What We Believe About The Bible And Why

Why We Believe The Bible Is The Word Of God

Theme Verse: 1 Peter 3:15

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

Introduction: Many books claim to be the word of God. The Koran, The book of Mormon. The Hindu’s believe that the Bhagavad Vita is the source of eternal truth.

Even Karl Marx with his atheistic worldview claimed that his writing "The Communist Manifesto, was the ultimate truth.

I believe that the Bible is the Word of God and the eternal source of truth to live by. Can we actually prove that the Bible is the word of God. The answer is yes.

Let me share with you two verses before we continue.

Joh 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

What is vital about these scriptures is that we understand the world’s attitude towards those who follow Christ, and stand on the Bible as the ultimate authority. The world in rebellion against God and worldly people under the influence of Satan seek to destroy our faith. In light of this, and the times that we live in, it is important that Christians not only know what we believe but why we believe what we believe.

It has been indicated that 80 percent of college-bound students who profess to be Christians leave for school and return home no longer believing as they did. Why ? It is because students are incapable of defending their faith against the onslaught of professors who try and discredit the Bible.

Illust. Teacher in Griffin H.S.

These things happen because believers know what they believe, but can’t express why they believe it !

Luk 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

I do not believe that there has ever been a book that has been so criticized and attacked as the Bible. To counter this attack, and be able to defend our faith we need to know what we believe about the word of God ,and why ! Thus we begin our study today on Why The Bible Is The Word Of God !

I. The Bible Is The Word Of God Because Of It’s Claim.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

Many critics would say that the Bible is inspired the same way that musicians are inspired when composing a song, or inspired the saw way as artists are inspired to paint.

However, that is not what is meant in "inspiration" The greek word is "theopnuestos" which literally means God-breathed ! It isn’t the sense of inspiring as in stirring the mind, but it is inspired in the sense of bringing to life ! The Bible was brought to life or originated from God.

Isa 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Remember the words of Jesus when tempted....."Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" Mt 4:4, Deut 8:3

It is his word spoken out, breathed out from his lips ! It is interesting to know that 3808 times in the O.T. it is explicitely states that what is being conveyed is the express words of God. This same thought is conveyed in the following passage.....

2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

The word "moved" means "driven".

Commenting on this verse John Gill says....They were moved by the Holy Ghost "who illuminated their minds, gave them a knowledge of divine things, and a foresight of future ones; dictated to them what they should say or write; and moved upon them strongly, and by a secret and powerful impulse stirred them up to deliver what they did, in the name and fear of God: which shows the authority of the Scriptures, that they are the word of God, and not of men; and as such should be attended to, and received with all affection and reverence; and that the Spirit is the best interpreter of them, who first dictated them; and that they are to be the rule of our faith and practice; nor are we to expect any other, until the second coming of Christ."