How Did We Get the Bible?

Over the next several weeks, we will be shifting our focus from the Old Testament characters to some very pressing questions that we see.

Imagine building a house. If the foundation is shaky, the whole house is at risk. That’s why one of the first and most important questions in our faith is: Can I trust the Bible?

We live in a world that questions everything. People say:

Isn’t the Bible just an old book, written by men?

Hasn’t it been changed over the centuries?

How do we even know these 66 books belong in it?

If our faith is built on the Word of God, then we need to be sure that Word is trustworthy. We are going to see from Scripture itself, from history, and from God’s promises that the Bible is God’s Word, inspired, preserved, and powerful.

The Bible is God-Breathed

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Let’s start by breaking down these verses.

The Greek word here literally means “breathed out by God.” This doesn’t mean that God dictated every word like a boss to a secretary. Instead, it describes a dynamic process where:

God superintended the process-He ensured the final product was exactly what He intended.

Human personality remained intact-Moses writes differently than Paul, John differently than Luke

Divine authority permeates every word-not just the “spiritual” parts, but genealogies, historical details, even Paul’s request for his cloak.

Addressing the Hard Questions

What about when Paul says, I, not the Lord in 1 Cor 7:25?

Even Paul’s personal opinions were guided by the Spirit. Paul distinguishes between a direct command from Jesus and his apostolic judgment, but both carry divine authority. The spirit inspired Paul to make that very distinction.

What about apparent contradictions? When we find difficulties, we have three options: assume error, suspend judgment pending more information, or look deeper for harmony. History shows that patient study usually resolves apparent contradictions (archaeology has confirmed countless details once thought impossible).

Illustration: Think of a symphony orchestra. Each musician plays their own instrument with their unique sound and style, but they’re all following the sam conductor’s direction. The result is unified music that couldn’t exist without both the individual musicians and the guiding conductor.

2. Human Authors, Divine Guidance: The Miracle of Dual Authorship

2 Peter 1:20–21 NKJV

20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

How God “Carried Along” the Writers

The Greek word for carried along or as they were moved is used of a ship moved by wind. The sailors still work the sails and steer, but the wind determines the direction and provides the power

God’s methods varied:

Direct revelation- Thus says the Lord (prophets

Historical research- Luke investigated and interviewed witnessess (Luke 1:1-4)

Personal reflection- Solomon’s wisdom literature draws on experience.

Existing sources- Chronicles uses earlier records

Pastoral concerns- Paul’s letters address specfic church situations

Addressing Authorship Questions

“Didn’t Moses write about his own death?” Jewish tradition holds that Joshua or another prophet completed Deuteronomy under divine inspiration, or that God revealed Moses’ death to him prophetically.

"What about disputed authorship of some letters?"Even if some letters were written by associates (as was common practice), apostolic authority stands behind them. What matters isn't the hand that held the pen, but the authority behind the message.

The Dating QuestionCritics often late-date biblical books to avoid supernatural predictions. But early dating is supported by:

Archaeological evidence

Internal textual clues

Early church testimony

The abrupt ending of Acts (suggesting pre-70 AD composition)

3. Canon Formation: How We Got These 27 Books

This is where most skeptical questions concentrate, so let's go deep.

The Old Testament Canon

The Hebrew Bible was essentially settled by Jesus' time:

(Torah) - accepted by 400 BCThe Law

- closed by 200 BCThe Prophets

- finalized by 100 BCThe Writings

Jesus referenced all three sections (Luke 24:44) and never disputed the established boundaries. The Qumran community (Dead Sea Scrolls) shows this same threefold division.

The New Testament: A More Complex Story

The Process Wasn't RandomThe early church used four key criteria:

- written by apostles or their close associatesApostolic authorship

- recognized across the church, not just locallyUniversal acceptance

- aligned with established apostolic teachingConsistency

- demonstrated divine power in transformationSpiritual impact

Timeline of Recognition:

- Books written and begin circulating50-100 AD

- Collections form, widespread use in worship100-200 AD

- Lists appear (Muratorian Fragment ~180 AD lists 22 of our 27 books)200-300 AD

- Athanasius lists our exact 27 books367 AD

- Council of Carthage ratifies what was already accepted397 AD

Addressing the "Lost Books" Question

"What about the Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Judas, etc.?"These Gnostic writings:

Were written 100-200+ years after Christ (far too late)

Contradicted apostolic teaching

Were rejected by mainstream Christianity from the beginning

Reflected Greek philosophy more than Hebrew thought

"What about books referenced in Scripture that we don't have?"The Bible mentions sources like the Book of Jasher or the Acts of Solomon. These were historical sources, not inspired Scripture. Just as modern historians cite other works, biblical authors could reference non-canonical sources without making them Scripture.

