Codex Alexandrinus, found near Alexandria in Egypt
3) Codex Vaticanus, located at the Vatican in Rome
4. The variations of the manuscripts
a. The vast majority are very minor (spelling, differences in phraseology, etc.; modern translations often note the differences in footnotes)
b. Only 1/2 of one percent is in question (compared to 5 percent for the Iliad)
c. Even then, it can be stated: “No fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith rests on a disputed reading…It cannot be too strongly asserted that in substance the text of the Bible is certain: especially is this the case with the New Testament.” – Sir Frederick Kenyon (authority in the field of New Testament textual criticism)
5. Other translations of the manuscripts
a. More than 1,000 copies and fragments in Syriac, Coptic, Armenian, Gothic, Ethiopic
b. 8,000 copies of the Latin Vulgate, some almost dating back to Jerome’s original translation (ca. 400 A.D.)
6. Writings of the early “church fathers” (100-400 A.D.)
a. Early religious leaders who left 1000s of quotations of the NT in their writings
b. Even if all the NT manuscripts and translations were to disappear overnight, it would be possible to reconstruct the NT from their quotations, with the exception of 15-20 verses
7. The evidence is sufficient to show that the Greek text of the New Testament has been faithfully preserved, without the possibility of collusion or corruption by any one religious party or faction
8. While the text of the Bible has been remarkably preserved in its original languages, how can we be sure that the version we use is faithful in its translation of the text?
II. TRANSLATION GUIDELINES
A. BEWARE OF THOSE BY ONE INDIVIDUAL
1. Some translations are the work of one person; for example:
a. The Living Bible, by Kenneth Taylor
b. Which is not really a translation, but a paraphrase
2. Though well intentioned, such translations often:
a. Express the views of one person
b. Convey the theological bias of that individual
3. It is better to find translations produced by a committee of scholars
a. With often hundreds of experts in Hebrew and Greek
b. Who examine and critique each other’s work in the translation
B. BEWARE OF THOSE BY A PARTICULAR DENOMINATION
1. Some translations are the work of one religious group; for example:
a. The New World Translation
b. Produced by Jehovah’s Witnesses
2. Such translations are often slanted to prove doctrines favorable to the group
a. E.g., the NWT translation of John 1:1-2 (“the Word was a god”)
b. E.g., the NWT translation of Colossians 1:16-17 (inserting “other” four times)
3. It is better to find translations produced by representatives from different backgrounds
a. Who are members of different religious organizations
b. Who check each other’s work to prevent theological bias
C. RECOMMENDED ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS
a. A classic, but somewhat archaic
b. Many people have problems with or misunderstand the old English
2. New King James Version (NKJV)
a. An updated KJV, desiring to preserve the beauty of the KJV
b. My personal choice, very easy to read
3. American Standard Version (ASV)
a. Most literal to the Greek, but therefore harder to read
b. Almost out of print
4. New American Standard Bible (NASB)
a. An update to the ASV
b. Though often wordy
5. English Standard Version (ESV)
a. English version of ASV
b. My second choice
5. Other translations useful as references:
a. New International Version (NIV) – easy to read, but prone to theological bias
b. New American Bible (NAB) – approved for Catholics, useful to show differences in doctrine are not due to translations
Conclusion
1. Can we trust the Bible? Yes, because:
a. The Hebrew and Greek manuscripts have been providentially preserved
b. Translations are available that are free from theological bias
2. Yes, it is possible to have confidence in the Bible, that it:
a. Contains the Scriptures as they were originally written
b. Can be read without fear that it has been tainted to support a particular church or doctrine
3. I can trust the Bible…do you? – James 1:21-22
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Bible Understanding
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(Can We Trust our Bible Understanding and Trust the Bible Regarding it’s Ability to be Understood?)
Introduction
1. Some will acknowledge that the Bible
a. Has been faithfully preserved and translated
b. Contains the books that serve as our authority (canon) in religion
c. Is inspired by God
d. Yet they contend that Bible understanding cannot be achieved and the Bible cannot be understood
2. Or at the very least they will argue
a. That we need a guide to help us in Bible understanding (such as some church authority)
b. Or that we need the help of the Holy Spirit to achieve Bible understanding
3. Can the Bible be understood…?
a. Is it so difficult that the common man cannot understand it?
b. Is it so mysterious that only ‘Spirit-led’ people can comprehend it?
