Nuclear Faith

By Carl Davis

Ever wondered why we believe what believe? Ever wondered why churches believe what they believe? This book will take the reader on a journey to understand where Christian doctrine comes from and why it is of the utmost importance to have a solid Biblical foundation to back up our faith.Discover what doctrine is, where the Bible originates from, what the Trinity is, who God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is, what sin is, the ordinances of the Church, Christian Ethics and Maturity, Sanctification, why we conduct Mission outreaches, the five-fold-ministry, a New Testament model of the church, Divine healing, End Times, Angels and Demons.This book will strengthen your faith and will deepen your relationship with God!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carl Davis
• Release date: Jan 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224080038

Carl Davis

Carl Davis holds a Doctorate in Missiology based upon research of Organizational Growth in the Post Modern Society. I started my work life serving in the South African Defence Force – first at the Recruiting Division, then moving to a Medical Command where I served as a Generalist Personnel Officer. For the last two years of my service, I was tasked with the Personnel management of the Integration process, inclusive of entrance and exit strategies. After honorable discharge after more than 10 years in the South African Defence Force, I took up the post of Managing Director of a Non-Government Organization, established to uplift impoverished communities in and around Potchefstroom, while also appointed as a part-time lecturer of undergraduates (specifically on leadership). Three years later I was appointed as Rector, managing an Educational Institute with 4000 students spread over 36 African countries. While in this position I had the opportunity to lecture extensively abroad and published various articles on leadership; with specific emphasis on motivation and group dynamics. I am a strong believer in utilizing a blended and integrated approach in all of the training (including the new material which I developed) I developed which included – Leadership (within a Faith based community), andragogy, and Cultural Diversity management. I am also a graduate of the University of Stellenbosch's Facilitative Leadership Programme (BUVTON), consulting and facilitating with organizations that are "stuck" (- Alice Mann 1998- ) specifically in the process of change management.

Book preview

1

What is Doctrine?

As Christians, we have an excellent book called The Bible that teaches us about life.  The Bible comes from the heart of God and covers every single aspect of our lives.  It explains God's plan of salvation, of the creation of the earth, as well as the creation of man.

Seeing that the Bible is a compilation of thousands of verses, someone had to gather all the verses and sort them under the various headings of what we believe.  No single verse may be used in isolation to prove a point, but that similar verses must prove the point we want to investigate.

To do so, Biblical Doctrine was formed.  Doctrine, or Dogma (as sometimes referred to), is the belief (or system of beliefs) that carries authority because they are clearly stated in Scripture. 

Sound Biblical doctrine developed because early Christians believed the entire Bible to be the Word of God.  A major motivating factor for developing doctrine was the countering of error.

The reason error crept into Christianity can be summarized as:

Those making the errors did not know Scripture.

They did not believe the Scriptures.

The did not know how to apply Scripture correctly.  (This is also true today when sermons are presented using eisegesis and not exegesis)[1]

They accepted personal[2] revelation[3] and the words of those who were not eyewitnesses.

Jesus warned against this by saying:

Mat 22:29 . . . You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. (CSB)

The Apostle Paul warns about the keeping of sound Doctrine when he writes:

"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them." - - Romans 16:17 (ESV)

And:

"charge some that they teach no other doctrine" (1Tim 1:3) (KJV)

Also, in 1 Timothy 6: 3:

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, (NIV)

Another warning from the Apostle Paul:

2 Timothy 3: 14-17 ¹⁴But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NIV)

Some of the greatest men of God who ever walked the earth has this to say about doctrine:

Error in doctrine is as much a sin as error in practice. - Charles Spurgeon[4]

Good conduct arises out of good doctrine. – John Stott[5]

We even have a current warning:

MacArthur (2013) says, The sad fact is that biblical truth has never been the hallmark of the Charismatic Movement, where spiritual experience is continually elevated above sound doctrine.[6]

MacArthur was not wholly condemning all Charismatics. Still, he stressed that our measure of doctrine should be comparable and provable through Biblical reference.  The challenge he mentions spiritual experience, feelings, or personal revelation(s) without Biblical provability.

