Authenticity and
Reliability of the
Bible
The
Material for this presentation is primarily derived from Meekness and Truth Ministries.
The NUS Navigators is grateful for their generous sharing of presentation resources
with us in our ministry.
Questions
of the Bible are….
What some
“There is no history written at the time
Jesus Christ is said to have lived, that
speaks of the existence of such a person,
even as a man.”
Thomas Paine, Age of Reason, p. 234
“Historically it is quite doubtful whether Christ
ever existed at all, and if he did we do not know
anything about him.”
Bertrand Russell, Why I am not a Christian, p.16
When people question the
authenticity and reliability
of the Bible, what are they
really asking about?
Is the Bible Reliable?
Possible Questions Behind the Question...
1.
How do you know if Bible we have today is the
same as the original? (Issue of accuracy of
translation and copying)
2.
Assuming that the translation/copying is accurate,
how do we know if the writers did not make up the
stories?
To discover whether the Bible is reliable,
you need
•
•
•
•
M.A.P.S.
Manuscripts
Archaeology
Prophecy
Statistics
(M.A.P.S. was developed by Hank Hanegraaff)
How do you know if Bible we have today is
the same as the original? (Issue of accuracy
of translation and copying)
Manuscript Evidence
Three Tests:
 Bibliographical
 External evidence
 Internal evidence
Bibliographical Test
It examines how well the texts are
transmitted to us.
1.
2.
3.
The number of copies of the original
The time gap between the original and
the existing copies
The degree of accuracy of the copies
The Number of Copies
•
•
•
•
There are:
5,686 hand written Greek N.T. manuscripts
10,000 Latin Vulgate
Close to 25,000 manuscript copies of portions
of the New Testament (N.T.) exist today
Taken from Norman Geisler, Unshakable Foundations, p. 257
The Time Interval
The N.T. has earlier manuscripts closer
to the time of original composition.
For example:
 John Ryland fragment (117-138 A.D.) - one generation
 Bodmer Papyrus (150-200 A.D. ) - whole books
 Chester Beatty Papyri (250 A.D.) - most of the N.T.
 Codex Vaticanus (325-350 A.D.) - nearly all the Bible
Comparing Ancient Manuscripts
Author
Book
Event
Date
Homer
Illiad
800 BC
Herodotus
History
480-425 BC
Thucydides History
460-400 BC
Plato
400 BC
Demosthenes
300 BC
Julius Caesar Gallic Wars 100-44 BC
Livy
Hist of Rome 59 BC-17 AD
Tacitus
Annals
Pliny
Nat History
N.Testament
100 AD
61-113 AD
50-100 AD
Earliest Copy of
Manuscripts
Gap No. of
in Yrs Copies
400 BC
400
900 AD
1350
900 AD
1300
900 AD
1300
1100 AD
1400
900 AD
1000
4th C (partial)
400
10th C (almost complete) 1000
1100 AD
1000
850 AD
750
130 AD (fragments)
50
200 AD (books)
100
250 AD (most of NT)
150
325 AD (complete NT) 225
643
8
8
7
200
10
1 partial
19
20
7
5686
Ref: Josh McDowell, New Evidence That Demands a Verdict, p. 38
Degree of Accuracy
Even with 25,000 - NT manuscripts, they are so
close that we are virtually certain of 97% - 98% of
the New Testament.
For the remaining 2-3%, almost ½ are 1 and 2 word
variants for spelling, adding “the”, etc. None of
these affect doctrine.
For details: www.BibleQuery.org
External Evidence Test


