 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
||||||||||
a remarkable preservation
All early manuscripts of the Bible were copied by hand. The Dead Sea Scrolls (circa 150 to 200 BC), discovered in 1947, are the earliest manuscripts of the Old Testament. They contain exactly the same truths as Bibles printed today. More than 4500 manuscripts of all or parts of the New Testament are on show in museums and libraries. Some portions date to as early as 68 AD, which is quite close to the time the originals were written.
By comparing these early manuscripts with today’s Bible, we see that the New Testament is essentially unchanged. One can be much more certain about the original text of the Bible than about the original text of Shakespeare’s plays, for example.
Sir Frederic Kenyon, former director of the British Museum, in Our Bible and the Ancient Manuscripts, gives the assurance: “The Christian can take the whole Bible in his hand and say without fear or hesitation that he holds in it the true Word of God, handed down without essential loss . . . throughout the centuries.”
Many archeological discoveries have dramatically confirmed the accuracy of the biblical record. Recognised archeologist William F Albright states: “There can be no doubt that archaeology has confirmed the substantial historicity of Old Testament tradition” (Archaeology and the Religions of Israel).
a message from God
1 How does God communicate His messages to us?
Amos 3:7 “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.”
God has not left us in the dark concerning life and its meaning.
2 How did prophets write the Bible?
2 Peter 1:20, 21 “No prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
understanding the Bible
3 What did Jesus say about how a person could understand the Bible?
John 7:17 “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.”
4 How should we study the Bible?
2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved . . . who correctly handles the word of truth.”
Bible passages should be read in their historical and cultural context, as well as their literary context. Jesus said, “If anyone . . . does not hate his father and mother . . . he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). Taken literally it would contradict the command to honour our parents (Exodus 20:12), but this is simply the Eastern way of saying we must put God first (see Matthew 10:37).
5 What prayer could help us in understanding the Bible?
Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”
6 How did the people of Berea receive Paul’s message about Jesus?
Acts 17:10-12 “Now the Bereans . . . received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (v 11).
purpose of the Bible
7 Who did Jesus say is the focal point of the entire Bible?
John 5:39 “These are the Scriptures that testify about me [Himself].”
8 Why did Jesus come to this world?
1 John 4:9, 10 “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world [to die for our sins] that we might live through him” (v 9)
Jesus promises that “whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37).
a life-changing book
There’s power in the Bible. It can change your life. It says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). Just as the proof of a pudding is in the eating, so as we take the Bible and read it, we'll find hope and meaning in life.
Extract from Signs of the Times, March 2004.
Home - Archive - Topics - Podcast - Subscribe - Special Offers - About Signs - Contact Us - Links
Copyright © 2006 Seventh-day Adventist Church (SPD) Limited ACN 093 117 689
Unassociated
advertisement: