Bible Questions and Answers
Browse all the questions that have been asked at thisisyourbible.com and see their answers, read the most recent questions and answers, or have a look at some prepared questions and answers on key Bible themes.
Thanks for your question.
The question really comes down to ‘can we believe what the Bible says about Jesus?’
The Bible is a collection of writings which has as its main theme: - Why men die (because Adam sinned) and how men can be saved from death (because Jesus, the 2nd Adam, did not sin).
1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Romans 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
If we don’t believe that we die because Adam actually existed and we are his offspring, we are hardly likely to want to believe that Jesus actually existed and provided us a way of escape from death. Death is such a serious issue that it is reasonable to suppose that we might be advised to at least give the Bible account proper consideration before dismissing it.
According to the New Testament writers Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, the un-named writer to the Hebrews, James, Peter and Jude; some 9 witnesses; Jesus lived a sinless life, was judicially murdered and was resurrected by God to eternal life. This amounts to more testimony to the existence of Jesus as an historical fact than for any other person in ancient history.
The writers go to great pains to assure us of their truthfulness.
Luke 1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
2 Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
The existence of Muhammad is attested by the religion of Islam. That he really existed is not doubted. The existence of Jesus is attested by the religion of Christianity. Why should we doubt that Jesus existed? The other testimony to Jesus is the Old Testament.
There are numerous prophecies concerning his first and second advents, so the Old Testament writers also testify to his coming. The New Testament writers draw our attention to them. The prophecies are so detailed that they carry the mark of divine inspiration. As an example, read Psalm 22 and compare it with the crucifixion accounts in Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; and John 19.
There was no collusion between the Jewish custodians of the Old Testament and the writers of the New Testament because they did not accept Jesus as their promised Messiah. Because they would not accept him they fulfilled their own scriptures by rejecting him and having him crucified as Psalm 22 predicts.
Another witness to Jesus’ existence is his recorded prophecies.
Luke 21:6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down...
20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh... 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
We know the prophecy was fulfilled to the letter. After almost 2000 years of dispersion among all nations, our generation has seen Israel restored as a nation and back in control of Jerusalem.What follows in the prophecy is the return of Jesus from heaven.
Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
If the first part of the prophecy has been fulfilled why should we doubt the rest?
A thorough-going familiarity with the Bible is able to convince us that it is what it purports to be – the word of God, written by inspiration.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Christianity in the main is astray from the Bible both in belief and doctrine and the Bible is no longer seen as true from beginning to end. An attitude of pick and mix among Church leaders gives those unfamiliar with the Bible the idea that parts of it cannot be believed.The Bible in reality stands or falls on its claim to be the truth from beginning to end.
There is no other book extant which claims to be the inspired word of God. There is no other man other than Jesus of whom it is said:
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
And Paul says:
1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. If Jesus is not alive today at the right hand of God then there is no resurrection of the dead and we live this life with no point and no hope. 1 Corinthians 15:32... what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
I hope this helps.
Glenn Smith
If you are interested in understanding the Bible, Bible course is available on www.thisisyourbible.com There is no charge. The sole aim of the course is to help you to understand the Bible. If you sign up you will be assigned, without cost, a personal tutor to guide you through the course and answer your questions.
The question really comes down to ‘can we believe what the Bible says about Jesus?’
The Bible is a collection of writings which has as its main theme: - Why men die (because Adam sinned) and how men can be saved from death (because Jesus, the 2nd Adam, did not sin).
1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Romans 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
If we don’t believe that we die because Adam actually existed and we are his offspring, we are hardly likely to want to believe that Jesus actually existed and provided us a way of escape from death. Death is such a serious issue that it is reasonable to suppose that we might be advised to at least give the Bible account proper consideration before dismissing it.
According to the New Testament writers Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, the un-named writer to the Hebrews, James, Peter and Jude; some 9 witnesses; Jesus lived a sinless life, was judicially murdered and was resurrected by God to eternal life. This amounts to more testimony to the existence of Jesus as an historical fact than for any other person in ancient history.
The writers go to great pains to assure us of their truthfulness.
Luke 1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
2 Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
The existence of Muhammad is attested by the religion of Islam. That he really existed is not doubted. The existence of Jesus is attested by the religion of Christianity. Why should we doubt that Jesus existed? The other testimony to Jesus is the Old Testament.
There are numerous prophecies concerning his first and second advents, so the Old Testament writers also testify to his coming. The New Testament writers draw our attention to them. The prophecies are so detailed that they carry the mark of divine inspiration. As an example, read Psalm 22 and compare it with the crucifixion accounts in Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; and John 19.
There was no collusion between the Jewish custodians of the Old Testament and the writers of the New Testament because they did not accept Jesus as their promised Messiah. Because they would not accept him they fulfilled their own scriptures by rejecting him and having him crucified as Psalm 22 predicts.
Another witness to Jesus’ existence is his recorded prophecies.
Luke 21:6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down...
20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh... 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
We know the prophecy was fulfilled to the letter. After almost 2000 years of dispersion among all nations, our generation has seen Israel restored as a nation and back in control of Jerusalem.What follows in the prophecy is the return of Jesus from heaven.
Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
If the first part of the prophecy has been fulfilled why should we doubt the rest?
A thorough-going familiarity with the Bible is able to convince us that it is what it purports to be – the word of God, written by inspiration.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Christianity in the main is astray from the Bible both in belief and doctrine and the Bible is no longer seen as true from beginning to end. An attitude of pick and mix among Church leaders gives those unfamiliar with the Bible the idea that parts of it cannot be believed.The Bible in reality stands or falls on its claim to be the truth from beginning to end.
There is no other book extant which claims to be the inspired word of God. There is no other man other than Jesus of whom it is said:
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
And Paul says:
1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. If Jesus is not alive today at the right hand of God then there is no resurrection of the dead and we live this life with no point and no hope. 1 Corinthians 15:32... what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
I hope this helps.
Glenn Smith
If you are interested in understanding the Bible, Bible course is available on www.thisisyourbible.com There is no charge. The sole aim of the course is to help you to understand the Bible. If you sign up you will be assigned, without cost, a personal tutor to guide you through the course and answer your questions.