Body
I. THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD
A. REGARDING THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. Bible understanding is expected. It was written for our learning – cf. Romans 15:4
a. Jesus expected people to understand it (“Have you not read…?”) – Matthew 12:3-5; 19:4
b. Paul expected unbelieving Jews to understand it – Acts 17:2-3
c. The Berean Jews were commended for searching the Scriptures – Acts 17:11
d. Timothy understood much of it as a child – 2 Timothy 3:14-15
2. Didn’t some people need help to understand it?
a. Such as the disciples? – Luke 24:25-27,44-47
b. Such as the Ethiopian eunuch? – Acts 8:30-35
3. Yes, because it contained a mystery yet to be revealed
a. A mystery kept secret since the world began – Romans 16:25
b. A mystery now made manifest to all nations – Romans 16:26
c. A mystery now revealed by the Spirit to the apostles and prophets – Ephesians 3:3-5
4. With the aid of the New Testament, what was a mystery in the Old Testament can now be understood!
B. REGARDING THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. The writers expected their readers to understand
a. Luke wrote his gospel that one might know – Luke 1:1-4
b. John wrote his gospel that one might believe – John 20:30-31
c. Paul wrote for people to understand, to have his knowledge – 2 Corinthians 1:13; Ephesians 3:3-5
d. John wrote his epistle that one might know – 1 John 5:13
2. Aren’t some things in the Bible hard to understand?
a. Like some of the things Paul wrote? – 2 Peter 3:15-16
b. Like the book of Revelation?
3. Yes, but that does not mean they cannot be understood
a. It is the “untaught and unstable” that have problems – 2 Peter 3:16
b. We are expected to grow in knowledge – 2 Peter 3:18; Colossians 1:10
c. As we mature, we are able to handle the “meat” – Hebrews 5:11-14
4. The New Testament was written to be understood, though in progressive stages
II. GOD EXPECTS US TO GAIN BIBLE UNDERSTANDING
A. HE EXPECTS US TO UNDERSTAND HIS WILL
1. He desires all men to have Bible understanding and come to a knowledge of the truth – 1 Timothy 2:3-4
2. He commands it of His children – Ephesians 5:17
3. Would God desire and command Bible understanding if it is impossible?
B. HE EXPECTS US TO HAVE A COMMON BIBLE UNDERSTANDING
1. Jesus prayed for unity among His followers – John 17:20
2. Paul commanded Christians to have the same mind – 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Philippians 2:2
3. There are essentials on which we must be united – e.g., Ephesians 4:3-6
C. Did Jesus and Paul demand that which is unattainable?
III. WHY SOME DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE
A. REASONS OFTEN GIVEN FOR LACK OF BIBLE UNDERSTANDING
1. “It can’t be understood”
a. We have seen that it was written to be understood
b. To say that man cannot understand is to impugn God’s ability to provide a revelation
2. “Only ‘Spirit-filled’ people can understand it”
a. This belief actually contributes to much misunderstanding and division over the Bible
1) Everyone claims the Spirit is leading them to their own understanding
2) Others are wrong because they don’t have the Spirit’s leading
b. It is based upon a misreading and misapplication of 1 Corinthians 2:14
1) That one cannot understand spiritual things without the help of the Spirit
2) Including understanding the Bible, that it requires the Spirit’s aid
c. But note the context – 1 Corinthians 2:6-13
1) Paul is contrasting God’s wisdom with the wisdom of this world
2) The world with its wisdom cannot know what God has prepared
3) What is known in the mind of God comes only through divine revelation
d. Note carefully the process:
1) God has prepared things which man cannot perceive on his own – 1 Corinthians 2:9
2) God has revealed them to the apostles through His Spirit who alone knows the mind of God – 1 Corinthians 2:10-11
3) The apostles received that which the Spirit revealed, that we might know the things given to us by God – 1 Corinthians 2:12
4) The apostles speak that which they received, using words of the Spirit, not words of human wisdom – 1 Corinthians 2:13
e. Here, then, is the proper meaning of 1 Corinthians 2:14-16
1) The ‘natural man’ is one who depends upon human wisdom (such as the ‘rulers of the age’)
a) Without the benefit of divine revelation
b) Who therefore is unable to receive the things of the Spirit of God
c) Who depending only on human wisdom considers the things of God foolishness
2) The ‘spiritual man’ is one who has the Spirit (such as the apostles)
a) Who has been given divine revelation of God’s will
b) Who is therefore able to judge all things, and is judged by no one
c) For such has been given the mind of the Lord3) Paul is therefore contrasting himself (and the apostles) with uninspired men
f. Remember now what Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:3-5
1) God has revealed what was unknown (the mystery) to the apostles and prophets by His Spirit
2) Who in turn have written what they received
3) Whereby when we read, we can now understand their knowledge!
