Why We Can Trust The Bible

What if they say… How can I trust the Bible? Or, I don’t believe the Bible. 
​
This could come up before or while you are sharing the Gospel. The Bible is our source of authority so how can we give a simple response? One that is easy enough to remember yet compelling enough for our listeners to consider.

Here are several things you can say (in your own words). One or several may be sufficient.
​
But get the Prophecy illustration down well.  

• Transformed Lives – One thing that helps us trust the Bible is the positive effect it has had on individuals and societies. It has sobered drunkards and turned cannibal tribes into peace loving neighbors.  
• Documented Proof – Of all the ancient books, the Bible has scores more reliable manuscripts (copies) than any other that support the accuracy of the Bible.   
• Historical Accuracy – Although the Bible is not a history book, archeological discoveries continue to prove its historical accuracy.  
• PROPHECY – But the errorless prophecy contained in the Bible is a KEY way it validates itself! Prophecy is the ability to - predict something BEFORE it happens. [Use the following Illustration]

FULFILLED PROPHECY ILLUSTRATION
Suppose someone predicted just 8 things about a person, any 8 things, for example:

1. Date of birth
2. Place of birth
3. Number of siblings
4. Occupation
5. Name of wife
6. Number of children
7. Date of death
8. Place of death

This might seem reasonably possible however, the chances of predicting all 8 is: 1 in 10 (to the 17th power)      
(that’s 10 with 17 zeros - 1,000,000,000,000,000,000)!  

To get a picture of this, let’s cover the state of Texas 2 feet deep in silver dollars. Hidden among them is 1 silver dollar marked with an “X”. 
Then we’ll send someone “blindfolded” out to pick up just 1 coin. 
The chances of them choosing the one with the “X” is: 1 in 10 (to the 17th power).

Yet - THERE ARE OVER 300 PROPHECIES (actually 333; most have already happened) ABOUT JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT! What are the chances of that?

Then say:
*WELL, JUST FOR THE SAKE OF CONVERSATION, LET’S ASSUME that the Bible is the word of God.  

1. And return to where you left off in sharing the Gospel. 
2. If this precedes sharing the Gospel, ask, “May I share what I discovered the Bible says about how a person can experience eternal life?”

​* By saying JUST FOR THE SAKE OF CONVERSATION, you’re NOT asking them to agree with you. Rather you’re simply seeking to begin, or continue, sharing the Gospel. This is a very valuable statement; don’t underestimate it – it’s worth memorizing.