Why Do I Believe The Bible

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-2-2021

2 Peter 1:16-21

 

Introduction:

 

A.  The Importance of your Bible:

 

1.  My Salvation depends upon it.  My salvation cannot be trusted if its foundation is flawed.

 

2.  Sound Doctrine demands it.  My doctrine cannot be trusted if its foundation is flawed.

 

3.  My Christian growth necessitates it.  I cannot grow to spiritual maturity if my diet is flawed.

 

4.  My Daily Walk counts on it.  I cannot follow right if I am not sure of my path.

 

B.  There is much misinformation out there about who I am: Ignorant and Unlearned (I may give them the benefit of the doubt on this point); Cultic; Divisive; Following men instead of God.

 

C.  Why do I believe the Bible?  Because what God says about the Bible in the Bible.  THIS IS NOT DIFFICULT! 

 

1.  I am a Bible Believer!  I am a Biblicist: one who completely relies upon the singular of Bible.  What the Bible says is right and final.  Plus nothing, minus nothing, and mixed with nothing.

 

2.  What angered the “educated and wise crowd” of Jesus’ day was that men who spoke the Word of God, for the most part, were ignorant and unlearned men who just believed God.  Those who came to Christ, for the most part, were poor people who were rich in faith.

 

D.  This message is not about me, it is about you.  I never want to cast a shadow of a doubt upon the Bible, this Authorized King James Bible.  I want you to believe it, read it, live by it, and measure every man and his message by it.

 

E.  One of the most important parts of the pastor’s work is to instill complete confidence in concerning your Bible.  To do otherwise is both sinful and counterproductive to faith.

F.  Do not take my word alone for it, read what God said about the Word of God, your Bible.

 

1.  God’s’ Word is Inspired by God!  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 Ghost. (Moved – to carry, to bring forth, to be driven.  Verbal inspiration: every word; plenary inspiration: full from cover to cover.)

 

2.  God’s Word is Preserved by God!  Psalms 12:6-7  The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.  (7)  Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. (Preserve – to keep a monument, a watcher.  This is a God Book, not a man book.  The King James Bible is the Word of God.)

 

3.  God’s Word continues in its Preservation and Inspiration.  2 Timothy 3:13-17  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  (14)  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;  (15)  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  (16)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.  (Timothy had only 2 Original Manuscripts that I know of, 1 and 2 Timothy.  All the Word of God that he had been brought up with—what he was taught, what he knew, what he believed, and what he personally taught were preserved copies, not original manuscripts.  God called his copies “holy scriptures” and declared them to be “inspired.”)

 

4.  God’s Word is Necessary for our life.  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.  (We cannot live by “every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Why would Jesus make such a statement if we do not have it?  “Proceedeth” because it was not completed at that time but today it is finished.)

 

5.  God’s Word is Unfailing.  Matthew 5:18  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.  (The last time I looked, heaven and earth were still here.  Infallible!  That is where I stand.)

 

6.  God’s Word is Very Pure.  Psalms 119:140  Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.  (No mixture of error.  Inerrant!  That is where I stand.)

 

7.  God’s Word is Protected.  Three Sentinels in the Bible:

 

Proverbs 30:5-6  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.  (6)  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

 

Proverbs 30:5-6  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.  (6)  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

 

Revelation 22:18-19  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:  (19)  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.  (I fear that many preachers and teachers take these statements lightly.  They add to and take away from the Word of God as their “bibles” change.)

 

8.  God’s Word is both Living and Abiding.  1 Peter 1:23-25  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  (24)  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  (25)  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

 

9.  God’s Word is both Preserved and Sure for our generation.2 Peter 1:16-19  For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  (17)  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  (18)  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.  (19)  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 

 

Conclusion:  I thank God for my Bible.  It is one of a kind and there is not another for the English-speaking people.  It will not confuse you and it will not fail you.

 

You and I Must Have It!  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:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.