The Apostle Paul warns of not following sound doctrine when he writes to Timothy:

2 Timothy 4:3 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. (NIV)

The early Church presented three foundational truths:

Jesus is the Messiah – (Acts 3:18)

God raised Him from the dead – (Acts 1:22 and 2: 24, 32)

Salvation was by faith in His Name (Acts 2: 38 and 2:16)

It is also noteworthy that the Apostles were using those as mentioned above, three foundational truths to base the defence of their faith:

Peter – (Acts 2: 14-36 and 5: 29-32)

Stephen – (Acts 7: 2-53)

Paul – (Acts 13: 16 – 41 and 14: 15-17)

Stephen was willing to be martyred to defend his beliefs and faith in these fundamental truths!

Although different Churches and denominations have various interpretations of their faith, most will agree that the following are the Basic Doctrines of the Christian faith:

God (theology proper)

The attributes of God

The Trinity as espoused by trinitarian Christians

Revelation

Biblical hermeneutics – the interpretation of Biblical texts

Creation

Divine providence

Theodicy – accounting for a benign God's tolerance of evil

Hamartiology – the study of sin

Christology – the study of the nature and person of Christ

Pneumatology – the study of the Holy Spirit

Soteriology – the study of salvation

Ecclesiology – the study of the Christian Church

Missiology – the study of the Christian message and of missions

Sacramental theology

Eschatology – the ultimate destiny of humankind

Moral theology

Christian anthropology

The afterlife

The Doctrines mentioned above are, as indicated, the BASIC Doctrines relating to the Christian faith.  When we want to know what the Bible says about the various Doctrines, we can ONLY Let the Bible dictate what is correct and not.

The Apostle Paul, upon his various Missionary travels, taught new converts and leaders as to the multiple Doctrines of the Church – although it was initially not called that.

We found that – even the Apostle Paul – had to endure the scrutiny of what he taught.  A Group called The Bereans checked everything Paul taught to confirm that it was indeed the truth – as found in Scripture.

Acts 17: 11 - Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (NIV)

Later, Paul had to chastise the Galatians because they, even knowing the TRUE doctrine preached, reverted to all types of false doctrine.

The primary defence of doctrine is the Bible.  There is nothing more remarkable to follow:

2 Tim 3: 16-17 - ¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NIV)

2

The Bible

Can the Bible be Trusted?

The Bible as the Sole Authority

What about the authority of the Church?

Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason-for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves- I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my basis; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus, I cannot and will not recant because acting against one's conscience is neither safe nor sound. God help me. Amen. – Martin Luther[7]

The Bible shows the way to go to heaven, not the way the heavens go. Galileo Galilei[8]

When you see the Bible, you are looking at the most beautiful and valuable book ever written.  It was written in ancient times, but it still has the most powerful message.  It has a direct message for all ages. Even in our modern times, the book is the most widely distributed and read than any book ever written.

The Bible has extraordinary appeal to all ages because it is God's Word regarding all humanity's ultimate destiny and purpose.  It tells us how to conduct ourselves towards our fellowmen, leading us from the dark into eternal light, which is God Himself.

However, it is essential to read and understand the Bible correctly and keep in mind that it was written in ancient times to people with a different culture and background.  To correctly understand the Bible's message, one needs the Holy Spirit of God's light firstly to open the scriptures to us.  You must never forget that mere knowledge of the Bible is not enough.

The Scriptures possess the quality of freedom from error. They are exempt from the liability to mistake, incapable of error. In all their teachings, they are in perfect accord with the truth. – (Young 1962)

The Scriptures have never erred –Luther[9]

the inerrancy of the Bible means simply that the Bible tells the truth. – (Ryrie 1999)

The devil also knows the contents of the Bible and can even quote from it. (See -Mt 4:5-6.)[10]  A second fundamental principle in understanding the message of the Bible is our knowledge of the following questions concerning the origin and inspiration of the Bible:

What is the Bible?

Where does the Bible come from?

Who wrote the Bible?

Can we add any other books to the Bible, or are the 66 books recorded a complete unit?

In the Old Testament, God explained the way to the prophets how He is to be served. They sometimes wrote on stone or clay tablets and later on paper. This same message was much later printed in book form. This book is the BIBLE and is the most important Book in the world. 

It is printed in more languages and is loved and read by more people than any other book in the world. The Bible gives direction and is read as a map for those on the road to eternal life.

The Bible must be read regularly and prayerfully.

We must also be obedient to what God tells us to do. In Luke 6:46, we read, why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?

The whole Bible is God's Word.

Read 2 Timothy 3:16 below. We must work together to make sure that as many as possible receive God's Word.

Before one can read a map, one's present position must first be established. For this reason, we have asked these four questions.

