Inspiration of the Bible 2 Peter 1:19-21 September 3, 2017

Inspiration of the Bible Is the Bible the Word of God? If it is the Word of God, can we know for certain? Faith is based on evidence and there is a mountain of evidence to support both questions.

Inspiration of the Bible 2 Peter 1:20-21 19 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.

Inspiration of the Bible Tonight we want to look at some External evidence. This is evidence which is NOT found with in the pages of the Bible.

Inspiration of the Bible Circulation of the Bible

Circulation of the Bible Jerome wrote the Latin Vulgate. Translated in 383-405 AD. 1st Book EVER printed. Copies were then given away. Today a Gutenberg edition of this translation is worth more than $100,000.

Circulation of the Bible The British paid $510,000 to the Russians for the Codex Sinaiticus. They established the British Bible Society in an effort to mass produce the Bible. Today they print a Bible every 3 seconds, totaling 33,000 Bible printed every day from them alone.

Circulation of the Bible Bible Translations and Distribution The MOST printed and distributed book the world. Translated into over 1,100 languages which equals 90% of the world’s population.

Circulation of the Bible Books considered “Great” works in literature have to be translated into at least 3 languages. As of 1932 1 Billion copies of the Bible had been published. How many since then? Nothing comes close to the distribution of the Bible.

Inspiration of the Bible Circulation of the Bible Indestructibility of the Bible

Indestructibility of the Bible When scribes would transcribe they would count every: Word, Letter, and Syllable to ensure accuracy. We have over 13,000 manuscripts or partial manuscripts of the Bible, and over 4,000 manuscripts from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Centuries.

Indestructibility of the Bible The Bible survives!! Matthew 24:35 - Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 1 Peter 1:25 - But the word of the LORD endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

Indestructibility of the Bible Attempts have been made to destroy the Bible and the Word of God from this earth. All have failed look at this list. And this is probably not complete.

Indestructibility of the Bible Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 36:23) Antiochus Epiphanes (215-164 BC) Valerius Diocletian (284-305) Pope Innocent III (1161-1216) Pope Gregory IX (1143-1241) Pope Ferdinand II (1578-1637)

Indestructibility of the Bible Voltaire (1694-1778) Thomas Pain (1737-1809) Robert Ingersoll (1833-1899) Modernists (Present Day)

Indestructibility of the Bible John Clifford (1836-1923) penned a poem entitled “The Anvil” This poem accurately describes the durability of the word of God. Listen to the words of this poem.

Inspiration of the Bible Circulation of the Bible Indestructibility of the Bible Biblical Influence

Biblical Influence The Bible has influenced many things in our society: Literature Laws Politics Art

Inspiration of the Bible Circulation of the Bible Indestructibility of the Bible Biblical Influence

Invitation Non - Christians Hear – Romans 10:17, Acts 18:8, Believe – Romans. 10:9-10, Hebrews 11:6 Repent – Luke 13:3,5 Acts 17:30 Confess – Acts 8:37, Matthew 10:32 Be Baptized – Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-5 Be Faithful – Revelation 2:10, Hebrews 10:35

Repent - Acts 8:22, Revelation 2:5 Invitation Christians Repent - Acts 8:22, Revelation 2:5 Confess - James 5:16, 1 John 1:9 Pray - Acts 8:24, James 5:16