1. “Say What?” Series: Can We Trust the Bible? Trent Gerig Bradley University Class of 2000

2. What is the Bible?  Written over the course of 1600 years  Forty different authors  Three different languages  Three different continents

3. Literary Styles  Law  Poetry  History  Genealogy  Letters  Prophesy

4. The Old Testament Words were written from right to left No vowels were used No spaces or punctuation Written in Hebrew and Aramaic NTHBGNNNGGDCRTDTHHVNSNDTHRTH

5. New Testament No spaces or punctuation Written in all capital letters Greek Language INTHEBEGINNINGWASTHEWORDANDT HEWORDWASWITHGODANDTHEWORD WASGOD

6. How can we trust the Bible?  Manuscripts  Archeology  Prophesy

7. Old Testament Manuscripts  Earliest complete Hebrew Bible dates at 1000 A.D.  Texts were copied by the Massoretes  Copying was very detailed  The copy was considered as good as the original

8. Dead Sea Scrolls  Discovered in 1947 by a shepherd boy near Jericho  Contain parts of every book except Ester  Dated to about 100 B.C.  The book of Isaiah is 95% agreeable to texts 1100 years older  The other 5% is spelling mistakes and grammar

9. New Testament Manuscripts About 5500 Greek texts in existence Fragments are dated to within 50 years Complete books to within 100 years Significance: Biblical passages, especially the Gospels, were written when eyewitnesses were available to refute them “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16

10. Conservative Original Dates  Paul's letters: A.D. 50-66  Matthew: A.D. 70-80  Mark: A.D. 50-60  Luke: early 60's  John: A.D. 80-100

11. New Testament Manuscripts The entire NT could be reproduced by quotes of the early church fathers 36, 289 total quotes before 325 A.D. The church canon was well accepted far before the Council of Nicea.

12. Archeology  “No archaeological discovery has ever controverted a Biblical reference” Nelson Gluek, Jewish Archeologist  The book of Acts has been proven to be historically accurate in regards to locations and names

13. Old Testament Archeology  Elba tablets were discovered from 1900 B.C.  Confirm the accuracy of kingdoms written about by Moses in Genesis 14  The walls of Jericho were discovered to have fallen outward, possibly due to an earthquake  This corresponds with Joshua 6 that describes the conquering of the city

14. Prophesy  There are over 300 prophesies of Jesus in the Old Testament  The Dead Sea Scrolls confirm that these were written prior to Christ's birth  The book of Isaiah contains 30 specific prophesies and this book is completely preserved prior to Christ

15. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17 The words of the Lord are flawless. Psalms 12:6 All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Tim 3:16

16. What is so important?  The Bible continues to be proven correct in light of recent discoveries  If Bible is correct on these small, seemingly insignificant points, what about the major points?  Shouldn’t we try to read and understand it?

17. If you already believe  READ IT!!  Study it  Memorize it  Understand it  Belong to a church that makes you open it

18. What does the Bible say to us?  Man was created by God So God created man in His own image, In the image of God He created him; Male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27

19. What does the Bible say about sin?  Sin came into this world through Adam and Eve  We all share in this sin and continue to be sinful For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

20.  Because of sin, we will experience a physical death and a spiritual death For the wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23

21. How can we avoid the spiritual death? But the gift of God is eternal life. Romans 6:23 He (the Philippian jailer) then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.” Acts 16:30-31

22. Grow in the Grace of God  Begin to walk in God’s Word and grow deeper in knowledge and relationship with Him Your Word is a lamp to my feet And a light for my path. Psalms 119:105