How Can We Know the Bible is True?

This is a legitimate question, and one that everyone should ask themselves when considering the topic of religion. There are many religions in the world. So, how do we know which one is right?



Thankfully, there is a lot of evidence we can consider. A good place to start is with the Nation of Israel.

LOOK AT ISRAEL

Their history is well documented, and just the fact that they continue to exist as a nation is amazing. Consider that the Israeli people were taken captive from their homeland, scattered throughout all the nations of the world, and have regathered once again with their history, culture, language and religion in tact. Generally, when a group of people are scattered like the wind into all corners of the earth, losing their homeland, over time they lose their identity as one cohesive nation and are simply absorbed into the culture around them. This happened to the Vikings. They became so spread out they lost their origins as one nation, and were absorbed into the cultures they went to conquer. Not only does Israel continue, but their history of being spread throughout the earth and then returning to their homeland was foretold in the Bible. Here are some passages that address this:
Jeremiah 16:14,15 Therefore, behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when it shall no longer be said, 'As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt', but 'As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.' For I will bring them back to their own land which I gave to their fathers.

Jeremiah 23:3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall multiply.

Ezekiel 36:24 For I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land.

Ezekiel 34:12,13 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when some of his sheep have been scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land.

Zechariah 7:13,14 and 10:8,9 "As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear," says the Lord of hosts, "and I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they had not known. Thus the land they left was desolate, so that no one went to and fro, and the pleasant land was made desolate." (10:8,9) "I will signal for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they shall be as many as of old. Though I scattered them among the nations, yet in far countries they shall remember me, and with their children they shall live and return."

LOOK AT THE DISCIPLES

The Bible is where we learn about Jesus and His disciples. After Jesus returned to Heaven, He charged His followers with the task of telling the world about Him. If Jesus had not even existed, do you think that the disciples would really have become martyrs for a made-up character? They paid a heavy price and would not back down from their testimony when it caused them great suffering to the point of death. People do not die for some made-up character.

LOOK AT THE STANDARD THE BIBLE SETS

Some people claim that the Bible is just made up to keep people in line. We do have such a book, and that is the Quran. Consider that if human beings wrote the Bible, it would not hold such a high standard for human behavior. Love your enemies, do good to those that hate you, and do not repay evil for evil are not human ideas. No way. Being faithful to one wife is not something that men would think of either (we see that the Quran allows men multiple wives).

LOOK AT THE CLAIMS MADE BY JESUS

Consider that the leaders of other religions never claimed to be THE source of salvation, or claimed to be the Son of God. Even Mohammad is said to be God's "Messenger". Either Jesus was a crazy person (and as we said, His followers did not die for some crazy person - they knew who they were witnessing about), or else Jesus was who He said He was. No leader of any other religion made the claims that Jesus made. None of them could say, "I AM THE WAY<>

LOOK AT ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES

The Lachish Tablets describe Nebuchadnezzar's invasion of Judah which the Bible tells of, and occurred around 588 B. C.

The Cyrus Cylinder authenticates the Biblical description of Cyrus's decree to allow the Jews to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem (see 2 Chronicles 36)

The Moabite Stone gives information about Omri, whom the Bible lists as the 6th king of Israel. It dates from 850 B. C. and parallels II Kings 1 and 3.

The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III illustrates how Jehu, king of Israel had to submit to the Assyrian king

The Taylor Prism contains an Assyrian text which details Sennacherib's attack on Jerusalem during the time of Hezekiah. It is in the British Museum.

The City of Jericho has been found and excavated.

The Mari Letters include about 20,000 clay tablets written in Old Babylonian dialect dating from around 1,700 B. C. They come from the region that was home to the Patriarchs before going to Canaan, and often mentions "Nahor" which is the city where Abraham's servant went to in order to find a wife for Isaac (Genesis 24:10)

LOOK AT ANCIENT HISTORIAN WRITINGS

Cornelius Tacitus (55-120 A.D.) was an historian of Rome in the 1st century and was considered one of the most accurate historians of the ancient world. He tells us that Nero, a Roman Emperor, "inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class - called Christians" and "Christus [Christ] from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilate."

Flavius Josephus (38-100 A.D.) was a Jewish historian and was devoted to Vespasian (a Roman ruler). He writes about Jesus that he was, "a wise man who did surprising feats, taught many, won over followers from among Jews and Greeks, was believed to be the Messiah, was accused by the Jewish leaders, was condemned to be crucified by Pilate, and was considered to be resurrected."

Suetonius (71-135) was a prominent Roman historian. In his writing, "The Life of Claudius" he wrote about Nero inflicting punishment on the Christians "as a class of men given to new and mischievous superstition".

Thallus (50-75 A.D.) was a Samaritan, and associate of Tiberius, and a scrupulous historian. Only a few fragments of his writing survived, but in those he records "on the whole world there pressed a fearful darkness, and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down." Thallus calls this darkness an eclipse of the sun in his 3rd book of his Histories. We know of this through another historian, Julius Africanus whose writings question the eclipse, saying, "an eclipse cannot happen at Passover when the moon is full and therefore diametrically opposed to the sun."

While I am sure this list is not comprehensive, it is at least something to think about when a person questions the authenticity of the Bible. Over time, advancements and discoveries come to prove the truths already found in the Bible. When the Bible does not seem to make sense, the fault is with us and our lack of understanding. But the Word is God is tried and true.

Inward and Outward

A question has come up concerning spiritual gifts, as referred to in Romans 12:6-8. So far, we have not talked about this in the Bible study group. I believe that it is important to lay a firm foundation in the ways of God before getting caught up in who has what gifting. That will come. But the danger of putting the gifts before having a deep inward rich spiritual life with God is that one might end up like the Corinthian Church. Full of gifts, yet carnal. We end up as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:1

"I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."

Laying the foundation of love for God, and love for each other is crucial. We all have heard of people who have been turned off by "Christians" like that - who appear to be hypocrites to others because they lack humility and sincerity. It is obvious when someone does not have their inner life grounded by the inward working of the Holy Spirit's graces. Not only does it do harm to the witness of God in their life, but it also robs them of their heavenly rewards. In Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus tells us,

"Don't lay up for yourself treasures upon earth, where moth and rust corrupts and thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourself treasures in heaven, where moths nor rust corrupts and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

The fact that God is more concerned with our inward state (which then becomes outwardly manifest in our behavior) than He is with our "gifting" in and of itself is, evident in multitudes of
Scriptures. The one Scripture that I am reminded of that speaks strongly about this is in Matthew 7:23

Not every one that says to me , Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, haven't we prophesied in your name? and in you name haven't we cast out devils? and in you name haven't we done many wonderful works? And then I will say unto them, I never knew you. Depart from me, you that work iniquity.

Every time I read that Scripture it is sobering to me. Imagine the Lord saying, "I never knew you." Apparently these people were doing outward works, and proclaiming His Name. But they did not have that inward foundation. That is the true riches of a deeply intimate relationship with our Father. This is where the foundation comes from that enables us to do the works that are acceptable to Him. As Jesus said, when you pray, go into your inner chamber and pray in secret. When you give alms, give in secret. Without the inner spiritual riches, we will be to others as sounding brass and tinkling cymbals. As Jesus told us, the kingdom of God is within you. Turn your attention inward today to see that there is peace with God and a deep inward witness. Is there joy within? Let the Spirit of God water your spirit today. Be refreshed by His indwelling Presence. Let Him be "enough" for you today.