...how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), Ephesians 3:3 (NKJV)
In Part I of this devotional series on the Bible, we looked at how there are many people who say that they believe in God, even those who would call themselves Christians, and yet they don't want to accept the Bible as God's divine revelation. I believe that they are unwilling to be held accountable by the guidance and instruction given in God's Word, and therefore, they will tear away at the Bible's authenticity and origin. Many who do this have not even read through the Bible once, or looked into its origin.
In Part II of this devotional, I wanted to help answer a question that as Christians we are sometimes faced with, and that question is this:
Q: How can we know The Bible is The Word of God?
A: There are 3-links that give us great confidence the Bible is the Word of God, and that:
* It has been accurately compiled
* It has been accurately copied
* It has been accurately transmitted down through the centuries
So let's take a look at these 3-links.
1. Inspiration
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)
The Greek word for Inspiration is theopneustos, theh-op´-nyoo-stos; and it means, to breathe upon or into something and in this passage above it refers to being divinely breathed in. So we can see that the Word of God has been divinely breathed from God into man. And we are told that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21).
2. Canonization: This is how the books of the Bible were collected, recorded, accepted, authenticated, and handed down. How the different books were identified as being Inspired by God.
Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, Luke 1:1-3 (NKJV)
Old Testament Scripture was in its canonized form during the time of Christ and was substantiated by Christ Himself throughout the New Testament. In Addition the Dead Sea Scrolls found 1947-1956 show that the Old Testament was accurately transmitted (See Transmission below).
New Testament Canon (The books of the Bible officially accepted as Holy Scripture) was identified by the early church and compiled by very strict and authentic criteria. These criteria are (1) Apostolicity, (2) Acceptance, and (3) Content.
3. Transmission: This is how later generations handed the text down throughout the generations. They copied, translated, recopied, and re-translated assuring an accurate rendition. This transmission was performed by the Jewish Scribes, and they were subject to very strict rules. Here are 7-rules they adhered to:
1. No word of letter or any other mark may be written from memory. The scribe must look directly at the original scroll for every stroke.
2. Between every letter, the space of a hair or thread must intervene.
3. They would count the number of times each letter appeared in a book and compared that with the original.
4. They numbered and counted the verses, works and letters of every book and compared the copy to the original.
5. They had a great awe and respect for God's word and His name. Any time they came to the name of God in scripture they would bathe and change their clothes before they wrote it.
6. Even if a king would address the scribe while writing the name of God the scribe was justified in ignoring him.
Clearly we can see that God has inspired His Word to those entrusted in writing it down, and it has been safeguarded ever since. We can have full confidence in reading the Bible and trusting its content as the divine message from God.
In Part III of this series, we'll take a look at how the Word of God helps lead, guide, direct and shape our lives into the image of Christ.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we know about God's Word according to the Scriptures within this devotional?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Can you see God's evidences that affirm His Word as being true and accurate?
APPLICATION: Take time to know the origin of the translation of the Bible you're reading.
In Part I of this devotional series on the Bible, we looked at how there are many people who say that they believe in God, even those who would call themselves Christians, and yet they don't want to accept the Bible as God's divine revelation. I believe that they are unwilling to be held accountable by the guidance and instruction given in God's Word, and therefore, they will tear away at the Bible's authenticity and origin. Many who do this have not even read through the Bible once, or looked into its origin.
In Part II of this devotional, I wanted to help answer a question that as Christians we are sometimes faced with, and that question is this:
Q: How can we know The Bible is The Word of God?
A: There are 3-links that give us great confidence the Bible is the Word of God, and that:
* It has been accurately compiled
* It has been accurately copied
* It has been accurately transmitted down through the centuries
So let's take a look at these 3-links.
1. Inspiration
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)
The Greek word for Inspiration is theopneustos, theh-op´-nyoo-stos; and it means, to breathe upon or into something and in this passage above it refers to being divinely breathed in. So we can see that the Word of God has been divinely breathed from God into man. And we are told that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21).
2. Canonization: This is how the books of the Bible were collected, recorded, accepted, authenticated, and handed down. How the different books were identified as being Inspired by God.
Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, Luke 1:1-3 (NKJV)
Old Testament Scripture was in its canonized form during the time of Christ and was substantiated by Christ Himself throughout the New Testament. In Addition the Dead Sea Scrolls found 1947-1956 show that the Old Testament was accurately transmitted (See Transmission below).
New Testament Canon (The books of the Bible officially accepted as Holy Scripture) was identified by the early church and compiled by very strict and authentic criteria. These criteria are (1) Apostolicity, (2) Acceptance, and (3) Content.
3. Transmission: This is how later generations handed the text down throughout the generations. They copied, translated, recopied, and re-translated assuring an accurate rendition. This transmission was performed by the Jewish Scribes, and they were subject to very strict rules. Here are 7-rules they adhered to:
1. No word of letter or any other mark may be written from memory. The scribe must look directly at the original scroll for every stroke.
2. Between every letter, the space of a hair or thread must intervene.
3. They would count the number of times each letter appeared in a book and compared that with the original.
4. They numbered and counted the verses, works and letters of every book and compared the copy to the original.
5. They had a great awe and respect for God's word and His name. Any time they came to the name of God in scripture they would bathe and change their clothes before they wrote it.
6. Even if a king would address the scribe while writing the name of God the scribe was justified in ignoring him.
Clearly we can see that God has inspired His Word to those entrusted in writing it down, and it has been safeguarded ever since. We can have full confidence in reading the Bible and trusting its content as the divine message from God.
In Part III of this series, we'll take a look at how the Word of God helps lead, guide, direct and shape our lives into the image of Christ.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we know about God's Word according to the Scriptures within this devotional?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Can you see God's evidences that affirm His Word as being true and accurate?
APPLICATION: Take time to know the origin of the translation of the Bible you're reading.
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