How do we know the Bible is true?

We can be confident that what we read is what was originally written.

Old Testament - Hebrew 

• A.D. 1,000
• Dead Sea Scrolls 400 B.C.
• Numbering words frontwards and backwards 

We can be confident that what we read is what was originally written.

New Testament - Greek

• No originals. Copies of copies of copies.
• Numbers of identical manuscripts vs. Homer, Plato, Shakespeare, etc.
• Telephone game

We can be confident that what we read is what was originally written.

OK, but how can we know the Bible true?

What the Bible says about itself:

Psalm 12:6 - "And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times."

2 Pet 1:21 - "For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

Why we know it's true: PROPHECY

Gen 12:7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.”

Why we know it's true: PROPHECY

Gen 12:7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.”

The Book of Daniel predicted the rise of the coming major world powers: Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome

Why we know it's true: PROPHECY

Gen 12:7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.”

The Book of Daniel predicted the rise of the coming major world powers: Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome

Isaiah predicted the name (Cyrus) of the king who would allow Judah to return home, 150 years ahead of time--before Judah was exiled!

Why we know it's true: PROPHECY

Isaiah 44:28 who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd
and will accomplish all that I please;
he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,”
and of the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.” ’ 

Why we know it's true: PROPHECY

There are 270 predictions of Jesus in the Old Testament.

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Psalm 22

Why we know it's true:

Relevance and Life Change