“The Bible can be Trusted as Historically Reliable!”
No other document from history is better supported as to its credibility and veracity than the Holy Bible. When one considers the manuscript evidence, archaeological evidence, prophetic writings, and statistical probabilities, we quickly see that no other writing in the history of mankind can compare to the Bible. It truly is the most significant piece of literature on the face of the Earth!
Let’s examine the evidence for the historical reliability of the Bible. We will do this by using the acronym MAPS, developed by the Christian Research Institute. This will help you memorize the information and come in handy when witnessing. The “M” stands for Manuscript Authority, “A” is for Archaeological Evidence, “P” is for Prophecy, and “S” is for Statistical Probabilities.
MANUSCRIPT AUTHORITY:
The first line of evidence we will examine is Manuscript Authority. Since we do not have the original copies, we must rely on manuscript copies. Manuscripts are copies of the original that were handed down through the years. The case for the credibility of a document then is based on the total number of manuscripts we have of a particular work, and the time interval from the date of the manuscript to the original. For example, we know that Christ died approximately 30 A.D. How many manuscripts do we have concerning the life of Christ and the early Church, and how close in years are they to when Christ and the Apostles actually lived?
What we discover in the case of the New Testament, in comparison to other historical works of antiquity, is truly amazing!
The textual superiority of the New Testament documents over all other ancient manuscripts is manifestly clear. In no other case is the interval of time between date of authorship and date of earliest extant manuscripts so short. Furthermore, the number of extant manuscripts is far greater for the New Testament than for any other classical work, or even any 10 pieces of classical literature COMBINED (ref “A Ready Defense,” by Josh McDowell).
There are over 5,000 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament in existence today, as well as 8,000 manuscripts of the Latin Vulgate, and 1,000 of other early versions. When we factor in different fragments of manuscripts, the sum total reaches to over 24,000, a truly staggering figure. With the abundance of existing manuscripts and their date, we know nothing of significance has been lost through the transmission of the text. For other ancient works, manuscript attestation is anemic in comparison. Here is a break down of the evidence:
1. Of the 7 surviving plays of Sophocles, we have 4 manuscripts that are of any value, the earliest being written in the 11 Century AD, 1,400 years after the poet's death.
2. For Plato, we have 11 manuscripts, the earliest being dated about 1,250 years after his death.
3. The History of Thucydides has 8 manuscripts, the earliest being from the 10th Century AD, 1,300 years after his death.
4. Herodotus also has 8 manuscripts, the earliest being from the 10th Century AD, again 1,300 years after his death.
5. The runner up to the New Testament in manuscript authority is Homers Iliad with 643 manuscripts. The first complete text dates in the 13th Century AD, at least 1,800 years after he lived!
Despite the sheer scarcity of extant manuscripts and the huge gap of over 1,000 years between the time of the original and the time the earliest extant manuscript was written for these works, there is no classical “scholar” who doubts or calls into question the authenticity of these works! Yet, when it comes to the New Testament, which far surpasses all of these works, these same classical “scholars” don’t hesitate to try and discredit the New Testament as historically unreliable! If there were ever a case of intellectual bias (and blindness!), this is it.
The supremacy of the New Testament manuscripts is even further illustrated when we realize that the New Testament is in better textual shape than 37 plays of William Shakespeare which were written a mere 300 years ago, after the invention of the printing press!
Here are some quotes from some leading scholars:
1. "To be skeptical of the resultant text of the New Testament books is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity, for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested biographically as the New Testament" (John W. Montgomery)
2. "No other document of antiquity even begins to approach such numbers and attestation. In comparison, the Iliad by Homer is second with only 643 manuscripts that still survive" (Josh McDowell)
3. “But besides confirming the . . . authenticity of the canonical books, the new evidence tends to confirm the general integrity of the text as it has come down to us. . . . The interval then between the dates of original composition and the earliest extant evidence becomes so small as to be in fact negligible, and the last foundation for any doubt that the Scriptures have come down to us substantially as they were written has now been removed. Both the authenticity and the general integrity of the books of the New Testament may be regarded as finally established.” (Frederic C. Kenyon, who was keeper of manuscripts in the British Museum).
