Why Should I Follow the Bible? Why Should I Follow the Bible?

Claims of the Bible Claims of the Bible • It claims to be from God (2 Tim. 3:16).• It claims to have the answers to life. (2 Timothy 3:17) • It is a book with a central character, Jesus Christ, and

it claims that we should be obedient to Him. (Hebrews 5:9)

• It claims that we will be judged by Christ. (John 5:22; 2 Cor. 5:10)

• It claims that we will be eternal outcast from God if we do not follow Him. (2 Thess. 1:8)

• It promises eternal life to those who submit to Him. (Matt. 25:46)

• It claims to be from God (2 Tim. 3:16).• It claims to have the answers to life. (2 Timothy 3:17) • It is a book with a central character, Jesus Christ, and

it claims that we should be obedient to Him. (Hebrews 5:9)

• It claims that we will be judged by Christ. (John 5:22; 2 Cor. 5:10)

• It claims that we will be eternal outcast from God if we do not follow Him. (2 Thess. 1:8)

• It promises eternal life to those who submit to Him. (Matt. 25:46)

Claims of the Bible Claims of the Bible

• The fundamental claim that the Bible makes, being from God, is either true or false.

• If it is from God then it should be followed with the whole heart and complete devotion.

• If it is not from God, then it should be rejected and opposed at every turn by every man.

• There is no middle ground. If it is untrue, it must be disregarded by all mankind.

• The fundamental claim that the Bible makes, being from God, is either true or false.

• If it is from God then it should be followed with the whole heart and complete devotion.

• If it is not from God, then it should be rejected and opposed at every turn by every man.

• There is no middle ground. If it is untrue, it must be disregarded by all mankind.

Why Should I Follow the Bible?

Invalid Reasons for Following the BibleInvalid Reasons for Following the Bible

• MERELY BECAUSE IT CLAIMS TO BE FROM GOD• SIMPLY BECAUSE I WANT TO BELIEVE ITS FROM

GOD. • ONLY BECAUSE OF FAMILY TRADITION• MERELY BECAUSE IT MAKES BETTER PEOPLE• JUST BECAUSE IT SATISFIES ME AND MAKES ME

FEEL GOOD. • I THINK IT WILL BRING ME GOOD LUCK.

• MERELY BECAUSE IT CLAIMS TO BE FROM GOD• SIMPLY BECAUSE I WANT TO BELIEVE ITS FROM

GOD. • ONLY BECAUSE OF FAMILY TRADITION• MERELY BECAUSE IT MAKES BETTER PEOPLE• JUST BECAUSE IT SATISFIES ME AND MAKES ME

FEEL GOOD. • I THINK IT WILL BRING ME GOOD LUCK.

The Claim: Romans 10:17—So faith comes from ahearing, and

hearing by bthe word 1of Christ.

The Claim: Romans 10:17—So faith comes from ahearing, and

hearing by bthe word 1of Christ.

If this claim is true, then it would seem that any honest person who considers the Bible record ought to come away from the

study with faith in God and the Bible.

If this claim is true, then it would seem that any honest person who considers the Bible record ought to come away from the

study with faith in God and the Bible.

Evidence from the ProphetsEvidence from the Prophets

• Consider a “Modern Day Prophet”– Jeane Dixon (She is credited with fortelling) • The assassination of President Kennedy. • That China would go communistic. • The assassination of Mahatma Ghandi. • Russia's launching the world's first satellite. • Eisenhower's election; his heart attack, and his

recovery. • The Kremlin shake-up ending with Kruschev's dismissal.

• Consider a “Modern Day Prophet”– Jeane Dixon (She is credited with fortelling) • The assassination of President Kennedy. • That China would go communistic. • The assassination of Mahatma Ghandi. • Russia's launching the world's first satellite. • Eisenhower's election; his heart attack, and his

recovery. • The Kremlin shake-up ending with Kruschev's dismissal.

Evidence from the ProphetsEvidence from the Prophets

• Consider a “Modern Day Prophet”– Jeane Dixon (She often missed the mark)

• World War III would begin in 1954. • Red China would be admitted to the United Nations in 1958.

This did not occur until 1971. • The Vietnam war would end in 1966. It did not end until

1975.• Russia would be the first nation to put a man on the moon. • On October 19, 1968, she predicted Jacqueline Kennedy was

not thinking of marriage. The next day Mrs. Kennedy married Aristotle Onassis!

• Consider a “Modern Day Prophet”– Jeane Dixon (She often missed the mark)

• World War III would begin in 1954. • Red China would be admitted to the United Nations in 1958.

