Although the Bible has been around for many centuries, it still is a daily source of wisdom, encouragement, guidance and truth for millions of people around the world. Regular readers of the Bible will tell you it is as relevant today as it was when it first appeared. Below are some interesting facts about this amazing Book.
The Scriptures are Inspired by God
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16,17
We also have the prophetic word made more sure, 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; 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. 2 Peter 1:19-21
God, who at various times and in different ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds… Hebrews 1:1-2
The Bible is the product of a single Mind
The sixty-six books of the Bible were written by about forty different writers over a period of sixteen hundred years. Each of these writers contributed his part of the Bible, yet it forms one whole – no one contradicted what the other has said. The only explanation for this miracle is that they were all inspired by one Mind – the Mind of God.
These men who wrote the Bible come from various kinds of backgrounds, education and classes, which makes it even more obvious that they were inspired by the same Spirit. Some of them were priests, such as Ezra; poets such as Solomon; prophets, such as Isaiah; shepherds, such as Amos; Kings, such as David; statesmen, such as Daniel; intellectuals, such as Moses and Paul, and uneducated fishermen as John and Peter. Of these some formulated laws, such as Moses; others wrote history, such as Joshua; some wrote psalms, such as David; others wrote proverbs, such as Solomon; some prophesies, such as Jeremiah; others wrote biographies, such as the evangelists; others letters, such as the apostles.
The different writings were written in places as far as Arabia, Judea, the temple, the schools of prophets in Bethel and Jericho, Babylon and western civilization.
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. John 5:39,46
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24:27
And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, see that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10)
The types, symbols and ceremonies are evidences of divine inspiration of the Scriptures
The written accounts of prophecies and the coming of Christ is wonderful, but even more wonderful are the predictions of Jesus in the lives of the patriarchs, the tabernacle, the temple, the services, the sacrifices, the rituals and ceremonies which were types and shadows of what was to come in the New Testament.
Therefore, let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are only a shadow of things to come, but the substance is Christ. Colossians 2:16,17
For the law, having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. Hebrews 10:1
The truth of Biblical prophecies prove the Bible as Divinely inspired
The prophecies of the prophets were fulfilled so accurately in the lives of people, events in cities, kingdoms and nations, and the life of Christ, in itself sufficient proof that they were inspired by God who knows all things from beginning to end.
Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or in what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which have now been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven – things which angels desire to look into. 1 Peter 1:10-12
The moral standards of the Bible prove it to be Divine
The message of the Bible brings us the highest moral standards known to man everywhere; it can only be attained with Divine help. The Bible tells us that God dwells in light inapproachable; He is the God who says “Be holy for I am holy.” God, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, is working in us to bring about in us the same standard of holiness, and we will stand before Him without spot, wrinkle or blemish. These morals protect man from the evils of a fallen world. Such a standard is unique to the Bible
That He might present to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27
The Creator of man is the Author of the Bible
The Bible reveals man to himself as only the Creator of man can do.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
The Bible teaches us the only way to salvation
God alone can show man the way to forgiveness and cleansing from sin, deliverance from evil and the powers of darkness. The message of salvation is so simple that the lowest intellect can understand it, yet the wisest of the earth cannot fathom the depth of God’s wisdom in His plan of salvation.
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counsellor? Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him? For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. Romans 12:33-36
The world recognizes the Bible as Divine
All thinking men put the Bible in a class of its own, and recognize its supernatural character. Nobody can read it without being deeply affected by it. It has been translated into more languages than any other book ever written, and is by far the most published Book in the world – the world’s all-time bestseller. Whole libraries have been written to explain its message.
We know the Bible is divine because of its fruits
Wherever the Bible is read, taught, preached and obeyed, lives have been transformed, even nations affected. Its fruit is always good, while neglecting its message always brings grief and sorrow.
The Bible will outlast the universe
The Bible has withstood many different onslaughts, even misinterpretations, but remains as the Truth of God revealed to us to this day and forevermore.
Forever, o Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89
(From Bible Doctrines by P.C. Nelson)
