The answer is simple-“Yes”. Of course, you expected us to say that, didn’t you? So, the real question is “Why do you think so?” Again, the answer is simple but not simplistic. We believe the Bible is inspired because it shows evidence of being from God. It is intriguing that the Bible makes the claim of inspiration because not all religious books do. While we realize that just claiming something doesn’t make it so, it surely invites investigation. In this article we will investigate the reasons that will explain its claim to being inspired of God.

As we look at these reasons or evidences of inspiration, I want you to think about this familiar comment: “The Bible was written by a bunch of men and is full of mistakes.” The phrase is partly correct and partly incorrect but it does make a valid point. If men did write out of their own experience and imagination, then we would expect there to be mistakes. We have been taught by experience that this is the case with human beings. Read your paper lately? But what if we read a book and noticed that it lacked the familiar type of mistakes that characterize men’s writings? What would we think then? Before we look at some examples let’s take a moment to see a broader picture of the Bible.

Introducing the Bible
The Bible is really a library and the word Bible means “books”; 66 of them in fact. It contains a variety of types of literature from the literal narrative of history to the figurative expression of poets. It includes letters between individuals and between an individual and different churches that existed in different countries with different cultures. The Bible covers a wide span of history, about 1500 years, and is recorded by 40 different men. These had different backgrounds and were from different countries. Some were educated, some were fishermen, some were kings and some were shepherds. What is amazing about these men is that they wrote the same thing on some pretty controversial and profound themes. For instance, they agreed that man’s problem is sin and that the solution is to obey God. They were able to write these 66 books with amazing consistency concerning God’s plan of redemption for mankind realized in Jesus Christ. The prophecies of Jesus alone are adequate proof of the harmony and agreement that is typical of the Bible. From Genesis 3 through Revelation 22, we see a distinctive and unmistakable thread of prophecy concerning many different aspects of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Remember our statement in the first paragraph, “We believe the Bible is inspired because it shows evidence of being from God” as well our statement from the second paragraph, “If men did write out of their own experience and imagination, then we would expect there to be mistakes” ? Now we are ready to see some reasons for why we believe the Bible is uniquely from God; things that will contrast the wisdom and knowledge of God with the wisdom and knowledge of man.

The Bible is trustworthy in its historical accounts.

1. Skeptics once denied the existence of a Hittite nation until Hugo Winkler unearthed their ancient capital at Boghaz-koi in 1906-07.
2. Scholars once doubted the reference to Sargon in Isaiah 20 till 1843 when Emilo Botta discovered the palace of Sargon at Khorsabad and much information has become known about Isaiah’s prophecy since that time.
3. Skeptics once questioned the failure of Sennacharib to capture Jerusalem but excavations of Nineveh revealed a monument that boasts that he only had “shut up Hezekiah like a bird in a cage”.
4. Sir William Ramsey, British historian and archaeologist, began a study of the apostle Paul under the conviction that the book of Acts was full of errors. His studies changed his mind and he came away with a deep conviction of the historical accuracy of Luke’s account of the early church and he even wrote an excellent commentary on Acts detailing these. It is called St. Paul, The Traveller and Roman Citizen and can still be purchased today in print as well as an electronic version.
5. These and other examples too numerous to list, give us a sense of the historical accuracy of the Bible as compared to the assumptions of men. When men attacked the Bible as being historically inaccurate (therefore not inspired), they were constantly being embarrassed by discoveries that verified the biblical account. We close this section with this quote, “The reviewer has spent many years in biblical archaeology, and in company with his colleagues, has made discoveries confirming in outline or in detail historical statements in the Bible. He is prepared to go farther and say that no archaeological discovery has ever been made that contradicts or controverts historical statements in scripture.” Dr. Nelson Glueck, The New York Times, “Book Review”, Oct. 28, 1956

The Bible is scientifically trustworthy even though it is not a science textbook.

1. In our day of complete and blind acceptance of evolution as the explanation for the universe, this particular aspect of the Bible is proof positive to some people that the Bible is not inspired of God but just a book of myths.
2. Conflicts between science and religion are legion according to some but there are at least three points that need to be considered:
   1. The Bible and theories of science may conflict.
   2. Facts of science and theories of the Bible may conflict.
   3. Truth of the Bible and the facts of science do not conflict.
3. We would like also to observe that since Nature and Scripture both came from God, there can be no real contradiction between Natural truth and Biblical truth.
4. Rotundity of the earth-Isaiah 40:2 (discovered in 15th century)
5. Earth suspended in space-Job 26:7 (discovered in 1650)
6. Paths in the sea-Psalms 8:8 (discovered in 1854)
7. Life is in the blood-Leviticus 17:11 (discovered in19th century)
8. Principles of quarantine, disinfection, covering mouth in treatment of infectious diseases-Leviticus 13 & 14 (discovered in 17th century)

QUESTION: How did the Bible writers know these things centuries before science discovered them?
ANSWER: God told them!!

