Friend Day

“The Bible is the inspired, inerrant and infallible word of God.” This is an important statement, upon which we base our faith. The truths that are found within this Book are the truths that lead us to understand the sacrifice Christ made for all of us. Today, we’re going to discuss how we can KNOW that the Bible is indeed inspired, inerrant and infallible.

There are some important words that we must understand when we talk about the Bible.

* The Bible is God’s self-revelation of Himself to His people!

* Eph 3:3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),

* “It is God’s present Voice which makes His written word all-powerful. Otherwise it would lie locked in slumber within the covers of a

Book.” - A.W. Tozer

* Inspiration is the idea of God “breathing out” His word to us! (That every word of Scripture is exactly the word that God wanted to use and for us to hear!)

* 2Tim. 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

* “God did not write a book and send it by messenger to be read at a distance by unaided minds. He spoke a Book and lives in His spoken words, constantly speaking His words and causing the power of them to persist across the years.” - A.W. Tozer

* Inerrancy means that every word is accurate.

* Matt. 5:18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

* Canonicity is the word we use to talk about what Books are included in the Scriptures

* Meant a measuring rod. Literally measuring the Books of the Bible to ensure they meet up to Scriptural level

* OT was completed by Jewish leaders by the time of Ezra

* NT was measured by early church leaders by four criterion

* 1. Book must be written by apostle or one closely associated

* 2. Book must be revelatory in nature

* 3. Book must be recognized by church in preaching ministry

* 4. Book must contain marks of inspiration

*Rev. 22:18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

* Illumination is what we must have from the Holy Spirit in order to truly grasp the meaning of Scripture.

* 1Cor. 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

* Psa. 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may see, Wondrous things from Your law.

The Need to Stand on the Word of God

1. The Bible is Credible!

I Corinthians 15:1-3; 5-8 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received… 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

2. The Bible is Well-Preserved!

PLATO - 400 B.C.

- Earliest document is 900 A.D.

- Only 7 ancient copies of his writings exist today

TACTICUS - 100 A.D.

-Earliest document is 1000 A.D.

-Only 1 ancient copy of one of his words and only 20 incomplete fragments of other writings exist

PLINY - 100 A.D.

-Earliest document is 850 A.D.

-Only 7 ancient copies of his writings exist today

THE BIBLE

-New Testament - Written between 40 A.D. And 100 A.D.

-Earliest document is from 120 A.D.

-Entire copy of NT from 325 A.D.

-24,970 ancient copies of these writings exist today

II Timothy 2:9 NLT And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.