Do other historical material confirm or deny
the internal testimony of the New Testament?
The test asks: What other sources are there,
apart from the documents under analysis, that
substantiate its accuracy, reliability and
authenticity
Extra-Biblical Christian Sources
Quotations from early Church Fathers
concerning the New Testament
Writer
Justin Martyr
Irenaeus
Clement (Alex)
Origen
Tertullian
Hippolytus
Eusebius
Grand Totals
Gospels Acts Pauline General Revelation Totals
268
10
43
6
3
330
1,038
194
499
23
65
1,819
1,107
44
1,127
207
11
2,406
9,231
349
7,778
399
165
17,992
3,822
502
2,609
120
205
7,258
734
42
387
27
188
1,378
3,258
211
1,592
88
27
5,176
19,368 1,352 14,035
870
664
36,289
Taken from Josh McDowell, New Evidence That Demands a Verdict, p. 43
External Evidence Test
“Indeed so extensive are these citations that if all
other sources for our knowledge of the text of the
New Testament were destroyed, they would be
sufficient alone for the reconstruction of practically
the entire New Testament.”
Bruce Metzger, The Text of the New Testament, p. 86
Extra-Biblical Secular Sources
Writer








Date
Cornellius Tacitus 112 AD
Lucian
2nd C
Flavius Josephus 66 AD
Suetonius
120 AD
Pliny
112 AD
Thallus
52 AD
Philegon
1st C
Mara Bar-Serapion 73 AD
Subject
Death of Jesus at the hands of Pilate
The new cult of Christianity
Life/Death of Jesus
Christ-The reason for Jews expulsion from Rome
Christians bound not to sin - Jesus
Histories-Darkness at Christ’s death (eclipse)
Darkness (Eclipse)
Calamities brought by deaths of Socrates,
Pythagorus and Jesus
Roman Source: Josephus
Josephus says,
“At this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus.
And his conduct was good and (he) was known to be
virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and other
nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be
crucified and to die. And those who had become his disciples
did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had
appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he
was alive; accordingly He was perhaps the Messiah
concerning whom the prophets have recounted wonders.”
As cited in Josh McDowell, Evidence that Demands a Verdict, p. 85
(Arabic text, 10th Century)
The Significance of Josephus
The significance of this passage by Josephus:






Makes reference to Jesus’ claim to be the Christ
Speak of His miracles
Points out that people perceived Jesus’ teachings as the truth
Indicates the historicity of Pilate and the event of the cross
Records the claim by His disciples that Jesus was resurrected
Documents that Jesus had many converts
Jewish Source: The Talmud
“On the eve of Passover Yeshua was hanged. For
forty days before the execution took place, a herald
went forth and cried, ‘he is going to be stoned
because he has practiced sorcery and enticed Israel
to apostasy. Any one who can say anything in his
favor, let him come forward and plead on his behalf.’
But since nothing was brought forward in his favor he
was hanged on the eve of the Passover.”
The Talmud, Sanhedrin, 43a (cf. John 11:8, 16)
The Significance of the Talmud
The significance of Jewish writings about Jesus:




Confirms the historicity of Jesus’ life.
Confirms His death by the method of crucifixion (The
Jewish method of execution would have been stoning)
Indicates that Jesus did do miraculous things but attributed
his power to the devil (similar to Mark 3:22; Matthew 9:34;
12:24)
Indicated that Jesus gathered many converts from the
Jewish community
Accuracy Established
Conclusion from bibliographical and external evidence test
“The interval then between the dates of the original
composition and the earliest extant evidence becomes so
small as to be in fact negligible, and the last foundation for
any doubt that the Scriptures have come down to us
substantially as they were written has now now been
removed. Both the authenticity and the general integrity of
the books of the New Testament may be regarded as finally
established.”
Sir Frederic Kenyon, The Bible and Archaeology, p. 288
Conclusion:
New Testament Documents have been
Reliably translated/copied and
can be regarded as Authentic
Assuming that the translation/copying is accurate,
how do we know if the writers did not make up
the stories?
Manuscript Evidence
Three Tests:
Bibliographical
External evidence
Internal evidence
Internal Evidence Test

Is written record believable? To what extent?

Are the authors telling the truth?
Criteria for Establishing Credibility
Internal Evidence Test
David Hume’s criteria for testing the credibility of witnesses:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Do the witnesses contradict each other?
Are there a sufficient number of witnesses?
Were the witnesses truthful?
Were they non-prejudicial?
David Hume, Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding, p. 120
Internal Evidence Test 1
The witnesses did not contradict each other on
all major themes and/or principles.

