1. “5 Reasons Why…!”
John 10:35; 17:17

2. March 5, 1989 an article in The Lookout was written by J. Stephen Long
March 5, 1989 an article in The Lookout was written by J. Stephen Long. The title…

3. This thesis undermines the Word of God’s emphasis for sound doctrine.

4. Hear this – right doctrine is essential to right living1

5. Purpose:
to affirm five solid reasons why one ought to believe the Bible to be God’s Word

6. I Because of its DIVINE UNITY
A. Written by Forty Different Writers

7. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is inspired (God breathed) and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

8. It means that Scripture is a result of GOD’S ACTION
It means that Scripture is a result of GOD’S ACTION. God prompted these forty writers to write precisely what God wanted communicated to the very letter; yet, permitting the different personalities and styles to obviously remain in tack – i.e. they weren’t machines… nor were they mere human writers…

9. I Because of its DIVINE UNITY
A. Written by Forty Different Writers
B. Written on Three Different Continents

10. Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.”

11. I Because of its DIVINE UNITY
A. Written by Forty Different Writers
B. Written on Three Different Continents
C. Written in Three Different Languages
D. Written Over a Long Period

12. The Bible’s one grand theme = man’s redemption
The Bible’s one main character = Almighty God

13. II Because of its FULFILLED PROPHECY
A. Jewish Persecution Foretold

14. Deuteronomy 28:49
“The Lord will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as the eagle swoops down, a nation whose language you shall not understand.”

15. II Because of its FULFILLED PROPHECY
A. Jewish Persecution Foretold
B. Christ’s Birthplace is Foretold

16. Micah 5:2
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His going forth are from long ago from the days of eternity.”

17. II Because of its FULFILLED PROPHECY
A. Jewish Persecution Foretold
B. Christ’s Birthplace is Foretold
C. Christ’s Death/Resurrection is Foretold

18. Psalm 22:16
“For dogs have surrounded Me; a band of evildoers has encompassed Me; they pierced My hands and My feet…”

19. John 20:25
“The other disciples therefore were saying to him (Thomas), ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’”

20. III Because of Its PROVEN AC- CURACY
A. Walls of Jericho Really Did Fall
B. King Sargon Really Did Reign
C. Solomon Really Was the World’s Wealthiest Man
D. Daniel Really Was in a Lion’s Den

21. IV Because of its INDESTRUCTI- BILITY
A. Antiochus Epiphanes IV
B. Roman Emperors
C. Roman Church
D. People Today

22. Attacks on the Bible have and are at present constantly taking place; yet, the Bible stands!

23. V Because of Its POWER A. Reveals God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
B. Reveals Who We Were and Can Become
C. Reveals Its Unmatched Chang- ing Power

24. Conclusion and Summary
Let the classics or any other book for that matter, bow when compared to God’s Word. Let our thoughts and meditation focus more on this than anything else… May we take to heart the advice of this unknown author – remember these 5 reasons why we ought to believe the Bible as being God’s Word!