>> bible >> reliability
Internal Evidence Tests
Production Continuity
The Bible was constructed over 1500 years, in 3 languages, on 3 continents, by more than 40 authors; authors from diverse cultures, backgrounds, education, and careers. They wrote in every possible literary form: sermon, poetry, history, biography, exposition, parable, and more. Yet through it all there is a common thread of unity and congruence. The beautiful story of the gospel is intricately woven from Genesis to Revelation.
Time/Space Dimension
The Bible is written about real places, real historical times, real people, and real events. Luke, the great historian reminds us of that as we glance at his wonderful attention to detail.
"Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child." (Luke 2:1-5)
"Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness." (Luke 3:1-3)
As you look at these passages notice the details, names and places. People like Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, and Quirinius are not fictional characters, but real people of history. Each and every name above, as well as each place, has been confirmed through secular history and archaeology. The Bible is written of known historical references in real time and space.
"The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, 'Which,' He said, 'you heard of from Me.'" (Acts 1:1-4)
As in the example provided by Luke, independent authors wrote of biblical events in first person accounts. Peter says it well,
"For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty." (2 Pet 1:16)
The authors of the New Testament did not write hearsay, but were eyewitnesses of what they wrote. Take the time to verify this for yourself by reading the following passages. You will find that not only did the writers witness the life of Jesus, but also they continually affirm that they were witnesses to that most notable event - His resurrection.
|
Luke 24:45-49 John 15:26-27 John 19:35 John 21:24 Acts 1:7-8 Acts 1:21-22 Acts 2:32 Acts 3:15 |
Acts 5:31-32 Acts 10:39-41 Acts 13:29-31 Acts 22:14-15 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 Hebrews 2:3-4 2 Peter 1:16-18 1 John 1:1-3 |