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Can We Trust the Bible? 

Text: 2 Peter 1:16-21

Introduction

If we’re going to think theologically about things, we need to know our bibles. The Scripture is sufficient for humanity to know who God is, what He’s done, and how we should respond to Him. 

The Bible is the history of God’s redemption of His fallen creation. It introduces us to God, explains the human condition, reveals God’s power and plan to restore us, and documents key moments in redemption’s story. The purpose is so that we can believe – John 20:31. 

Our belief about the Bible directly affects our devotion and obedience to God. What happens when we’re not sure? The authority shifts from God to us 

In the text, Peter knows that his death is approaching (v 13-15) so he wants to encourage Christians to continue on in the faith by recalling what they have been taught. 

Peter says that our faith isn’t based on clever stories, fairy tales, or moral allegories. It is built upon the account that bears testimony to the Person and work of Jesus Christ.

Four Streams of Evidence that Show the Bible’s Reliability

These lines, taken together, build a pretty solid case for its reliability. At the end, we’ll talk about what its reliability means to us today. 

1| Internal Consistency – v 16-18

The Bible isn’t “one book.” It’s a collection of 66 books written over 1600 years by over 40 different authors across three continents, using multiple genres and three distinct primary languages. Yet, the Bible keeps one cohesive message – w/o contradiction. 

Key Points: 

• You can check the Bible against history’s dates and facts. 
• The disciples claimed to be eyewitnesses of the promised Messiah and the fulfillment of Old Testament writings and considered each other’s accounts to be Scripture – even quote each other. 
• There is plenty of evidence to suggest that the gospels were written early (between the 40s-60sAD). 
• Progressive revelation is how God furthers the story as we get more revelation. Progressive revelation doesn’t contradict the message: it completes the message. 

Summary: “I believe the Bible because it is a reliable collection of historical documents written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetimes of other eyewitnesses who report to us supernatural events that took place in fulfillment of specific prophecies who claim their writings are divine and not human in origin.” – Voddie Baucham 

2| Prophetic Accuracy – 19

The Bible has an almost 100% success rate for making predictions that come true – almost 100% only because there are things that aren’t supposed to happen until the end of time. 

Key Points: 

• Bible prophecy was always given to give hope (and expectation) that God was still at work. 
• Jesus fulfilled over 300 Messianic prophecies. 
• Fulfilled prophecy means faithful promises. You can trust God.  
• We can expect continued fulfillment until Jesus comes back.

Summary: fulfilled prophecy is an invitation to believe as much as is historical accuracy – of which the Bible has both. The resurrection is the key fulfillment that highlights the truth and reliability of the Bible. 

3| Divine Preservation – v 20-21

God has protected and proven His Word. 

Key Points: 

• There are over 6,000 manuscripts (or portions of), some of which can be dated to the turn of the second century. The textual agreement is over 95%. 
• The Bible was quickly translated into Syriac, Coptic, and Latin. From there, it spread throughout the ancient world.  
• The early church fathers wrote commentaries and quoted the text. From their writings alone, we could reproduce 95% of the NT. 
• No one person or group ever had control over the Bible. 
• The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls confirmed that the text has not been changed. 

Summary: The canon of scripture was not decided so much as it was declared. They were the books everybody was using anyway. The fact that we have so many copies gives us the ability to determine what was actually said despite copyist mistakes (different word, spelling, etc.). We can be sure that what we have is what God has given us. 

4| The Supernatural “Extras” 

Since the Bible claims to be a supernatural book, there should be some supernatural evidence. 

Key Points: 

• If the Bible is God’s Word, you would expect it to be attacked. 
• The Bible has divine power to transform lives. 
• When you study it, you encounter the living God. 

Summary:  The Bible speaks. You hear God’s voice through it. You see yourself in it. You understand the world around you because of it. 

Conclusion

When we investigate the Bible, we can only come to the conclusion that there is something different about this book. It is not a human invention. It looks like God sent and confirmed a message to us.

Our response: Read it. Believe it. Obey it. Share it. 

“Christianity is not built on feelings, culture, or personal opinions. It is built on the unchanging, authoritative Word of God. When Scripture speaks, our job is not to edit it, soften it, or explain it away – but to believe it, submit to it, and live by it.” Voddie Baucham.