WHY WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD
(Internal Evidences of the Bible)
GIVE AN ANSWER FOR YOUR HOPE
Intro.
1. 1 Pet. 3:15 - Answer (apologia): "A verbal defense, a speech in defense: (Vine, I:61). cf. Acts 25:16; 1 Cor. 9:3.
a. Defense consists of a "reason" (LOGOS, word) which supports one’s hope (cf. Heb. 11:1; Rom. 10:17).
b. It is telling why you believe what you believe.
2. Why do you believe the Bible is the word of God ["A special, divine revelation"]?
3. Why many have in the past / present:
a. Tradition of parents, etc.
b. Sociological factors (cf., race, nationality).
c. What you've heard all of your life.
d. "Because the Bible says so." (Yes, but why??)
4. Valid reasoning process: Subject -- Evidence -- Logic -- Judgment.
5. Is there sufficient evidence to support Bible's claim and our belief in it?
a. If there is, then that evidence provides a basis for your faith - Heb. 11:1.
b. If there is not, then do not believe it.
I. PROPOSITION: THE BIBLE IS A SPECIAL, DIVINE REVELATION.
A. Special: Opposite Of General Revelation.
1. General - What can be known of God through nature (indirectly reveals something about God) - Rom. 1:20.
2. Special - What God directly makes known to man -1 Cor. 2:10-11.
B. Divine: From God And Not Man.
1. Product of deity, not human genius - Gal. 1:11-12.
2. Human instrumentality, but not human origin - Eph. 3:3-5.
C. Revelation: An Unveiling / Uncovering By God.
1. Not something man could discover, but only that which God could reveal - 1 Cor. 2:9-10.
II. BRIEF EXAMINATION OF THE BIBLE’S CLAIMS.
A. The Investigation Of The Bible’s Internal Evidences: Circular Reasoning Or The Logical Place To Start?
1. Modernist: "Using the Bible to prove the Bible is assuming what must be proven."
2. Instead: Investigating and testing the ground of its claims. (cf. Claim of oil on land - Drill there, not in next state!) {Jno. 5:39, 46; 20:30-31}
a. If insufficient evidence exists to support the claim, then the Bible is patently false!
b. If evidence is sufficiently strong - Compels belief in its claims.
c. cf. Drilling for oil (dry hole vs. natural gas/striking oil).
B. That God Verbally Revealed Himself To Man: "The Word Of God" - 1 Sam. 3:21 (OT - Over 3,800 times).
1. Deut. 18:18-19 - God used prophets to speak His words.
2. Process: God (His Spirit) -- Prophets -- Words, Zech. 7:12; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; cf. Matt. 10:19-20.
C. That God’s Revelation Of Himself Has Been Recorded In Inspired Scripture - 2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Cor. 14:37 (1 Pet. 1:23-35).
1. Inspiration (THEOPNEUSTOS) - "God-breathed." (Scripture is the "breath of His mouth" - Psa. 33:6).
2. 2 Pet. 1:20-21 - Not of human explanation / origin.
3. We have God's revelation today: BIBLE! (1 Pet. 1:23-25)
III. DOES IT MATTER?
A. Yes, If You Want A Strong Faith.
1. Faith is based upon evidence, not hearsay / conjecture / blind assumption - Heb.11:1; Rom. 10:17.
B. Yes, If You Want To Follow God, Not Man - cf. 2 Pet. 1:16-21.
1. Peter rests his case upon evidence:
a. v. 16 - Eyewitness testimony.
b. v. 17-18 - The Father's voice.
c. v. 20-21 - Inspired explanation and origin of prophecy.
2. v. 19 - Assurance of faith!
C. Yes, If You Want To Be Ready To Give An Answer For Your Hope - 1 Pet. 3:15.
1. Paul was - Phil. 1:17 (cf. Acts 17:2-3; 19:8).
2. We must - 1 Ths. 5:21.
Conclusion
1. The evidence we will consider from the Bible for its divine inspiration:
a. Unity and style.
b. Fulfilled prophecy.
c. Scientific foreknowledge.
d. Historical reliability.
2. Then, we will assess the evidence and how we can use it.
3. Want you to know why you can be sure that the Bible is the verbally inspired word of God!
-Strengthen your faith and equip you to give answers for your hope.