The Bible does not contain the errors and fallacies of science common to the age in which it was produced.

1. Moses, writer of the first five books of the Old Testament, was “instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22), yet his writings did not contain any of the theories of the Egyptians concerning the beginning of the world from a flying egg, or the origin of man from the white worms of the Nile. (see Genesis 1:1; 2:7). The question that needs to be asked is “Why did Moses disregard his Egyptian learning?” and “Where did he get his information?”
2. Until the time of Louis Pasteur most men believed that life could spontaneously spring from non-living matter, but the Bible is never guilty of making that mistake. The Bible says that everything “brought forth…after its kind.” Life comes from life.
3. Although bleeding a sick person was a popular medical treatment that existed in ancient history and has persisted until recent times, the Bible does not teach that this is a means of increasing health. Leviticus 17:11.

QUESTION: Where did Moses get this information?
ANSWER: Not from Egypt, nor from any known science or medical book of his time, THEREFORE, not from any man. The only conclusion is that he got it from GOD!

One of the strongest evidences for the divine origin of the Bible is Fulfilled Prophecy.

1. The prophet Isaiah rests God’s claim to Deity on His ability to predict the future and to bring it to pass and challenges the idols to do the same. Isaiah 41:1-8; 21-26; 44:6-8; 46:8-11.
2. The test for a false prophet was if he predicted something and it didn’t happen proving that God didn’t send him-Deuteronomy 18:20-22 and Jeremiah 28:9.
3. Successive world kingdoms were prophesied about in the Bible. Daniel 2 identifies the present kingdom of Daniel’s time, the Babylonian, and predicts three more to rise in succession and finally, for a spiritual kingdom to arise during the time of the fourth kingdom. In Daniel ch.8, the second kingdom is named, the Medes and Persians (v20) and the third kingdom is named in v21, the Greeks. That helps us to identify the fourth kingdom as the Roman Empire. It is one thing to say that there will be successive world kingdoms but to name them accurately is out of the realm of mere men. And that spiritual kingdom to come during the Roman Empire(the fourth kingdom) was the kingdom of Jesus Christ.(see John 18:36-37; Colossians 1:13-14). What man could predict that?
4. Israel was prophesied to have a king 400 years before it happened-Deuteronomy 20:36. Fulfilled when Saul was chosen as king.
5. They would be in bondage to another nation-Deuteronomy 20:37. This was fulfilled in the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities.
6. The prophecies of Jesus (all 322 of them, according to Henry Liddon) remains the most compelling example of divine prophecy and fulfillment. These prophecies start at Genesis 3 and go throughout the Bible. They predict His time and place of birth, His lineage, His divinity, and mentions the main events of His life in some detail, like the betrayal and trial, the amount of the betrayal money, His crucifixion and burial and finally, His resurrection, ascension to heaven and coronation as the Messiah King.

A final word

All of the things we have mentioned in this article have just scratched the surface. We have mentioned so few examples in each category but we hope that it will encourage you to investigate further the claims of the Bible. If you would like more information on this topic please contact us.

“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” II Peter 1:20,21

Consider This

There are a number of good reasons why one should study the Bible. First, one should study it because it is inspired of God (see article, “Is the Bible God’s Inspired Word?”). Because it is inspired, the message is truth and everything it says is true. For instance, the Bible says that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom.3:23) and if we refuse to seek salvation for those sins, the Bible tells us that we will be judged by the Word of God, “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.” (Jn.12:48)

A study of the Word of God can show us how to be saved (James 1:21) (see article “What Must I do To Be Saved?”) and thus prepare us for the judgment at which time saved people will hear God say, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matt.25:34)

A study of the Bible will open up to us everything that has to do with life and godliness (II Peter 1:3). The great treasure house of information that is in the Bible deals with all aspects of life and teaches us how to conduct ourselves in all the relationships of life. Also, Paul told the Ephesian church that they could understand or have insight into the mystery of Christ, by reading what he wrote and so can we. (Eph.3:1-5)

A study of the Bible will tell us how to have the best kind of life here on earth, “for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (I Timothy 4:8)

A study of the Bible will show us all the commands of God that we need to obey. Jesus told the apostles to “teach them all things that I have commanded you” referring to those who had been made disciples of Jesus. (Matthew 28:18-20)

A study of the Bible will tell us of all the blessings that God has for us. Paul tells us that “all spiritual blessings are in Christ Jesus” (Eph.1:3) and Jesus said He came to give us life more abundantly (John 10:10). Some of these blessings include a happy and contented life here as the fruit of the Spirit is produced in our lives (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control).

