2nd%20Timothy%203:16%20-17

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2nd Timothy 316 -17
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.
What we are, believe and do is to be based on the
Bible
How do we know we rely on the Bible?
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The Structure of the Bible
Poetry Wisdom
Prophets
History Law Genesis Exodus Leviticus
Numbers Deuteronomy
Judges Ruth Samuel Kings Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah
Esther
Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Songs Solomon
Isaiah - Malachi
Old Testament
Letters
Revelation
Gospels/Acts
Matthew Mark Luke John Acts
Romans - Jude
Revelation
New Testament
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Evidence that Demands a Verdict

• Evidence for Reliability of the Bible
• The Canon of Scripture
• Uniqueness of the Bible
• Evidence from old manuscripts
• Evidence from the content - prophecies
• Integrity of the writers
• Our verdict
• What and why
• Ignoring Evidence - archaeology historical
  documents

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The Canon of Scripture

• The books of the New Testament
• Decided at the Synod of Hippo 393 AD
• Confirmed what was already accepted
• Judged on Authority author, status,
  certainty text Thus says the
  Lord Accepted References by early
  church fathers Consistency
• Left out if any doubt

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Evidence that Demands a Verdict

• Evidence for Reliability of the Bible
• The Canon of Scripture
• Uniqueness of the Bible
• Evidence from old manuscripts
• Evidence from the content - prophecies
• Integrity of the writers
• Our verdict
• What and why

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The Uniqueness of the Bible

• Written over 1500 years
• About 40 generations
• By over 40 people
• Kings to peasants
• Written in three languages
• In many places thousands miles apart
• In many circumstances political, economic,
  personal
• Yet there is a wholeness
• One part is only understood by reference to
  another
• Revealing Gods plan of redemption
• Direction of Holy Spirit

• Continuity

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The Uniqueness of the Bible

• Transcribed Precision of Jewish
  scribes Desire for accuracy extends into
  NT Small controversial
• Shows reliability of the text
• Survival Through persecution Through
  scrutiny
• Shows impact on people Enhances the
  reliability
• Teaching Focused on Lord Jesus Christ
• Miraculous
• Eternal life life changing experience

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Evidence that Demands a Verdict

• Evidence for Reliability of the Bible
• The Canon of Scripture
• Uniqueness of the Bible
• Evidence from old manuscripts
• Evidence from the content - prophecies
• Integrity of the writers
• Our verdict
• What and why

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Evidence of Manuscripts

• Reliability

• Number of copies (ancient)
• Elapsed time from original/events
• Consistency between copies

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Examples
Text/ Author Events Earliest Copy Elapsed Time No of Copies
Caesar 100-44 BC 900 AD 1000 Yrs 10
Homer 900 BC 400 BC 500 Yrs 643
New Testament 40-100 AD 125 AD 25 Yrs 24,000
Reject Bible reject all
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Manuscripts
John Rylands ms Manchester 130 AD Parts of Johns gospel
Bodmer Papyrus Bodmer Library 150-200 AD All of Johns gospel
Chester Beatty Papyri - Dublin 200 AD Major portions NT
Codex Vaticanus Rome 325-350 AD Most of Bible
Codex Sinaiticus British Museum 350 AD Most of Bible
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Reliability Supported by Various Versions
Original Translated 150 AD
Syriac Version 150 AD
Latin Version 150 AD
Greek Version Various 130 AD
Various copies 400s AD
Various copies from 360 AD
Consistency between versions
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Early Writings
Clement Rome Knew apostles 95 AD Quotes Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, Corinthians, Peter, Hebrews, Titus
Ignatius Knew well the apostles 70-110 AD Matthew, John, Acts, Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Galatians, Colossians, James, Thessalonians, Timothy, Peter
Clement of Alexandria 150-212 AD 2400 quotes from 3 books NT
Tertullian 160-220 AD 7000 quotes 3,800 from Gospels
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Evidence that Demands a Verdict

• Evidence for Reliability of the Bible
• The Canon of Scripture
• Uniqueness of the Bible
• Evidence from old manuscripts
• Evidence from the content - prophecies
• Integrity of the writers
• Our verdict
• What and why

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Evidence of Prophecies

• 61 major prophecies fulfilled
• Several hundred references in OT to Lord Jesus

Take 8 prophecies about the Lord Jesus Chances
of occurring in life one man 1 in 10
100,000,000,000,000,000 to 1
17
57
48 Prophecies considered Chances 1 in 10
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Evidence that Demands a Verdict

• Evidence for Reliability of the Bible
• The Canon of Scripture
• Uniqueness of the Bible
• Evidence from old manuscripts
• Evidence from the content - prophecies
• Integrity of the writers
• Our verdict
• What and why

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Integrity of Writers

• Prophecies Many cant be contrived
• Eye-witness accounts Miracles, transfiguration,
  resurrection
• Personal sacrifice
• Integrity Read words of honest men

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Evidence

• Bible is different unique
• Bible we read today is the same at that of 2000
  years ago
• Writers were saintly, God-fearing people
• The prophecies have been fulfilled
• We can rely on its accuracy
• It described unique, miraculous, events, focused
  on
• The Lord Jesus Christ
• Events that would expected, largely, from a
  divine person
• Evidence demands a verdict

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Our verdict

• Scripture is inspired God-breathed
• Unique source of knowledge
• Its profitable get more out than we put in
• Doctrine
• Reproof, correction, instruction in the right
• Makes us complete and equipped