Can I Trust The Bible

This question fleshes out the simplistic "The Bible is from God" answer. How was scripture written, formed, edited, discovered, critiqued, and inspired?Almost all Christian beliefs and traditions come from the Bible — but where did that come from?

What is the Bible?

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++The Word of God

++The Truth

The Biblical Narrative

Read Luke 1:1-5, 2 Peter 1:16-21

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Luke 1:1–5 KJV 1900

1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, 2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; 3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

What was the purpose of Luke’s writing?

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2 Peter 1:16–21 KJV 1900

16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 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.

What did Peter say?

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We have followed

++The truth

++Not fables

We made you to know

++The power of God

++The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

We only spoke from experience

++We saw what God did through Christ

++We heard God honor him

++We were eyewitnesses of his majesty

You would do good to listen to us.

The power of an eye witness

Read: John 9

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John 9:1–3 KJV 1900

1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

John 9:10–11 KJV 1900

10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? 11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.

John 9:13–15 KJV 1900

13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. 14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.

John 9:17–18 KJV 1900

17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. 18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.

John 9:20–21 KJV 1900

20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.

John 9:25 KJV 1900

25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

John 9:27 KJV 1900

27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?

What did you notice about the man born blind?

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It doesn’t matter

++Who ask him

++How many times he was ask

++His story never changed

The Word of the Lord

++Will stand on it’s own

Psalm 119:89 KJV 1900

89 LAMED. For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.

The Word of the Lord

Will stand on it’s own

++Is truth

John 17:17 KJV 1900

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

The Word of the Lord

Will stand on it’s own

Is truth

++Changes us

Psalm 119:9 KJV 1900

9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.

The Word of the Lord

Will stand on it’s own

Is truth

Changes us

++Will have a witness

Read Jeremiah 7:2, 26:2

What was Jeremiah given to do?

Jeremiah 7:2 KJV 1900

2 Stand in the gate of the Lord’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the Lord.

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Jeremiah 26:2 KJV 1900

2 Thus saith the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:

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Read 2 Thessalonians 2:15

What does Paul tell is to do?

2 Thessalonians 2:15 KJV 1900

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

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Can I trust the Bible?

What does it mean to trust?

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What does it mean to trust?

++Confidence

++Faith

++Dependence upon

Where do we put our trust?

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++Yourself

++Your Friends

++Your Family

++Your Job

++Your Church

++Your Government

All of these things are temporary

Read Ecclesiastes 1:1-3

Ecclesiastes 1:1–3 KJV 1900

1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

What does it mean “Under the Sun?”

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Trust in ourselves is connected to

++Our Position

++Our Possessions

++Our Power

++Our Perceptions

We trust what we place value in.

Lamentations 1:19 KJV 1900

19 I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: My priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, While they sought their meat to relieve their souls.

Obadiah 3 KJV 1900

3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, Thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; That saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

Luke 21:8 KJV 1900

8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

1 Corinthians 6:7 KJV 1900

7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

Isaiah 44:8–9 KJV 1900

8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: Have not I told thee from that time, And have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any. 9 They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; And their delectable things shall not profit; And they are their own witnesses; They see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.

Isaiah 44:20 KJV 1900

20 He feedeth on ashes: A deceived heart hath turned him aside, That he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

How do we avoid deception?

John 8:31–32 KJV 1900

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

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To be a disciple

++You must believe

++Continue in his word

A true disciple

++Can distinguish truth

++Is not bound but freed by truth

Truth is still truth

++When truth is uncomfortable

++When truth hurts.

True freedom comes only the truth.

Psalm 73:17 KJV 1900

17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then understood I their end.

1 Timothy 3:15 KJV 1900

15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

What is the real problem?

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The real problem?

++It is not the Bible.

++It is not the Church

++It is not even translation

++It is with truth.

Why is the pursuit of truth so dangerous?

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Truth

++Accountability

Galatians 3:22 KJV 1900

22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Romans 1:16–19 KJV 1900

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

1 Corinthians 2:8 KJV 1900

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Truth

Accountability

++Responsibility

John 8:36–38 KJV 1900

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. 38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

2 Timothy 3:8 KJV 1900

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

Truth

Accountability

Responsibility

++Authority

Luke 7:7–8 KJV 1900

7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

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

1 Thessalonians 1:5 KJV 1900

5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

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