A study of the Bible helps us to learn from the mistakes of others. The Old Testament especially is full of examples of this. I Corinthians 10:11 says, “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” The study of Ecclesiastes is a whole book that helps us learn from the experiences of Solomon, King of Israel as he details his frustration is seeking to learn the meaning of life and fulfillment and purpose. His conclusion is “The whole purpose of man is to fear God and keep His commandments.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13,14)

These are just a few of the reasons why one should study the Bible. And all of the above reasons are summed up in this one reason- in the Bible we learn about God’s love. (John 3:16)

And we learn how we can express our love to God, “but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected.” ( I John 2:5)

It is truly worth it to spend time in studying the Bible. “Study to show thyself approved to God, a workmen that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15

For a fuller perspective on this topic, we would suggest that you read the entire Psalms 119 which gives many other reasons for studying the Bible.

Consider This

This article is about the church of Christ, or more specifically, “exactly what is the church of Christ?” Usually, in an article like this, one can expect to see some historical information that will identify the particular religious group under consideration as either Catholic or Protestant or something else. Further, you might expect some mention of its headquarters, its para-church organizations, and number of congregations, etc. Unfortunately, you will not find that kind of information here. And the reason that you won’t is that we simply don’t define or explain ourselves like other religious groups explain themselves.

Why the difference? Well, because our roots are different from theirs. In fact, our roots are rather unique among religious groups. They began with a man called Jesus Christ who came to the earth to build His church (Matthew 16:18). That church began in Jerusalem during the First Century. We know this because of Jesus’ command to the apostles that preaching of “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). The apostles obeyed this and Acts 2 records this being done. As a result of this, the church is mentioned in verse 42-47 as being in existence at that time and place. While it began in Jerusalem, it was never considered the headquarters. The church was to grow into different parts of the world as the preaching of Jesus went throughout the world. (read Acts 1:8)

As a result of Jesus being the builder of the church (Mt.16:18) and considering that His blood bought the church (Acts 20:28), it is proper to call the church, the “church of Christ”. And that was one of the names or identities that was used in the New Testament to describe those saved by the blood of Jesus (Romans 16:16). Other names or descriptive titles used to refer to the saved are “the church of God” (I Corinthians 1:2), the “body” (Ephesians 1:22,23), the “house of God” (I Timothy 3:15), and the “kingdom of God” (Matthew 16:18,19). It is important to note that the “church of Christ” which we are talking about here, is not a denominational name. Neither are any of the above names referring to denominational groups, including “the church of God”. We are talking about the references that Christ made to His church, His people, as being in existence beginning in the First Century and not to any group that had its beginning in the last century whether in Cleveland, TN or Anderson, IN.

With this basic understanding of a non-denominational stance, the church of Christ that meets at Park Road seeks to be just that church that Jesus built and that spread throughout the world. It is spread by the teaching of the gospel of Christ as seen in the parable of the Sower in Luke 8:4-15. Wherever the gospel (seed) is taught, then what God wanted to grow from that seed would grow and bear fruit. Jesus warned against false seeds in another parable, The Parable of the Wheat and Tares (Mt.13:24-30), and also told the apostles that even in His day, “Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted shall be rooted up.” (Mt.15:13)

In summary, the church of Christ is a term that describes the people who have been saved by the blood of Jesus and this church began during the First Century in Jerusalem. It is not a new denomination nor does it believe that denominationalism is part of God’s will for the church. (Read I Corinthians 1:10-13; 4:17; John 17:20, 21).

Consider This

This is a topic that is very important and has far-reaching implications for any person who desires to please God and go to heaven. Let’s look at these themes of belief and obedience in the New Testament.

II Thessalonians 1:6-8, really shows us the importance of these themes. Note particularly v8, “dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”

Hebrews 11:6 states both of these themes in a chapter that is often called the “Hall of Faith”. This chapter is the best summary in the whole Bible of these themes of belief and obedience. It would be great if you could read this whole chapter. Verse 6 introduces us to this chapter by these words, “And without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He rewards those who seek Him.” Believing and seeking are mentioned in this verse as key to coming to God and are also the fullest expression of what faith is. Faith is not only believing that God exists but also believing that He rewards seekers. A seeker is one that obeys God. This principle was demonstrated in people like Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses and countless others.