4. "Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy, he is possessed of the true historic sense...in short, this author should be placed along with the greatest of historians." (Sir William Ramsey, famous historian and archaeologist, who set out to refute the historical accuracy of the Bible, in particular Acts (written by Dr. Luke, the Apostle Paul’s travelling companion). His findings compelled him to a COMPLETE REVERSAL of his beliefs due to the overwhelming evidence uncovered in his research).
5. "After trying to shatter the historicity and validity of the Scripture, I came to the conclusion that they are historically trustworthy. If one discards the Bible as being unreliable, he must then also disregard every other piece of literature from antiquity." (Josh McDowell, “A Ready Defense”)
ARCHAELOGICAL EVIDENCE:
The age of Higher Criticism in the late 19th Century unleashed a paroxysm of intellectual skepticism against the Bible. One of the favorite tactics of the critics was to try and refute the historical and/or geographical accuracy of the Scriptures, and thus demonstrate that the Bible couldn’t possibly be the Word of God. Charges would be leveled, only to be squelched by the next turn of the archaeologist’s spade.
Here are some examples:
The Charge:
For many years, the Encyclopaedia Britannica referred to the Hittites as "a mythological civilization mentioned only in the Bible."
Archaeological Find(s):
1. A great deal of archaeological evidence was found in modern Turkey for the existence of the Hittites.
2. The next edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica then carried a great deal of material describing the Hittite civilization in considerable detail!
The Charge:
It was argued that Luke 2:1 - 3, which mentions a census and a man named Quirinius, the Governor of Syria, was in error because there was no evidence to support either the census, or that a man named Quirinius was indeed a governor of Syria.
Archaeological Find(s):
1. Discovered that the Romans had a regular enrollment of taxpayers.
2. Discovered that the Romans held a census every 14 years (begun by Augustus Caesar). Here is what a papyrus found in Egypt states:
“Because of the approaching census it is necessary that all those residing for any cause away from their home should at once prepare to return to their own governments in order that they may complete the family registration of the enrollment.”
3. An inscription found in Antioch tells of a man named QUIRINIUS who was GOVERNOR OF SYRIA in 7 BC (most scholars place the birth of Christ between 7 BC and 4 BC.).
The Charge:
It was argued that the court called Stone Pavement or “Gabbatha” where Pilate condemned Jesus in John 19:13, did not exist because for centuries there was no record it. Thus, many claimed that it was a myth.
Archaeological Find(s):
William F. Albright in the work “The Archaeology of Palestine,” shows otherwise:
1. This court was the court of the Tower of Antonia.
2. The court was destroyed in 66 - 70 AD during the siege of Jerusalem.
3. It was left buried when the city was rebuilt during Hadrian’s reign.
4. Finally discovered.
The Charge:
Luke was wrong when he used the title in Greek “Politarchs” in Acts 17:6 to refer to the rulers of the city since this term is not found in the classical literature of the Greeks.
Archaeological Find:
1. 19 inscriptions have since been found that make use of this title.
2. 5 of these are in reference to Thessalonica!
The above is but a thumbnail of the overwhelming archaeological evidence corroborating the Bible. For further information, visit:
http://ds.dial.pipex.com/goodnews/lighta.htm (THIS SITE IS A MUST SEE!)
http://www.christiananswers.net/archaeology/home.html
http://www.grmi.org/renewal/Richard_Riss/evidences/4archaeology.html
http://engr.uark.edu/~rlb/evidence/arch.htm
PROPHECY:
The Bible is the ONLY body of literature that contains precise predictions of future events that could not possibly be known or predicted by employing logic or mere chance.
For example, the writings of Confucius, Plato, Aristotle, Buddha, the Hindu “scriptures,” and the Koran contain NO specific predictive prophecy about future events. In the Koran we find the “self-fulfilling” prophecy of Mohammed that he would return to Mecca, which obviously, he himself fulfilled. His “prophecy” is self-fulfilling in the same sense as if I was to say that I am going to Florida in February to attend a conference, then when February rolls around, I fly down to Florida, and attend the conference. Now, I “predicted” I would go to Florida to attend a conference at a particular time, and I actually did in fact attend. But all of that was something that is completely logical and not out of the ordinary. In other words, it is something completely within my natural ability to “fulfill.”
