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The Lion’s Tribe As Believers, we have a desire, and yes, a responsibility, to share our faith and win souls for the kingdom of God. The absolute power of the gospel lies in the truth that Messiah Jesus died to become our final, once and for all atonement for sin, which is offered to us as a free gift. This truth is found in the pages of scripture, which is the “basis of authority” of the gospel message. So, sharing our faith, means to share the truth of the Bible with unbelievers. Jesus was the living “Word of God” when he dwelled among us, and he left us with the “printed Word of God” when he departed. Sometimes we seem to forget that in order for unbelievers to accept the truths of the Bible, they first need to believe that the Bible is actually the inspired Word of God. At a recent Bible study, I asked those in attendance “why” they believe the Bible is actually the inspired, infallible word of God. I was not surprised when no one could give an answer that might convince an unbeliever. I cannot over emphasis the importance of explaining to nonbelievers why we know for a certainty, without a shadow of a doubt, that the Bible is the literal word of God. The Bible is to Christianity what the motor is to a car, or a battery is to a flashlight. Without is, it just doesn’t work! That being said, allow me to share 5 reasons why we can be confident that the Bible is real and true. I am saving the most convincing argument for last!! All major religions and/or cults have written books or manuscripts that are the “basis of authority” for their beliefs. The Muslims have the Koran, The Hindu’s have the Hindu Vedas, the Mormons have the Book of Mormon, the Christian Scientist’s have the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the Roman Catholic Church has the church writings based upon tradition, the Church of Scientology has the writings of L. Ron Hubbard, a former science fiction writer, etc, etc. So what makes the Bible any different than any other “sacred writings”??
1: Historical Accuracy - The Bible is in a class by itself., far superior to written records of Egypt, Assyria, and other early nations. Dr. Nelson Glueck, the greatest modern au- thority on Israeli archeology said, “ No archeological discovery has ever controverted a Biblical reference. Scores of archeological findings have been made which confirms in clear outline or in exact detail historical statements in the Bible. And by the s ame token, proper evaluation of Biblical descriptions has often led to amazing discoveries.” In short, the Bible has been proven accurate time and time again, and has never been proven to be inaccurate!
2: Scientific Accuracy - Striking evidence of divine inspiration is found in facts of nature revealed in the Bible long before science confirmed them experimentally, including - a: Roundness of the Earth - Isaiah 40:22 b: Almost infinite extent of the universe - Isaiah 55:9 c: Law of conservation of mass and energy - II Peter 3:7 d: Hydrologic cycle - Ecclesiastics 1:7 e: Vast number of stars - Jeremiah 33:22 f: Law of increasing entropy - Psalm 102: 25-27 g: Paramount importance of blood in all life processes - Leviticus 17:11 h: Atmospheric circulation - Ecclesiastics 1:6 i: Gravitational field -- Job 26:7
3: Unique Structure - The Bible contains 66 Books - 39 Old, 27 New - 1,189 chapters, 31, 102 verses - 790,871 words written by 40 authors over 1,600 years. All 66 books makeup one continuous story indicating a single inspired source. If we went to the world’s Largest Library, select 66 books, authored over 1600 yrs., by 40 different authors, and tried to put them together to compose one continuous story, it would be impossible. The individual writers, at the time of writing, had no idea that their message was eventually to be incorporated into a single volume, but each, nevertheless fits perfectly into place and serves its own unique purpose as a component of the whole. Anyone who diligently studies the Bible will continually find remarkable structural and mathematical patters woven throughout its fabric, with an intricacy and symmentry incapable of explanation by chance or collusion.
4: Bibles Unique Effect - No other book has ever held such universal appeal nor pro- duced such lasting effects. It is the all-time best seller, appealing to both hearts and minds, by at least some in every race, nation or tribe, rich and poor, simple, kings, commoners, and men of every literal background and walk of life. Further evidence of it’s divine inspiration lies in the testimonies of the multi - tudes past, and present, who have found from personal experience that its prom- ises are true, its counsel sound, its commandments and restrictions wise, and its wonderful message of salvation meets every need for time and eternity
5: Fulfilled Prophecy - The most convincing of all arguments for the divine inspiration of scripture is fulfilled messianic prophecy, with more than 300 prophecies were fulfilled by Messiah at his first coming. Peter Stoner (Moody Press - 1963) said, By using the modern science of prob- ability in reference to only 8 prophecies fulfilled by Jesus, “we fine the chance that any man might have lived to the present time and fulfilled all 8 prophecies is 1 in 10 to the 17th power (1 in 100, 000,000,000,000,000)” To put this number in prospective, it would be like taking one single silver dollar, and marking it. Then adding it to 100, 000,000,000,000,000 silver dollars and cover the state of Texas. That would be about 2 foot thick!! Next, blindfold a man, tell him he can travel anywhere within the state he wishes, and tell him he must bend down and find that 1 marked silver dollar in a single try.. That is the same chance that the prophets of Israel would write 8 of the messianic prophecies and one man, Messiah Jesus, could fulfill all 8. Now, consider the odds of Jesus fulfilling 48 prophecies - The would be 1 in - 100,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000, 000, 000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000,000, 000, 000,000,000,000 This number is 1 in 10 to the 157th power. The estimated number of electrons in the entire universe is 10 to the 79th power The very pages of the Bible it self declares that the scriptures are the only true “basis of authority” for correct spiritual understanding and truth. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” - 2Ti 3:16 Any other profession or claim to spiritual authority or truth, not based upon the Bible, is a countifeit, false, and serves only to lead sinners away from the free gift of salvation through the messianic atonement of Messiah Jesus, and towards eternal damnation and separation from his creator. Remember this - Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies at his first coming! These statistics put the likelihood of the Bible being divinely inspired ,and of Jesus being Messiah, out of the realm of possibility into the realm of absolute certainly. All Believers should be ready always to give an account of the faith that is within us, including proof that the Bible is truly the word of the Living God. **** Some of the information contained in this article is from the book, “Evidence that Demands a Verdict” by Josh McDowell. We cordially invite you to join us on the 2nd Thursday of each month at our fellowship and Bible study night. For information and directions, please visit our website at: www:Shiloh-Ministries.org or call us at (631) 864-0814
Ron Cusano, Shiloh Ministries
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