In this lesson we examine the Bible and what it says about itself. I show why I choose to believe in the Bible and how my faith is not a blind faith but based on evidence. Both audio and slides can be found together at www.cmcoc.org Sermon by: Brian Birdow

1. Why I choose to believe the Bible ?
By
Brian Birdow

2. Objective of lesson
• Why do I choose to believe the Bible?

3. 1 Peter 3:15
• But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:
and be ready always to give an answer to
every man that asketh you a reason of the
hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

4. Common responses
• I was born in a Christian family and this is all I
know.
• I tried it and it worked for me.
• I was raised that way, in the church of Christ.

5. The bible is..
• A reliable collection of historical documents written
down by eye witnesses, during the lifetime of other
eye witness that report to us supernatural events that
took place in fulfillment of specific prophecies and claim
that their writing are divine rather than human in origin.
• 2 Peter 1:16 …turn with me please…
• 2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised
fables when we made known to you the power and
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were
>>eyewitnesses<< of His majesty.

6. The bible is..
• Luke 1:1-4 … turn with me please …
• Luke 1:1-4 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to
compile an account of the things accomplished among
us, just as they were handed down to us by those who
from the beginning were >> eyewitnesses << and
servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well,
having investigated everything carefully from the
beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order,
most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the
exact truth about the things you have been taught.

7. The bible is…
• 1 John 1:1-4 … turn with me please …
• 1 John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we
have heard, which >>we have seen with our eyes,<< which
we have >>looked upon<< and our hands have handled,
concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we
>>have seen<<, and bear witness, and declare to you that
eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to
us—that which >>we have seen<< and heard we declare to
you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our
fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus
Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be
full.

8. The bible is..
• A reliable collection of historical documents
written down by eye witnesses, during the
lifetime of other eye witness that report to us
supernatural events that took place in fulfillment
of specific prophecies and claim that their
writing are divine rather than human in origin.

9. Multiple eyewitness
• 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 ..turn with me please..
• 1 Corinthians 15:4-8 and that He was buried, and that
He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
and that He was >>seen by Cephas<<, then by the
>>twelve<<. After that >>He was seen by over five
hundred brethren at once<<, of whom the greater part
remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.
After that He was >>seen by James<<, >>then by all
the apostles<<. Then last of all >>He was seen by me
also<<, as by one born out of due time.

10. Multiple eyewitness
1. Seen by Cephas (Peter)
2. Then the twelve
3. 500 brethren at once (many were alive during
the time Paul was writing the Corinthian letter)
4. Seen by James
5. Then all the apostles
6. The apostle Paul himself

11. Is eye witness evidence credible?
• What about all the criminal cases we see on the news being
overturned by DNA?
• John 20:24-29
• Luke 24:36-49
• Acts 1:1-3
• Jesus death, burial, and resurrection was not just seen by
one person! It was prophesied or told before it came to
(John 2:19-21). And then He remained on the earth with the
marks for all to see for forty day!

12. The bible is…
• A reliable collection of historical documents
written down by eye witnesses, during the
lifetime of other eye witness that report to us
supernatural events that took place in
fulfillment of specific prophecies and claim
that their writing are divine rather than human
in origin.

13. Supernatural events
• Matthew 27:45-54 …turn with me please…
• Matthew 27:51-53 Then, behold, the veil of the
temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and
the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and
the graves were opened; and many bodies of the
saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and
coming out of the graves after His
resurrection, they went into the holy city and
appeared to many.

14. The bible is…
• A reliable collection of historical documents
written down by eye witnesses, during the
lifetime of other eye witness that report to us
supernatural events that took place in
fulfillment of specific prophecies and claim
that their writing are divine rather than human
in origin.

15. Specific prophecies
• Psalm 22 …turn with me please…
• Psalm 22:1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?Why
are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My
groaning?
• Matthew 27:46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud
voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My
God, why have You forsaken Me?”
• Psalm 22:16 For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers
has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet.
• Crucifixion had not even been invented when David penned this!
Remember David is a prophet too! (Acts 2:29-30)

16. Summary
• A reliable collection of historical documents written
down by eye witnesses, during the lifetime of other
eye witness that report to us supernatural events that
took place in fulfillment of specific prophecies and
claim that their writing are divine rather than human in
origin.
• 2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised
fables when we made known to you the power and
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were
>>eyewitnesses<< of His majesty.