James 2:14-26 is a context that makes a similar point but uses the word “works” to mean obedience. Faith is the topic in this section, but not just any kind of faith. The context mentions a “dead faith”(v17), a “demon’s faith”(v19), a “useless or vain faith”(v20), and in contrast, a “perfected faith”(v22).

A question that one asks themselves at reading this passage is, “What kind of faith do I want?” Your choices are seen above. The context tells us that a “perfected faith” is one that works, or obeys. It acts, it responds to God’s command. The example is Abraham. And verse 24 tells us that if Abraham had not offered up Isaac on the altar, then he would have had “faith alone”, i.e., faith without obedience. This kind of obedience is called “works” in the passage. This is not a works that is like man’s moral good deeds, but a work of obedience in response to a command from God. This kind of works does indeed justify whereas man’s moral good works does not justify us before God. That is a important distinction to make.

Further, v23 says that this faith and works fulfilled the Scripture that is found in Genesis 15:6 and is also quoted by Paul in Romans 4:3. Paul uses Abraham to show that he was justified by faith apart from the works of the Law of Moses (see Romans 3:20; 4:2,9-12). While Paul makes sure that people understand that one cannot be justified by doing the works of the Law of Moses, he cites Abraham as an example of justification by faith because he always believed God and did what God said to do (see Gen.12:1-4; 15:1-6; 17:1-14; 22:1-12; Heb.11:8-11,17-19). James uses the same Abraham to prove justification by faith too but James’ point is to show the true nature and extent of faith, i.e., it obeys God and while he uses the word “works” to describe this obedience, it is vastly different from the word “works” to which Paul refers. Consider also these verses Acts 10:34,35; Matthew 7:21-23; John 14:15 and Hebrews 5:7-10.

Consider This

It is a fair question and a necessary one. Simply, the answer is because we are lost. Jesus once observed a crowd of people following Him and it was said of Him that He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. That is, they were lost and wandering around not knowing where they were going for they had no one to guide them.

We need saved because we are lost in sin. Sin is defined as going against God’s law (I John 3:4) and it is the common experience of all mankind as Romans 3:23 tells us, “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. Sin is also described as when a person “knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin” James 4:17. Further, we can even go against our conscience and that is considered sin (Rom.14:22,23). Finally, John the Apostle tells us that “all unrighteousness is sin” (I John 5:17). If you can stand before God and tell Him that you have never disobeyed His law, and that you have never failed to do a good thing, and that you have never gone against your conscience and that all you have ever done has been right, then, at least in your eyes, you have never sinned. Or to say it another way, you are perfect! Are you to ready to think that about yourself? Are you ready to tell others that? Are you ready to stand before God and tell Him that?

But a person may say, “I don’t feel like I am lost”, and may even take offense at such a suggestion, but the thing to keep in mind here is that God and His Word need to be factored in before coming to such a conclusion. What I feel like and what I have actually done are often two different things. When you get pulled over by a policeman for speeding, many times we don’t think we were speeding but the radar says we were. So with God’s Word we may not think we violated His Word, but He says we did when He tells us that “all have sinned…”. Please think about these things.

Consider This

That’s a great question! In fact, it is a question right out of the Bible. People have been asking this question for hundreds of years. They have been asking it because they came to the conclusion that they were lost in sin and needing saving. Let’s look at some of the people who asked that question.

Acts 2:37

In this passage, the people who asked the question, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”, had just been told that they were guilty of crucifying Jesus.(v36) They realized they were sinners and so asked what should they do to be forgiven of this sin. Now, let’s notice the answer they were given. In v38, Peter said to them, “Repent and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 16:30

The question is this passage, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”, was asked by a jailer who was standing guard in the jail where Paul and Silas were prisoners. The immediate answer that came back was, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household.”(v31). What followed gives us a fuller understanding of what was involved in “believing in Jesus”. First, they “spoke the word of the Lord to him” so that he would know who the Lord Jesus is. Second, “immediately, he was baptized, he and his entire household”. (v33). This salvation experience was summarized by the next verse which tells us that they “rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.”(v34). It is worth noting that being baptized was described as “having believed in God”.

Acts 22:10

Our next example concerns Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor of Jesus and the church, who became the apostle Paul. This is the story of his conversion to Christ as he related it to his Jewish audience. After telling them about seeing Jesus (v7-9), he asks the Lord this question, “What shall I do?”(v10). Again, like Acts 2:37, the fact of being saved is assumed due to the context. In Saul’s case, he now realized he had been sinning so he now wanted to know “what shall I do, to be saved or forgiven of this sin?” The answer is not immediate but he is told to go into Damascus and there it would be told him what he was to do for salvation. (v10). Once in Damascus, Paul waited three days for the answer to his question. He fasted and prayed during that time. Finally, Ananias came to him and told him simply, “And now why do you delay, Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name.”(v16). Ananias was telling Saul what to do by direction of the Lord Himself (Acts 9:10-19), and it was baptism that was the thing that was to wash away his sins.