This did not occur until 1971. • The Vietnam war would end in 1966. It did not end until

1975.• Russia would be the first nation to put a man on the moon. • On October 19, 1968, she predicted Jacqueline Kennedy was

not thinking of marriage. The next day Mrs. Kennedy married Aristotle Onassis!

Evidence from the ProphetsEvidence from the Prophets

• Consider a “Modern Day Prophet”– Jeane Dixon (She often missed the mark) • In 1970, she predicted the following events which did

not occur: – Castro would be overthrown from Cuba and would have to

leave the island. – New facts concerning the death of President Kennedy would

be brought to light from a foreign source.– Attempts would be made on the life of President Nixon.

• Consider a “Modern Day Prophet”– Jeane Dixon (She often missed the mark) • In 1970, she predicted the following events which did

not occur: – Castro would be overthrown from Cuba and would have to

leave the island. – New facts concerning the death of President Kennedy would

be brought to light from a foreign source.– Attempts would be made on the life of President Nixon.

Evidence from the ProphetsEvidence from the Prophets

• Contrast “Modern Day Prophets” with Biblical Prophets:

• Isaiah 46:9-11—“Remember the aformer things long past, For I am God, and there is bno other; I am God, and there is cno one like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘aMy purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’; 11 Calling a abird of prey from the beast, The man of 1My purpose from a far country. Truly I have c

spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it.

• Contrast “Modern Day Prophets” with Biblical Prophets:

• Isaiah 46:9-11—“Remember the aformer things long past, For I am God, and there is bno other; I am God, and there is cno one like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘aMy purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’; 11 Calling a abird of prey from the beast, The man of 1My purpose from a far country. Truly I have c

spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it.

Evidence from the ProphetsEvidence from the Prophets• The Prophecies of Isaiah: – A SPECIAL CHILD WOULD BE BORN OF A VIRGIN; HE WOULD BE

“GOD WITH US” (Isaiah 7:14)– A SPECIAL CHILD WOULD BE CALLED “MIGHTY GOD”, AND HE

WOULD SIT ON DAVID’S THRONE. (Isaiah 9:6-7)– THIS SPECIAL CHILD WOULD COME OUT OF DAVID’S FAMILY,

“THE STEM OF JESSE” (Isaiah 11:1)– A GREAT FORERUNNER WOULD PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE

COMING MESSIAH (Isaiah 40:3-4) – THE SINS OF THE PEOPLE WOULD BE LAID ON THE MESSIAH,

AND HE WOULD DIE. (Isaiah 53:6-8)

• The Prophecies of Isaiah: – A SPECIAL CHILD WOULD BE BORN OF A VIRGIN; HE WOULD BE

“GOD WITH US” (Isaiah 7:14)– A SPECIAL CHILD WOULD BE CALLED “MIGHTY GOD”, AND HE

WOULD SIT ON DAVID’S THRONE. (Isaiah 9:6-7)– THIS SPECIAL CHILD WOULD COME OUT OF DAVID’S FAMILY,

“THE STEM OF JESSE” (Isaiah 11:1)– A GREAT FORERUNNER WOULD PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE

COMING MESSIAH (Isaiah 40:3-4) – THE SINS OF THE PEOPLE WOULD BE LAID ON THE MESSIAH,

AND HE WOULD DIE. (Isaiah 53:6-8)

Evidence from the ProphetsEvidence from the Prophets• The Prophecies of Isaiah: – HE WOULD DIE AMONG SINNERS AND BE BURIED IN A TOMB

OF THE RICH. (Isaiah 53:9) – HE WOULD BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD IN VICTORY (Isaiah

53:10-12) – THE GENTILES WOULD TURN TO THIS SPECIAL CHILD FOR

SALVATION. (Isaiah 11:10) – THE MESSIAH WOULD BE A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES AND GIVE

THEM HIS LAW. (Isaiah 42:1-6) – THE MESSIAH’S HOUSE WOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN

JERUSALEM IN THE LATTER DAYS. (Isaiah 2:1-4)

• The Prophecies of Isaiah: – HE WOULD DIE AMONG SINNERS AND BE BURIED IN A TOMB

OF THE RICH. (Isaiah 53:9) – HE WOULD BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD IN VICTORY (Isaiah

53:10-12) – THE GENTILES WOULD TURN TO THIS SPECIAL CHILD FOR

SALVATION. (Isaiah 11:10) – THE MESSIAH WOULD BE A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES AND GIVE

THEM HIS LAW. (Isaiah 42:1-6) – THE MESSIAH’S HOUSE WOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN

JERUSALEM IN THE LATTER DAYS. (Isaiah 2:1-4)

Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecies: Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecies:

• The virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14) – Fulfilled: Matthew 1:21-23— “She will bear a

Son; and ayou shall call His name Jesus, for 1He bwill save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this 1took place to fulfill what was aspoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “aBEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH bCHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME 1IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “cGOD WITH US.”

