1. The Bible is the Word of God: Internal Evidence… 1.Was the writer in a position to know what he is talking about? Does the text claim to be based on eyewitness accounts? Lk. 1:-4; 1 Cor. 15:1-8; 2 Pet. 1:16; Jn. 1:1-3 Criteria for ancient manuscripts (source: “Letters From a Skeptic” – Boyd):

2. The Bible is the Word of God: Internal Evidence… 2. Does the document in question contain specific, and apparently irrelevant, material? John 20:1-8 Criteria for ancient manuscripts (source: “Letters From a Skeptic” – Boyd):

3. The Bible is the Word of God: Internal Evidence… 3. Does the document contain self-damaging material? John 20:1-2, 11-18 Criteria for ancient manuscripts (source: “Letters From a Skeptic” – Boyd):

4. The Bible is the Word of God: Internal Evidence… 4. Is the document reasonably self-consistent? Matt. 5-7 vs. Luke 6:17-49 Criteria for ancient manuscripts (source: “Letters From a Skeptic” – Boyd):

5. The Bible is the Word of God: Internal Evidence… 5. Is there evidence of addition and exaggeration? “As a literary historian, I am perfectly convinced that whatever else the Gospels are they are not legends. I have read a great deal of legend, and I am quite clear that they are not the same sort of thing” (God in the Dock – C.S. Lewis) Criteria for ancient manuscripts (source: “Letters From a Skeptic” – Boyd):

6. The Bible is the Word of God: Internal Evidence… The Bible itself demands (expects) a successful defense (1 Pet. 3:15) “God-inspired” must equal unity & harmony. If not inspired, the lack of unity will be evident. 1 Cor. 14:33 – “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace”. The Unity of the Bible

7. The Bible is the Word of God: Internal Evidence… Unified! Despite different origins! 66 Books 40+ different men Different time periods (over 1500 years) Different backgrounds (Moses-prince; Amos-herdsmen; Nehemiah-cupbearer; Luke-doctor; Peter-fisherman). Different places (Italy, Mesopotamia, 3 continents, wilderness, prison, palaces) Different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek) Harmony, in spite of all this, defies human origin! The Unity of the Bible

8. The Bible is the Word of God: Internal Evidence… Unified…structurally and wholly! Both OT and NT are “built” on the same general plan  3 parts each (history, teaching, prophecy) Dispensational structure linked throughout (Ex. 24:12; 1 Cor. 11:23) All parts combine to form one whole (Lk. 24:44) Definite beginning and end  Begins at creation  Ends with consummation in heaven The Unity of the Bible Heavens & earth (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 21:1) Tree of life (Gen. 3:22; Rev. 22:12) Heavens & earth (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 21:1) Tree of life (Gen. 3:22; Rev. 22:12)

9. The Bible is the Word of God: Internal Evidence… Unified…in purpose (i.e. Theme of Redemption)! 1.Redemption needed (Gen. 3) 2.Redemption promised and prepared by God (Gen. 12:2-3) 3.Redemption provided in Jesus (Gospels) 4.Redemption proclaimed (Acts 2) 5.Redemption explained (Epistles) 6.Redemption realized (Revelation) The Unity of the Bible This unity is despite all the differences and the lack of communications!

10. The Bible is the Word of God: Internal Evidence… Unified…in doctrine! The Unity of the Bible Gen. 1:1 There is one creator - God! Jn. 1:1-3 Acts 17:22-23 1 Cor. 8:4-6 Jn. 1:1-3 Acts 17:22-23 1 Cor. 8:4-6

11. The Bible is the Word of God: Internal Evidence… Unified…in doctrine! The Unity of the Bible Division exists, not because the Bible is inconsistent, but because man is sinful! Then why so much division? Sin! (Rom. 3:23; 2 Cor. 4:4) Traditions of men (Mk. 7:6-13) Ignorance of scripture (2 Pet. 3:15-16) Rebellion (Rom. 1:18-23) Lack of love for God, truth, and men (Jn. 14:15; Matt. 22:37-39) Mishandling of the scriptures (2 Tim. 2:15)