There are many proofs of the divine inspiration of the Bible. Let’s discuss a few.
Bible Prophecy
Fulfilled prophecy is a proof of the truth of the Bible, where God declares:
“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” (Isaiah 46:9-10 NIV)
The Bible contains prophecies numbering into the hundreds fulfilled by the life of Jesus Christ: He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-6), of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23; Luke 1:26-31). He would be a descendant of Abraham (Genesis 12:3; 22:18; Matthew 1:1; Romans 9:5), of Isaac (Genesis 17:19; 21:12; Luke 3:34), of Jacob (Numbers 24:17; Matthew 1:2) and come from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10; Luke 3:33; Hebrews 7:14). He would be called Immanuel, meaning God with us (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).
He would live for a time in Egypt (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:14-15). The Messiah would be rejected by His people (Psalm 69:8; Isaiah 53:3; John 1:11; 7:5). He would be betrayed (Psalm 41:9; Zechariah 11:12-13; Luke 22:47-48; Matthew 26:14-16). His hands and feet were to be pierced (Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10; John 20:25-27). His bones would not be broken (Exodus 12:46; Psalm 34:20; John 19:33-36). They would pierce His side (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34). He would rise from the dead (Psalm 16:10; Psalm 49:15; Matthew 28:2-7; Acts 2:22-32), ascend to heaven (Psalm 24:7-10; Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51) and be seated on God's right (Psalm 68:18; 110:1; Mark 16:19; Matthew 22:44).
Many Bible prophecies were fulfilled by other events. For instance: Written 50 years beforehand was a prophecy that Babylon would capture Judah for 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11-12) and afterwards the Jews could return home (Jeremiah 32:36-37). Another prophecy written hundreds of years beforehand even named the king that would conquer Babylon (Isaiah 45:1). Yet another prediction 200 years in advance foretold the destruction of the ancient seaport of Tyre, that it would be tossed into the sea (Ezekiel 26:12). 400 years in advance, a prophecy predicted the Jews’ eventual victory over the Edomites (Ezekiel 25:14).
Proof Outside the Bible
History written by non-Christians in both Jewish and Roman texts proves that Jesus lived. A Tel Dan stone slab, discovered in 1993, furnished historical evidence that King David lived. Other archeological finds that corroborate the Bible include the Nag Hammadi Library discovered in 1945, the temple of ’Ain Dara, a simple first-century home found in Capernaum, the Siloam Pool, Ashkelon’s arched gate and statuette of a silver calf, and a Jerusalem tower defending against the Babylonian invasion and ashes as witness to fires Babylon set. Geology corroborates the existence of a worldwide flood and points to a young earth.
Meditation
Is the Bible God’s Word? Is all of the Bible God’s Word or just part of it? If we could believe that all of it is God-breathed, are we willing to obey it? Are we willing to obey even those things that are counter to our culture? What would that mean for topics like women elders, homosexuality, tattoos, pornography, suicide, tithing, tongues, alcohol abuse, sex outside of marriage, divorce, death and eternal salvation?
Resources
Skeptical and outright hostile resources that will kill faith and destroy belief in the Bible are ubiquitous. It requires a certain level of expertise in logic to see through the many flaws of such literature. Apologists are defenders of the faith. Down through Christian history defenders of the faith have included Origen, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Thomas Aquinas, Duns Scotus, William of Ockham, Anselm of Canterbury, and other names mentioned previously.
Will you have a change of heart and mind and believe the good news of God’s reign? You decide!