The Bible is the truth - every Word of it. From the Bible, we learn about that beautiful place, God's place, Heaven, and that He wants to give it to us as a gift. We cannot work for it nor earn it ourselves. The Bible also teaches us that nothing dirty, sinful or impure will enter Heaven. Read 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. (NIV) Read Hebrews 12; 14.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NASB)

The Bible is God's revelation to humanity.  The word revelation means to unveil or, in more simple language, to open the curtains.  If you are in a room with the curtains drawn, closed through, you cannot see the world outside. Beautiful things can be happening outside, but you will not be able to see these things because four walls enclose you. 

Some people live between the four walls of their existence without ever knowing that there is a much bigger and more wonderful reality outside, which they never see.  They think that their knowledge of the world is all there is to know about.

To discover the message of the Bible is to find a reality which you never dreamt of.

The Bible is the revelation of God which draws the curtains and gives us a glimpse of God and His eternal values.

The Bible is God's revelation to us as He spoke through His prophets and the events in the history of humanity.  In the Bible, we are invited to believe in God as the only and ultimate factor in our lives.  The endeavour to understand and appreciate the Bible is to look at the setting of the sure foundation.  This foundation is the principle upon which we build our spiritual house of faith.

As we continue our search into understanding the Bible's message, we will discover that there is only one primary message in the Bible: God reconciled Himself to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

God has committed to us the message of reconciliation. The Bible is the sure foundation upon which this message is built.  (See- Ro 15:20, 1 Co 3:10-12, 2 Co 5:18-19.)

This question can also be put as follows:  Who set the foundations upon which we build our faith?  How are we to understand the Bible as the Word of God?  Did God speak in such a manner that the people who wrote the Bible could hear His voice?  And did they write down everything they heard? 

What we do know is that the Bible is written by people who lived in ancient times.  They were ordinary people like you and me, called by God for this task and equipped with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  So, the Bible is the inspired Word of God.

God did not cause people to fall into a state of unconsciousness and then used their hands to write the Bible.  God never acts without taking the human mind and responsibility into consideration.  The correct understanding of the Bible's inspiration is to consider it as an organic inspiration.

The organic inspiration of the Bible:

This means to consider all the different factors in the setting of the foundation.  The Bible writers were ordinary people who received wisdom from God through the Holy Spirit to interpret events happening around them in history and write it down.  (E.g. the historical books of the Bible like Joshua, Judges, and Ruth, etcetera.)

Others received an insight regarding certain things happening in their personal lives and wrote that down.

(As in some of the Psalms, for instance.) 

Other writers of the Bible wrote down specific things that were initially transmitted orally from one generation to another.  These oral transmissions were all about God's great acts, and it was carried from father to son.

Then a particular writer or writers were inspired by the Holy Spirit to finally write it all down in a book which later became part of the Bible.  We can see that there were various ways in which the Bible came into existence.

The many prophecies and revelations of God were gathered to form the Bible - the Word of God.  It is important to note that not all literature was taken up and became part of His Holy Word.  (Note Nu 21:14, 2 Sa 1:18, 1 Ch 9:1, Lk 1:1-4.)  In other cases, some material was preserved twice.  (Note 2 Sa 22, Ps 18, Isa 2:1-4, Mic 4:1-3, Ex 20, Dt 5.)

However, it is essential to note that the Bible speaks of its message as coming to men from beyond themselves.  The words of the prophets are the Words of the Lord (see Hosea 1:1, Joel 1:1) Peter also clearly affirms that "for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (NKJV)" (2 Peter 1:21).

It is also clear that the Bible writers did not fully understand all the implications of their teachings because the source of their utterances lay beyond themselves.  In fact, it was the Spirit of Christ within them (1 Peter 1:10-12).

Various people wrote the Bible through the ages under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  They were men of God from different walks of life.  Amos was a herdsman, Joshua was a general, Luke was a physician, Daniel was a prime minister, and David was a king.

All these men wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  Some of them were educated men like Paul and others were lowly educated, like Peter.  However, they had one thing in common: they wrote God's Word, which is the guiding principle to be studied and adhered to by all men of all ages.

We are living today under the constant guidance of the Holy Spirit, who leads us in understanding the truth (John 14:15-18).  It also means that His advice means that He helps us understand the Bible correctly and preach it truthfully.

However, it does not mean that we can add new so-called insights or truths to the existing Bible.  No man can add anything to what has been written.

