Scientific Evidence For The Bible There Are Many Types of Science Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Astronomy, Geology, Psychology, Meteorology, Botany, Politics,

Scientific Evidence For The BibleThere Are Many Types of Science

Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Astronomy, Geology, Psychology, Meteorology, Botany, Politics, Forensics, Medical Science (Neurology, Cardiology)

Archaeology

Sociology (manners, customs, history)

Diplomatics (decipher old writings, to ascertain their authenticity, their date, signatures, etc)

Paleography (study of ancient writing)

Scientific Evidence For The BibleArchaeology

The Dead Sea Scrolls - found in 1946-1956 @ Qumran NW shore of Dead

Seadate from 150BC - 70AD972 documents (40% are copies of OT)at least fragments from every book of OT (except

Esther)

Scientific Evidence For The BibleDiplomatics

decipher old writings, to ascertain their authenticity, their date, signatures, etc

How did we get the Bible? What part did the council of Nicea or other councils play in that?

Author

Plato

Caesar

Aristotle

Homer

NT

earliest copy

900ad

900ad

1100ad

400bc

70-130ad

app. span

1200yrs

1000yrs

1400yrs

500yrs

20-80yrs

Date

427-347bc

100-44bc

384-322bc

900bc

50-100ad

# copies

7

10

49

643

5,686

accuracy

?

?

?

95%

99.5%

How Did We Get The Bible?NT History & Claims

The Council of Nicea (325AD) 1. the relationship between God the Father and Jesus; i.e.

are the Father and Son one in divine purpose only or also one in being 2. The date of celebration of the Paschal/Easter observation 3. The Meletian schism 4. The validity of baptism by heretics 5. The status of the lapsed in the persecution under Licinius


The Councils of Hippo (393ad) & Carthage (397, 419ad)

these councils were called and held by officials of the Catholic Church

The NT Canon was accepted by Christians before any of these councils


Christians believe NT is more authoritative than OT

2 Peter 3:14-16 (589)Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be

diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.


Christians believe NT is more authoritative than OT

2 Peter 1:19-21 (589)So we have the prophetic word (OT) made more sure, to

which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.


OT completed and accepted by 400BC

what we know as OT known as "The Law of Moses" or "The Law" or "The Law & The Prophets" or "The Law, The Psalms & The Prophets" in NT writings

every book of OT quoted or referenced in NT: possible exception - Esther

The Church Fathers?Christian writers from 100AD - 400ADmen from all parts of known world (Roman Empire)most of these writings in defense of Christianity(all) NT quoted or referenced by CF before 200AD


How did The NT writings spread so far so fast?

Acts 8:1, 4 (532)(1) Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death And

on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

(4) Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.



Galatians 1:1-2 (564)Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the

agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:

Colossians 4:16 (572)When this letter is read among you, have it also read in

the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.



James 1:1 (585)James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus

Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings

1 Peter 1:1 (586)Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as

aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen

Revelation 1:4 (593)John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to

you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,



Zeal of the Christians to spread the word about the Messiah

Christians realizing importance of Apostles' writings

Christians copying & sharing Apostles' writings

Roman Empiresafe & easy travel (roads & sea lanes)common language of the empireAn apostle as a Roman citizen (Paul-Ac.22:25)


Matthew 28:16-20 (485)"But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the

mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Ma. 10:1-4, Mk. 3:13-19, Lk. 6:12-16 name the twelve apostles Jesus chose


Matthew 28:16-20 (485)"But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the

mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Ma. 10:1-4, Mk. 3:13-19, Lk. 6:12-16 name the twelve apostles Jesus chose

Ma. 27:3-5 tells of Judas hanging himself


John 14:25-26 (524)"These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you."

John 16:12-15 (524)"I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot

bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.


Acts 2:1-4 (528)When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all

together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

At least 14 times in OT the Holy Spirit (Spirit of The LORD) came upon someone and they were endowed with some miraculous gift - usually prophecy


Acts 8:14-19 (532)Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria

had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, "Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."


Acts 19:1-7 (539)It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed

through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said to him, "No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" And they said, "Into John's baptism." Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. There were in all about twelve men


1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (557)Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And

there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.


1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (558)Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will

be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.







What is "the perfect"?The Church Fathers?

Christian writers from 100AD - 400ADmen from all parts of known world (Roman Empire)most of these writings were in defense of Christianity(all) NT quoted or referenced by CF before 200AD




What is "the perfect"?every individual has the ability to do what only a few could do with spiritual gifts


1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (557)Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And

there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

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Scientific Evidence For The Bible There Are Many Types of Science Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Astronomy, Geology, Psychology, Meteorology, Botany, Politics,