In considering whether on not the Bible is the inspired Word of God we have considered the following evidences: Support from Jesus Christ; the Apostle Peters confirmation; evidence from fulfilled prophecy; and evidence from Israel. In conclusion let us discuss two more affirming evidences: The continuity of the Bible, and evidence from science and archaeology.
The continuity of the Bible is further confirmation of its authenticity. Through it was written over a period of fifteen hundred years by thirty-five to forty different writers with sixty-six different books, it has only one major theme—the salvation of lost mankind. This supports the claim that there is only one author—God.
Evidence from science and archaeology. While the Bible isn't a book of science, scientific facts that have been in its pages for at least thirty-five hundred years have come to light only in recent times. For example, many of the statutes and regulations in the Old Testament were given for health and hygienic purposes—knowledge that was unknown to the ancient world.
As I've quoted before, in his book, None of These Diseases, Dr. S.I. McMillen wrote, "When God led the Israelites out of afflicted Egypt, he promised them that if they would obey his statutes, he would put 'none of these diseases' upon them [diseases from which Egypt and other nations were suffering]. God guaranteed a freedom from disease that modern medicine cannot duplicate."17
Dr. McMillen continues, "I am confident that the reader will be intrigued to discover that the Bible's directives can save him from certain infectious diseases, from many lethal cancers, and from a long gauntlet of psychosomatic diseases that are increasing in spite of modern medicine."18
In the final analysis, however, it is up to each individual as to whether or not he or she chooses to accept or reject the Bible as God's Word. For those who want to believe it is, there is more than sufficient evidence to support this belief.
Furthermore, all who have accepted the Bible as God's Word, and have responded to Jesus Christ's invitation to receive him as Lord and Savior and live according to biblical principles, have a deep assurance that the Bible is God's Word, that it is true, and that they have been given the gift of eternal life.19
The greatest quest of man over the ages has always been to know: "Where did I come from? Why am I here? And, where am I going?" Only God's Word, the Bible, can give him the answers to these questions.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for all the evidences we have to affirm that the Bible is truly your Word to mankind. Please open the eyes of my understanding that I will always see clearly what is the truth regarding your Word, and what are lies. Help me to understand your Word and diligently apply its principles to my everyday life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Footnotes: 1. 2 Timothy 3:16 (RSV). 2. Luke 24:44 (NIV). 3. Matthew 5:17-18 (NIV). 4. See 2 Peter 3:15-16. 5. Genesis 3:15 and 49:10. 6. 2 Samuel 7:12-16. 7. Micah 5:2. 8. Isaiah 7:14. 9. Daniel 9:25, 26. 10. Psalm 22:16 and Isaiah 53. 11. Isaiah 13:5-22 and The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 621. 12. Leviticus 26:32-33. 13. Leviticus 26:44. 14. Ezekiel 36:24. 15. Amos 9:14 (TLB). 16. Isaiah 35:1. 17. McMillen, S.I., None of These Diseases (Westwood, New Jersey; Fleming H. Revell Company, 1963), p. 17. 18. Ibid, p. 18. 19. See John 17:17 and 1 John 5:13.
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