The 66 books of the Bible are the complete Word of God, and we are called to build on this foundation.  Should anyone endeavour to add or take away from this message, his name will be removed from the Book of Life.  (Rev 22:18-19).

The Relationship between History and Revelation

As we learn it at school, history is the description of things that happened in the past.  It tells the true story of things that have already occurred, and in a certain sense, the Word is self-explanatory.  It is his story of something that happened.

Thus, there must be someone who reported the past events and wrote it down so that people living in the ages to come can read it.  The historian or writer of history must be faithful to the facts. He does not always have any intention of bringing a specific message to his readers.  He only reports things as it happened.

Sometimes historians have a specific reason for writing down individual historical facts.  He wants the readers in the future to learn from the events that occurred in the past.

This message, however, does not mean that it is something revealed or made known by God.  It does not carry a letter received from God. Still, it only represents the things that happened in the past, and it is sometimes interpreted by the writer to bring home a specific message.

One's interpretation of history can be primarily influenced by your political convictions or your understanding of life itself.  Like a revelation, history is much more than ordinary account; it brings us a message, revealed or made known by God.

Biblical history is the story of everything that happened to man since the beginning of time.  It is more than the mere reporting of facts; it is God's revelation, and it carries a critical message.

In biblical history, the message is much more important than the facts.

In biblical history, God is revealed to us as a Person that seeks to have a living relationship with man.

The message of biblical history, and for that matter, the Bible, is that God is the Creator who must be worshipped and served as the One who brings salvation to humanity in Christ.

Thus, biblical history carries a message of hope which is only to be found in conversion and return to God.

When we study the Old Testament's message, we are searching for the revealed will of God in all that happened to Israel as His chosen nation.

This message can be applied to our circumstances today.  This means that when we study the Old Testament's message, we are looking for the will of God for our day and age.  This will become clear as we continue with this Chapter.

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THE CARRIERS OF THE MESSAGE OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

The Old Testament is compiled by different books, i.e. the Pentateuch or the first five books of the Bible; the historical books, reporting the history of the nation of Israel during a specific time; the wisdom literature (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs); and the Prophetic books.

THE PENTATEUCH

The Pentateuch reveals the truth about the creation of everything that exists, the fall of man, and the love of God towards His fallen creatures as revealed in His covenant relationship with mankind.  God is revealed as the Liberator of man in the Exodus and the Holy One, expecting faithful service as demonstrated by the Law's revelation.  His faithfulness is shown in possession of the Holy Land.

Historical books

In the historical books, God is revealed as the One who controls His people's history and the fact that they failed every time they turned their backs on Him by not trusting Him completely.

The Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature conveys the meaning of true wisdom as something that is situated in God only.  In the wisdom literature, the essential personal relationship between God and man is revealed and the dangers of living without God.

The Prophets

The prophets acted as God's special messengers in times of distress and confusion. God used them to lead His wandering people back to Him.

In the Old Testament, we find that God is preparing His people for the coming of the only Liberator of humanity, who is Jesus Christ, His Son.

Due to the fall of man they were unable to entirely please God. The need for a mediator is revealed through the many failures of Israel's people through the ages.

Thus, the Old Testament message serves as a preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ to this world as the Mediator between God and man.

The Acceptance of the Authority of the Bible and the Application of the Message

To correctly interpret the message of the Bible, one must accept the authority of the Bible and never question its historical correctness.

The story of creation, for instance, does not give a historical report on exactly when God created everything.  It cannot be placed in time and space by assuming that it happened a specific number of years ago. It reveals the message that God is the Creator of all that exists.  When and how God created is not given.

The Bible's message is a revelation, and we must search for the meaning of this revelation for our day and age.

To guide you in this search for meaning, we will introduce you to the interpretation or understanding of the tabernacle as a revelation from God.

The Testimony of the Structure -  (Unity) of the Bible

The Bible has great diversity.

However, the Bible has impressive unity.

It is best accounted for by Deity

(one mind behind it all).

The Book is the Product of One Master Mind

The Great Diversity of the Bible:

It was—

written in two major languages; One minor

by some forty human authors;

who held numerous occupations;

who lived on three different continents;

who penned 66 different books;

on hundreds of topics;

spanning over 1600 years.

The Amazing Unity of the Bible

It has:

One theme—salvation (2Tim. 3:15),

One person—Christ (Lk. 24:27),

With one goal—to glorify God (1Cor. 10:31).

