Foundations of Faith
THE DIVINE INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES (I)
Last month we talked about the authority of the Bible. Since God has spoken to man through the Holy Scriptures, it is most vital that we listen to Him by diligently reading the Bible and obeying His Word. But we left off with the question, “How can we be sure that it is the Bible, and not some other `holy book,’ that is God’s revelation to man?” In this and the next issue or two we shall very briefly explore different lines of evidence to support the claim that the Bible is the Word of God.
1. The Bible itself claims to be inspired of God (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20,21), and frequently gives direct quotations of God. (See Assignment 3)
2. The Bible is unique in giving a realistic view of man; it neither idolizes man nor drags him through the gutter. In its mini-biographies of men and women, the Bible gives as much time to describing people’s fears, deceit, anger, adultery, and even acts of murder, as to their acts of faith, obedience, and courage. (For example, read about some high points and low points in Abraham’s life in Gen. 12:10-20; 15:6; 16:1-12; 22:1-18. Also, some highlights and lowlights of David’s life may be found in 1 Sam. 17:32-51; 24:1-22; 25:2-35; 2 Sam. 11:2-27.) In fact, many of the authors of the Bible are frank and honest enough to write of their own failures (see Num. 20:12; Isa. 6:5; Rom. 7:7-24; 1 Tim. 1:13,15).
3. The Bible includes hundreds of controversial subjects discussed with harmony and continuity from Genesis to Revelation. For example, even though there are great differences in times, places, nations, societies, cultures, and political structures represented in the various books of the Bible, we still find the same description of God, the same description of man (“desperately wicked” in Jer. 17:9; “dead in trespasses and sins” in Eph. 2:1), the same means of salvation, and the same high standards of morality and holiness given throughout. (See Assignment 4)
4. The Lord Jesus, the eternal Son of God, manifested His acceptance of the Old Testament scriptures as God’s Word by His frequent reference to historical events of the Old Testament and frequent quoting of Old Testament passages, along with His failure to refer to any other ancient literary work. (See Assignment 5)
5. The Old Testament contains a couple hundred prophecies concerning the birth, life, sufferings, death, and resurrection of Christ which were fulfilled in the New Testament. (See the following article for specific examples.) Some people try to explain the fulfilled prophecies of Scripture by saying that the prophetic books of the Old Testament were not written until the first or second century A.D.–after they were fulfilled. This contention can be refuted in at least two ways. First, it is well attested that a Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament–known as the Septuagint–was prepared during the period 280 to 150 B.C. Second, among the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in 1947 and afterwards were an entire scroll of the Book of Isaiah and portions of several other prophetic books of the Old Testament. These scrolls have been authoritatively dated at 100-200 B.C., that is, long before the fulfillment of their prophecies in Jesus Christ. (See Assignment 6)
Next month, Lord willing, we shall discuss the uniqueness of the Bible as compared to other religious writings.
SOME OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECIES CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST, AND THEIR NEW TESTAMENT FULFILLMENT
1. Descended from David (Psa. 132:11,12; Jer. 23:5; Matt. 1:1,6; Rom. 1:3; etc.)
2. Born of the seed of a woman, of a virgin (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; Gal. 4:4).
3. Born at Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2; Matt. 2:1-8; Luke 2:4-7).
4. Ministered in Galilee (Isa. 9:1,2; Matt. 4:12-16).
5. Fed the hungry (Psa. 132:15; Matt. 15:32-39, etc.).
6. Healed the sick (Isa. 32:1-4; Matt. 9:35, etc.).
7. Entered Jerusalem on a donkey and received worship (Zech. 9:9; Psa. 118:25, 26; Matt. 21:5-11; Luke 19:35-38).
8. Betrayed (Psa. 41:9; Zech. 11:12,13; Matt. 10:4; 26:14-16,47-50; 27:3-10).
9. Crucified (Psa. 22:14-16; Zech. 13:6; Luke 23:33; 24:39).
10. Suffered in body and soul from man (Psa. 22:7,8; 69:7,9,12,19,20; Isa. 50:6; 52:14; 53:5,7; Matt. 26:57-27:44).
11. Forsaken by God (Psa. 22:1; 69:20; Matt. 27:46).
12. Buried in a rich man’s tomb (Isa. 53:9; Matt. 27:60).
13. Resurrected (Psa. 16:10; 30:3; Luke 24:46; Acts 2:30-32; 13:33; etc.).
14. Ascended to heaven (Psa. 68:18; Acts 1:9; Eph. 4:8).
Running the Race
SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDYING THE BIBLE (I)
How do you study the Bible? Do you have a particular “plan of attack” or do you just open your Bible at random and read a chapter here, a page there? In this series of articles we shall provide a variety of tips and suggestions to help you to get to know your Bible better.
1. It is the Holy Spirit who “will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). But you have to be saved, born again, trusting Christ as your personal Saviour and Lord, before you become indwelt by the Holy Spirit. If you do not have the assurance of eternal salvation, prayerfully read and study Matthew 26-28 (that is, chapters 26 to 28); Luke 15-18,23,24; John 1-6; Romans 3,4; 1 Cor. 15:1-8; and Eph. 2:1-10. Also, ask a Christian friend to help you to understand the way of salvation. And if you still need help, please write the editor of this paper.
Assignment 3: Find and write out at least one verse in each of Genesis 2, Jonah 4, and John 12 which give the actual words spoken by the God of heaven.
Assignment 4: What attributes of God described in Exodus 34 are also found in Romans 11 and Ephesians 1? What moral qualities given in Exodus 20 are described in the last part of Romans 1 as being violated by mankind?
Assignment 5: Find in Matthew 12 three Old Testament events referred to by the Lord Jesus, and find and write out at least two Old Testament passages quoted by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 4 and 5.
Assignment 6: Read about the Dead Sea Scrolls in an encyclopedia and write a one paragraph composition on the subject.