What we believe about God and Christianity depends on our view of the Bible or what we believe about it. The Bible claims for itself to be the revealed Word of God: 2 Peter 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. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. In the Old Testament the writers frequently wrote: “This is what the LORD says. . .” or, “This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD.”
If the Bible came from God through men shouldn’t there be indications or evidence of its uniqueness? While we can’t prove it scientifically, consider the following facts.
The Bible is a collection of 66 books written over 1400 years from several different continents. It was written primarily in Hebrew, Greek and some Aramaic. It was written by 40 different authors; kings, herdsmen, soldiers, legislators, fishermen, statesmen, priests, a tent making rabbi and a Gentile physician. It covers topics that are unexplainable by men, such as the trinity, incarnation, atonement, resurrection, virgin birth, faith vs. works and salvation by grace through faith alone.
Currently there are 23,986 Greek manuscripts and a total of 66,286 scrolls and translations of both Old and New Testaments. Compared with “reliable” ancient classical writings such as Homer’s Iliad that has only 1900 manuscripts, the earliest one 400 years later.
The teachings of the Bible have greatly influenced world history unlike any other religious writings. It has transformed countless lives and is responsible for the world’s longest lasting constitution, that of the USA, not to mention how it has made America the most powerful, wealthiest and influential country in world history.
The Bible’s message transformed eleven disciples who denied Jesus as the Messiah prior to His death to ten men who were martyred for their faith in Jesus as the Messiah and one who was exiled. The message of the Bible is rooted in a relationship with Jesus Christ who forgives, imparts eternal life and continues to change lives today. Therefore, we can say with the Apostle Paul; I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation.
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
September 6, 9:00Sunday morning worship and Holy Communion. Sermon: Watchman on the Wall Ezekiel 33:1-20
Please continue praying for our nation and the upcoming election. Vote your values.
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