Further Studies about the Bible
Further Studies about the Bible
INTRODUCTION The Bible does not contain the Word of God; the Bible IS the Word of God.
If the Bible were merely a human Book we could expect another very soon.
If the Bible were merely a human Book why is it that man finds it so far beyond his grasp to master and understand every passage? The reason that men deny the full inspiration of the Scriptures is the fact of sin and it is an attempt to minimize sin and its effects and final end. The Bible contains truth hidden from man for ages and which he is just discovering now, Ephesians 3:5, R. V. The revelation made to the prophets was independent of their own thinking, 1 Peter 1:10-12; as they preached and wrote the facts were revealed to them. No prophetical utterance was of the prophets’ own will. 2 Peter 1:21, R.V.
David claimed divine inspiration for his utterances. 2 Samuel 23:2, R.V. The writings of the Apostles and prophets were the Word of God, 2 Peter 1:21. The Bible is all pure gold without quartz (something of lesser value), 2 Timothy 3:16.
Nehemiah accepted the words of the prophets as God’s Word, Nehemiah 9:13; Nehemiah 9:30.
Jesus in Matthew 22:31-32 quoted the Bible as the genuine Word of God to mankind. In the Old Testament, 2600 times the prophets asserted that their words are the Word of God; a similar statement occurs 525 times in the New Testament.
THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE
A few generations ago the Bible was accepted as the authoritative Word of God.
It is a very sad fact that this condition is no longer true; men today consider it smart or clever to challenge the authority of the Holy Scriptures.
We are living in a lawless age when men are rebelling against authority in every department of life--religious, political and intellectual. By creation man has been made to crave authority and to worship a superior Being.
Many today admire the Bible as a wonderful Book but refuse to submit to its authority.
Even atheists will extol the Bible as literature far outdistancing all competitors.
Some Christians acknowledge Jesus Christ as supreme authority but refuse to yield to the authority of the Scriptures; this is an untenable position. The Christ whom we accept as our authority is the Christ of the Holy Scriptures.
Reasons why some do not accept the Bible as final authority:
They think that the Bible and science disagree; it is true that many unproven unscientific theories disagree with the Bible; but it cannot be shown once where true proven science and the Bible disagree, 1 Timothy 6:20.
They think that the Bible and geology disagree;
Geologist Guyot affirms that true geology and the Bible agree perfectly.
They think that the Bible and general science disagree;
late Sir G. G. Stokes, president of the Royal Society flatly refutes this.
They think that the Bible and chemistry disagree;
Chemist Radar, a great American chemist refutes this error, too.
Some think that the Bible and geography disagree;
Dr Christie, an eminent geographer declares that there is not one geographical error in the Bible.
Some think that the Church is the final authority and not the Bible.
The Church antedates the New Testament but the Old Testament, the infallible Word of God is much older and more accurate than the Church.
Possibly the true reason is indifference like that of Gallio in Acts 18:17.
SUPREMACY OF THE BIBLE
It is the supreme Book for it so far excels all other books ever written.
It has been the one Book that men turn to in the hour of tragedy and death.
It is supreme for it has the answer to the questions of life and death.
It is the oldest Book; its influence upon nations and men is beyond computation.
It is a pure Book unmixed with myth and wild imaginings; it is the Word of God.
SOME SUPPOSED CONTRADICTIONS IN THE BIBLE
John 1:8, "No man hath seen God at any time." Exodus 24:10, "And they saw the God of Israel."
Actually both statements are correct.
They did not see God for He is a Spirit but they saw a physical reflection of God When I look in the mirror I see a reflection of my face but I’ve never seen my fact as others see it.
Numbers 25:9; 21,000 died in the plague; 1 Corinthians 10:8; 23,000 fell in one day.
23,000 is the number that fell in one day and 24,000 the total number that died
2 Samuel 24:24, David paid 50 shekels of silver for the threshing floor; 1 Chronicles 21:25, David paid 600 shekels of gold.
