I. Are The Books Contained In Our Bible Authoritative? Are They Sufficient For Our Faith And Practice?

[1]. The Old Testament as Authoritative:

A. The law was to be read in the presence of the people (Deut. 31:10-13).

B. The people of that time were urged to obey it (2 Chron. 17:9).

C. The kings were to make their decisions by it (Deut. 17:18-20).

D. It was the basis of God's judgment of the kings (1 Kings 11:38).

E. The captivity of Israel and Judah caused by disobedience to the Old Testament scriptures (Neh. 1:7-9).

F. Christ accepted them as authoritative (Matt. 22:29; Lk. 24:44).

G. Also the Apostles (2 Tim. 3:16).

[2]. New Testament Scriptures:

A. Jesus Prophesied them (Jn. 16:12-15; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).

B. Peter referred to it as authoritative (2 Pet. 3:15-16).

C. Paul claimed Divine authority for his writings (1 Thess. 2:13).

Yes, this book made up of 66 books (39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament) 1,189 chapters, 31,173 verses, 773,692 words, and 3,567,180 letters, answers every question concerning man's creation, life and destiny. It tells us river banks, in exile, in victory, in defeat and in success; also from every walk of life, kings, peasants, priests, fishermen, generals, shepherds, noblemen, tax-gatherers, doctors, lawyers, statesmen, and politicians - - all these being in unity concerning sin,judgment and salvation would be impossible except that one DIVINE BEING directed it all.

NOTE: THE UNIQUE REPRESENTATION OF IT -

[1]. in relation to God. Man could never have invented a God as revealed in the Bible. Infinite, sovereign, triune, holy and loving (Is. 6:1-3).
[2]. In relation to men. If man had written the Bible, he would never have pictured himself as the Bible does: Condemned, debased in character and sinful in conduct (Rom. 3:10-12).

NOTE: PROPHECY AND ITS FULFILLMENT - Example: Isaiah 53

[1]. It claims Christ as its center - how true!
[2]. It claims salvation as its theme. Someone has given the following definition of the Bible:

B - Blessed

I - Information

B - Bringing

L - Life

E - Eternal

Preparation - Old Testament where we come from, why we are here, and where we are going.

 

II. Can We Trust The Bible Record?

III. Proof Of Its Divine Inspiration:

NOTE: THE UNITY OF THE BIBLE -

30,000,000 copies of the Bible are printed each year in 900 different languages.

Forty different writers, writing under every possible condition, some in prison, some in palaces, others in caves, in deserts, by:

Manifestation - Gospels
Propagation - Acts
Explanation - Epistles
Consummation - Revelation

[2]. Its teachings are indispensable

"It is impossible to rightly govern without the Bible" - George Washington

A. In it we find:

[1]. A standard for childhood
[2]. A guide for youth
[3]. Inspiration for the matured
[4]. Comfort for the aged
[5]. A lamp to our feet, a light to our path
[6]. Food for the hungry and water for the thirsty
[7]. Rest for the weary
[8]. Light for the heathen
[9]. Grace for the Christian and salvation for the sinner

B. Gate To Heaven

[3]. Its power is indescribable

"The Bible is no mere book, but a living creature with a power that conquers all that oppose it." - Napoleon

As a converted African cannibal sat reading his Bible, a European trader passed by and asked him what he was doing. "Reading the Bible," was his reply. "That book is out of date in my country," said the trader. "If it had been out of date here, you would have been eaten long ago, "said the African.