Is the Bible reliable?

I wanted to share on this topic to point to several scriptures that show us that the Bible is in fact God's Word to us.

2 Peter1:19-21 which says “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;

20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 

21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.  

Research tells us that the Spirit of God guided and directed over 40 men over a span of over 1,600 years to arrive at what we know as the Bible today.  

Each writer’s unique style and personality come through their writings, yet through the leading of the Holy Spirit, God at the same time determined the content and directed the accuracy of all they wrote.  

2 Timothy 3:16 says that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of god may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work”.

Another way we know the scriptures are God breathed is because it is prophetic.  Here are some examples:

Israel’s rebirth as a Nation after being dispersed many centuries ago which was predicted by the Bible (see Isaiah 11:11, Ezekiel 37:1-14) For almost 2000 years the nation of Israel did not exist.  Then, on May 15, 1948, Israel became a nation once again.  In 1967 (The Six Day War) its area quadrupled, and Jerusalem became Jewish property.  These predictions were recorded over 600 years before they actually came to past and their fulfillment has been during recent world history.

There are many other prophesies recorded in scripture as well:  the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem which Jesus spoke over 60 years before it happened.  The bible prophesied about the 4 great world powers that would come into existence: Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome were all specifically prophesied and described by Daniel the prophet over 500 years B.C.  Each detail was fulfilled as these empires rose and fell in the coming centuries. 

There are over 300 specific Old Testament prophesies detailing the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the messiah of the Jews and the World. 

It was not by accident that God chose the Jewish people to create, keep, and preserve the original manuscripts (the cannon or Old Testament).  The Jewish people, and more specifically their scribes are known for their meticulous attention to detail.  They went through pain-staking measures to count words and letters to ensure there were no mistakes recorded.  The recent historical discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 further validate our modern Bible as they were accurately dated back to 100 B.C.  This finding further confirms all of the Biblical accounts we have on record; they were also used as direct translations for what we used today in our New American Standard Bible.  

All of the physical evidence points to the Bible we have today as the most authentic historical document in existence to date! 

The God of the Bible is alive and so are His Words, as the Bible says about itself that it is alive and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the division of the soul and spirit…This means the Bible is fluent, dynamic, and very relevant to our lives today and it contains mysteries about the life to come.  Its deep mysteries are revealed to those who are willing to obey God.  

In John Chapter 7:16-17 Jesus said, My doctrine was not Mine, but His who sent Me.  If anyone wills to do His will (the Father), he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.  

 Luke 10:21 (NKJV) In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes…

The wise and prudent are those that are proud, they rely on their own understanding and do not have respect for God’s word neither fear Him, as a result God does not open His Word to them.  But, if any man desires to do God’s will he will know (spiritually) that what Jesus and the prophets are saying is in fact the truth.  Romans says that our spirit will bear witness with the Spirit of God that we are the children of God.  No matter how we slice it, it still comes down to faith.  I realize that no one can be talked into the kingdom of God, we have to believe that God is who He said He is, the Great I AM, and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.

I personally can also testify to the power and validity of God’s Word by experience.  It has transformed my life, the way I think and the way I live.  I have experienced what the Bible refers to as the new birth where old things have passed away and behold all things are new.  Jesus saved my no good soul by dying on the cross and taking away all of my sins.  I used to live a frustrated and self-centered life, did I ever do “nice” things for others? Well yes, but basically, I was a sinner by birth and by practice. To be honest, I did not love God with all my heart nor did I love my neighbor as myself.  But then Christ forgave me of my sins and came into my heart, and now I am daily walking with Him and learning what it means to deny myself, take up my cross and follow Christ.  

In conclusion: if the Bible is proven to be true, then that means Jesus’ words are true.  If Jesus’ words are true, then the fact is He is the Way the Truth and the Life, and no man can come to the Father but by Him. This means He is returning very soon to catch away those that are His (Rapture) and then to judge all of mankind, each of us will stand before Him and give an account of our lives.  If we simply acknowledge this truth but don’t allow it to change the course of our lives then the Bible tells us that we haven’t really heard, it’s not until we have taken heed, repented and followed Christ that we have become true disciples. Psalm chapter 1 says:

Psalms 1:1-2 (NKJV)

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.

We can conclude that the Bible is not only reliable but is also vital to our spiritual health, we must read it everyday and constantly desire for the Words of God to become one with us by keeping the commandments written in it.

Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

Psalm 119:9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path!

I pray that this has helped in some way, if you have questions or want to discuss this further please don’t hesitate to contact me. Also feel free to check out the other Christian topics available on this site.