*IS THE BIBLE TRUSTWORTHY?*

Is there proof that the Bible is true? Who wrote the Bible and what evidence exists that the Bible should be treated seriously? How it be proven that the Bible was inspired by God?
Below is an attempt to answer and perhaps convince the skeptics and unbelievers who do not believe in the Bible and the authority that it carries as being the infallible word of God.

*1. WRITTEN BY DIFFERENT MEN OVER 2000 YEARS*
The Bible is a collection of 66 books which were written by about 40 men over a period of 2000 years or more. Most of these authors had never physically met but yet their message in what they wrote is structured, consistent, accurate, inter-related and perfectly unified throughout. Though these writers physically penned the 66 books, the individual writers, at the time of writing, had no idea that their message was eventually to be incorporated into one single Book, that we know today as being The Bible.

–2Tim3:16,17 *”All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable…”*

*2. THE SCIENTIFIC ACCURACY OF THE BIBLE*
Another striking evidence of divine inspiration is found in the fact that many of the
principles of modern science were recorded as facts of nature in the Bible long before
scientist confirmed them experimentally; here are some examples:
–The Earth is round, not flat as once believed, Is40:22, and suspended on nothing, Job26:7; Job wrote this 4000 years ago when people believed the earth was carried by a huge man, Atlas, or by 4 elephants
–Atmospheric circulation Ecc1:6
–Field of Gravity Job26:7
–Biological importance of blood to life Lev17:11,12
–The Bible refers to dinosaurs: Job40:15 and Job41:1
–The Existence of Water Paths (Ocean Currents) in the Seas: Ps8:1,3,6,8; also The Existence of Springs and Fountains in the Seas: Gen7:11;8:2, Prov8:28, confirmed by modern science
–Only in recent years has science discovered that everything we see is composed of invisible atoms. Scripture tells us that the “things which are seen were not made of things which are seen” Heb11:3
–Medical science has only recently discovered that blood-clotting in a newborn reaches its peak on the eighth day, then drops. The Bible consistently says that a baby must be circumcised on the eighth day. Principle of hand washing in running water, quarantine, dietary principles and many medical principles are all in the Bible before science discovered them
–Science has discovered that stars emit radio waves, which are received on earth as a high pitch. God mentioned this in Job38:7: “When the morning stars sang together…”
–Science expresses the universe in five terms: time, space, matter, power, and motion; Gen1:1,2: “In the beginning [time] God created [power] the heaven/or skies/universe [space] and the earth [matter] . . . And the Spirit of God moved [motion] upon the face of the waters.” The first thing God tells man is that He controls of all aspects of the universe
–Jer33:22 claims that the stars of the heaven are innumerable. Hippocrates, some 2500 years ago numbered 1,022 stars. Kepler 400 years ago recounted and revised the number. Today scientists agree with Jeremiah. There are billions just in our galaxy! It is interesting that the Bible makes the number of stars equivalent to the number of grains of sand on the seashore Gen22:17; Heb11:12, scientists today agree with the Bible in this area!
–Luke17:34to36 says the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will occur while some are asleep at night and others are working at daytime activities in the field. This is a clear indication of a revolving earth, with day and night at the same time on the respective sides of the planet.
–Jud5:20 mentions “the stars in their courses.” While it was once believed that the stars were fixed, today we know that they too move in a predictable way
–Job38:19 is accurate in the way it characterizes light. Note that darkness is in a place but light is in a way. It travels a path
–Job38:24 indicates the light of the sun (by heating) makes the wind
–Hyssop oil was charged by God to Moses to be used symbolically being a purifying agent. Hyssop oil has been shown to contain 50% antifungal and antibacterial agents Num19:18, Ps51:7
–the universe is expanding Job9:8; Is42:5; Jer51:15; Zech12:1. Repeatedly God declares that He stretches out the heavens. In 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble showed that distant galaxies were receding from the earth, proving that the universe is expanding
–Ez5:5, 38:12 claims that Jerusalem is the center of the earth. ICR commissioned a computer analysis of the earth’s land-masses and discovered that the geographic center is in Palestine, near the holy city
–Heb.1:11-12 describes the wearing down of the creation in language that nicely mirrors the second law of thermodynamics and 2Pet.3:12 describes the heavens one day passing away in a fire that causes the elements to melt in fervent heat (description of nuclear meltdown caused by God)
See more:
www.genesispark.com/essays/gods-word/

