Is the Bible True?

The Bible is Flawless

Proverbs 30:5-6

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

• The Bible claims to be flawless.

• It claims that God is a shield for those who run to Him.

• It warns about adding to his words (like some people and religions have done.)

“Flawless” =

“Without imperfection, blemish, or defect.”

Decide for yourself:

• If the Bible, in its original, could really be flawless.

• If the translation you hold in your hand is actually reliable.

• - Where the Bible came from

• - How it is different from every other piece of literature in the world

• - How it was translated from one language to another

• - How accurate its claims are, when compared to science and history

• - How accurate it has been in its fulfillment of prophecy

Where the Bible came from

Every book of the Bible was written by a prophet, an apostle (one who had been an eyewitness of the risen Christ), or someone with a direct link to one.

The Bible is Absolutely Unique

A. In Its Composition

1. It was written over 1600 years.2. By 40+ authors.3. With different backgrounds.4. In 3 different languages, from 3 continents.5. Yet with unmistakable continuity and

agreement from cover to cover.

The Bible is Absolutely Unique

B. In Its Circulation

It’s the single most published book in the history of the world.

The Bible is Absolutely Unique

C. In Its Translation

It’s the single most widely translated book in the world.

The Bible is Absolutely Unique

D. In Its Durability

1. It has survived bans, burnings, ridicule, and criticism

2. Emperors and kings have tried to eradicate it.

The Bible is Absolutely Unique

E. In Its Effect on People

1. They never get through with it.2. It alters their view of the world.3. It changes their relating patterns.4. It changes their values and ethics.5. It changes their vocabulary.6. It changes their view of eternity.

Is the Bible accurate?

How the Bible has been copied and translated

• The Bible was written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.• The New Testament has 24,000 manuscripts to

compare.• The English Bible is translated directly from the

original languages.

• Author: When Written: Earliest Copy: Time Span: #ofcopies:

• Caesar 100-44 BC AD 900 1,000 years 10

• Plato 427-347 BC AD 900 1,200 years 7

• Tacitus AD 100 AD 1100 900 years 20

• Thucydides 460-400 BC AD 900 1,300 years 8

• Herodotus 384-322 BC AD 900 1,300 years 8

• Aristotle 450-385 BC AD 900 1,400 years 49

• Homer (Iliad) 900 BC 400 BC 500 years 643

• New Testament AD 40-100 AD 125 25 years 24,000

How science and history compare to the Bible

• What the Bible says: What people thought: What we now know:

• Earth is a sphere. Earth is a flat disk. Earth is a sphere

• Number of stars= more than a billion Number of stars = 1,100. Number of stars =more than a billion

• Every star is different. All stars are the same. Every star is different.

• Light is in motion. Light is fixed in place. Light is in motion.

• Air has weight. Air is weightless. Air has weight.

• Winds blow in cyclones Winds blow straight. Winds blow in cyclones.

• Blood is a source of life and healing. Sick people must be bled. Blood is a source of life and healing.

How prophecy compares with the Bible

• 332 prophesies were fulfilled in Jesus’ first coming.

• The probability that even 8 of these prophecies would be fulfilled in one person is 1 x 1017.

• The probability that 48 of these would be fulfilled in one person is 1 x 10157. There are 1066 atoms in the universe.