READING • PSALM 119:1–40
A book that makes a remarkable claim
The Bible does not present itself merely as a collection of human ideas. It claims to be the Word of God and therefore to speak with the authority of the Creator.
The Bible’s claim
The Bible says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). The word translated “inspiration” carries the idea of being God-breathed. The Bible presents its writers as men guided by God to record His message. Again and again the Old Testament prophets introduce their words with expressions such as, “Thus saith the LORD.”
If the Bible were only a human book, its message could be treated as one opinion among many. But if it really is God’s message to men and women, then reading it, understanding it and responding to it become matters of great importance.
How do we know the Bible is true?
The course will return to this question many times. In this lesson we begin with several kinds of evidence which Christadelphians believe support the Bible’s claim to be God’s Word.
1. The birth of Jesus
Matthew 2 records the wise men asking Herod, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” Herod asked the chief priests where the promised ruler was to be born, and they answered, “In Bethlehem of Judaea”. They could answer because the Old Testament prophet Micah had named Bethlehem centuries earlier (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:2, 5–6).
2. The death of Jesus
Psalm 22 contains details which the New Testament connects with the death of Jesus. Verse 16 says, “they pierced my hands and my feet”, and verse 18 says, “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” John 19:23–24 records the soldiers dividing Jesus’ clothing and casting lots for his seamless coat.
Why this is striking
Psalm 22 was written long before the time of Jesus. Christadelphians see the close correspondence between the Psalm and the Gospel record as powerful evidence of prophecy.
3. Great events foretold
Isaiah 13:19–20 foretold the downfall of Babylon. When Isaiah wrote, Babylon was a famous and powerful city. In later centuries it fell into ruin. Christadelphians see this and many similar fulfilled prophecies as evidence that the Bible speaks with knowledge beyond ordinary human foresight.
Archaeology and the Bible
Archaeology has confirmed the historical setting of many people and places named in the Bible. Ancient sites associated with Ai, Ashkelon, Bethel, Beth-shemesh, Gibeah, Hazor, Jericho, Lachish, Megiddo, Samaria and Shechem, among many others, are known to archaeologists. The remains of ancient cities help us to see that the Bible describes real places in the ancient world.
The text has been preserved
Among the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered from 1947 onwards was a very early copy of the book of Isaiah. It is roughly two thousand years old, yet its text is substantially the same as the Hebrew text from which our modern Old Testament is translated. This provides important evidence for the careful preservation of the biblical text through the centuries.
A message carried through the centuries
Ancient manuscripts allow modern readers to compare very old copies of Scripture with the text we possess today. The overall message has not been lost or replaced.
Jesus accepted the Old Testament record
The Gospels show Jesus referring to Old Testament people and events as part of the Scriptural record. Christadelphians therefore take his view of the Old Testament very seriously.
Adam and Eve
Matthew 19:4–5
Noah and the Flood
Luke 17:26–27
Lot and his wife
Luke 17:29–32
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
Matthew 8:11
David and Solomon
Matthew 12:3, 42
Jonah and the great fish
Matthew 12:40
The New Testament also records that God raised Jesus from the dead after three days. For Christadelphians, the resurrection is central to the authority of Jesus and to the Christian hope.
The Bible has faced repeated challenge
Many critics have tried to discredit the Bible. Christadelphians believe that, despite centuries of criticism and investigation, its central claims and message have not been overturned. This is one reason we encourage students to examine the Bible carefully for themselves rather than simply accepting what other people say about it.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Bible was written over many centuries.
Its writers included shepherds, kings, fishermen, a doctor and a tent-maker.
It contains 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.
Its many books combine to tell one continuing story of God’s purpose with men and women.
Nearly all its human writers were Jews.
A large part of the Bible records God’s dealings with the Jewish people.
A quick guide to the Bible
The Bible is a library of books rather than a single continuous document. The following guide shows, in broad terms, what is found in its main sections.
THE OLD TESTAMENT
BOOKS
WHAT THEY ARE ABOUT
Genesis
The beginning of the world and God’s dealings with the first men and women, leading to the family of Abraham.
Exodus–Deuteronomy
How God brought Israel out of Egypt, gave them His law and prepared them to enter the land of Canaan.
Joshua–Esther
The continuing history of the Jewish people in the land and through periods of exile and return.
Job–Song of Solomon
Books of poetry, worship, wisdom and reflection on life with God.
Isaiah–Malachi
The prophets: calls to obedience, warnings, promises and prophecies about Israel, the nations and God’s future purpose.
THE NEW TESTAMENT
BOOKS
WHAT THEY ARE ABOUT
Matthew–John
Four accounts of the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Acts
The growth of the first-century ecclesias and the preaching of the Gospel after the resurrection of Jesus.
Romans–Jude
Letters written by apostles and other inspired writers to teach, encourage and correct early believers.
Revelation
A book of prophecy given through Jesus Christ concerning events leading to the fulfilment of God’s purpose.
A complete list of the books of the Bible can normally be found in the opening pages of your Bible.
Are there other written revelations from God?
Many religions have writings which they regard as sacred. Muslims, for example, have the Qur’an, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uses the Book of Mormon. Some religious writings contain ideas also found in the Bible, and some contain wise moral advice. However, they also contain teachings which differ from the Bible.
Christadelphians believe that God does not give contradictory revelations. This course therefore proceeds from the conviction that the Bible alone is the inspired Word of God and that later writings should be tested against it, not placed alongside it as another source of divine authority.
The Bible—our guide for living
The Bible does more than tell us about the past. It explains the human problem of sin, tells us of God’s purpose through His Son, Jesus Christ, and shows the hope of everlasting life. It also gives examples of faithful men and women, records failures from which we can learn, and teaches principles for everyday life.
Finally
A living Word
It is a remarkable thought that God has given men and women a book through which they can come to know Him, understand His purpose and learn how He wants them to live. The Bible is not intended to remain closed on a shelf: it is a guide to be read carefully, regularly and prayerfully.
The Bible tells us why God made the world, how He has worked with people through history, and where His purpose is leading. It points forward to the fulfilment of the Gospel and to the time when God’s purpose will fill the earth. Christadelphians therefore regard daily Bible reading as an essential part of discipleship.
SUMMARY
What this lesson has shown
1
The Bible is unique.
It claims to be God’s Word to men and women.
2
It offers hope.
Its message centres on God’s purpose to give life through Jesus Christ.
3
Jesus accepted the Scriptures.
The Gospels show him treating the Old Testament record with authority.
4
There is evidence to examine.
Prophecy, history, archaeology and ancient manuscripts all provide reasons to investigate the Bible’s claims seriously.
5
It tells one continuing story.
From creation onward, the Bible describes God’s dealings with men and women and His purpose for the earth.
6
It is a guide for life.
The Bible calls us not only to understand its message but also to put it into practice every day.
Verses to read
Psalm 1 • Psalm 22 • 2 Timothy 3
LEARN BY HEART • 2 TIMOTHY 3:16–17
“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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
2 Timothy 3:16–17 • King James Version
Christadelphian Bible Mission
Box CBM, 404 Shaftmoor Lane, Birmingham B28 8SZ, England
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 5
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 1