Internal proof in Scripture

A. Although the Bible was written by 40 different men of different social classes in three languages who lived in different periods of history under various customs, governments and in differing geographical locations (three continents), there is one common theme throughout all the scriptures. These men also wrote in such a way that all scriptures fit together in perfect unity. The text is historically accurate and without contradictions in its central theme — the creation, fall, corruption, redemption and restoration of man. [See: Books of the Bible; www.philvaz.com/apologetics/bible.htm or atheismexposed.tripod.com/bible_contradictions.htm]

B. Living in different sections of the world and writing independent of each other makes it impossible for the Bible's authors to have conspired together. When their writings are combined they produce a volume of harmony and continuity. Without collaboration these men under God's inspiration were able to produce the greatest document ever conceived in the history of man. [See: XIII. Documents forming the New Testament]

C. Diverse writing of history, laws, poetry, prophecy and proverbs was completed by the authors in the wilderness, prisons, palaces and places of exile. [See: ls.berkeley.edu/art-hum/framing/old/chapter3/alter.html and www.ou.edu/cls/bible-as-literature/]

D. The Bible declares that these men spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. [See: home.earthlink.net/~ronrhodes/Inspiration.html]

1. Numbers 11:27-29 "And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!"

2. 2 Samuel 23:1-3 "Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God."

3. 2 Peter 1:21 "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

E. The theme, unity in purpose for the redemption of man, holds true today, just as the Bible said it would. We have this same need as did people of the past.

F. There is a perfect union between the Old and New Testament. Neither contradicts the other even though parts of each were written hundreds of years apart.

1. Ephesians 2:15 "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;"

2. Ephesians 2:16: "And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:"

G. Authors of the books of the Bible agree upon definitions of faith, love, baptism, etc. throughout the scriptures.

H. Indeed, this book, the Bible, must be the greatest document of TRUTH ever written. No book such as this has been written by men if not inspired of God. Paul Harvey said, "Even if the Bible weren't the inspired Word of God, it would still be greatest book ever written on how to live."

I. Attests to truthfulness because it expects truth from everyone.

1. Deut 32:3-4 "Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." Numbers 23:19 "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"

2. John 17:17 "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

3. Luke 16:17 "And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail."

4. John 10:35 "... the scripture cannot be broken ..."

5. Luke 24:25 "Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken."

6. Matthew 5:17 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."

7. Matthew 4:4 "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

J. The scriptures begin in Genesis with the source and sustainer of all things - God.

1. The first book, Genesis, uses literal terms to convey its message.

2. This book provides the essential information to establish a beginning of the space-matter-time continuum.

3. It explains our "very good" start, our fall into sin, present processes of sickness, dying and death, our need for and the provision of a solution to the problem of sin.