Reading: Evidence of Biblical Accuracy (Slides)

Evidence of Biblical Accuracy

by David Feddes

Confirming Evidence

•  Old Testament fulfilled in New Testament

•  Findings of archeology

•  Reliable manuscripts

•  Inner testimony of the Holy Spirit

•  The Bible’s power to transform lives and nations

Old Testament Prophecy fulfilled in New Testament

• Hundreds of prophesies were fulfilled in Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection.

• Old Testament feasts and rituals were fulfilled in Jesus.

•  Worldwide gospel preaching fulfilled the original promise that through Abraham’s seed all nations would be blessed.

Findings of archeology
Was David just a myth?

Findings of archeology
Was Pilate a real person?

Findings of archeology
Firsthand knowledge of Jerusalem and Jesus?

•     In the 1800s some skeptics said the author of John had never been to Jerusalem and had no firsthand knowledge of geography and events.

•     Some scholars said the Gospel of John was written as late as 200 A.D. because it spoke of Jesus as the Word become flesh. Only a later writer could have such an evolved theology. None of Jesus original disciples could have viewed Jesus as God.

Findings of archeology

• “Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which
has five roofed colonnades.” (John 5:2)
• In the 1800s some skeptics said the author of John had never been to Jerusalem. He just
made up the pool and gave it mythical meaning.

Findings of archeology

• Some skeptical scholars said Gospel of John was written as late as 200 A.D. because it spoke of Jesus
as the Word become flesh.
• Papyrus fragment, found in Egypt, dated 125 A.D., was a fragment from John 18.
• Proves John was written a generation earlier and was being copied and circulated as Scripture.

Reliable manuscripts

Books by Plato

• Surviving copies: seven

• Earliest copy: 1,200 years after originals were written

New Testament

• Surviving copies: More than 5,700

• Earliest copy: <40 years after original; many within a few hundred years

•  Wording agrees 99%

Dead Sea Scrolls prove OT was copied accurately

Confirming Evidence

•  Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in New Testament

•  Findings of archeology

•  Reliable manuscripts

•  Inner testimony of the Holy Spirit

•  The Bible’s power to transform lives and cultures

God-breathed and profitable

¹⁴But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it ¹⁵and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:14-17)

Guard the treasure

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge. (1 Tim 6:20)