To be sure, there are minor discrepancies but
does not change the theme / principle:


One account (Matt. 28:5) mentions only one
angel at the tomb.
John says there were two angels at the tomb
(John 20:12).
But they both testified the key theme - that
JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD.
Internal Evidence Test 2
There was a sufficient number of witnesses.
There are nine different people who wrote the N.T., all
of whom were eye witnesses or contemporary to the
events they recorded. Six of them are most important
to establishing Jesus’ claim of miracles (Matthew, Mark,
Luke, John, Acts, and 1 Corinthians).
 All of these books bear witness to the miracle of the
Resurrection.
 In 1 Cor. 15:6, Paul mentions there were 500 people
who saw Jesus after the Resurrection.

Internal Evidence Test 3
The witnesses were truthful.
Most of them even died for what they taught
about Christ (2 Timothy 4:6-8; 2 Peter 1:14).
Internal Evidence Test 4
The witnesses were non-prejudicial
Jesus not only appeared to believers; He also appeared to
unbelievers like James. (John 7:5;1 Cor. 15:7)
He appeared to the greatest unbeliever of the day—a Jewish
Pharisee named Saul of Tarsus. (Acts 9:5)
Internal Evidence Test 4 (cont.)
The witnesses to the resurrection had nothing to gain
personally.
 They were persecuted and threatened with death for their
stand. (cf. Acts 4, 5, 8)
 The witnesses wrote things that didn’t reflect favorably on
themselves or their cause:
 Disciples arguing about positions of honor in heaven;
who would have a seat at Jesus right hand
 Peter not eating with those who were uncircumcised
 Women found the tomb empty first
 Jesus calling Peter Satan

Did the Writers Use Primary Sources?
Luke 1:1-4 says,
“In as much as many have undertaken to compile an
account of the things accomplished among us, just as
those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and
servants of the word have handed down to us, it
seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated
everything carefully from the beginning, to write [it]
out for you in consecutive order, most excellent
Theophilus; so that you might know the exact truth
about the things you have been taught.”
Did the Writers Use Primary Sources?
2 Pet. 1:16 says,
“For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we make
known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His Majesty.”
I John 1:3 says,
“What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also,
that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our
fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus
Christ.”
Did the Writers Use Primary Sources?
John 19: 35 says,
“And he who has seen has borne witness, and his
witness is true; and he knows that he is telling the
truth, so that you also may believe.”
To discover whether the Bible is reliable,
you need
•
•
•
•
M.A.P.S.
Manuscripts
Archaeology
Prophecy
Statistics
(M.A.P.S. was developed by Hank Hanegraaff)
The Testimony of the Stones
1.
2.
No archaeological evidence has ever
refuted the Bible.
Thousands of archaeological finds
support the Bible.
Dr. Norman Geisler
Archaeology (N.T.)
Archaeological Discoveries:

Moab’s revolt against
Israel (2 Kings 3:4-27)
confirmed by the Mesha
Inscription.
Archaeology (N.T.)
Archaeological Discoveries:

In the 19th C, the Bible was accused of being fictitious because no
non-Biblical texts have been written about the Hittites. In 1906,
digs at Hattushash proved that it was the capital city of the Hittites,
silencing the skeptical scholars and archaeologists.
Dead Sea Scrolls
•
Discovered in 1947 (hidden in cave of Qumran)
•
Jews books, mainly Old Testaments (dating 3rd C BC)
•
Not the ‘earliest Christian record’
•
Demonstrates accuracy of the Bible
•
Includes many prophecies of the Messiah
Ref: “Shrine of the book” in Jerusalem, Israel http://www.imj.org.il/eng/shrine/
Dead Sea Scrolls
Isaiah Scroll dated about 100 BC
Location: ‘Shrine of the Book’
Jerusalem
Quaram Caves
Ref: “Shrine of the book” in Jerusalem, Israel http://www.imj.org.il/eng/shrine/
“Pontius Pilate Prefect of Judea” 26-37 AD
(Discovered 1961)
Cyrus Cylinder
539 BC, Persian troops
entered the city of Babylon.
Cyrus who the Bible
predicted in Isaiah 45:1-4
(approx 100+ years before it
happened) will over throw
Babylon. ‘Cyrus Cylinder’
discovered in Babylon
confirms this.
Location: The British
Museum, London, England
Another Skeptic’s Conclusion
Archaeology (N.T.)
“As a matter of fact, however, it may be stated
categorically that no archaeological discovery
has ever controverted a biblical reference.
Scores of archaeological findings have been
made which confirm in clear outline or exact
detail historical statements in the Bible.”
Nelson Glueck, Rivers in the Desert, p. 31
A Reporter’s Conclusion
Archaeology (N.T.)
“In extraordinary ways, modern archeology has
affirmed the historical core of the Old and New
Testaments--corroborating key portions of the
stories of Israel’s patriarchs, the Exodus, the
Davidic monarchy, the life and times of Jesus.”
Jeffrey Shelter, “Is the Bible True?”, US News and World Report, Oct.
25, 1999, p. 52
A Scientist’s Declaration
“The grand old Book of God still stands; and this old
earth, the more its leaves are turned over and
pondered, the more it will sustain and illustrate the
sacred Word.”
James Dana, Yale professor, President of the Geological Society of
America and the American Association for the Advancement of
Science” quoted in The Bible: Fact or Fiction? by Dr Robert G. Witty,
p 91
To discover whether the Bible is reliable,
you need
•
•
•
•
M.A.P.S.
Manuscripts
Archaeology
Prophecy
Statistics
(M.A.P.S. was developed by Hank Hanegraaff)
Daniel 2 - Prophecy
Messianic Prophecy
J. Barton Payne in his Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecies
(P. 665-670) lists 191 Prophecies that were literally fulfilled
in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Place of birth (Mic. 5:2)
Time of birth (Dan. 9:25)
Manner of birth (Is. 7:14)
Sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12)
Manner of death (Ps. 22:16)
People’s reactions (mocking, spitting, staring, etc.)
(Ps. 22:7,8, 17)
His side pierced (Zech. 12:10)
Burial in a rich man’s tomb (Is 53:9)
To discover whether the Bible is reliable,
you need
•
•
•
•
M.A.P.S.
Manuscripts
Archaeology
Prophecy
Statistics
(M.A.P.S. was developed by Hank Hanegraaff)
Statistical Probability
8 prophecies all being fulfilled in the life of Christ:
17
I X 10
157
48 Prophecies: I X 10
(more atoms than there are in the Universe)
Taken from Peter Stoner, Science Speaks
Statistical Probability Affirmed
H. Harold Hartzler, of the American Scientific Affiliation
writes,
“The manuscript for Science Speaks has been carefully
reviewed by a committee of the American Scientific
Affiliation members and by the executive Council of
the same group and has been found, in general, to be
dependable and accurate in regard to the scientific
material presented. The mathematical analysis
included is based upon principles of probability which
are thoroughly sound and Professor Stoner has
applied these principles in a proper and convincing
way.”
In Forward to Science Speaks by Peter Stoner
Why do we study the Bible?
2 Peter 1:20-21 - Reliable & Credible book
Can other religious book be validated with similar evidences?
John 5:39 – the centre focus is on Jesus; leads us to Jesus
What promise is given? Romans 15:4
Major Themes in the Bible
God is Love
(1 John)
God’s Love Gives us Freedom to Choose
God’s Law = God’s Character
SABBATH
SANCTIFICATION
SANCTUARY
SALVATION
SECOND COMING
1000 Years
The Cross
Life
Death &
Resurrection of
Jesus
War in
Heaven
Creation
and Fall
of Man
Today
Jesus
Second
Coming
- Our Choice?
Jesus
came
to be
Man
Death
= Sleep
STATE OF THE DEAD
SANCTUARY
Service
2300 Days
70 Weeks
457 BC
34 AD
1844 AD
New
Heaven
and New
Earth