The Types, Symbols and Ceremonies are Evidence

The Bible prophesies stamp the Book as Divine.

Jesus gave the Old Testament His Full Sanction.

Matthew 5:18-19 - 18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled. 19Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven.  (KJV)

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The Testimony of the Saviour

Jesus claimed to be the Son of God.

Jesus was confirmed by acts of God.

Jesus said the Bible is the Word of God.

Therefore, the Bible is the Word of God.

The Testimony of the Scribes

They claimed it came from God (2Tim. 3:16- 17; 2Pet. 1:20-21).

They taught and lived by the highest ethic (Ex. 20; Mt. 5-7).

They were willing to die for what they claimed (2Tim. 4:6-8).

There is historical confirmation for what they claimed.

The Testimony of the Scrolls

There are more New Testament manuscripts (5686 cf. 10 - 20 copies).

There are earlier New Testament manuscripts (25—150 yrs. cf. 1000 yr. gap).

There are better New Testament manuscripts (99.9% accuracy).

The Testimony of the Supernatural

There are supernatural predictions.

There are supernatural confirmations.

Supernatural predictions were on target.

The Testimony of Supernatural Confirmations

The Bible contains numerous miracles (Moses, Elijah-Elisha, Jesus-  Apostles).

A miracle is a divine confirmation (Ex. 4:1-8; 1Kgs 18:36-39; Acts 2:22; Heb. 2:3-4; 2Cor. 12:12).

No other book in the world has this.

Jesus claimed to be God

Jesus Claimed to be Yahweh (LORD).

The Moral Standards of the Bible Prove it to be Divine.

1 Timothy 6:16 - 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honour and everlasting power. Amen.  (NIV)

1 Peter 1:16 - 16 because it is written, Be holy, for I am holy.  (NKJV)

Ephesians 5:27 - 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.  (NKJV)

The Testimony of Science (which demonstrates it).

The Testimony of the Scribes (who wrote it).

The Testimony of the Scrolls (which preserve it).

The Testimony of the Supernatural (which confirms it).

The Testimony of the Saviour (who verified it).

The Testimony of the Stones (which support it).

The Testimony of the Structure (which corroborates it).

The Testimony of the Spirit (who speaks through it).

The Testimony of the Saved (who are transformed by it).

The Creator of Humans is the Author of the Book

For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and Spirit, joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Bible Reveals the Only Way of Salvation

Compare a Medical Manual with the same diversity, and it would not have this unity!

For example, some believe that sickness is cured by:

Exorcizing demons;

Draining blood from the veins;

Getting positive thoughts in mind;

Releasing the flow of the Force in the body by:

meditation

acupuncture

breathing exercises

yoga

eating no meat, etcetera.

By contrast, the Bible states we have:

One problem sin;

One cure salvation;

Through one person Christ;

For one purpose—to glorify God.

The World Recognizes the Book as Divine

Physics and Chemistry

The Universe is running down (Psa. 102:26).

The human body is composed of the earth's essential elements (Gen. 2:7).

Water returns to its source (Ecc. 1:7).

Biology

Life does not emerge from non-life (Gen. 1:21).

Life is incredibly complex (Gen. 1:21, 27).

Life is in the blood (Lev. 17:11).

Sanitation avoids the spread of disease (Lev. 12, 14).

Geology

Primary forms of animal life begin all at once (Gen. 1).

Lifeforms remain the same (Gen.1:12, 21).

All types of life begin fully formed (Gen. 1:20-21).

The Testimony of the Stones

No archaeological evidence has ever refuted the Bible.

Thousands of archaeological finds support the Bible.

No archaeological evidence has ever refuted the Bible.

The Bible was written in ancient times when there were no modern facilities as we have today.  There were no paper, or pens, or books as we know it today.  God, Himself, keeps the original copies of the Bible in a certain sense because we do not have them anymore.

However, God gave us other copies that we today find in the ruined remains of the ancient civilizations.  These copies were all written in the strange languages of ancient times and according to the customs of those times.

It is found in excavations of ancient cities covered under tons of rubble that could only be excavated with great effort.  Some of these copies were discovered by chance, but more were found as men made tools to dig.  They also had to develop methods to unlock strange and unknown languages and techniques to determine each copy's time and origin. 

Progress was slow, and many men from many different nations and professions dedicated themselves to the task of bringing into shape and making use of the tools needed in this onward course of a mighty movement.

