Rooted in the Past – Growing in the Present Part 5

Lesson #5 – Why We Believe the Bible John 17:17 Isaiah 40:8 The Fourfold Power of Scripture 1. The Scriptures Are Inspired 2 Timothy 3:16 inspiration comes from the Greek word meaning: Theopneustos = God-breathed ● Psalm 119:89 ● Matthew 4:4 2. The Scriptures Are Instructive 2 Timothy 3:16 Four Wonderful Areas Of Instruction: • Doctrine – What Is Right • Reproof – What Is Wrong • Correction – How To Get Right • Instruction – How To Stay Right John 4:14 3. The Scriptures Are Instrumental 2 Timothy 3:17 The Bible works in three great ways: A. For Salvation 2 Timothy 3:15 “Which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.” ● Romans 10:17 ● 1 Corinthians 5:3–4 B. For Sanctification 2 Timothy 3:17 John 17:17 C. For Service 2 Timothy 3:17 4. The Scriptures Are Irrefutable Hebrews 11:1 “the evidence of things not seen.” A. Historical Evidence Examples where archaeology confirmed the Bible: • Belshazzar Confirmed by the Nabonidus Cylinders found in Iraq. • The Hittites Thousands of tablets discovered at Boghazköy. • Pontius Pilate – confirmed by a limestone inscription reading “Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea.” • Pool of Bethesda – excavated near the Church of St. Anne, showing the five colonnades exactly as described in Scripture. B. Scientific Evidence Ancient Egyptian medicine included things like: ● lizard blood ● donkey dung poultices ● rotten meat applications ● human and animal excrement as medicine ✔ Quarantine for infectious disease (Leviticus 13–14) ✔ Washing after contact with sickness (Leviticus 15) ✔ Proper disposal of human waste outside the camp (Deuteronomy 23) ✔ Isolation of diseased individuals (Numbers 5) C. Preservation Evidence Psalm 12:6–7 The Bible has been printed in millions of copies and over 3,500 languages. ● Voltaire, who predicted Christianity would vanish (his home later housed the Geneva Bible Society). ● Diocletian’s edict in A.D. 303 ordering Scriptures burned. ● Nazi book burnings ● Communist censorship ● Modern attempts to remove the Bible from public life. Mark 13:31 D. Prophetic Evidence Over 300 prophecies about Jesus Christ were written centuries before His birth. • Born in Bethlehem • Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver • Hands and feet pierced • Buried with the rich Psalm 34:8 How to Get Into the Bible 1. Read it daily 2. Study it carefully 3. Meditate on it slowly 4. Share it freely 5. Apply it immediately