Is the Bible reliable?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The word reliable means trustworthy or dependable. The Bible is a trustworthy and reliable text, proven by its consistent transmission and historical accuracy. From the creation narrative in Genesis, confirmed by modern science, to the historical events validated by archaeology, the Bible has shown itself to be dependable. Jesus Himself affirmed the reliability of the Old Testament, and the New Testament authors continuously point to the Bible as God’s inspired Word. Fulfilled prophecies from both the Old and New Testaments also add to its reliability, unlike any other religious book. The Bible's widespread influence, along with its remarkable preservation across centuries, demonstrates its consistency and authenticity. With over 5,000 manuscript copies, the Bible stands as the most accurate and reliable ancient text, offering a message we can confidently trust.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). From the very first verse the Bible tells us that the universe had a beginning, something which astronomers confirmed only in the last century. The Bible is unchanging truth, regardless of popular or scientific opinion, both of which can change. Creation demonstrates biblical reliability. Genesis itself is reliable history, forming a foundation for the Bible.
• God is perfect, so His Word is also perfect, trustworthy, and authoritative, providing guidance, wisdom, and truth for all of life (Psalm 19:7, Proverbs 30:5, 2 Timothy 3:16).
• Old Testament authors often wrote "Thus says the Lord..." establishing Scripture as the inspired Word of God (Exodus 4:22, Isaiah 1:24, Jeremiah 1:4).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• There are at least 100 quotations or direct references to Genesis 1-11 in the New Testament, including 18 references to Genesis 1-11 by Jesus. Jesus confirms the reliability of the Old Testament and the way that the Bible is one unified book.
• The Bible itself claims that it is uniquely inspired by God: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). The word "profitable" is also translated as "useful."
• In 2 Peter 1:16-18, Peter tells us that he personally witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus, which confirmed the prophecies of Scripture that pointed to the Messiah. So Peter could say with confidence that the prophecies of Scripture were not clever stories or myths meant to deceive. Rather, these prophecies came straight from the mind of God (2 Peter 1:20-21). In other words, the prophecies of Scripture are the words of God about the actions of God. Fulfilled prophecy shows the reliability of the Bible.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The Bible stands as the world’s best-selling and most widely distributed book, having been translated into over 1,000 languages. No other book comes close to its reach, a testament to its unparalleled reliability in content, historicity, and impact. Millions of lives bear witness to the Bible's transformative power, and its historical accuracy has been continually validated by countless archaeological discoveries. Cities like Rome and Corinth, political figures such as Herod and Caesar, and significant events recorded in the New Testament have been consistently confirmed by both archaeologists and historians. This solidifies the trustworthiness of the Bible's authors, who boldly claimed to write under God's authority.

The preservation of the Bible is equally remarkable. Manuscripts dating back to the 3rd and 14th centuries show extraordinary consistency, with almost identical content. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls further affirms the integrity of the Old Testament, offering evidence that the Scriptures have remained intact across millennia. When it comes to ancient texts, the Bible stands unmatched in terms of factual verification, proximity to original manuscripts, and the sheer number of surviving copies. With over 5,000 New Testament manuscripts, many within just 200 to 300 years of the original writings, we can have more than 99% confidence in the accuracy of the Bible’s text. God's Word, the Bible, is not just a book; it is a trustworthy, timeless message we can rely on.

UNDERSTAND

• The Bible is reliable as shown by archaeological and historical confirmation as well as internal consistency.
• Over 5,000 New Testament manuscripts show remarkable consistency and accuracy, making the Bible reliable.
• Fulfilled prophecies and Jesus' affirmation prove the Bible’s divine inspiration and reliability.

REFLECT

• How does the Bible's historical accuracy impact your confidence in its message?
• How do the fulfilled prophecies in the Bible strengthen your trust in its divine inspiration?
• How has the preservation of the Bible influenced your personal understanding of its reliability?

ENGAGE

• How can we use the Bible’s historical accuracy and fulfilled prophecies to address doubts people may have about its trustworthiness today?
• What are the implications of Jesus affirming the Old Testament's reliability for our understanding of the whole Bible as one unified message?
• How does the fact that the Bible is the most widely distributed book in the world speak to its reliability and impact in our lives today?