Important achievements in the past helped to unlock the strange and ancient languages of ancient times.  To mention a few:

The Rosetta Stone:

The Rosetta stone had carvings on it in three different ancient languages: ancient Greek and the other two unknowns.  The Greek was known to the scientists, and with the help of the Greek translation, they managed to decipher the other two.

The person responsible for this was a Frenchman named Jean Champollion, who dedicated his life to reading the ancient hieroglyphics, which was the alphabet of the pharaohs.  Thus, God provided a key that could be used to read the ruling civilizations' oldest manuscripts when the Bible came into existence.

Ancient Manuscripts:

Various manuscripts of the Bible were discovered at different places. The Bible, as we know it today, was compiled from them. This archaeological work is a miracle: how God gave the Bible to us.

As excavation work in the ancient world was carried on, many other fragments and pieces were uncovered that confirmed the messages which had already become part of the Bible.

No new or additional information has been discovered up to this point.

We can be sure that the 66 books of the Bible are the complete Word of God and that no new information will be added. 

The Bible, as we know it today, is the entire Word of God.

The Bible is UNIQUE!

The Dead Sea Scrolls:

The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 was further confirmation of the authenticity of the Bible. 

These scrolls were found when an Arab shepherd boy went searching for one of his goats.  During his search, he threw a stone into a hillside cave and heard breaking pottery.  Upon entering the cave, he found several pottery jars.

These jars contained some of the oldest copies of the Old Testament. Amongst these leather scrolls were the Book Isaiah, the Psalms, Deuteronomy and Genesis.  These valuable pieces of information confirmed that the manuscripts found earlier were indeed the Word of God. 

Thus, God did not only inspire ancient writers to write down His Word, but He also led scientist and other people of later times to discover these writings so that we may have the Bible as our most valuable possession.

Translations:

The complete Bible's original languages were Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament). From these, many translations were made.  The first translation into a modern language was done in 1526 by William Tyndale.  Later in 1611, the King James Version was translated.  In 1881 the Revised Version was published.

Today we have the Bible available in almost all the major languages of the world.

As you have learnt, the setting of the foundation was a process that completed itself over a very long period. 

When one look at the Bible, one thing is certain, we have the most wonderful Book ever written with only one purpose, and that is to introduce us to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, His work as our Saviour and our eternal destiny.

"As a matter of fact, however, it may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference. 

Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or exact detail historical statements in the Bible."[11]

Thousands of archaeological finds support the Bible.

The geography of Bible lands and visible remains of antiquity were gradually recorded until today more than 25,000 sites within this region and dating to Old Testament times, in their broadest sense, have been located...[12]

Some examples of archaeological confirmation:

Ebla Tablets[13]—Creation from nothing (Gen. 1-2)

Flood Accounts—Worldwide stories (Gen. 6-9)

The Tower of Babel—Sumerian Ziggurats (Gen 11)

The Patriarchs—Mari letters (Gen. 12-50)

Sodom and Gomorrah—Mt. Sodom (Gen. 18-19)

The Exodus—evidence in Arabia (Ex. 12 cf. Gal. 4:25)

King David—inscription with David's name on it (2 Sam.)

Solomon—ashes and artefacts on temple mound (1Kgs.]

More examples of archaeological confirmation:

The Assyrian Invasion—the Assyrian record of invasion (Isa. 20)

King Jehu—mentioned in Black Obelisk (2 Kgs.)

King Hezekiah—Sennacherib invasion record (2 Kgs.)

Hezekiah's tunnel—underground water found (2 Kgs.)

The Jewish Captivity—King Jehoiachin's records—(2 Kgs. 25)

The Census in Luke 2—Quirinius census (Lk. 2:1-5)

Gallio, Proconsul of Achaia—inscription of Delphi (Acts 18:12-17)

Erastus—inscription near Corinth theatre (Acts 19:22).

The Nazareth Decree was a slab of stone with a decree from Emperor Claudius (A.D. 41-54) not to move bodies under pain of death.

Yohanan—A Crucifixion Victim from c. A.D. 70 (found 1968)

By its Fruit, we know the Book is Divine.

The Testimony of the Spirit (who speaks through it)

The Spirit bears witness that we are sons and daughters of God (Rom. 8:16).

The Spirit bears witness that the Bible is the Word of God (1Jn. 5:6-10).

He gives inner witnesses through the outer Word.

He gives a subjective witness through the objective Word.