Compare that with the supernatural nature of the prophecies of the Bible and of Christ. Specific cities and civilizations had their destinies predicted to precise detail. Dr. D. James Kennedy, in his Evangelism Explosion manual, page 89, states,
“These Biblical prophecies deal with almost every nation and scores of cities with which Israel had some dealings. It cannot be said that these prophecies were written after the events, for many of the events took place hundreds or even thousands of years after the prophecy was made. Nor can it be said that they are vague and obscure, because they are highly specific in their details. Nor can it be said that they are merely lucky guesses, because there are over 2,000 of them which have infallibly come to pass. Nor can it be said that these things were likely to take place, because they were indeed extremely unlikely events.”
As for Christ Himself, it was prophesied exactly when and where He would be born, who He would be born to (line of descent), what He would be called (Immanuel: God with us), where he would live, what he would accomplish, how He would be betrayed, how He would die, and the fact that He would rise again. There is no way that these could be considered self-fulfilling because no one has the natural ability to control these events. Christ Himself also predicted when and how He would die, how long He would be in the grave, and the fact that He would rise again. While it is conceivable that one could “predict” when and how they would die, and then carry that out, it is inconceivable that a person could make those prediction’s which were dependent upon other people who have no knowledge of the “prediction” for their fulfillment. Unless He was operating under the authority of God, how could Jesus arrange to fulfill any of the following Messianic prophecies:
Born in Bethlehem
Born of a virgin
Be from Nazareth
Come out of Egypt (as a young child)
Descended from Judah
Descended from Jesse
Descended from David
No bones broken
Betrayed by a friend
Betrayed for exactly 30 pieces of silver
30 pieces of silver returned
30 pieces used to buy the potter's field
Perform miracles
R E S U R R E C T I O N ! !
So, with all of this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the fascinating prophecies found in the Bible, beginning with some Old Testament prophecies:
The Jews and Palestine:
Prophecy 1: The land, cities, and sanctuaries of the Jews would become waste and destroyed.
Fulfilled: For almost 2,000 years (70 A.D. thru 1948).
Prophecy 2: The Jewish people would be scattered among the nations.
Fulfilled: Around 70 A.D. Although the Jews had been exiled before this was the first time they were scattered to many nations.
Prophecy 3: A sword or death would claim many Jews.
Fulfilled: By many, especially Hitler.
Prophecy 4: The Jews would return to Palestine. They would rebuild their cities and work their land.
Fulfilled: Nation of Israel born in 1948.
Jericho:
Joshua 6:26 written around 1380 B.C.
Prophecy 1: The city of Jericho would be rebuilt.
Fulfilled: When King Ahab had Hiel rebuild Jericho.
Prophecy 2: When the builder lays the new Jericho's foundations, oldest son would die.
Fulfilled: Hiel's oldest son Abiram died.
Prophecy 3: When the builder sets up the city's gates his youngest son would die. Fulfilled: When Hiel's youngest son Segub died. I Kings 16:34.
Babylon:
Isaiah 13:17-21 written around 700 B.C. Jeremiah 51:24,26,43 written around 600 B.C.
Prophecy: The Medes would conquer Babylon.
Fulfilled: 1) Babylon was conquered in 539 B.C. by the Medes and Persians.
2) Its walls were 90 feet thick, 300 feet high, and 14 miles long on each side. The Euphrates River flowed through the city. Note: After being conquered in 539 B.C., by the Medes, Babylon slowly became entirely desolate. No one has lived there for ages. However, Saddam Hussein has attempted to rebuild Babylon over its original location. Some feel that if completed, this new “end times” Babylon will be destroyed by God just like He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Isaiah 13:19. Revelation 18. They believe this is the Babylon which will never again be inhabited once God himself demolishes it entirely. Isaiah 13:20. However, [MORE LIKELY] like Tyre, the prophecy meant the old Babylon would never again be inhabited.
Jerusalem's Expansion:
Jeremiah 31:38-40 written around 600 B.C.
Prophecy: This prophecy specifically detailed the order in which Jerusalem would grow or expand. 1st) Hananel tower. 2nd) Corner gate. 3rd) Hill Gareb. 4th) Goath. 5th) Valley of the dead bodies. 6th) And ashes. 7th) Fields. 8th) Kidron brook. 9th) Corner of Horse gate toward the east.
Fulfilled: Note that Jerusalem has already expanded exactly in the order predicted. Note also that verse 40 says Jerusalem shall NEVER again be destroyed!
The City of Gaza:
Jeremiah 47:5 written around 600 B.C.
