Key Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 2 Peter 1:19-21
2 Timothy 3:16-17, All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:19-21, We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
.
Lesson One: The internal consistency of scripture.
• The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by 40+ authors over 1,500 years across three continents in three languages, yet it maintains one cohesive story of redemption
2 Peter 1:20-21, Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
.
Lesson Two: Manuscript reliability.
• The New Testament is the most well-vetted historical document in existence. With over 25,000 extant manuscripts and a very short time gap between the originals and the earliest copies, it far surpasses other ancient works
Psalm 12:6-7, The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. You, O Lord, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever.
Psalm 19:7-9, The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.
Psalm 119:89, Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Psalm 119:152, Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.
Psalm 119:160, All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
.
Lesson Three: Prophetic probability.
• The mathematical improbability of the 300+ fulfilled prophecies regarding Jesus underscores the miraculous nature of the Bible
Isaiah 42:8-9, The former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.
Isaiah 46:9-10, I am God, and there is no other…declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done.
