The Bible -- Its Origin (Part 3)

II.               EVIDENCE OF THE SUPERNATURAL ORIGIN OF SCRIPTURE

A.                 UNITY OF SCRIPTURE

The Bible is one book even though there are sixty-six books.  The first book was written approximately 1425 B.C. and the last around 95 A.D.  This in itself would be a tremendous obstacle to the unity of any book.  Yet the Bible is an orderly and harmonious account of the history of God’s dealing with men.

B.                 AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE

The Bible claims repeatedly to be God speaking.  God, being the source of all authority, has expressed that authority in the Bible.

1.                  The whole tone of Scripture is that of final authority (Isaiah 8:20).

2.                  The authority is indestructible (Matthew 24:35).

C.                 FULLFILLED PROPHECY

Only God knows and can perfectly predict the future.  There are numerous instances in Scripture where God predicts the future precisely.  Here is a sampling.

1.                  Isaiah prophesied the virgin birth of Jesus (Isaiah 7:14).  This prophecy was fulfilled 700 years later (Matthew 1:18, 22, 23).

2.                  Micah predicted the exact birthplace of the Messiah (Micah 5:2).  This prophecy was fulfilled 500 years later (Luke 2:4, 6,7).

3.                  David predicted Christ’s crucifixion in detail hundreds of years before this form of execution was ever used (Psalm 22).

4.                  Isaiah foretold Christ’s suffering and atonement 700 years before Christ’s death (Isaiah 53:4-6).

D.                THE TESTIMONY OF CHRIST CONCERNING THE SCRIPTURES

This is the crowning proof of the inspiration of the Bible.  Christ said, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth” (John 18:37).

1.                  He believed the Law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17, 18).

2.                  He believed in Solomon (Matthew 6:29).

3.                  He believed in Moses (Matthew 8:4).

4.                  He believed in Abraham ( Matthew 8:11).

5.                  He believed the story of Sodom and Gomorrah (Matthew 10:15).

6.                  He quoted the Old Testament Scriptures (Matt. 21:13, 16, 42; 22:28-33; 36-40).

This ends our study of the origin of Scripture.  Next we will answer the questions: “Why do we need the Bible?” “What is the purpose of the Bible?” and “What is the theme of the Bible?”