Prophecy: This prophecy specifically predicts Gaza would become bald.
Fulfilled: Sand dunes came to cover the original city of Gaza.
Edom:
Jeremiah 49:16-18 written around 600 B.C.
Prophecy: This prophecy predicted that Edom would be defeated. Edom’s capital city, Petros, was carved out of solid rock, and had great natural defenses.
Fulfilled: It was conquered in 636 A.D. This Edom would stay uninhabited.
Tyre:
Ezekiel 26:3-5,7,12,14,16 written around 580 B.C.
Prophecy 1: Nebuchadnezzar would conquer Tyre.
Fulfilled: 573 B.C.
Prophecy 2: Many nations would fight against Tyre.
Fulfilled: 332 B.C. by Alexander the Great.
Prophecy 3: Tyre’s stones, timber, and even dust would go into the sea. The city would be made flat, like a rock’s top.
Fulfilled: 332 B.C. when Alexander the Great had it all dumped into the sea in order to build a land bridge to the fortress like island which many of the people of Tyre had moved to when the old city of Tyre on the coast was conquered by
Nebuchadnezzar.
Prophecy 4: Other rulers would fear greatly when Tyre conquered.
Fulfilled: 332 B.C.
Prophecy 5: Referring to this Tyre, God said it would never be rebuilt, and nets would be spread out where it used to be.
Fulfilled: For many years’ visitors could pass by where Tyre used to be,
and view the nets of fishermen. The Tyre that Ezekiel was talking about
and the people who composed her are long since gone. Today, there is
a new, and different, Tyre, in Lebanon, of about 14,000 people.
The Golden Gate of Jerusalem:
Ezekiel 44:1-3 written around 580 B.C.
Prophecy: This specific gate would be shut.
Fulfilled: 1543 A.D. This gate would stay shut except when it opens to allow Jesus, the LORD (Jehovah) God, to enter Jerusalem through it.
Zion:
Micah 3:12 written around 700 B.C.
Prophecy: Zion which held Solomon's palace, would be plowed.
Fulfilled: When Jerusalem was rebuilt in 1543 A.D. Zion, the city of David,
was left outside the walls. Large parts of Zion supports crops and is therefore plowed.
Above list copied by permission from http://www.trustthebible.com/prophecy.htm
29 MESSIANIC PROPHECIES AND THEIR FULFILLMENT:
(Note: These Old Testament prophecies were made 400 to 4,000 years BEFORE Christ was even born!):
Old Testament Prophecy New Testament Fulfillment
SEED OF THE WOMAN Galatians 4:4
Gen 3:15. Year Prophecy Given: Approx 4,004 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 4 B.C.
THROUGH ABRAHAM John 11:51, 52
Gen 22:18. Year Prophecy Given: 1872 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 4 B.C.
MOCKED Matthew 27:39 - 44
Psalm 22:7, 8. Year Prophecy Given: approx 800 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
GALL AND VINEGAR GIVEN HIM TO DRINK Matthew 27:34
Psalm 69:21. Year Prophecy Given: approx 800 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
INTENSITY OF SUFFERING Luke 22:42, 44
Psalm 22:14, 15. Year Prophecy Given: approx 800 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
HIS SUFFERING BEING FOR OTHERS Matthew 20:28
Isaiah 53:4 - 6, 12. Year Prophecy Given: approx 700 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
PRECEDED BY JOHN THE BAPTIST Luke 1:17
Malachi 3:1. Year Prophecy Given: 397 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 26 A.D.
HIS MINISTRY COMMENCING IN GALILEE Matthew 4:12, 16, 23
Isaiah 9:1, 2. Year Prophecy Given: approx 700 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 26 A.D.
ENTERING PUBLICLY INTO JERUSALEM Matthew 21:5
Zechariah 9:9. Year Prophecy Given: 487 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
WORKING MIRACLES Matthew 11:4 - 6
Isaiah 35:5, 6. Year Prophecy Given: approx 700 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 26 - 30 A.D.
REJECTED BY BRETHERN John 1:11
Psalm 69:8, Isaiah 63:3 Year Fulfilled: 26 - 30 A.D.