• The virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14) – Fulfilled: Matthew 1:21-23— “She will bear a

Son; and ayou shall call His name Jesus, for 1He bwill save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this 1took place to fulfill what was aspoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “aBEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH bCHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME 1IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “cGOD WITH US.”

Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecies: Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecies:

• Mighty God sitting on David’s throne. (Isaiah 9:6-7)– Luke 1:31-33—“And behold, you will conceive in your womb

and bear a son, and you ashall name Him Jesus. 32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of athe Most High; and the Lord God will give Him bthe throne of His father David; 33 a

and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, band His kingdom will have no end.”

– Hebrews 1:8— But of the Son He says, “aYOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF 1HIS KINGDOM.

– Ref. Acts 2:30-36;

• Mighty God sitting on David’s throne. (Isaiah 9:6-7)– Luke 1:31-33—“And behold, you will conceive in your womb

and bear a son, and you ashall name Him Jesus. 32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of athe Most High; and the Lord God will give Him bthe throne of His father David; 33 a

and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, band His kingdom will have no end.”

– Hebrews 1:8— But of the Son He says, “aYOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF 1HIS KINGDOM.

– Ref. Acts 2:30-36;

Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecies: Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecies:

• The child would come forth from Jesse’s family. (Isaiah 11:1) – Note the lineage in Matt 1:1, 5, 6, 16 or Luke 3.

• The Messiah would have a forerunner. (Isaiah 40:1-3)– Mark 1:1-4— The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, athe

Son of God. 2 aAs it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “bBEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER 1AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY; 3 aTHE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.’ ” 4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness 1apreaching a baptism of repentance for the b

forgiveness of sins.

• The child would come forth from Jesse’s family. (Isaiah 11:1) – Note the lineage in Matt 1:1, 5, 6, 16 or Luke 3.

• The Messiah would have a forerunner. (Isaiah 40:1-3)– Mark 1:1-4— The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, athe

Son of God. 2 aAs it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “bBEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER 1AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY; 3 aTHE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.’ ” 4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness 1apreaching a baptism of repentance for the b

forgiveness of sins.

Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecies: Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecies:

• The Messiah would die for the sins of the people (Isaiah 53:6-8) –Matthew 26:27-28— And when He had taken a

cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for athis is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for bmany for forgiveness of sins.

–1 Cor. 15:3— For aI delivered to you 1as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died bfor our sins caccording to the Scriptures,

• The Messiah would die for the sins of the people (Isaiah 53:6-8) –Matthew 26:27-28— And when He had taken a

cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for athis is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for bmany for forgiveness of sins.

–1 Cor. 15:3— For aI delivered to you 1as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died bfor our sins caccording to the Scriptures,

Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecies: Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecies:

• The Messiah would die for the sins of the people (Isaiah 53:6-8) –Matthew 26:27-28— And when He had taken a

cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for athis is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for bmany for forgiveness of sins.

–1 Cor. 15:3— For aI delivered to you 1as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died bfor our sins caccording to the Scriptures,

• The Messiah would die for the sins of the people (Isaiah 53:6-8) –Matthew 26:27-28— And when He had taken a

cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for athis is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for bmany for forgiveness of sins.

–1 Cor. 15:3— For aI delivered to you 1as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died bfor our sins caccording to the Scriptures,

Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecies: Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecies: • Regarding His death among sinners and burial in a rich man’s grave. (Isaiah

53:10-12) – Jesus died among the criminals

• Matt. 27:38— At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.

– Jesus was buried in a wealth man’s tomb.• Matt. 27:57-60— When it was evening, there came a rich man from

Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled aa large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away.

• Regarding His death among sinners and burial in a rich man’s grave. (Isaiah 53:10-12) – Jesus died among the criminals

• Matt. 27:38— At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.

– Jesus was buried in a wealth man’s tomb.• Matt. 27:57-60— When it was evening, there came a rich man from

Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled aa large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away.

Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecies: Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecies:

• Regarding His being raised from the dead. (Isaiah 53:10-12)– Mark 16:9-- [1Now after He had risen early on the

first day of the week, He first appeared to aMary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.

• The Gentiles would turn to Him for salvation. (Isaiah 11:10) – Acts 10; Cornelius was the first of many Gentiles to be

converted.

• Regarding His being raised from the dead. (Isaiah 53:10-12)– Mark 16:9-- [1Now after He had risen early on the

first day of the week, He first appeared to aMary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.

• The Gentiles would turn to Him for salvation. (Isaiah 11:10) – Acts 10; Cornelius was the first of many Gentiles to be

converted.

Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecies: Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecies:

• The Messiah being a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:1-6) – Luke 2:32-- A LIGHT 1OF REVELATION TO THE

GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

• Regarding the establishment of the Lord’s house. (Isaiah 2:1-4)– Ref. Acts 2:1-47;

• The Messiah being a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:1-6) – Luke 2:32-- A LIGHT 1OF REVELATION TO THE

GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

• Regarding the establishment of the Lord’s house. (Isaiah 2:1-4)– Ref. Acts 2:1-47;

Two Witnesses to the TruthTwo Witnesses to the Truth

• The Old Testament prophets who foretold of the Christ.• The New Testament apostles and prophets who recorded

the fulfillment of the prophecy. – The eyewitness testimony of the New Testament writers:

• 1 John 1:1-4 —What was afrom the beginning, what we have bheard, what we have cseen with our eyes, what we dhave looked at and e

touched with our hands, concerning the fWord of Life— 2 and athe life was manifested, and we have bseen and ctestify and proclaim to you dthe eternal life, which was ewith the Father and was amanifested to us— 3 what we have aseen and bheard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our cfellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 aThese things we write, so that our bjoy may be made complete.

• The Old Testament prophets who foretold of the Christ.• The New Testament apostles and prophets who recorded

the fulfillment of the prophecy. – The eyewitness testimony of the New Testament writers:

• 1 John 1:1-4 —What was afrom the beginning, what we have bheard, what we have cseen with our eyes, what we dhave looked at and e

touched with our hands, concerning the fWord of Life— 2 and athe life was manifested, and we have bseen and ctestify and proclaim to you dthe eternal life, which was ewith the Father and was amanifested to us— 3 what we have aseen and bheard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our cfellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 aThese things we write, so that our bjoy may be made complete.

Why Should We Believe the Prophecies of Such Men Like Isaiah?

Why Should We Believe the Testimony of Witnesses Like John?

Two Witnesses to the TruthTwo Witnesses to the Truth

• Criticism of Isaiah: – How do we know when it was written? Who is to say

that Isaiah was not written after the birth of Christ? After Christ’s death?

– How do we know that it was not written by an eyewitness of Christ’s life and death?

• Criticism of Isaiah: – How do we know when it was written? Who is to say

that Isaiah was not written after the birth of Christ? After Christ’s death?

– How do we know that it was not written by an eyewitness of Christ’s life and death?

Evidences for IsaiahEvidences for Isaiah

• The Greek Septuagint– The Septuagint (LXX) is a translation of the Hebrew Scriptures

into Greek. History tells us this translation (which included Isaiah) was begun about the year 250 BC.

– The term Septuagint means seventy. – It is said that approximately 70 Jewish scholars began the

translating work in Alexandria, Egypt. – First the books of Moses were translated and then the

prophets. – If we have a translation of a book 150 fifty years before Christ,

that presupposes that we have an original MSS that predates the translation.

• The Greek Septuagint– The Septuagint (LXX) is a translation of the Hebrew Scriptures

into Greek. History tells us this translation (which included Isaiah) was begun about the year 250 BC.

– The term Septuagint means seventy. – It is said that approximately 70 Jewish scholars began the

translating work in Alexandria, Egypt. – First the books of Moses were translated and then the

prophets. – If we have a translation of a book 150 fifty years before Christ,

that presupposes that we have an original MSS that predates the translation.

Evidences for IsaiahEvidences for Isaiah

• The Dead Sea Scrolls: – The scrolls outdated any other surviving Old Testament MSS by

nearly 1,000 years. – Prior to their discovery the oldest Old Testament MSS dated

back to about 900 AD. – The library that was found there consisted of completed books

to just fragments of books, but represented all the books of the Old Testament with the exception of Esther.

– Nineteen copies of the book of Isaiah are found among the scrolls. Most of them are fragmentary. However, two complete copies are numbered among the scrolls.

