The Testimony of the Bible about Itself

How can we know that the book called the Bible is the Word of God? Is the entire Bible God's Word, and are therefore all its communications completely credible, or are only certain parts of the Bible truly inspired by God? Or is it merely the core of the biblical message that is God's Word? Who provides the definitive answer to these questions?

The only correct answer is: The Word of God contains its own authentication. This Book of God does not need the seal of a human for its validation. If God cannot speak directly to the heart, if He cannot give the assurance that it is He who is speaking, then who else can? Where else should we turn to?

This Word must be received based on its own divine authority, without any human endorsement, otherwise, it is not the Word of God for us.

Therefore, in this lesson, we are dealing with the testimony of the Bible about itself.

1

A discussion about the statements of the Bible with unbelievers is not meaningful. Only when someone has experienced the "power" of Scripture for themselves, can one fruitfully discuss its statements with them. At the very least, a person must admit that the Bible is a divine book, then a basis already has been created from which one can proceed.

In Acts 17:16-31, Paul gave a speech to pagan listeners. How many passages from the Scripture does the apostle cite in this instance?

Your response:

7

none

3

2

In Acts 13:16-41 it is reported how the apostle speaks to Jews in the synagogue of Antioch. These listeners acknowledged the divine character of the Holy Scriptures. The apostle's speech contains five quotations from the Old Testament.

Where can the quotations be found in the Old Testament?

Your response:

And having removed him he raised up to them David for king, of whom also bearing witness he said, I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.

And we declare unto you the glad tidings of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this to us their children, having raised up Jesus; as it is also written in the second psalm, You are my Son: this day have I begotten you.

But that he raised him from among the dead, no more to return to corruption, he spoke thus: I will give to you the faithful mercies of David.

For which reason also he says in another, You will not allow your gracious one to see corruption.

See therefore that that which is spoken in the prophets do not come upon you, Behold, you despisers, and wonder and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which you will in no way believe if one declare it to you.

Psalm 2:7

Isaiah 55:3

Habakkuk 1:5

Psalm 89:21 + 1 Samuel 13:14

Psalm 16:10

3

What then does the Bible say about itself? We begin with the evidence of the Old Testament. Psalm 119, the longest Psalm in the Bible, speaks about the Word of God in almost every one of its 176 verses.

What are the first five verses of this Psalm?

Your response:

Blessed are the perfect in the way, who walk in the of the LORD.

Blessed are they that observe his , that seek him with the whole heart;

Who also do no unrighteousness: they walk in his .

You have enjoined your , to be kept diligently.

Oh that my ways were directed to keep your !

4

The writers of the Old Testament testify in many places that their messages are the Word of God. The words of David in 2 Samuel 23:2 are an unambiguous example of this:

The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And his word was on my tongue. (2 Samuel 23:2)

Many more examples could be cited. At this point, we limit ourselves to three statements from the minor prophets.

Can you find the cited words in the prophets' books?

Your response:

And the word of the LORD came by ... the prophet ...

The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by ...

Thus says the LORD ...

Malachi 1:1

Amos 1:3

Haggai 1:3

Basic Bible Course 2