15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15-17

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Predicted the rise & fall of nations Predicted the rise of great historical figures before they were even born Revealed scientific mysteries Predicted significant inventions Declared historical and archeological accuracies What’s so special about the Bible?

Written over span of 1,500 years By more than 40 different authors Living on 3 continents, in 3 different languages Addressing controversial subjects like theology, politics, science, medicine, etc. What’s so special about the Bible?

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God… 2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God… 2 Timothy 3:16 2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

24,000 manuscripts studied by thousands of scholars The Bible Book of Mormon (1) One manuscript claimed to have been translated by (1) man: Joseph Smith. That (1) one manuscript was “taken back” by an angel.

40 different authors spanning 50 generations on 3 different continents without contradiction The Bible The Qur’an (1) One author, written in 1 place and 1 point in time with numerous contradictions

Provides God’s distinctive solution to man’s problem and focuses on God’s work of redemption The Bible Hindu Scriptures (Vedas) Claims all faiths lead to the same place and focuses on stories that happened in celestial, supernatural realms.

Collection of 66 books, written by numerous authors, from different lands, without contradiction The Bible Watchtower NWT Revision of the Bible, written by one man: Frederick Franz; full of contradictory statements about God, Jesus, Salvation, Heaven & Hell, etc.

The Bible is a Divine Book Long standing world’s best seller First book translated, into 1,300 languages First book ever printed on printing press Published & read, translated & retranslated by more people in more languages than any other book in history

Because it speaks truth, it is hated by those who live in lies! The Bible is a Divine Book

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Diocletian ( AD) Commanded all copies of scriptures were to be burned and those found with copies were to be put to death; He erected a monument inscribed with the words, "The name of 'Christian' is extinguished."

The Dark Ages John Wycliffe ( ) translated scripture into English so common people could read it. Religious leaders were so angry at him for making the Bible available, they dug up his grave, gathered his dried bones and burned them and threw the ashes into a river.

The Dark Ages William Tyndale ( ) made another translation of scripture into English so common people could read and understand it. He was strangled to death by religious leaders and burned at the stake.

The Dark Ages In 1603 King James came to the throne in England and ordered the development of an English translation of the scriptures which could be used in every English church and understood by every common man. It is known today as the King James Bible.

Humanism French philosopher Voltaire ( ) wrote, "One hundred years from my day there will not be a Bible (found) in the earth…”

Communist China Mao Tse-tung ( ) ordered searches & seizures of all Bibles. In 1978, the government allowed the printing & distribution of Bibles. In the Dec. 2007, TIME Magazine ran an article entitled: China’s New Bestseller: The Bible

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away." Matthew 24:35 1 Peter 1:23 The Word of God lives and abides forever!

The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct. Our Authority