JEWS AND GENTILES COMBINE AGAINST HIM Acts 4:27
Psalm 2:1, 2. Year Prophecy Given: approx 800 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
BETRAYED BY A FRIEND John 13:18 - 21
Psalm 41:9. Year Prophecy Given: approx 800 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
SOLD FOR 30 PIECES OF SILVER Matthew 26:15
Zechariah 11:13. Year Prophecy Given: 487 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
HIS PRICE GIVEN FOR THE POTTERS FIELD Matthew 27:3, 7
Zechariah 11:13. Year Prophecy Given: 487 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
SPIT UPON AND SCOURGED Mark 14:65
Isaiah 50:6. Year Prophecy Given approx 700 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
NAILED TO THE CROSS John 19:18, 20:25
Psalm 22:1. Year Prophecy Given: approx 800 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
FORSAKEN BY GOD Matthew 27:46
Psalm 22:1. Year Prophecy Given: approx 800 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
PATIENCE AND SILENCE UNDER SUFFERING Matthew 26:63, 27:12, 14
Isaiah 53:7. Year Prophecy Given: approx 700 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
HIS GARMENTS PARTED & LOTS CAST FOR VESTURE Matthew 27:35
Psalm 22:18. Year Prophecy Given: approx 800 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS Mark 15:27, 28
Isaiah 53:12. Year Prophecy Given: approx 700 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
INTERCESSION FOR HIS MURDERERS Luke 23:34
Isaiah 53:12. Year Prophecy Given: approx 700 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
NOT A BONE OF HIM BROKEN John 19:33, 36
Exodus 12:46, Psalm 34:20 Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
PIERCED John 19:34, 37
Zechariah 12:10. Year Prophecy Given: 487 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
BURIED WITH THE RICH Matthew 27:57 - 60
Isaiah 53:9. Year Prophecy Given: approx 700 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
HIS RESURRECTION Luke 24:6, 31, 34
Psalm 16:10. Year Prophecy Given: approx 800 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
HIS ASCENSION Luke 24:51
Psalm 68:18. Year Prophecy Given: approx 800 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
SITTING ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD Hebrews 1:3
Psalm 110:1. Year Prophecy Given: approx 800 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
CONVERSION OF GENTILES TO HIM Acts10:45
Isaiah 11:10, 42:1. Year Prophecy Given: approx 700 B.C. Year Fulfilled: 30 A.D.
(Above information drawn from Evangelism Explosion, pgs 86 - 88, D. James Kennedy).
Visit http://www.godonthe.net/evidence/messiah.htm to view even more Messianic prophecies fulfilled by Jesus Christ.
STATISTICAL PROBABILITIES:
The above list contains JUST 29 of the over 425 Old Testament prophecies Christ fulfilled concerning the Messiah! To illustrate the mathematical probabilities of this, let’s just consider 7 of those prophecies. The mathematical probability that one person could fulfill just 7 of those prophecies is equivalent to the following scenario (this scenario drawn from Dr. John Ankerberg video, “Credibility for Prophecy Rests in Jesus’ Deity”:
1. Fill the entire state of Texas with silver dollars 2 feet high.
2. Take one of the silver dollars, put a red “X” on it, then throw it anywhere in the pile (and, shake the pile up!).
3. Then take a person, blind fold him, and tell him that he can go anywhere in the pile he likes, and the first coin he picks up MUST be the one with the Red “X” painted on it!
4. The mathematical odds of that happening are astronomical! And that’s illustrative of the chances of one person fulfilling just 7 of the Messianic prophecies! If we factored in the remaining 418 prophecies, which Christ fulfilled, we begin to see the undeniable fact that Jesus is EXACTLY who He claimed to be. Based on the statistical and mathematical analysis alone, I’d say that the MOST SURE thing in the universe is the FACT that Jesus Christ IS GOD IN THE FLESH!
Many more points could be made here, such as the statistical probabilities that a document written over the span of 1,600 years by 40 different authors from every walk of life and 3 different Continents, could be internally consistent and maintain the SAME INERRANT MESSAGE! But I will leave it at that…
So, IS the Bible historically reliable? The proof is “in the pudding!” Not only is it historically reliable, but I believe we can say, without question, that the Bible is DIVINE rather that human in origin!
For intriguing statistics, visit http://www.reasons.org/resources/papers/prophecy.html. This site is a MUST SEE for statistical information concerning the prophecies.
To view a list of some important individuals who converted to Christianity AFTER studying the evidence, visit http://www.godonthe.net/evidence/convertd.htm.
JCO, JR.