Trusting the Bible: Evidence and Transformation

Devotional

Day 1: The Bible's Historical Foundation

The Bible's reliability is often questioned due to its numerous translations and perceived errors. However, historical and archaeological evidence supports its authenticity, particularly the manuscripts originating from Egypt. These early manuscripts provide a credible foundation for the Bible's trustworthiness. The Museum of the Bible plays a crucial role in preserving artifacts that trace the Bible's historical journey, reinforcing its reliability. By understanding the historical context and evidence, we can approach the Bible with confidence in its authenticity. [10:12]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: Consider how the historical reliability of the Bible impacts your trust in its teachings. How can you incorporate this understanding into your daily reading of Scripture?

Day 2: The Gospels as Historical Biographies

The Gospels are not merely religious texts but historical biographies written during a time when biographical writing was at its peak. They align with the standards of good history, similar to the works of ancient writers like Lucian and Josephus. Written within the lifetime of eyewitnesses, the Gospels allow for verification and fact-checking by those who lived during Jesus' time. This contemporaneity sets them apart from other ancient biographies, which were often written centuries after the events they describe. Understanding the Gospels as historical documents enhances our appreciation of their accuracy and significance. [18:54]

"Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us." (Luke 1:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: How does viewing the Gospels as historical biographies change your perspective on their accounts of Jesus' life? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of the Gospels' historical context?

Day 3: The Disciples' Transformation

The transformation of Jesus' disciples from fearful individuals to bold proclaimers of His resurrection is a powerful testament to their conviction. They preached in Jerusalem, the very city where Jesus was crucified, and faced martyrdom with unwavering faith. This boldness suggests they were neither deceived nor deceivers but were convinced of the truth they witnessed. Their transformation challenges us to consider the impact of the resurrection on our own lives and the courage it can inspire in us. [24:15]

"But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: 'Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.'" (Acts 2:14, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when your faith required boldness. How can the example of the disciples inspire you to live out your faith more courageously today?

Day 4: The Conversion of Skeptics

The conversions of skeptics like Thomas, James, and Paul underscore the compelling nature of the resurrection evidence. These individuals, initially doubtful or opposed to Jesus, experienced profound transformations after encountering the risen Christ. Their conversions highlight the power of the resurrection and the truth it reveals. This evidence invites us to consider the transformative impact of encountering Jesus in our own lives and the changes it can bring about. [28:24]

"Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me." (1 Corinthians 15:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: Think of an area in your life where you struggle with doubt. How can the stories of these transformed skeptics encourage you to seek a deeper encounter with Jesus?

Day 5: The Transformative Reality of the Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event but a transformative reality that challenges us to consider who Jesus is and what that means for our lives. If Jesus truly rose from the dead, it validates His claims and demands a response from us. The resurrection invites us to reflect on its implications for our faith and how it shapes our understanding of Jesus' identity and mission. This transformative reality calls us to live in light of the resurrection's power and significance. [31:23]

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.'" (John 11:25, ESV)

Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection influence your daily life and decisions? What changes can you make to live more fully in the light of this transformative truth?

Sermon Summary

In our gathering, we explored the profound question of whether we can trust the Bible, delving into the historical and archaeological evidence that supports its reliability. We began by acknowledging the skepticism that often surrounds the Bible, particularly the claims that it is merely a collection of translations and error-ridden copies. However, we emphasized that the Bible's manuscripts, especially the earliest ones, predominantly originate from Egypt, providing a solid foundation for its authenticity. We also highlighted the significance of the Museum of the Bible, which houses key artifacts that trace the Bible's historical journey.

Our discussion then shifted to the Gospels, which are not just religious texts but historical biographies written during the apex of ancient biographical writing. We examined how the Gospels align with the standards of good history, as seen in the works of ancient writers like Lucian and Josephus. The Gospels were written within the lifetime of eyewitnesses, allowing for verification and fact-checking by those who lived during Jesus' time. This contemporaneity sets the Gospels apart from other ancient biographies, which were often written centuries after the events they describe.

