1. Why Believe The Bible 2 Peter 3:1-2

2. Motives For Believing  Because of tradition  Familial. Inherited, not one’s own  See 2 Timothy 3:15; Philippians 2:12  Because of social increase  For the loaves & the fishes (Jn. 6:26)  For gain in the sight of men (Jn. 12:43)

3.  As the word of God  All scripture (2 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:3)  Revealed through inspiration by the will of God (1 Cor. 2:9-13)

4. “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has given to man. All the good from the Saviour of the world is communi- cated to us through this book”

5. “The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed”

6. “Bible reading is an education in itself”

7. “There are more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history”

8. Things To Consider  No other volume has been written by more diverse authors over a large period of time with such continuity of thought  No other volume is more respected (unfortunately not read)  No other volume has been translated into so many different languages than the  No other volume has more written about it  No other volume has been more laboriously scrutinized in search of error and successfully met every test These do not prove the Bible to be the word of God. They do prove the Bible to be the most unique volume ever written

9. The Integrity Of The Bible  Fulfilled prophecy unconnected by man (Isaiah 53, c. 750-725 B. C.) - - in Christ, for example  Most honest book ever written  Abraham lied (Gen. 12:18; 20:11-12)  Judah a fornicator (Gen. 38:15-16)  Tamar as a harlot (Gen. 38:14-15)

10.  Rahab was (before) a harlot (Josh. 2:1)  David was guilty of adultery and murder (2 Sam. 11:3-4; 12:9)  Solomon compromised and could not practice self-control (1 Kgs. 11:1-8; cf. Prov. 21:17)  Jehoram was an idolater (2 Chron. 21:11)  These were some of the ancestors of our Lord (Matt. 1:1-16)

11.  The two great apostles of our Lord were portrayed quite differently from how man might portray them  Peter cursed and denied Jesus (Matt. 26:73- 75)  Paul persecuted Christ (Acts 9:4; cf. 8:1)