3. We don’t need some special guidance of the Spirit to understand the Word; the Word of God itself is the Spirit’s own revelation of God’s will!
B. THE REAL REASONS PREVENTING BIBLE UNDERSTANDING
1. Many make little or no effort
a. They rarely read and study the Bible
b. They therefore remain ignorant
c. They remain babes in their knowledge and understanding
2. Many study for the wrong reasons
a. They may spend a lot of time studying, but with improper motives
b. To prove themselves right (reading only to justify their conduct or beliefs)
c. To prove others wrong (reading only to find arguments to support their position)
3. Many fail to apply their God-given common sense
a. Such as looking up words they don’t understand
b. Such as defining words in their context
c. Such as taking into consideration all that God’s word says on a subject
d. Such as studying the Bible the way it was written
1) Book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse
2) Starting at the beginning, reading through to the end
4. The problem preventing Bible understanding is not with God’s Word; the problem is slothful, sloppy handling of God’s word – cf. 2 Timothy 2:15
Conclusion
1. Bible understanding can be gained
a. By children
b. By truth seekers
c. By babes in Christ
d. Though parts of it will always challenge even the mature Christian
2. God desires that all be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth – 1 Timothy 2:4
a. He gave His Son as a ransom – 1 Timothy 2:5-6
b. He sent His Spirit to guide us into all the truth – John 16:13
3. Through His apostles and prophets His truth and salvation can be known!
4. The question is not whether God’s word can be understood, but whether we will make an honest and sincere effort to understand and obey it!
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Bible Inspiration
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(Can we trust the Bible regarding it’s Inspiration by God?)
Introduction
1. Christians accept as their canon the 66 books of the Bible
a. The 39 books of the Old Testament
b. The 27 books of the New Testament
2. They view the Bible as inspired of God
a. Literally, “God-breathed” (Gr., theopneustos)
b. That its scriptures were given by the Holy Spirit, and are not simply the words of men
3. The Bible claims such inspiration
a. It speaks of scripture inspired of God – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
b. It tells of men speaking as they were moved by the Holy Spirit – 2 Peter 1:20-21
c. It contains claims by those who spoke words revealed by the Spirit – 1 Corinthians 2:9-13
4. But what evidence is there that Bible is actually inspired of God?
Body
I. THE UNITY OF THE BIBLE
A. THE BIBLE CONTAINS 66 BOOKS, WRITTEN
1. Over a 1,600 year span
2. Over a period of 40 generations
3. By approximately 40 authors from every walk of life; e.g.:
a. Moses, political leader trained in the universities of Egypt
b. Peter, fisherman
c. Amos, herdsman
d. Joshua, military general
e. Nehemiah, cup bearer to a king
f. Daniel, prime minister
g. Luke, a physician
h. Solomon, king
i. Matthew, tax collector
j. Paul, tentmaker and rabbi
4. In different places
a. Moses in the wilderness
b. Jeremiah in a dungeon
c. Daniel on a hillside and in a palace
d. Paul inside prison walls
e. Luke while traveling
f. John in exile an the isle of Patmos
g. Others in the rigors of military campaign
5. At different times
a. David in times of war
b. Solomon in times of peace
6. During different moods
a. Some writing from the heights of joy
b. Others from the depths of sorrow and despair
7. On three continents: Asia – Africa – Europe
8. In three languages: Hebrew – Aramaic – Greek
9. With subject matter that includes hundreds of controversial topics
a. The origin of man and the universe
b. The nature of God
c. The nature of sin and man’s redemption
B. YET THERE IS HARMONY AND CONTINUITY
1. For example:
a. “The Paradise Lost of the book of Genesis becomes the Paradise Regained of Revelation”
b. “Whereas the gate to the tree of life is closed in Genesis, it is opened forevermore in Revelation.”
2. Compare the continuity of the Bible with any other such writings of man
a. Imagine what you would have if you just took ten authors
1) From one walk of life, one generation, one place, one time, one mood one continent, one language
2) Speaking on one controversial subject
b. You would have a conglomeration of ideas, not harmony!
C. The reason for the unity of the Bible? The writers were all moved by the same Holy Spirit (2 Pe 1:20-21), providing evidence that the Bible is inspired!