Answer: There are two distinct transactions; first David bought the threshing floor for 50 shekels and later bought the whole farm (estate) for 600 shekels.
1 Timothy 6:16, God dwells in light; 1 Kings 8:12, God dwells in thick darkness.
Answer: Both are true for God is omnipresent, dwelling everywhere.
Isaiah 40:28, God never gets tired and never needs rest; Exodus 31:17, God created the world In 6 days and rested and was refreshed on the seventh day.
It does not say that God rested because He was tired; God does not get tired. God rested the seventh day to appreciate that which He had created.
John 13:27, Satan entered into Judas during the Last Supper; Luke 22:3-4; Luke 22:7, it is obvious that Satan entered into Judas before the Last Supper.
Answer: Satan entered into Judas twice, the second time more completely.
Acts 1:9-12, Jesus ascended from Mount Olivet; Luke 24:50-51, Jesus ascended from Bethany.
Answer: Both are correct for Bethany is a place on the side of Mount Olivet.
Acts 9:7, Paul’s companions heard the voice; Acts 22:9; Acts 26:14, Paul’s companions did not hear the voice.
Answer: The companions heard a sound like thunder but did not understand the words.
1 Kings 6:1-38 gives the period between Exodus and the beginning of building the Temple as 480 years; actually according to history it was 573 years.
Answer: The difference of 93 years is exactly the period of the Captivity under the Judges and not reckoned in Jewish history.
Years spent away from God are lost years, wasted, and not reckoned with the Lord.
J. 1 Samuel 6:19 says God smote 50,070 for looking into the Ark of the Covenant;
Josephus the historian says that only 70 people were smitten.
Probably both are correct; God may have killed 70 people outright on the spot and 50,000 later or as a consequence of this incident.
K. Luke 18:35; Luke 18:43, Jesus healed one blind man as they came near Jericho; Mark 10:46; Mark 10:52, Jesus healed one man as they departed from Jericho; Matthew 20:29-34 ,Jesus healed two unnamed men some distance from Jericho.
Answer: These are three separate, distinct instances and not 3 reports of one story.
L. Other apparent contradictions are as easily explained; the Bible is inerrant.
THE CREDIBILITY OF THE HOLY BIBLE
How do you know that the Bible is authentic? How do we know that the supposed authors actually wrote the books? Is the Bible worthy of belief? YES. Not one of the original manuscripts is still in existence--perhaps to prevent foolish man from worshipping them. The oldest manuscripts in existence are (1) Vatican, at Rome, fourth century, (2) Siniatic, in Leningrad, Russia, fourth century, (3) Alexandrian, London, fifth century.
We accept the Bible as credible, for it was recognized as authentic by the Church in the year 180 A.D.
External evidence of its acceptance can be gained from the Apostolic Fathers.
Even heretics and infidels have been forced to testify to its absolute credibility.
Notable among these are: Basilides, Caprocate, Celsus, Porphyry and others. An examination of the 4,000 ancient manuscripts in existence confirms the credibility .
We believe Bible is completely reliable and are willing to stake our lives on it.
CONCLUSION Do not worship the Bible, but rather read it, believe it and obey it explicitly.
(Material for this lesson taken from "Doctrinal Outlines” by R. lee, pages 47-59.) REVIEW QUESTIONS
About how many times do the speakers claim that their Words are the words of God in the Bible?
Is there a disagreement between science and the Bible?
Why do you consider the Bible as the supreme Book? (6 reasons) 324. How do you reconci1e John 1:18 and Exodus 24:10?
How do you reconcile Numbers 25:9 and 1 Corinthians 10:8?
How can we explain the discrepancy in 2 Samuel 24:24 and 1 Chronicles 21:25 ?
In the light of Isaiah 40:28, why did God rest in Exodus 31:17?
Explain the problem of 93 years difference between 1 Kings 6:1-38, reckoning of time from Exodus to the building of the Temple with historical records ?
How can you reconcile the problem of the voice in Acts 9:7; Acts 22:9; and Acts 26:14?
Name the 3 oldest manuscripts in existence.