The only evidence that we have so far that the Bible is the Word of God is its own proclamations. For many it is enough to have faith in the Bible’s claims, but it doesn’t have to be. Next we will establish that the Bible is reliable based upon other factors.
Archeological Evidence
Although archeology alone cannot prove that the Bible is true, it could prove that the Bible is false – and it has certainly tried. Yet, with all of the attempts over the years to discredit the Bible, archeologists and scientists have not been able to. There are still some accounts in the Bible that have not been supported by archeological evidence but where evidence exists, it is accurate and true. Following are some examples:
Support #1
Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts, has been proven accurate by archaeology in regard to references to 32 countries, 54 cities, and 9 islands…that’s 95 different references, all of which have been supported by archaeology.
Support #2
John, the author of the Gospel of John, 1-3 John, and Revelation, mentions in his gospel that near the Pool of Bethesda there were 5 porches. For years, archaeologists believed John to be wrong because no such place had ever been discovered. But recently, 40 feet under ground, 5 porches were discovered.
Support #3
In the 19th century most “modern” archeologists agreed that, even though the Bible mentioned a group of people called the Hittites (Genesis 23:10), there was no such group. Then, in the late 1800’s, tremendous discoveries matched the Biblical record with incredible precision.
Support #4
For years it was assumed by some theologians that Moses could not have been the author of the Pentateuch (Books of Law) because the written record was not in practice at that time or was used sparingly. This led theologians to devise many theories as to how the Pentateuch was compiled. Then, archeologists discovered the Black Stele containing the laws of Hammurabi which date at least 300 years before the time of Moses.
Support #5
There are 25,000 sites with a connection to the Old Testament that have been located in the lands of the Bible.
Support #6
The most ancient textual evidence we have is a portion of the Gospel of John, written on ancient paper called papyrus, dated just after 100AD. No other ancient document enjoys such compelling manuscript evidence.
Historical/Manuscript Evidence
In addition to overwhelming archeological evidence, there is also much historical manuscript evidence in support of the Bible’s reliability.
As with all ancient historical documents, the original writings no longer exist. During the period that the Bible was penned, a piece of writing was passed along on animal skins or papyrus. What exists of those copies is referred to as manuscript evidence, or ancient copies. We have over 24,000 ancient copies of the New Testament alone, more than any other ancient writing. In case you are wondering whether that is considered a lot, compare that to some authors whose works are never questioned to be accuarately preserved:
Author
Herodotus
Thucydides
Aristotle
Caesar
Pliny
Suetonius
Tacitus
Date Written
480-425BC
460-400BC
384-332BC
100-44BC
61-113AD
70-140AD
100AD
Earliest Copy
900AD
900AD
1,100AD
900AD
850AD
950AD
1,100AD
Time Span
1,300 Years
1,300 Years
1,400 Years
1,000 Years
750 Years
800 Years
1,000 Years
Copies
8
?
5
10
7
?
20
As you can see, for these secular manuscripts the shortest time span between the author’s life and the earliest copy is 800 years. The Bible, on the other hand, is much closer. Of the 24,000 copies we have of the New Testament, 230 of them date before 600AD, a difference of only 550 years. And some of the copies date much closer. In the last 20 years or so, study has been done on a portion of Matthew’s gospel that some people believe is either an original or was written while Matthew was still alive. There is most definitely a piece of a copy of the gospel of John that dates to 125 A.D., perhaps as soon as 35 years from John’s life.
Prophetic Evidence
If the combination of archeological and historical manuscript evidence is not enough to convince us that the Bible is true, the most compelling evidence is fulfilled prophecy. There are hundreds of prophecies that were made and fulfilled in the Bible. Here are a few about Jesus:
Prophecy Written Fulfilled
His birthplace will be Bethlehem Micah 5:2 Matthew 2:1
He will be born of a virgin Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:18
He will come into Jerusalem on a young donkey Zechariah 9:9 John 12:14
His close friend will betray Him Psalm 41:9 Mark 14:10
His hands and feet will be pierced Psalm 22:16 John 20:27
He will rise from the dead Psalm 16:10 Acts 3:15
He will ascend into heaven Psalm 68:18 Acts 1:9
There are many prophecies in the Bible that have yet to be fulfilled, including those outlining the end of the world and the fate of mankind.
How much evidence do you need to conclude that the Bible is a book that is worthy of your utmost attention and devotion?
Did you realize that there is enough credible evidence to “convict” Jesus as being the Son of God and the Bible as being God’s Word in a court of law?