II. THE SCIENTIFIC FOREKNOWLEDGE OF THE BIBLE
A. THE NATURE OF THIS ARGUMENT
1. In the Bible there are scientific truths
a. Unknown by man with all his wisdom and resources
b. Stated as facts hundreds of years in advance of the discovery of these truths by men
2. The writers of the Bible could have known these facts only through inspiration
a. They could not have known such things on their own
b. They must have had divine help, i.e., inspiration from God
B. A FEW EXAMPLES
1. The roundness of the earth – Isaiah 40:22
2. The suspension of the earth in space – Job 26:7
3. The currents in the seas – Psalm 8:8
4. The springs in the seas – Job 38:16
5. All nations of one blood – Acts 17:26
C. Such things were not known or confirmed by man until modern times, with the aid of scientific instruments. Yet such knowledge reveals the Omniscient Mind that moved the writers of the Bible!
III. THE FULFILLED PROPHECIES IN THE BIBLE
A. THE NATURE OF THIS ARGUMENT
1. The prophecies foretold events in detail that were beyond the scope of human speculation
2. How did the writers or speakers do it?
a. They attributed it to God!
b. And God declared that such evidence was a proof of His existence and superiority over men and all heathen gods – Isaiah 41:21-24; 42:8-9; 46:8-11
B. A FEW EXAMPLES
1. The fall of Babylon, written two hundred years before it occurred – Isaiah 13:17-22
2. The fall of Egypt, that it would be destroyed more by civil war than by outside forces – Isaiah 19:1-4
3. The fall of Nineveh, with its utter desolation – Zephaniah 2:13-15
4. The fall of Tyre, with its becoming a place for the spreading of nests – Ezekiel 26:1-5
5. There are the prophecies concerning Christ – cf. Luke 24:44-45
a. It has been stated there 332 prophecies fulfilled in Christ
b. The mathematical probability that all could be fulfilled in one person by chance alone has been calculated as one in 84 times ten to the 123rd power (84 followed by 123 zeroes)
6. There are prophecies by Christ, such as the destruction of Jerusalem
a. Foretold in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21
b. Fulfilled in A.D. 70, when Rome destroyed Jerusalem
Conclusion
1. This study barely touches the hem of the garment
a. Volumes have been written on the subject
b. My purpose has been to summarize the evidence
2. We have examined objective evidence of inspiration, such as
a. The unity of the Bible
b. The scientific foreknowledge of the Bible
c. The fulfilled prophecies in the Bible
3. There is also the subjective evidence of inspiration that comes by simply reading and heeding the Bible – cf. Romans 10:17; John 7:16-17
[There are some who question whether any can understand the Bible by simply reading it. That question we shall address in our next study]
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Can We Really Know The Truth?
Can We Really Know?
“Is it really possible for a person to KNOW the truth?”
There are so many opinions about what the Bible teaches.
“Is truth even attainable in the religious realm?”
These are common questions today.
Consider a few observations from Scripture:
1. How can a person be expected to OBEY (Hebrews 5:8-9) Christ if he is incapable of knowing what constitutes obedience to Christ?
2. How can a person be expected to ABIDE IN (John 8:31) the word of Christ if he is unable to learn and know Christ’s teaching?
3. How can a person be expected to PROVE (1 Thessalonians 5:21; cf. 1 John 4:1) what the Bible says if the truth cannot be distinguished from error?
4. How can a person be expected to CONTEND (Jude 3) earnestly for the truth if the truth is unattainable?
5. How can a person be expected to BEWARE (Matthew 7:15; cf. 2 John 7) of false teachers if there is no discernible way of telling whether or not they are teaching error?
6. How can a person be expected to SPEAK (Ephesians 4:15) the truth in love if he is unable to differentiate between truth and error?
7. How can we UNDERSTAND the will of the Lord ( Ephesians 5:17) if it is unattainable?
Yes, we can know the truth.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32; 2 Timothy 3:13-17).
