History – Wk1 (7-4-21)

History
The Bible
July 4, 2021

The Bible is a reliable collection of historical documents, written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses and records supernatural events that took place in fulfillment of specific prophecies and claims the writings are divine rather than human in origin.

2 Peter 1:16-21
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

A Reliable Collection of Historical Documents

66 Books
40 Authors
3 Continents
3 Languages
Over 1,500 Years

Number of Manuscripts:
NT Manuscripts – 5,900
Homer’s “The Iliad” – 1,900
Caesar’s “Gallic Wars” – 250

Earliest Fragments:
NT Manuscripts – 40 yrs
Homer’s “The Iliad” – 285 yrs
Caesar’s “Gallic Wars” – 850yrs

Earliest Complete Manuscript:
NT Manuscripts – 250 yrs
Homer’s “The Iliad” – 1550 yrs
Caesar’s “Gallic Wars” – 850 yrs

Written Down by Eyewitnesses

Luke 1:1-4
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 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, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

During the Lifetime of Other Eyewitnesses

1 Corinthians 15:3-8
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

Records Supernatural Events

In Fulfillment of Specific Prophecies

Claims to be Divine Rather Than Human in Origin

Are there any errors?

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Retelling and remembering the great acts of God in history to redeem and restore His good world.