We also considered the transformation of Jesus' disciples, who went from hiding in fear to boldly proclaiming His resurrection in Jerusalem, the very city where He was crucified. This boldness, even in the face of martyrdom, suggests that they were neither deceived nor deceivers but were convinced of the truth they witnessed. The conversions of skeptics like Thomas, James, and Paul further underscore the compelling nature of the resurrection evidence.

Finally, we addressed the broader implications of the resurrection. If Jesus truly rose from the dead, it validates His claims and demands a response from us. The resurrection is not just a historical event but a transformative reality that challenges us to consider who Jesus is and what that means for our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. The Bible's reliability is supported by its historical manuscripts, many of which originate from Egypt, providing a credible foundation for its authenticity. The Museum of the Bible offers key artifacts that trace the Bible's historical journey, reinforcing its trustworthiness. [10:12]
2. The Gospels are historical biographies written during the apex of ancient biographical writing, aligning with the standards of good history. They were written within the lifetime of eyewitnesses, allowing for verification and fact-checking by those who lived during Jesus' time. [18:54]
3. The transformation of Jesus' disciples, who boldly proclaimed His resurrection in Jerusalem, suggests they were neither deceived nor deceivers. Their willingness to face martyrdom indicates their conviction in the truth they witnessed. [24:15]
4. The conversions of skeptics like Thomas, James, and Paul underscore the compelling nature of the resurrection evidence. Their transformations highlight the power of encountering the risen Christ and the truth of His resurrection. [28:24]
5. The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event but a transformative reality that challenges us to consider who Jesus is and what that means for our lives. It validates His claims and demands a response from us. [31:23]
** [31:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction to the Series
[02:15] - The Importance of Egypt in Biblical Manuscripts
[04:00] - Addressing Skepticism About the Bible
[06:45] - The Role of the Museum of the Bible
[10:12] - The Gospels as Historical Biographies
[13:30] - Eyewitness Testimony in the Gospels
[18:54] - The Transformation of the Disciples
[24:15] - The Boldness of the Disciples in Jerusalem
[28:24] - The Conversion of Skeptics
[31:23] - The Implications of the Resurrection
[33:44] - The Historical Credibility of the Gospels
[37:31] - The Unique Nature of John's Gospel
[40:49] - Addressing Arguments from Silence
[49:55] - The Role of Scripture and Tradition

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 John 1:1 - "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life."
Luke 1:1-4 - "Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught."
John 20:24-29 - The story of Thomas doubting Jesus' resurrection until he sees and touches Jesus' wounds.

Observation Questions

According to 1 John 1:1, what are the different ways the author claims to have experienced Jesus? How does this support the reliability of the testimony? [10:12]
In Luke 1:1-4, what does Luke claim about the sources of his Gospel? How does this align with the standards of good history mentioned in the sermon? [18:54]
How does the transformation of Thomas from a skeptic to a believer, as described in John 20:24-29, illustrate the compelling nature of the resurrection evidence? [28:24]
What role does the Museum of the Bible play in reinforcing the historical journey of the Bible, as mentioned in the sermon? [10:12]

Interpretation Questions

How does the claim in 1 John 1:1 about the firsthand experience of Jesus challenge modern skepticism about the Bible's reliability? [10:12]
What does Luke's careful investigation and orderly account in Luke 1:1-4 suggest about the importance of historical accuracy in the Gospels? [18:54]
How does Thomas' initial doubt and subsequent belief in John 20:24-29 reflect common human responses to extraordinary claims? What does this tell us about the nature of faith and evidence? [28:24]
How does the sermon suggest that the transformation of Jesus' disciples supports the truth of the resurrection? What implications does this have for understanding the disciples' motivations? [24:15]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you doubted a significant claim. How did you seek evidence or reassurance, and how does this relate to Thomas' experience in John 20:24-29? [28:24]
How can you apply the principles of careful investigation and verification, as demonstrated by Luke in Luke 1:1-4, to your own study of the Bible? [18:54]
The sermon highlights the transformation of the disciples as evidence of the resurrection. How can you demonstrate a similar transformation in your life as a testimony to your faith? [24:15]
Consider the role of historical and archaeological evidence in strengthening your faith. How can you use this evidence to engage in conversations with skeptics? [10:12]
The sermon suggests that the resurrection demands a response from us. What specific actions or changes in your life might this demand? [31:23]
How can you use the story of Thomas to encourage someone who is struggling with doubt in their faith journey? [28:24]
Reflect on the importance of eyewitness testimony in the Gospels. How can you share your personal testimony to support the truth of the Gospel in your community? [18:54]