There are some other examples in the book of Acts that we will refer you to at the bottom of this article, but for now these are representative enough. At this time, let’s summarize what we have seen as the answers to this question, “What must I do to be saved?”

Here is what we’ve seen:

• People being taught about the Lord (see John 6:44, 45; Mark 16:15)
• People believing on the Lord (see John 3:16; 8:24)
• People repenting of their sins (see Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30, 31)
• People being baptized for the remission of their sins (see Mark 16:15, 16;Colossians2:12; I Peter 3:21)

If you have any questions and would want to talk with someone about being saved, please contact us. We stand ready to assist you in anyway.

Other passages that you will want to study: Acts 8:1-13; Acts 8:26-39; Acts 19:1-5; Romans 10:9-17.

Consider This

This is a question that has been asked for years and a topic of conversation among religious people for equally as long. With such a long time for study and examination you might think that all the religious in the world would have come to a consensus on what proper worship is. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

Does that mean that the truth cannot be arrived at or that one cannot know the truth? We need to remember the words of Jesus when He said, “you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:32). And even if we could not find a general agreement among religious people, what would that prove? We need to remember what the apostle Paul said in Romans 3:4, “Rather, let God be found true and every man be found a liar…”.

So, let’s notice a conversation that happened long ago on this topic of worship. The conversation is found in John 4:20-24 between Jesus and a woman of Samaria and it begins like so many conversations between religious people. Notice that the woman identifies their differences; “Our fathers worshipped in this mountain and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place when men ought to worship.” Jesus responds by saying that there is a time coming when the proper place of worship will be neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem. In other words, “both of us are incorrect”..

In v.23, Jesus explains further about this new kind of worship. He says the time is coming when the “true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth”. First, we learn that “true worshippers” can exist. Second, we know what defines a true worshipper: “to worship in spirit and truth”. Jesus goes on to say in v24 that “God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth”. That is, this kind of worship is not an option. If you want to be a “true worshipper” you must worship in spirit and truth!

Now, we need to try to identify what worship “in spirit and truth” means. To worship “in spirit” seems to have some corresponding meaning to the fact that “God is a spirit”. Would that mean that since God is a spirit then we need to approach him with our spirit? If so, how would one do that? First, we know that we are commanded to serve God will all our being. Matthew 22:37 tells us to love with all our heart, mind, and soul. Paul tells us to glorify God in body and spirit which are His. Further, we know that worshippers in the Old Testament corrupted their worship by being content with the proper form while not being completely devoted or sincere in their hearts. (Isaiah 1:11-17, Matt.23:23). Therefore, the idea that “worship in spirit” means to worship with our inner man, our full heart in sincerity would be what Jesus is talking about here. Examples of how this may be applied would be for us to be awake during the sermon, singing with the understanding, ( I Cor.14:15), and listening to the prayer so we could say the “amen!” meaningfully..

But what does “worship in truth” mean? This is best understood by the passage where Jesus prays for His apostles in John 17. In that passage, He asks the Father to “Sanctify them according to Thy word, thy word is truth.” It is certainly understandable that all worship of God should be according to what He has commanded of us in His word. What we do know of what God requires of us in worship if He hasn’t told us in His word? Nothing! It is the means by which we can know all things about Him and what He asks of us.

There is one last passage that we want to look at before we finish this article. This passage is an interesting one to use to illustrate the correct meaning of our analysis of John 4:23,24. In Matthew 15:8,9, we see the opposite situation as depicted in John 4:23,24. Jesus tells the Jews that they have been like those of Isaiah’s day and He even quotes the prophet by these words, “You worship Me with your lips but your heart is far from Me. You worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Notice that they were not worshipping in spirit because their hearts were far from God. They were not relating to God on a spiritual level, with their inner man. Further, they were not worshipping according to the teaching of God. The context of this passage particularly emphasizes this point. This whole discussion arose due to the contrast of the tradition of the Jews versus the commandments of God. By teaching their traditions, the Jews had supplanted the commandments of God and elevated them above God’s law. As a result, their worship had become vain or useless and what is worse: a waste of their time.

We need to see from these passages is that it does make a difference how we worship God and what we do in our worship of Him. In Part II of this article, we will describe the items and acts of the worship of the church as described in the New Testament.

Consider This