• The Dead Sea Scrolls: – The scrolls outdated any other surviving Old Testament MSS by

nearly 1,000 years. – Prior to their discovery the oldest Old Testament MSS dated

back to about 900 AD. – The library that was found there consisted of completed books

to just fragments of books, but represented all the books of the Old Testament with the exception of Esther.

– Nineteen copies of the book of Isaiah are found among the scrolls. Most of them are fragmentary. However, two complete copies are numbered among the scrolls.

Evidences for IsaiahEvidences for Isaiah

• What if we had a manuscript of predictions dating back to 1800: – An American was to be born in Brookline, MA. – He graduated from Harvard University and served in the US

Navy as a PT boat commander. – In a great war his boat was sunk by the Japanese. – Following the war he became a congressman from the Boston

area. – Later he became a senator from Mass. – Eight years later, he was elected President of the United States

of America. – Three years after that he would be cut down by an assassin’s

bullet in Dallas, TX.

• What if we had a manuscript of predictions dating back to 1800: – An American was to be born in Brookline, MA. – He graduated from Harvard University and served in the US

Navy as a PT boat commander. – In a great war his boat was sunk by the Japanese. – Following the war he became a congressman from the Boston

area. – Later he became a senator from Mass. – Eight years later, he was elected President of the United States

of America. – Three years after that he would be cut down by an assassin’s

bullet in Dallas, TX.

We would exclaim: “THAT’S JFK!” “THAT’S PROPHETIC!”

Evidences for IsaiahEvidences for Isaiah

• We do have prophecy dating back 700 years before Christ: – He was born of virgin in the city of Bethlehem. – He would be raised in Galilee. – He would gain many disciples, but was eventually betrayed by

one of them for thirty pieces of silver. – A mock trial was conducted and He was condemned as a

criminal. – He died on a cross with nails piercing His hands and feet. – He dies among thieves. – He was burial in a rich man’s tomb, before His body saw

corruption He was gloriously raised from the dead.– He was later victoriously seated at God’s right hand.

• We do have prophecy dating back 700 years before Christ: – He was born of virgin in the city of Bethlehem. – He would be raised in Galilee. – He would gain many disciples, but was eventually betrayed by

one of them for thirty pieces of silver. – A mock trial was conducted and He was condemned as a

criminal. – He died on a cross with nails piercing His hands and feet. – He dies among thieves. – He was burial in a rich man’s tomb, before His body saw

corruption He was gloriously raised from the dead.– He was later victoriously seated at God’s right hand.

2 Peter 1:20-21— But aknow this first of all, that bno prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for ano prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men bmoved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Can New Testament Writers Be Trusted?

Can New Testament Writers Be Trusted?

• The skeptic has another question, “Maybe we can trust the writings of the prophets, but can we trust the writings of Matthew and Paul? Maybe they just made up the story to make it look like Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament. Can we trust those writers?

• Question: What motive would they have for lying? – Money?– Power?– Fame?

• The skeptic has another question, “Maybe we can trust the writings of the prophets, but can we trust the writings of Matthew and Paul? Maybe they just made up the story to make it look like Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament. Can we trust those writers?

• Question: What motive would they have for lying? – Money?– Power?– Fame?

According to Tradition, All the Apostles Except John Died for Their Faith. Would

You Die for a Lie? A Fraud? A Fake?

Claims of the Bible Claims of the Bible • It claims to be from God (2 Tim. 3:16).• It claims to have the answers to life. (2 Timothy 3:17) • It is a book with a central character, Jesus Christ, and

it claims that we should be obedient to Him. (Hebrews 5:9)

• It claims that we will be judged by Christ. (John 5:22; 2 Cor. 5:10)

• It claims that we will be eternal outcast from God if we do not follow Him. (2 Thess. 1:8)

• It promises eternal life to those who submit to Him. (Matt. 25:46)

• It claims to be from God (2 Tim. 3:16).• It claims to have the answers to life. (2 Timothy 3:17) • It is a book with a central character, Jesus Christ, and

it claims that we should be obedient to Him. (Hebrews 5:9)

• It claims that we will be judged by Christ. (John 5:22; 2 Cor. 5:10)

• It claims that we will be eternal outcast from God if we do not follow Him. (2 Thess. 1:8)

• It promises eternal life to those who submit to Him. (Matt. 25:46)

The Bible’s Claims Are True! The Question Is: WHAT WILL YOU

DO?

• This sermon was taken from a lecture presented by Max Dawson at the 2008 Florida College Lectures and represented by Lee Hyatt