Why I Believe The Bible Is True: Eyewitness Accounts

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

 – 2 Peter 1:16  

Did you ever play make believe as a kid? What kind of stories did you create?

I did and the basement in my parent’s house was the source for many of my imaginative games. The house was very old and the basement was unfinished, more of a cellar. I would take my G.I. Joe guys and Matchbox cars down and explore. There was a musty, earthen smell that would cling to you when you went down, which only added to the mystique.

There was one stone, what I now know as a foundation stone, that looked like a door. There was an inviting crack around it that caused me to imagine it was a portal into another world, my world of make believe, adventure and mystery. I was definitely influenced by C.S. Lewis’ Wardrobe door into Narnia.

It was a lot of fun to pretend, and sometimes I would even bring my friends into my make believe stories. But that’s all they were. We didn’t go to some foreign land, or find some valuable treasure, we just went down into the basement, got dirty and smelled musty. There was always that call back to reality, chores that had to be done, dinner to eat and a bed time.

In my imaginative world, I was a hero and everything happened to benefit me. I always won. I always found the treasure. Everyone who joined in had to go along with my plan. I was never embarrassed. I was never afraid. Only my strengths were highlighted, none of my weaknesses. It was Brad’s World.

As great as it was to play make believe, my cleverly devised story was not big enough to capture others imagination and provoke a following. Everyone else wanted a turn to tell their version of the story.

All throughout history, people have used their imaginations and storytelling skills to motivate others. Some used the device for good, and others used it for evil. Where does the Bible fit into all of this? The Bible is full of stories, is it just a story book? Did someone sit around a invent it? Is the Bible even true? If you say yes, why do you believe the Bible is true?

Peter was well aware of many myths that had been told for generations that were man-made stories. And he wanted to make it clear that the Gospel he preached was not consider one of many myths, but was the very truth of God. In his second letter (2 Peter 1:16-21), Peter gives four reasons you can believe that Bible is true, and we are going to unpack them over the next four weeks: Eyewitness accounts, supernatural events, fulfilled prophecies and Divine Origin.

Years ago, I heard a sermon by Voddie Baucham on 2 Peter1:16-21 and these four points have stuck with me ever since and will influence this series. If you have an hour, check out his sermon.

Inadequate Answers

I just had a conversation with a young man who has been raised in a Christian home, regularly attends church, has been in Good News Clubs (Bible clubs for children), gone to Christian camps, and is regular at his youth group. I know he has a solid background in Christianity. But I asked him this question, “why do you think the Bible is true?” And his response was, “because that is the way I was raised.”

This is a typical response from people who were raised in Christian homes, and it is such a blessing to have parents who encourage their children to believe the Bible is true. However, it is an inadequate answer. It might be enough for you right now in your life, but what happens when something in life causes you to question your beliefs? What happens when your parents disappoint you? Does that challenge your belief in the things they taught you?

What about people who don’t grow up in Christian homes? Is there hope for them to know that the Bible is true?

If this is your number one answer, I want you to imagine something. I want you to see yourself standing on a piece of plywood that is balanced on a broom stick. It might be strong enough to hold you up, but flinch a little and the whole thing will tumble down.

When we have inadequate answers we are setting ourselves up for a fall. Peter doesn’t want you to be wavering, but wants you to be confident in the truthfulness of God’s Word.

Eyewitness Accounts

I’m a fan of crime solving TV shows. What is one thing they are always looking for to bust the bad guy? Eyewitnesses! Why? Because they saw what happened.

Now there have been studies that show the eyewitness accounts aren’t always accurate. But that doesn’t stop them from looking for eyewitness accounts. Instead they look for as many eyewitnesses as possible. The more eyewitness accounts they get the more of the actual events they can put together. The call it corroborating eyewitness accounts, which means when one person’s testimony verifies and supports another person’s testimony they are telling the truth.

When Peter claims, “we were eyewitnesses,” he is saying that you can check his account with the other apostles who saw it. He is inviting you to check out his story.

Look at how Luke introduces his first book: Luke 1:1–4

[1] Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, [2] just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, [3] it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, [4] that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Luke is saying that he was not an eyewitness, but that he went around and compiled the accounts of eyewitnesses that were around Jesus from the beginning. Essentially, he was a journalist gathering eyewitness accounts and reporting on his findings. He wrote his findings during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses, which means they could verify what he said was true or challenge him. When you read the book of Luke or the book of Acts and see a person’s name, many of them were alive at the time Luke wrote. He included the names for those in the first century to go and ask them about it.

Look at 1 John 1:1-4

[1] That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—[2] the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—[3] that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. [4] And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

The apostle John is claiming to be an eyewitness to the events he writes about. Like Luke, he includes the names of other eyewitness for verification.

Paul continues this line of argument in 1 Corinthians 15:3–8

[3] For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, [5] and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. [6] Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. [7] Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. [8] Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

Here, Paul points to many eyewitnesses who are still alive who can verify the claims of the apostles. Each of these claims demonstrates how there were people who could verify their writings at the time they were written. Do you think the writings would have gained traction if the first readers new they were lies?

Spreading the Story

Not only were the apostles eyewitnesses who wrote during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. They were eager to share what they saw with as many people as possible. And those who heard the Gospel, spread it to others.

As they wrote the letters, and copies were made, they spread out all over the known world. This produced copies after copies, called manuscripts. The Bible has more historical manuscripts available today than any other ancient writing. There are over 66,000 manuscripts or portions of manuscripts of the Bible today.

The accounts were translated into different languages: Syriac, Coptic and Latin. And the early church father’s loved to quote from the Bible, and from their writings we can compile all but 11 verses of the New Testament.

All this tells us is that there is more proof that the Bible we read today is the same Bible given to us by God through the eyewitnesses who wrote them.

These facts make it impossible to believe the critique that overzealous monks changed and embellished the writings, so that what we have today is different. Check out how Voddie responds to that:

Building a Foundation

Our first leg to a solid foundation is the overwhelming evidence that the Bible is eyewitness account that were written during the life time of other eyewitnesses, the very definition of corroborating evidence. As we continue on through 2 Peter 1:16-21, we will continue to establish a firm foundation and grow in our confidence in the reliability and veracity of God’s Word.

There are real questions and real answers. Sometimes the questions can seem daunting, but with patience and study we will see that God's Word will overcome even the toughest of doubts. 

When I was a kid, I played with a stone in the foundation and created my own little world. I didn't realize that the stone that I imagined was doorway, was actually an integral part of the house. Remove that stone and the house would fall apart. I am so thankful that God's Word knows how important it is to have a solid foundation, and provides us with the answers we need to stand firm.

Voddie Baucham's Full Sermon can be watched HERE.