“What Makes The Bible Unique?” 2 Peter 1:12-21 Sermon Series: “The Bible Questions” Introduction: What makes the Bible unique among books, particularly other religious books? How do we know that it is true and other religious books are false? How do we know that it is really the Word of God? Why should we...
“What Makes The Bible Unique?”
2 Peter 1:12-21
Sermon Series: “The Bible Questions”
Introduction: What makes the Bible unique among books, particularly other religious books? How do we know that it is true and other religious books are false? How do we know that it is really the Word of God? Why should we place our trust in it? The ultimate reason is that the writers were led by the Holy Spirit as they wrote (v. 20-21).
However, skeptics and members of other religions will certainly challenge that claim by saying that’s not true just because the Bible says it’s true. Other religious books claim a similar thing. So, how do we know the Bible was actually inspired by God through His Spirit? I think there are many reasons that we could discuss, but I am going to share 4 that were originally written by the Apostle Peter almost 2000 years ago. These reasons demonstrate that the Bible is actually inspired by the Holy Spirit so it is uniquely true.
1. The New Testament is the apostolic witness to Jesus preserved for all ages (v. 12-15). Peter shared the purpose for the writing of the New Testament in verse 15 when he said, “Moreover, I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.” In other words, there needed to be a written record for when the apostles, the God-appointed human, authoritative leaders of the early church, were no longer there. That means that the New Testament carried apostolic authority. It is “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). It is the certain and unerring rule of faith and practice, which is meant to be believed and obeyed. One of the criteria for the early church recognizing that a writing belonged in the canon of Scripture is that it had to be written by an apostle or a close associate of an apostle. Even beyond that, however, we see here the connection between the Old and New Testaments. He speaks of the prophetic word in verse 19. In chapter 3, verse 2, he writes, “That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandments of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior.” Jesus had already confirmed the Old Testament Scriptures (Luke 24:44) so the Old Testament and the apostolic witness comprise the Scriptures.
2. The New Testament is not made up stories, but it is an actual historical record that comes from eyewitness testimony (v. 16). That is the claim made by Peter in verse 16, and there are multiple reasons to believe that it is a truthful claim.
3. The Bible contains many fulfilled prophecies (v. 18-21). Peter Stoner has demonstrated the mathematical impossibility of the prophecies regarding the Messiah accidentally being fulfilled in one person like they were with Jesus.
4. The Bible is the revelation of Jesus, the Son of God (v. 16-19).
What are some specific ways the Bible claims that He is unique from other religious leaders?
A. Jesus (and the other writers of the New Testament) claimed that He is God.
B. The Bible asserts that He literally and bodily rose from the dead.
C. The Bible claims that Jesus atoned for our sins so we are saved by God’s grace (what Jesus did for us) instead of our own efforts.
“What Makes The Bible Unique?”
2 Peter 1:12-21
Sermon Series: “The Bible Questions”
Introduction: What makes the Bible unique among books, particularly other religious books? How do we know that it is true and other religious books are false? How do we know that it is really the Word of God? Why should we place our trust in it? The ultimate reason is that the writers were led by the Holy Spirit as they wrote (v. 20-21).
However, skeptics and members of other religions will certainly challenge that claim by saying that’s not true just because the Bible says it’s true. Other religious books claim a similar thing. So, how do we know the Bible was actually inspired by God through His Spirit? I think there are many reasons that we could discuss, but I am going to share 4 that were originally written by the Apostle Peter almost 2000 years ago. These reasons demonstrate that the Bible is actually inspired by the Holy Spirit so it is uniquely true.
1. The New Testament is the apostolic witness to Jesus preserved for all ages (v. 12-15). Peter shared the purpose for the writing of the New Testament in verse 15 when he said, “Moreover, I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.” In other words, there needed to be a written record for when the apostles, the God-appointed human, authoritative leaders of the early church, were no longer there. That means that the New Testament carried apostolic authority. It is “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). It is the certain and unerring rule of faith and practice, which is meant to be believed and obeyed. One of the criteria for the early church recognizing that a writing belonged in the canon of Scripture is that it had to be written by an apostle or a close associate of an apostle. Even beyond that, however, we see here the connection between the Old and New Testaments. He speaks of the prophetic word in verse 19. In chapter 3, verse 2, he writes, “That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandments of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior.” Jesus had already confirmed the Old Testament Scriptures (Luke 24:44) so the Old Testament and the apostolic witness comprise the Scriptures.
2. The New Testament is not made up stories, but it is an actual historical record that comes from eyewitness testimony (v. 16). That is the claim made by Peter in verse 16, and there are multiple reasons to believe that it is a truthful claim.
3. The Bible contains many fulfilled prophecies (v. 18-21). Peter Stoner has demonstrated the mathematical impossibility of the prophecies regarding the Messiah accidentally being fulfilled in one person like they were with Jesus.
4. The Bible is the revelation of Jesus, the Son of God (v. 16-19).
What are some specific ways the Bible claims that He is unique from other religious leaders?
A. Jesus (and the other writers of the New Testament) claimed that He is God.
B. The Bible asserts that He literally and bodily rose from the dead.
C. The Bible claims that Jesus atoned for our sins so we are saved by God’s grace (what Jesus did for us) instead of our own efforts.