Can the Bible be Trusted?

A growing number of people are claiming that the Bible is inaccurate, error-ridden, and filled with contradictions. 

It is interesting to note that many of those who try to discredit the Bible have never read it. In fact, you will be surprised that many professing Christians do not even read their Bibles regularly.

I want to show you that the Bible can be trusted. And if you are prepared to read and take to heart what it says, you can not only find wisdom for living, but the Bible can change your life.

Bible Facts and Figures

The Bible is the number one selling book in the world. 

It is also the most translated book and is the single most popular book ever. 

While critics have tried to disprove and discredit the Bible, it is one of the most reliable documents of ancient world history. 

The Bible tells us, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

However, I can assure you that the Bible is the Word of God. It is still applicable today, offers wisdom for life, and can change your life.  

The Bible has been investigated and scrutinized. Some have criticized it. Others have misinterpreted and ridiculed it, and some have tried to burn it, ban it, and even wipe it out, but it keeps living and still changes lives.

The Bible has stood the test of time.

Jesus told us, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my WORDS will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)

The Make-up of the Bible

The Bible is a library of 66 books written over a period of 1,500 years. The 66 books were written by no less than 40 different authors who came from all walks of life. These authors include poets, prophets, philosophers, kings, servants, leaders, shepherds, fishermen, eyewitnesses, and a doctor. 

The Bible was written in three languages (Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic), on three different continents (Africa, Asia, and Europe), in different places (including palaces, prisons, mountains, valleys, deserts, islands, and battlefields), and it speaks in perfect unity. 

The Bible consists of the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the New Testament.

The Old Testament points towards a coming Savior.

The Gospels reveal the Savior.

The New Testament reveals how God’s people lived out their Christian lives with Jesus at the center, warns about counterfeit Christs, and points towards what you can expect in eternity. 

Related: What does the Bible say about the End Times?

The Bible is Known to Be One of the Most Historically Accurate Manuscripts from Ancient Times

More than 14,000 manuscripts and fragments of the Old Testament have been found, and 95% of the text is identical.

According to Teri Dugan, there are over 25,000 copies of the New Testament that have been discovered, including:

• 5795 Greek Manuscripts (written from AD 49 to AD 95), with the earliest copy dated AD 117
• 7974 manuscripts in other languages (Armenian, Coptic, Gothic, Ethiopian, Syriac, Georgian, and Slavic) dated from the second century (100 to 150 years)
• Over 10,000 manuscripts in the Latin Vulgate, dated from the third century (300-350 years)

Over the years, more than 25,000 archaeological discoveries have substantiated the validity of the scriptures. Even missing links in history have been confirmed by the Bible!

Is the Bible Full of Errors?

While many assume the Bible is full of copying errors, the historical reality is quite the opposite, with only 1 in every 1000 words having variations, and most of these are spelling mistakes that do not change the meaning of the text. 

According to Dr. Clay Jones, The Bible and the New Testament, in particular, were written mainly by eyewitnesses who were alive at the time of the events.

Many believe that the Bible is the most credible ancient document in history.  

The Bible is the Inspired Word of God

The Bible is God’s Word to you and me.

It offers answers to life, inspires, and provides great advice and solutions to life’s problems.  

“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 Timothy 3:16-17)

The Bible gives strength to the weak, wisdom for life, and great insights into the future. 

The Bible also warns that there is more to life than just the here and now. It talks about the consequences of sin and eternal life. 

God’s word is alive. It is the living word. It speaks. God’s Word penetrates the heart. It exposes who we are.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) 

God’s Word can break open the hardest heart. 

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29)

The Bible convicts of sin, but it also comforts the downtrodden and offers hope for the future.

According to the Bible…

There is the inventor and creator of life – GOD THE FATHER

There is one enemy – THE DEVIL  

There is one problem – SIN

There is one Savior – JESUS 

There is one purpose – SALVATION FOR ALL PEOPLE

The Bible introduces us to the Creator. It reveals His love, mercy, grace, and kindness to fallen man and shows us the pathway to abundant life.

The Bible Points to Jesus 

The Bible can introduce you to the Savior. He is alive. He wants a close walk with you. 

God is the inventor of life. He is the master architect, and the Bible is His Word to you and me.

The Bible shows how God created the world.

He flung the stars into space. He made the sun and the moon, positioning them perfectly to ensure Earth could sustain life. God placed the earth and made the mountains and rivers, He made the animals and the insects, and He made man in His image.

The first people God made were Adam and Eve. They enjoyed a close walk with God and had intimate fellowship with their creator. He made man to rule the earth. 

However, enter the enemy.

The devil came to kill, steal, and destroy, with the sole aim of trying to wreck this relationship between God and His creation. The devil tempted Adam and Eve. They fell for his bait. They disobeyed God, sin entered their hearts, and they died spiritually.

Immediately, they hid from God. From this moment on, the Bible shows a picture of a loving God who would stop at nothing to restore this broken relationship between Him and his creation. 

Because of sin, Adam and Eve and every person born from this moment were immediately cut off from a holy and just God. Being Holy, God could not mix with sin. Being just, He had to punish sin. But instead of condemning the human race to eternal separation, God, in His mercy, grace, and undeserved lovingkindness, set up a plan to save mankind. 

The Good News plan involved God sending his Son as the Savior. On the cross, Jesus paid the full price of sin, thereby defeating death and the enemy so that you and I could come back into a relationship with God. This walk with God can start today and go right on into eternity. This is the scarlet thread running from the Bible. 

“For this is how God loved the world (YOU) that He gave his one and only Son (JESUS), so that everyone who believes in him (PUTS FAITH IN JESUS) will not perish (HELL) but have eternal life (STARTING TODAY AND CONTINUING FOREVER TO HEAVEN). God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16)

The Bible Reveals What Will Happen in the Future

Life consists of more than just the here and now. The Bible talks about life beyond the grave. According to the Bible, there is a real heaven and a real hell, and we will spend eternity in one of these destinations. 

Eternity | You Were Made to Live Forever – Life beyond the grave!

Life on earth is short and temporary. Eternity is permanent and forever. 

Many do not want to think about sin, heaven, hell, and the coming judgment. 

“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)

The Bible is unmatched in its record of predicting future events. It includes predictions about what will happen at the end of the age. The Bible talks about life, death, and the afterlife. It gives clear pictures of heaven and hell. 

There is life beyond the grave.

God made a way for all people to share eternity with Him.

The Bible reveals that one day, Jesus will return.

We need to be ready. Are you ready? Do you know The Savior? Are you a Child of God? 

Jesus is the Savior. The Bible reveals the Good News that Jesus made a way for all people to come into a relationship with God.

I Dare You to Read the Bible!

Many have tried to discredit the Bible instead of evaluating it. The truth is that most people who reject the Bible have never read it. 

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

The Bible is true. It is the living word of God, and it can change your life.

The Bible reveals that life is all about God, how we were separated from God due to sin, and how God, in His love and mercy, sent Jesus, His Son, to be the Savior of the world.

Out of a deep love for you and me, Jesus died for our sins so that we could be reconnected to God. 

If you have never read the Bible, I dare you to read it.

Read it with reverence. Read it in context. Don’t add to it, and don’t take anything away from it.

 “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.” (Revelation 22:18-19)

The Bible is Still Relevant Today! It Can Change Your Life!

The Bible has answers to life’s tough questions.

It offers wisdom for better living.

It even gives answers on how to manage your money well.

It offers wisdom for business.

It gives advice on how to raise your children and even improve your marriage and relationships. 

The Bible is an incredible book of wisdom. It can change your life. 

Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

The Bible Offers Life-giving Wisdom on How to Handle Life’s Struggles

The Bible provides life-giving principles for dealing with depression, anxiety, and worry. It can help you manage your emotions better. The Bible also shows you how to break bad habits, find forgiveness, and find freedom. 

The Bible also offers supernatural strength and comfort in times of storms and chaos.

It can lead you to the Savior and change your life.

God bless you.