I choose to believe the Bible because it is a reliable collection of historical documents written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. They reported supernatural events that took place in fulfillment of specific prophecies and claimed that their writings are divine rather than human in origin.
Ever Loving Truth Conference, 2016.
The evidence for our New Testament writings is ever so much greater than the evidence for many writings of classical authors, the authenticity of which no-one dreams of questioning. And if the New Testament were a collection of secular writings, their authenticity would generally be regarded as beyond all doubt. It is a curious fact that historians have often been much readier to trust the New Testament than have many theologians.
The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? 1949, p. 15.
There is, I imagine, no body of literature in the world that has been exposed to the stringent analytical study that the four Gospels have sustained for the past 200 years. This is not something to be regretted: it is something to be accepted with satisfaction. Scholars today who treat the Gospels as credible historical documents do so in the full light of this analytical study, not by closing their minds to it.
God’s words are not simply true in the sense that they conform to some standard of truthfulness outside of God. Rather, they are truth itself; they are the final standard and definition of truth.
Systematic Theology, Zondervan, 1994, p. 196. Used by Permission.
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The best evidence of the Bible’s being the word of God is to be found between its covers. It proves itself.
[Biblical] infallibility means unable to mislead or fail in accomplishing the divinely intended purpose.
God’s Word by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue taken from Biblical Doctrine by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue, copyright 2017, Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton Illinois 60187, www.crosswaybooks.org. Page 109.
Even though (the Bible) is an ancient document, every person in every situation in every society that’s ever existed can find in this book things that endure forever. Here’s a book that never needs another edition. It never needs to be edited, never has to be updated, is never out of date or obsolete. It speaks to us as pointedly and directly as it ever has to anyone in any century since it was written. It’s so pure that it lasts forever.
You Can Trust the Bible, Moody Press, 1988, p. 21-22.
These men’s writings do not read like the works of gullible, easily deceived or deceiving men. Their insights into human nature are profound. Their personal commitment is sober and carefully stated. Their teachings are coherent and do not look like the invention of unstable men. Their moral and spiritual standard is high. And the lives of these men are totally devoted to the truth and to the honor of God.
Eight Reasons Why I Believe That Jesus Rose from the Dead, February 28, 2007, www.DesiringGod.org, Used by Permission.
In almost thirty years as a Christian, and over twenty of those as a pastor, I cannot think of one instance in my life of the life of another where disobedience to God’s Word actually was proven to be the right decision.
2 Peter 1:21 says, “Men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” The Greek word for “moved” is “phero.” It’s a verb that is translated “bring, carry or bear.” It’s the same word that used twice in Acts 27 –Paul’s famous voyage to Rome – of the ship that was at the mercy of the breeze being caried by the wind. It’s origin of the English name, “Christopher.” Christos (Christ) – Phero (Bearing) – Bearing Christ. So, this tells us that the men who wrote Scripture did not have heightened powers or mystical visions or even an ear for God to dictate His word. Rather, they wrote what they knew to be true using their own words, style, experiences and personalities, but as they wrote, the Holy Spirit (pheuma-the same Greek word used in the Bible for wind) was bearing them along. Therefore, when they wrote they wrote the very Word of God.
Sermon, The One Sermon You Must Hear, 2 Peter 1:19-21, May 29. 2022.
Are you holding fast to the Word of life? Are you revealing your desperation for the Bible by making it a priority to read it on a regular basis, both individually and as together as a family? Are you daily seeking to learn something new from the Scriptures? Do you follow what the Bible teaches regardless of the financial, emotional, or relational cost? Do you believe the Bible is sufficient to live a victorious spiritual life? Do you believe the Bible is the voice of God without error? Do you believe the Bible has authority over you? Do you hold fast to the Bible when everything in you during a trial screams at you to rely on your own wisdom? Do you believe you will have more joy and peace by following Scripture? Do you believe you live in a “crooked and perverse generation” that by necessity demands you hold fast to God’s Word? Are you standing firm in no way overcome by your trials because you are fully relying on the promises of God?
Sermon, Growing Deeper with the Lord, Philippians 2:14-18 – Part 1, November 20, 2022.
We take 100,000,000 silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. They will cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly…Blindfold a man and tell him…he must pick up one silver dollar…What chance would he have of getting the right one? Just the same chance that the prophets would have of writing…eight prophecies and having them come true in any one man.
Science Speaks, Moody Press, 1963, p. 100-107.
The Bible is accurate archeologically, geographically, historically, systematically, scientifically, prophetically, and it is miraculous in that it is life changing. It was written over a span of 1,500 years, by more than 40 authors, spanning 3 continents, and yet is perfect in accuracy. Try to apply this test to other religious books!