The Testimony of the Saved (who are transformed by it)

The Bible has the power to deliver from sin (Rom. 1:16)

The Bible has the power to purify for sin (Jn. 17:17).

Evidence:

Bible is the world's bestseller.

Bible is the world's best life-changer.

The Bible will outlast the Universe.

Psalm 119:89

LAMED

89 Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in Heaven.  (KJV)

Matthew 5:18

18 For assuredly, I say to you, till Heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the Law till all is fulfilled.  (NKJV)

The Testimony of Supernatural Predictions

They were made hundreds of years in advance (Dan. 9:24f.).

They were often clear and specific (cf. Mic. 5:2; Isa. 53).

They all came to pass as predicted.

Other facts regarding the Inerrancy of the Bible:

The Chicago Statement of 1978 regarding the Inerrancy of the Bible stated that:

God, who is Himself the truth and speaks truth only, has inspired Holy Scripture in order, thereby to reveal Himself to lost humanity through Jesus Christ as Creator and Lord, Redeemer and Judge. Holy Scripture is God's witness to Himself.

Holy Scripture, being God's own Word, written by men prepared and superintended by His Spirit, is of infallible divine authority in all matters upon which it touches: it is to be believed, as God's instruction, in all that it affirms: obeyed, as God's command, in all that it requires; embraced, as God's pledge, in all that it promises.

The Holy Spirit, Scripture's divine Author, both authenticates it to us by His inward witness. It opens our minds to understand its meaning.

Being wholly and verbally God-given, Scripture is without error or fault in all its teaching, no less in what it states about God's acts in creation, about the events of world history, and about its literary origins under God, than in its witness to God's saving grace in individual lives.

Scripture's authority is inescapably impaired if this total divine inerrancy is in any way limited or disregarded or made relative to a view of truth contrary to the Bible's own; and such lapses bring serious loss to both the individual and the Church.

CANONICITY

Definition and Development

Definition of Canonicity

Root meaning: from Greek KANOON, (derived from the Word – κανόνας)[14]

meaning rod, ruler, standard for measure.

Theological meaning: rule, standard, normative writings.

Canon: the books of the Bible recognized by any Christian Church as genuine and inspired.

POINTS TO NOTE ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE CANON:

The canon formed in two parts independently: Old Testament, and New Testament

It did not arrive by email from Heaven but formed over time.

It is, by necessity, a matter of Church Tradition (even for churches which reject the notion of Tradition)

Most modern bibles have 66 books in the canon.

The Catholic Church recognizes 73 books, with the extra seven books belonging to the Old Testament.

Formation – Old Testament

Septuagint (Greek Translation of O.T.) (400's B.C.)

Includes entire 15 book Apocrypha

Josephus's Listing (approx. A.D. 50-100)

Matches our list of 39 books

Council of Jamnia (approx. A.D. 90) (Jews in Rome)

Matches our list of 39 books

Council of Trent (AD 1545-1563) (Roman Catholic Council)

Included seven more books and extra sections of Daniel and Esther

Formation – New Testament

Muratorian Fragment (approx. AD 170)

Omits Hebrews, 1 and 2 Peter, James, and 3 John;

Includes: Wisdom of Solomon

Athanasius's 39th Festal Letter[15] (AD 367)

Omits Esther; Includes Baruch

Council of Hippo (AD 393)

matches our list of 27 books

Councils of Carthage 1 and 2 (397, 419)

matches our list of 27 books

Roman Catholic vs Protestant Canon

Jerome translates Latin Vulgate (AD 405)

Includes 15 apocryphal books in an appendix

Not to be read in churches.

The Roman Catholic and Protestants agree on 66 books.

They disagree about 7 O.T. books.

Discovery of Canonicity

(5 critical questions)

Did a prophet write it? An Apostle? Or an association of an Apostle? (Heb. 1:1; 2 Peter

1:20-21).

Did an act of God confirm the writers? (John 3:2, Acts 2:22, Hebrews 2:3)

Does it tell the truth about God? (Deut 18:22; Gal. 1:8).

Does it have the power of God? (Heb. 4:12).

Did the people of God accept it? (Dan. 9:2; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Pet. 3:15).

Progressive Development of the Old Testament Canon

Moses wrote (Deut. 31:24)

Joshua added (Josh. 24:26)

Samuel added his writings (1 Sam. 10:25)

Prophets were collected (Dan. 9:2; Zech. 7:12)

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