January 8th, 2024
by John Kelley
by John Kelley
We live in a society with little trust. Every day there are people who want to disprove anything that anyone presents as truth. As a result, the Bible is under constant attack from people outside the Church wanting to invalidate the inerrancy of the Bible. In other words, they want to show that the Bible is a false work or a book of fairy tales and silly stories. Thankfully, we can know that God’s Word is true and is truly inspired by Him.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
This week, we’ll be talking about the spiritual discipline of reading scripture. It’s important that every believer make time daily to read God’s Word and learn from the wisdom the Bible has to offer. Before we really dig in on how to read the Bible and make it part of our daily routine, we need to understand one thing. Scripture truly IS THE WORD OF GOD. Without acknowledging this, we’re just reading really captivating fiction….or we’ll read it as complete madness.
There are two types of evidence where we can find proof of the inerrancy of God’s Word: Internally from God’s Word, and Externally from history, archaeology, ancient sacred texts, and other study methods. It’s important to use multiple methods and sources to prove something is correct.
With Scripture, we can use deductive reasoning to conclude that God’s Word is true and reliable. We read of the genuineness of Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, and again in 1 Peter 1,
And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:19–21
When reading these scriptures, we can deduct that, if God is infallible and the Bible is His Word, the Bible is infallible. Through faith we trust that God is who He says He is. Through that same faith we can believe that God’s Word is the inspired Word of God and is therefore true and trustworthy.
You can also use external sources to prove the inerrancy of the Bible. You can verify the Bible based on historical evidence. The locations, geography, and people talked about in the Bible are verifiable through historical study. The Bible doesn’t makeup Cities, countries, and rulers. The Bible happened in real time in real history on this very real Earth that we live on. The Bible is literally a historical account of God’s people throughout history.
Many of the accounts have also been proven through archaeological means. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and many of the ancient texts discovered throughout the years continue to prove the validity of scripture. Many archaeological digs have discovered ancient cities and other locations spoken about in the Bible. From discoveries of Herod’s recreational facility to an Egyptian monument with the names of Biblical Pharaohs on it to an unknown Egyptian City that may be the home of the Israelite slaves, countless discoveries prove the historical accuracy of God’s Word, and more are being discovered every year.
The consistency of Scripture also leads us to believe their infallibility. There are over 200 copies of the Old Testament that date back over 2000 years. These prove the dedication and intentional work of the scribes who painstakingly copied, letter by letter, every word of the text, and there are no inconsistencies among them. There are over 5000 Greek texts, manuscripts, and manuscript fragments of the New Testament. Again, every original word from the text is there. On top of that, the New Testament has more early copies to support its accuracy than any other ancient writing.
Putting all of this together, we can genuinely say that the Word of God IS God’s Word. We can read with confidence that the reading of Scripture carries immense value in the life of every believer. Over the next few days, we’ll talk more about how to read God’s Word and make it as much a part of our lives as breathing.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
If we wish to grow in our relationship with God, we must understand the validity and value of God’s amazing, inerrant, and perfect Word. Take some time today to read Psalm 119. You’ll recognize some of that chapter tomorrow.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
This week, we’ll be talking about the spiritual discipline of reading scripture. It’s important that every believer make time daily to read God’s Word and learn from the wisdom the Bible has to offer. Before we really dig in on how to read the Bible and make it part of our daily routine, we need to understand one thing. Scripture truly IS THE WORD OF GOD. Without acknowledging this, we’re just reading really captivating fiction….or we’ll read it as complete madness.
There are two types of evidence where we can find proof of the inerrancy of God’s Word: Internally from God’s Word, and Externally from history, archaeology, ancient sacred texts, and other study methods. It’s important to use multiple methods and sources to prove something is correct.
With Scripture, we can use deductive reasoning to conclude that God’s Word is true and reliable. We read of the genuineness of Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, and again in 1 Peter 1,
And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:19–21
When reading these scriptures, we can deduct that, if God is infallible and the Bible is His Word, the Bible is infallible. Through faith we trust that God is who He says He is. Through that same faith we can believe that God’s Word is the inspired Word of God and is therefore true and trustworthy.
You can also use external sources to prove the inerrancy of the Bible. You can verify the Bible based on historical evidence. The locations, geography, and people talked about in the Bible are verifiable through historical study. The Bible doesn’t makeup Cities, countries, and rulers. The Bible happened in real time in real history on this very real Earth that we live on. The Bible is literally a historical account of God’s people throughout history.
Many of the accounts have also been proven through archaeological means. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and many of the ancient texts discovered throughout the years continue to prove the validity of scripture. Many archaeological digs have discovered ancient cities and other locations spoken about in the Bible. From discoveries of Herod’s recreational facility to an Egyptian monument with the names of Biblical Pharaohs on it to an unknown Egyptian City that may be the home of the Israelite slaves, countless discoveries prove the historical accuracy of God’s Word, and more are being discovered every year.
The consistency of Scripture also leads us to believe their infallibility. There are over 200 copies of the Old Testament that date back over 2000 years. These prove the dedication and intentional work of the scribes who painstakingly copied, letter by letter, every word of the text, and there are no inconsistencies among them. There are over 5000 Greek texts, manuscripts, and manuscript fragments of the New Testament. Again, every original word from the text is there. On top of that, the New Testament has more early copies to support its accuracy than any other ancient writing.
Putting all of this together, we can genuinely say that the Word of God IS God’s Word. We can read with confidence that the reading of Scripture carries immense value in the life of every believer. Over the next few days, we’ll talk more about how to read God’s Word and make it as much a part of our lives as breathing.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
If we wish to grow in our relationship with God, we must understand the validity and value of God’s amazing, inerrant, and perfect Word. Take some time today to read Psalm 119. You’ll recognize some of that chapter tomorrow.
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2024
January
What Is Prayer?AdorationConfessionThanksgivingSupplicationScripture Is The Word Of GodGod’s Word Guides UsGod’s Word Convicts UsGod’s Word Connects UsGod’s Word Encourages UsWhat Is Worship?Worship In Our WorkWorship In Our FamilySunday WorshipWorship Even When You Don't Want ToWhat is Fasting All About?Giving God Our Meal TimesEmptied of Ourselves and Filled with ChristFasting Develops FocusFood Is OverratedGod Is NOT In The FireJesus Sneaks OffWe Make Our Own Noise
February
We All Need SpaceGod Is Not Santa ClausWith Great Blessing Comes Great ResponsibilityCan Stewardship Be Scary?Filling the Need When We See ItIt's All His AnywayTime Is NOT On My SideWe Need Each OtherDevoted To The WordBreaking Bread TogetherGroup Conversations With GodFour Hands Are Better Than TwoLet’s Keep It SimpleOnly Take What You NeedSlow DownThe Great PurgeA Simple MessageGod’s Word Is A WeaponDo You Have A Game Plan?What You Remember Most Matters MostStart With the Basics
March
April
Sin Is RealDistraction Leads to Cover-UpWandering In DisobediencePride Comes Before the FallI Do What I HateThe Beauty of RedemptionRedemption Has A PriceWe Need To Claim Our PrizeYou Gotta Have FaithEven When You Look Like a Fool….God Will ProvideTrust the ProcessI Forgive YouGrace Is Free, But It Isn't CheapI Was Wrong, You Were RightThe Mob
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