"Why did some books take longer to be accepted?"Books like Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, and Revelation were initially disputed in some regions due to questions about authorship or content. But widespread acceptance came as their apostolic connections were established and their value proven.

💡 Illustration: Imagine gold prospectors. They don't create gold—they recognize it when they find it. The church didn't make books canonical; they recognized the canon that was already there, shining with divine authority.

4. Textual Preservation: The Manuscript Evidence

Psalm 119:160 NKJV

160 The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

The Numbers Are Staggering

New Testament manuscript evidence:

(more than any other ancient work)Over 5,800 Greek manuscripts

(within 30-40 years of composition)Earliest fragments date to 125 AD

Complete manuscripts from 300-400 AD

Compare to other ancient works:

Caesar's : 10 manuscripts, earliest 900 years after compositionGallic Wars

Tacitus: 20 manuscripts, 1,000 year gap

Homer's : 643 manuscripts (the second-best attested ancient work)Iliad

Addressing the "Telephone Game" Myth

The manuscript tradition wasn't a chain—it was a web:

Multiple independent copying streams

Cross-checking between different manuscript families

Professional scribes with verification systems

Immediate correction of obvious errors

What about the variants?Yes, there are approximately 400,000 textual variants, but:

99% are spelling differences, word order changes, or obvious errors

No major doctrine is affected by any significant variant

Most variants exist in manuscripts that weren't widely used

Textual criticism can determine original readings with high confidence

Specific Examples of Disputed Passages

Mark 16:9-20 (the longer ending):Likely not original based on manuscript evidence, but doesn't contradict anything taught elsewhere in Scripture.

John 7:53-8:11 (woman caught in adultery):Probably not in John's original text, but reflects authentic Jesus tradition preserved orally.

1 John 5:7 (Trinitarian formula):Late addition not found in early manuscripts, but the Trinity is clearly taught throughout Scripture.

The honesty with which scholars address these issues actually increases confidence in the text.

5. Archaelogical Confirmation: The Stones Cry Our

Archaeological discoveries continue to validate biblical reliability:

Dead Sea Scrolls (1947)

Isaiah’s scroll 1,000 years older than previously known manuscripts

95% identical to later manuscripts

Proves extraordinary preservation over millennia

Historical Confirmations:

Pontius Pilate inscription (confirms his existence and title)

Pool of Bethesda (John 5)- excavated exactly as described

Pool of Siloam (John 9)

Caiaphas ossuary—high priest’s burial box found

Numerous city locations, customs, and governmental details confirmed

External historical sources:

Josephus mentions Jesus, John the Baptist, and James

Tacitus reference’s Christ’s crucifixion under Pilate

Pliny the Younger describes early christian worship

6. Internal Evidence: Unity in Diversity

Consider the remarkable consistency:

Written by 40+ authors across 1,500 years:

Different occupations (fishermen, kings, doctors, tax collectors)

Different locations (wilderness, palaces, prisons, exile)

Different literary genres (history, poetry, prophecy, letters)

Different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek)

Yet demonstrates:

Unified theological message

Progressive revelation building to Christ

Consistent moral standards

Interwoven themes and prophecies

No contradictory doctrines

This unity is humanly impossible without divine orchestration.

7. Prophetic Fulfillment: Predictions Only god Could make

Specific prophecies fulfilled:

Daniel's succession of empires (written centuries before)

Jesus' birthplace (Micah 5:2)

Details of crucifixion (Psalm 22, written before crucifixion was invented)

Destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 21, fulfilled in 70 AD)

Israel's dispersion and regathering (Deuteronomy 28-30)

Mathematical probability:Peter Stoner calculated that just 8 messianic prophecies fulfilled by one person have odds of 1 in 10^17 (1 followed by 17 zeros).

8. The Ultimate Evidence: Transforming Power

The greatest proof that the Bible is God's Word is its continuing effect:

It transforms lives:

Converts the hardest hearts

Comforts the broken

Guides moral decisions

Provides hope in despair

Creates lasting change

It survives attacks:

Survived Roman persecution

Outlasted medieval suppression

Withstands modern criticism

Remains the world's bestseller

Continues changing lives globally

Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Application

You can build your life on this Word with complete confidence because:

- not human opinion or traditionIt comes from God

- through centuries of copying and transmissionIt was carefully preserved

- by those who knew the apostles and their teachingIt was properly recognized

- by archaeology, history, and experienceIt has been repeatedly confirmed

- in transformation and truthIt continues to demonstrate divine power

When culture questions the Bible:

Remember its divine origin, careful preservation, and consistent power

Don't just defend it—live it

A life transformed by Scripture is the best apologetic

Be prepared to give reasons for your confidence (1 Peter 3:15)

Practical steps:

Study it regularly and systematically

Memorize key passages

Learn basic facts about its transmission and formation

Live out its teachings authentically

Share its message with confidence