*3. OVER 100 PROPHETIC ACCURACIES ABOUT JESUS CHRIST*
Jn5:39 – ”You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about Me”
The one consistent theme of the Bible, is that from Genesis to Revelation, the Bible consistently refers and prophesies about Jesus Christ who ultimately is mankind’s Lord & Saviour. There are over 300 specific prophecies in the Old Testament that are fulfilled in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

*4. PROPHECIES ABOUT WORLD EVENTS:*
–The Bible announced that ISRAEL would be scattered among all nations (Deut28:64) and that before the end of the world Israel will come back in their land (Zach8:7-8, Is51:3) and will be hated by many nations Zach12:2-3, 14:2-3
–About IRAN (Persia) that it will hate Israel and will want to destroy it Ez38:5; see more:
http://blogs.christianpost.com/bibleprophecy/gods-decreed-end-of-iran-6602/
www.seekingtruth.co.uk/middle_east.htm
–RUSSIA will attack Israel – Ez38 and 39; see:
www.thepropheticyears.com/reasons/Russia.htm
www.hallindsey.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureready.com
–In Daniel 2, four kingdoms are described in the interpretation of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar who was the king of Babylon. The four were the BABYLON, MEDO-PERSIA, GREEK AND THE ROMAN empire (Dan2:39-43). These four kingdoms occurred just as prophesied.
–The following cities were prophesied to be destroyed and never rebuilt which has come true since they have not yet been rebuilt. NINEVEH (Nah1:10, 3:7, 15, Zeph2:13,14), BABYLON (Is13:1-22), and TYRE (Ezek26)
–Dan12:4 prophesied that at the end of times KNOWLEDGE WOULD INCREASE as well as the ability to travel great distances
–Jesus foretold that towards the end of this world there would be famines, wars, sicknesses, earthquakes, lack of love, false prophets and so on, all during one generation’s lifespan see Mat24:6-50

*4. The Bible Is Endorsed by Jesus Christ*
Matt5:17-18 “…For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished”
When Jesus was on earth at the time, only the Old Testament existed. Jesus read and quoted from the Old Testament. Therefore if the Bible was inaccurate or untrustworthy, Jesus would have not quoted the Old Testament. When Jesus was tempted by the devil, Christ overcame the devil’s temptation by responding with Scripture quoted from the Old Testament. This was a clear indication not only of the authority and trustworthiness of the Bible but also that Jesus Himself was willing to be obedient to do what The Bible teaches; Matt4:1-17

*5. Its Survival*
The Bible starting from Genesis has survived for over 1500 years. No other book has been so consistently studied, bought or quoted by mankind. Its teachings are still relevant even after 1000 years, a clear proof that God’s word is authoritative and does not change. No other book has been loved or hated as the Bible but yet it still survives and remains the highest seller among all books.
Matt24:35 ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away’

*6. Archaeological Evidence*
Many archaeological and geographic evidences exist to prove the accuracy and historic truthfulness of the Bible. Archaeological discoveries have been made which verify the various Biblical stories and events mentioned in scripture
https://answersingenesis.org/archaeology/6-archaeological-finds/
Copies of the Old Testament scriptures found at the Dead Sea, many having placed in caves before Jesus’ birth, proves that the Old Testament has not changed:
www.deadseascrolls.org

*7. Life Changing Power*
For thousands of years, the Bible has changed countless lives and has provided a means by which mankind can know and understand who God is and what God says about every life situation that we face on this earth. The Bible also is one huge story about God’s relationship with man. The Bible speaks of God’s love and plan of salvation from sin through Jesus Christ. People of different backgrounds and beliefs can testify of the life changing experiences that God’s word has brought to their lives.
Heb4:12-13 – For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
 
*Helpful & Recommended Websites*
www.bibleevidences.com/
http://christiananswers.net/archaeology/
http://carm.org/when-was-bible-written-and-who-wrote-it
https://answersingenesis.org/is-the-bible-true/can-you-prove-the-bible-is-true/
www.reasons.org/
www.the-gospel.org/stdy_aplgy/prophecy.php
https://answersingenesis.org/archaeology/6-archaeological-finds/
www.inspiredwalk.com/1804/proof-bible-true
www.icr.org/

Pastor Daniel