There are many pieces of evidence that show us that the Bible is authentic, authoritative, reliable, and legitimate. The first set of evidence is known as internal evidence. Jesus viewed the Old Testament as authentic and authoritative. He viewed the Old Testament as inspired by the Holy Spirit (Mt 22:43). He viewed the Old Testament as the Word of God (Jn 10:35). He viewed the Old Testament as historically accurate (Mt 12:40). He viewed the Old Testament as the standard for understanding (Mt 22:29). He viewed the Old Testament as the final word (Mt 4:4,7,10). He viewed the Old Testament as consistent with Himself (Jn 5:39; Lk 24:27,44). He viewed the Old Testament as reliable (Mt 26:54,56; Lk 24:44-46). Jesus also validated the establishment and authority of the New Testament. He declared to the apostles in John 14:25,26 that the Holy Spirit would bring to their remembrance all that He said to them (thus the writing of the Gospels). He also told them in John 16:13 that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all the truth and reveal what was to come (thus the writing of the remainder of the New Testament).

Another set of evidence is Scripture’s view of itself and the fulfillment of Prophecy. God's word tells us that The Scripture is God-breathed/inspired (2Tim 3:16; 2Sam 23:2). The Scripture was God sent or initiated (2Pt 1:20,21; Jer 1:9). The Scripture gives testimony of its own authors (Gal 3:8; 2Pt 3:15,16). The Scripture foretells the coming Messiah (see Is 52:13-53:12). The Scripture foretells the history of nations (consider the destruction of Tyre as it was prophesied in Ezekiel 26). The Scripture foretells the history of Israel (consider the exile as it was prophesied in Hosea 9:17, and the restoration as a nation as it was prophesied in Jeremiah 31).

Another major set of evidence to the legitimacy of scripture is known as external evidence. These are evidence that come outside of the Bible itself. One way we know Scripture is true is Its unity - the same messages are expressed within the different parts of the book (redemption, covenant, the Kingdom of God, the reality of the Messiah). Its diversity - written over a 1500 year period by more than 40 different authors from completely different backgrounds. Its accuracy – no historical, scientific, or prophetic errors have ever been proven to exist. Its preservation - no other book has been preserved with such careful attention (discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls supports this). Its distribution - read by more people in the world and in more languages than any other book. Its influence - has consistently influenced people from all cultures in a way that has radically changed their lives

A final set of evidence are archaeological discoveries which support the truth of scripture as well as Geographical, and scientific consistency. There is incredible Historical consistency between archaeological finds and what the Bible supports. The ancestors of the people of Israel have been shown to have come from Mesopotamia (Gen 11:28) A man named Erastus was a high ranking city official in Corinth at the time Romans 16:23 was written. There were walls of a city that fell down flat (Joshua 6:20) consistent with the time of the writings of Joshua concerning Jericho, with archaeological evidence (Halley’ s Bible Handbook, p.161) to support the burning of the city (Joshua 6:24) and that the conquerors refrained from collecting war booty (Joshua 6:18). There were cities of the same biblical names and the same locations as Paul described with respect to his missionary trips. It has been discovered that the earth “hangs on nothing” (Isa 40:22; Job 26:7). It has been discovered that life is in the blood (Gen 9:4)

He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’?Matthew 22:43

If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— John 10:35

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:40

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Matthew 4:4

You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me. John 5:39

But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way? Matthew 26:54

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

A practical study regarding the skill of defending the gospel. Special attention will be given to using apologetics as a bridge to evangelism. Special emphasis will be on the study of worldviews and how Christians are called to think and live according to a biblical worldview.

God-Breathed: The Undeniable Power and Reliability of Scripture
Josh McDowell

Understanding Scripture
 Wayne Grudem, Thomas Schreiner, C. John Collins