For the next several weeks we are going to focus on our fourth doctrinal statement, which could have been our first. We will spend several weeks on this statement, because in many ways it is the foundation of our lives; that is the question, Is the Bible, the word of the living God?
The Statement
The Hebrew Scriptures (Tenach) and the Writings of the Apostles (Brit Chadashah) are divinely inspired, verbally and completely inerrant in the original writings, and are the only infallible, authoritative Word of God in all matters of faith and conduct. (Numbers 12:6-8; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Isaiah said, “To Torah and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no light.” (8:20)[i]
Adonai G-d gave the 10 Commandments for moral instruction and these laws are still valid as a reflection of G-d’s righteous standard and as a means of preserving a distinct nation of Israel. The fulfillment of the work of Yeshua does not mean abrogation of G-d moral laws. Righteousness with G-d has always been solely by His grace through faith/trust in His provision. (Deuteronomy 6:4-6, 6:20-25, 30:11-20; Psalms 19:7-14; Romans 3:27-31; Ephesians 2:8-9)
Yeshua said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Prophets! I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. Amen, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or serif shall ever pass away from the Torah until all things come to pass. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps and teaches them, this one shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:17-19)
Reliability of the Gospel Eyewitnesses
We will spend the next four weeks going over the reliability of the Gospel eyewitness accounts. We will demonstrate that the Apostles were present and wrote within the first century. We will show that these accounts have not changed over time. We will explain how there were no ulterior motives of the Apostles. And finally, we will show that these accounts. in what is called the New Testament, are verified by many different sources.
The Reliability of the Prophets and the Writings
The prayer before the reading of the Haftarah is as follows:
This prayer affirms that the prophets spoke truthfully and lived righteously. This will be important as we go through the veracity of the Prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures. We will cover the words of Yeshua and the Apostles concerning these prophets. We will look at whether or not these words have changed over time. And we will look at what archaeology has to say about the historicity of these books.
The Reliability of the Torah
Finally, we will take some time to look into the accuracy, authorship, and continued value of the Torah. We will start with Yeshua’s words and work backwards to speak of Moses and the very beginning of written language.
Conclusion
In summary, we will take our time going through many different details of why the books that we call the Bible have stood the test of time. This book is the foundation of our lives, and we do not need to have blind faith or faith without evidence. Rather our trust in Yeshua and in the Scriptures is BECAUSE of the evidence!
Additional Scriptures
Psa. 107:10-11, 119:160; Mk. 7:6-9; Jn 10:34-36; Heb. 1:1-3; 2 Pet. 1:19-21
[i] All Scripture quotations are taken from the Tree of Life (TLV) version unless otherwise noted.