This week we begin session three which will cover apologetic evidence for the New Testament. Over the next few weeks we will look at several topics in this area including the New Testament’s reliability, transmission over time, the canonization process, translations over time and authentication of the books included in the New Testament. In this first session we will focus in on the Bible’s reliability over time as evidenced by its longevity, literary excellence and historical accuracy.

Watch this week’s presentation on this topic:

Overview Notes from the Presentation

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”

Colossians 2:8

HOW DO WE KNOW THE BIBLE IS HISTORICALLY RELIABLE?

The Bible is the best-selling book of all time with over six billion copies sold since the invention of the printing press, and the Bible meets and exceeds all historical and literary requirements for excellence based on scholarly academic standards:

The Bible…

Contains 66 God inspired books
Written over a period of roughly 1,500 years
Is composed from various places such as palaces, prisons, and in the wilderness
Is written by 40 different authors from three continents and in three different languages
Authors are from various stations in life: Shepherds, kings, scholars, fishermen, prophets, soldiers, physicians, preachers, a cupbearer, and priest
Languages include Hebrew, Greek and some Aramaic

Some important facts:

There are more early manuscripts of the Bible available for verification than any other ancient document
The New Testament is a primary source document and contains multiple eyewitness accounts, including hostile witnesses (not late secondary or tertiary sources)
The New Testament accounts of the first century (AD/CE) life of Jesus and the early Church were written within the lifetime of the people involved in the events (completed by the mid to late first century AD/CE)
Archeology and outside Biblical sources have confirmed over 25,000 people, places and events recorded in the Bible, none have ever been negated
The original languages used in the Bible are still with us today so translations can be made directly from these unique sources
The Bible is mainly written as an historical narrative with verifiable facts

The Bible is considered by scholars to be… A LITERARY MASTERPIECE!

Amazingly the books of the Bible are so united in their historical and narrative themes, and so remarkably linked to one main storyline, that it has become a literary work of art!

The Gospel writer Luke, is considered to be one of the greatest historians to ever write!

Here is an example of at least 15 confirmed historically accurate facts in just the first four verse of chapter three:

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip, tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene—during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet.

Luke 3:1-4

Recommended references:

“Evidence that Demand A Verdict,” by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell

Josh McDowell’s video clip on Eyewitness Accounts:

Reflection: Memorization Practice

To practice your memorization skills, and to improve your Biblical knowledge, practice memorizing the following things…

Review the Ministry Statement’s four focus points for your Christian Walk (from the “Class Introduction” post). Reflect on how you think you are doing in each area, or how you might make improvements.
Recite, and practice memorizing in order to tell the story, the 15 points for the Bible’s Big Picture from our previous post.
Recite, and practice memorizing the 27 books of the New Testament, in order by their categories.

Bible Study

(Review answers will be posted during the week so you can have a “leader’s guide” for your own studies)

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

NOTE: Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for “Discussion” or “Going Deeper” questions.

Read Acts chapter 9 then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions:

Saul’s conversion and Peter’s Ministry

1. Read Chapter 9:1-19 with your table group

In the first part of this chapter Saul’s conversion takes place, and he begins his Christian ministry:

a. Where was Saul headed; what was he planning to do and why?

b. Describe what happened to Saul on the road to Damascus. Who did he meet and what was he told to do?

c. Who was Ananias (not the same one from chapter 5) and how did he respond to what the LORD asked him to do?

d. Discuss: Have you (or someone you know) experienced an event or situation where you’re sure God orchestrated things as they fell together, yet no one else could see it? Cross-reference by reading Romans 8:26-28.

2. Read Chapter 9:20-30 with your table group

In this part of the chapter Saul begins his ministry, but it isn’t easy:

a. After Saul spent a few days with the disciples in Damascus, where did he go, what did he do and how was he received?

b. Who wanted Saul dead, and why? How did Saul escape death and where did he go?

c. Who spoke up for Saul so that he could freely speak and go with the Apostles? What ended up happening again to Saul?

d. Going Deeper: Who was Barnabus and where else in Scripture can we find him? Research: What else can be known about him from outside sources?

3. Read Chapter 9:31-43 with your table group

In the last part of this chapter Luke switches back to the Apostle Peter:

a. Where was Peter traveling, and why?

b. Who were Aeneas and Tabitha? What was different about the way Peter healed them, and how did the people respond afterward?

c. Discuss: Why do you think God, at times, allows for miraculous healings and at other times He doesn’t? Do you have any personal experience with this?

d. Discuss: Write down and share two or three things that you think are important to remember about chapter nine.

Join us next week as we continue our “Case for the New Testament” and a study in Acts!

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15