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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2 Timothy 03:14-17 Why We Need the Bible
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Text: 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Introduction
1. We began this series of lessons by illustrating why we need God
a. He is our Creator, who knows us better than we ourselves
b. He is our Redeemer, who seeks to save us from ourselves
c. He is our Provider, who is willing to meet our every need
2. Now I wish to focus our attention on why we need the Bible
a. Both the Old and New Testaments
b. As the guide to salvation and comfort
3. Assuming that one believes in the Bible as the Word of God, we need the Bible because:
Body
I. IT IS GOD’S POWER TO SAVE
A. BY CREATING FAITH
1. Without faith it is impossible to please God – Hebrews 11:6
2. Without faith in Jesus we cannot be saved – John 8:24
3. It is the Word of God that produces such faith – Romans 10:17
4. For example, the gospels were written to produce faith – John 20:30-31
B. BY CAUSING ONE TO BE BORN AGAIN
1. Jesus taught the necessity of being born again – John 3:3-5
2. The rebirth involving water and the Spirit is produced by:
a. Receiving the “incorruptible seed” of God’s Word – 1 Peter 1:23-25a
b. In particular, that word proclaimed in the gospel of Christ – 1 Peter 1:25
3. Which gospel calls for one to be baptized – Mark 16:15-16
a. As proclaimed by Peter – Acts 2:38
b. The washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit – Titus 3:5
C. BY KEEPING ONE SAVED
1. Paul emphasized this value of the Scriptures
a. To the Corinthians – 1 Corinthians 10:11-12
b. To Timothy – 2 Timothy 3:14-17
2. The saving value of the Word of God is for both young and old
a. The young can keep their ways pure by it – Psalms 119:9
b. Elders were commended to the Word for their salvation – Acts 20:32
d. Lack of knowledge concerning God’s Word destroyed Israel – Hosea 4:6
e. But when received with meekness into our hearts, the Word of God has the power to save – James 1:21
II. IT IS GOD’S POWER TO COMFORT
A. THROUGH THE HOPE IT GIVES
1. Paul wrote of the hope provided by the OT scriptures – Romans 15:4
2. The OT provides assurance of our hope in Christ, because it illustrates how God always keeps His promises
3. How much more so the NT, providing hope by revealing the grace to be shown when Christ comes again! – cf. 1 Peter 1:13
B. THROUGH THE PEACE IT GIVES
1. Especially as it reveals the means and source of true peace – Philippians 4:6-9
2. With such inner peace, nothing causes one to stumble – Psalms 119:165, 92-93
3. “In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.” – Robert E. Lee
C. THROUGH THE HAPPINESS IT GIVES
1. Blessedness through the stability and nourishment it provides – Psalms 1:1-3
2. Note that this comes to the one engaged in daily Bible reading
Conclusion
1. To fulfill our need for God, we need the Bible
a. For God has spoken through prophets and His Son – cf. Hebrews 1:1-2
b. He has made His Word accessible to every nation and tongue – Romans 10:17-18
2. With the aid of the Bible, we can experience God’s power in our lives
a. As we learn the way of salvation, and accept it with an obedient faith
b. As we walk in the way of salvation, and receive the hope, peace, and happiness God gives
c. Great men have spoken of the value of the Bible:
– “Within the covers of this one single book, the Bible, are all the answers to all the problems we face today. If only we would read it and believe.” – Ronald Reagan
– “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.” – Abraham Lincoln
– “The Bible is worth more than all other books which have ever been printed.” – Patrick Henry
3. Is that our attitude toward the Bible?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Why is the Bible Important? – audio
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Introduction
- The English word Bible comes from the Greek word biblia, meaning books. The Holy Bible is the collection of inspired books (39 old testament, 27 new testament), revealing in God’s Words how sinful man can be reconciled to Him through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus – John 3:16-17
- For this reason it is important to know the indispensible value of God’s written law for men and women. It will determine where you and I will spend eternity, since it will judge us in the last day – John 12:48
- Let us examine further why the Bible is important.
Body
- The Holy scriptures are important because they are the inspired Word of God – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- God moved holy men as they were moved by the Spirit – 2 Peter 1:20-21
- The Bible was written over a span of about 1,500 years by forty different inspired authors, with no contradictions or conflicts in their writings.
- God’s law is important because it’s perfect. It has the ability to save your soul, if you obey it – Psalm 19:7; James 1:21
- The Word of God is important because it is absolute truth – John 17:17
- It is the standard that determines what is right or wrong.
- Through the Word of God you get an understanding of what is true and false – Psalm 119:104
- The Bible is important because it is the guide that leads you out of darkness to the light – Psalm 119:105
- The Sword of the Spirit is important because, it’s powerful, it gets to the thoughts, and intents of the heart – Hebrews 4:12
- The Bible is important because it reveals facts and answers that mankind has questions about. Did you know the Bible reveals that:
– The earth is round – Isaiah 40:22
– The center of the earth is molten – Job 28:5
– The earth floats in space – Job 26:7
– Water vapor rises from the earth – Jeremiah 10:13
– The wind moves in patterns – Ecclesiastes 1:6
Conclusion
- Is the Bible, the Word of God, the center of all things in your life? Is it the standard you live by and base all your decisions upon? If it’s not, why not?
- Why not obey the Word of Truth today and save yourself from the wrath of God?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