Sermon Clips

Well, you might be asking the question, well, why are Andy and I here in Egypt to talk about the complexities and issues regarding the Bible? Well, the reality of it is the vast majority of those handwritten copies, what we call the manuscripts of the Bible, and particularly the earliest ones come from Egypt. [00:03:45] (20 seconds)

And so I realized that if that was true, I'm staking my entire life on the person of Jesus. And where do I find the information about Jesus? I find that in the Bible. And if I can't trust the Bible, I really have no reason to put my hope and trust in Jesus. [00:04:39] (15 seconds)

described as the most important archaeological discovery outside of the Dead Sea Scrolls. And it's not only our earliest example of a church building from the early 3rd century, this is direct evidence of Jesus being associated as God in the life of the worship of the church. This is arguably our oldest example of a place of worship, a church from the early 3rd century. And Jesus is right there inscribed on the floor in the mosaic as being described as God. [00:05:24] (32 seconds)

So on the very simple basis of were the disciples deceived? Well, certainly they had good reasons not to lie. We can look at things like the disciples themselves and what they say in the letter of 1 John, chapter 1, verse 1. Right off the bat, we have this individual who identifies himself as an immediate disciple of Jesus. And he says, that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, and which we have looked upon, and have touched with our hands. [00:08:02] (31 seconds)

Luke also uses a word there that we translate as account or narrative to describe his book, which is the exact same word that other ancient Greco-Roman writers, like Lucian and Josephus, both say is how you write good history. When you're writing history, when you're writing biography, you do so by doing and writing an account, or sometimes that's translated as narrative in our English translations. [00:09:46] (26 seconds)

When we look at the gospel biographies of Jesus being written, it's really at the height of the ancient biographical writing as a genre. Now, this is when we get ancient individuals like Plutarch and Suetonius and Tacitus and so on. Ancient Greco-Roman writers and biographers who are important figures in their day, who are writing the definitive works on ancient Roman emperors, on philosophers, on Roman soldiers, who capitalize as the individuals who you should know about in the ancient world. [00:10:29] (32 seconds)

The gospels are contemporary biography because they're written and writing about Jesus in a time of the living memory of Jesus himself. When people who would have actually encountered Jesus during his teaching, who would have been in the crowd during certain events of his ministry, who might have been at the weddings, at the feasts, at the teachings, at the funerals, maybe even saw Jesus debate publicly, the Sadducees and the Pharisees, people would have seen those things. [00:15:53] (31 seconds)

This is unusual in the realm of ancient historiography and biography. A very small minority of ancient biographies were being written when eyewitnesses to those people and events were actually still alive. This is just the matter of the fact in terms of ancient writing, like Arian and Alexander the Great. That's just how biography was written down. And part of that was just because this is not a written literary culture. [00:17:00] (26 seconds)

The Gospel of John says that Thomas, after the resurrection, is communicated to him by the women who went to the empty tomb, says, unless I see in his hands the marks of the nails and place my fingers into the mark of the nails and place my hands into his side, I will not believe. And then what happens? Christ appears, says, look, here are my hands. Look, here are my sides. Here's my side. And Thomas goes from being a skeptic, reserving judgment until he has enough evidence, to making the proclamation, my Lord and my God. [00:27:14] (40 seconds)