Where did the Bible come from?

I know that I'm to die soon; the Master has made that quite clear to me. 15 And so I am especially eager that you have all this down in black and white so that after I die, you'll have it for ready reference. 16 We weren't, you know, just wishing on a star when we laid the facts out before you regarding the powerful return of our Master, Jesus Christ. We were there for the preview! We saw it with our own eyes: 17 Jesus resplendent with light from God the Father as the voice of Majestic Glory spoke: "This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of all my delight." 18 We were there on the holy mountain with him. We heard the voice out of heaven with our very own ears. 19 We couldn't be more sure of what we saw and heard—God's glory, God's voice. The prophetic Word was confirmed to us. You'll do well to keep focusing on it. It's the one light you have in a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts. 20 The main thing to keep in mind here is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion. 21 And why? Because it's not something concocted in the human heart. Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and women to speak God's Word. 2 Peter 1:14-21 Msg.

This is what Peter wrote shortly before his execution for being a Christ-follower. His story is written down for us to read today. He says that he has seen and heard something amazing with “his own very eyes and ears”. He declares that He had a relationship with an extraordinary man who he identifies as God’s Son Jesus Christ. Peter spent 3 years observing His life and message. Those years changed the course of his life forever. So dramatic was the impact of Jesus upon Peter that he redirected his life-long vocation from fishing for fish to “fishing for men”.

Peter, facing death writes that he could not be “more sure” about who Christ was. I guess that would be important if you were going to die for what you believed about someone.
Let me ask you something-would you be willing to die for a lie? Would you leave your spouse, children, and friends behind and be crucified (as Peter was) for a hoax? What would be your pay-off? Most of the Apostles died horrible deaths for their confession concerning Jesus. This is one of the most convincing facts supporting the truth of the Bible-especially their claims about Jesus Christ.

The Bible has a central “prophetic” message concerning the coming Messiah for whom all the Jews had been waiting for centuries. Peter tells us to stay focused on it and use it as encouragement when the world darkens and our view is obscured. Jesus is symbolized and predicted throughout the Bible-from Genesis to Revelation and He is irremovably placed at the center of human history.

The scriptures we have received are by no means a human invention. The Bible has been divinely inspired and communicated by God’s Holy Spirit through holy men of old. These people likely did not know they were being used by God to write the scriptures but nevertheless they were. No doubt they knew God was speaking to them and possibly through them but they probably did not grasp the magnitude of their writings.

These powerful words have been directing the affairs of men for thousands of years. The words cannot be destroyed. They cannot be discredited. They can only be obeyed and admired. They are “alive and powerful” and “more valuable than precious gold or silver”. God has exalted His word above even His own name! Thank God for His indesructable word!

“Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way.”2 Tim. 3:16 (The Message)

Join us this weekend for “Can We Trust the Bible”.

Seek the Truth Series

Chris