Robert Jeffress - How Can I Know The Bible Is True? (Part 1B)

January 13, 2025 | S25:E21

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

Closed captions

Show Timecode
Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - How Can I Know The Bible Is True? (Part 1B) | January 13, 2025
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:00.356
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:00.824 --> 00:00:06.696
  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
  • 00:00:06.796 --> 00:00:09.065
  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
  • 00:00:09.199 --> 00:00:11.701
  • With dr. robert jeffress.
  • 00:00:11.835 --> 00:00:13.303
  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress, and welcome
  • 00:00:14.704 --> 00:00:16.573
  • Again to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:16.573 --> 00:00:18.475
  • Many people see the bible as nothing more than a collection
  • 00:00:18.475 --> 00:00:21.544
  • Of creative fairy tales.
  • 00:00:21.544 --> 00:00:23.680
  • Few have read it, let alone opened it.
  • 00:00:23.680 --> 00:00:26.316
  • But as christians, we need to be prepared to defend the
  • 00:00:26.316 --> 00:00:29.319
  • Credibility of god's word with simple and convincing facts, and
  • 00:00:29.319 --> 00:00:34.257
  • We need to bolster our personal confidence in the authority of
  • 00:00:34.257 --> 00:00:37.427
  • Scripture as well.
  • 00:00:37.427 --> 00:00:39.129
  • So how exactly can we do that?
  • 00:00:39.129 --> 00:00:41.631
  • We're answering the question, "how can i know
  • 00:00:41.631 --> 00:00:44.234
  • The bible is true?" on today's edition
  • 00:00:44.234 --> 00:00:47.137
  • Of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:47.137 --> 00:00:49.439
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:52.008 --> 00:01:24.841
  • ♪ behold, ♪
  • 00:01:02.018 --> 00:01:27.777
  • ♪ hanging before you ♪
  • 00:01:27.777 --> 00:01:32.282
  • ♪ is the sacrifice of god. ♪
  • 00:01:32.282 --> 00:01:39.522
  • ♪ the lamb, pure and holy. ♪
  • 00:01:39.522 --> 00:01:47.030
  • ♪ creation stands in awe. ♪
  • 00:01:47.030 --> 00:01:54.971
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:01:55.572 --> 00:01:58.141
  • ♪ removing all that hinders ♪
  • 00:01:58.141 --> 00:02:01.778
  • ♪ the worship of our king. ♪
  • 00:02:01.778 --> 00:02:05.448
  • ♪ as he cries, "it is is finished," ♪
  • 00:02:05.448 --> 00:02:08.451
  • ♪ heaven sings. ♪
  • 00:02:08.451 --> 00:02:16.826
  • ♪ let the veil down. ♪
  • 00:02:16.826 --> 00:02:18.595
  • ♪ let the praise go up. ♪
  • 00:02:18.595 --> 00:02:20.363
  • ♪ let the veil down. ♪
  • 00:02:20.363 --> 00:02:21.831
  • ♪ let the praise go up. ♪
  • 00:02:21.831 --> 00:02:24.100
  • ♪ let the veil down. ♪
  • 00:02:24.100 --> 00:02:26.402
  • ♪ we're in the presence of the lord. ♪
  • 00:02:26.402 --> 00:02:31.574
  • ♪ let the veil down. ♪
  • 00:02:31.574 --> 00:02:33.042
  • ♪ let the praise go up. ♪
  • 00:02:33.042 --> 00:02:35.211
  • ♪ let the veil down. ♪
  • 00:02:35.211 --> 00:02:36.613
  • ♪ let the praise go up. ♪
  • 00:02:36.613 --> 00:02:38.681
  • ♪ let the veil down. ♪
  • 00:02:38.681 --> 00:02:41.751
  • ♪ we're in the presence of the lord. ♪
  • 00:02:41.751 --> 00:02:46.322
  • ♪ hosanna. ♪
  • 00:02:46.322 --> 00:02:53.930
  • ♪ in the highest. ♪
  • 00:02:50.193 --> 00:03:01.170
  • ♪ hosanna. ♪
  • 00:03:01.170 --> 00:03:08.878
  • ♪ in the highest. ♪
  • 00:03:04.474 --> 00:03:15.785
  • ♪ hosanna. ♪
  • 00:03:15.785 --> 00:03:23.693
  • ♪ in the highest. ♪
  • 00:03:19.455 --> 00:03:30.733
  • ♪ let the veil down. ♪
  • 00:03:30.733 --> 00:03:32.068
  • ♪ let the praise go up. ♪
  • 00:03:32.068 --> 00:03:34.337
  • ♪ let the veil down. ♪
  • 00:03:34.337 --> 00:03:36.005
  • ♪ let the praise go up. ♪
  • 00:03:36.005 --> 00:03:37.940
  • ♪ let the veil down. ♪
  • 00:03:37.940 --> 00:03:47.850
  • ♪ we're in the presence of ♪
  • 00:03:42.512 --> 00:03:55.558
  • ♪ the lord. ♪
  • 00:03:55.558 --> 00:03:59.896
  • ♪ we're in the presence of ♪
  • 00:03:59.896 --> 00:04:06.803
  • ♪ the lord. ♪
  • 00:04:06.803 --> 00:04:14.610
  • [congregation applauding]
  • 00:04:14.610 --> 00:04:16.679
  • Announcer: it's okay to have questions about your faith,
  • 00:04:18.114 --> 00:04:20.783
  • But you need answers you can trust.
  • 00:04:20.783 --> 00:04:22.952
  • In his book "how can i know?"
  • 00:04:22.952 --> 00:04:24.821
  • Dr. robert jeffress addresses seven of life's
  • 00:04:24.821 --> 00:04:27.256
  • Most important questions.
  • 00:04:27.256 --> 00:04:29.258
  • If you've ever wondered how you can know the bible is true or
  • 00:04:29.258 --> 00:04:32.762
  • How you can know if you're going to heaven,
  • 00:04:32.762 --> 00:04:34.997
  • This book makes a compelling case for answers you
  • 00:04:34.997 --> 00:04:37.533
  • Can embrace with confidence.
  • 00:04:37.533 --> 00:04:39.702
  • Request your copy of "how can i know?"
  • 00:04:39.702 --> 00:04:41.904
  • When you give a generous gift to support the ministry
  • 00:04:41.904 --> 00:04:44.340
  • Of pathway to victory.
  • 00:04:44.340 --> 00:04:46.175
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:04:47.910 --> 00:04:54.050
  • Jeffress: a few years ago, i was on a popular talk show.
  • 00:04:54.050 --> 00:04:56.552
  • It was the most popular talk show of its time, and the host
  • 00:04:56.552 --> 00:05:00.823
  • Said, "you know, pastor, i believe the new testament, but i
  • 00:05:00.823 --> 00:05:05.795
  • Just can't accept that story in the old testament about noah.
  • 00:05:05.795 --> 00:05:09.832
  • I just think it's a myth that couldn't be real."
  • 00:05:09.832 --> 00:05:13.336
  • And i said, "well, notice that jesus attached his second coming
  • 00:05:13.336 --> 00:05:18.908
  • To that story that you think is a myth.
  • 00:05:18.908 --> 00:05:22.512
  • Just suppose jesus had said instead, 'just as it was in the
  • 00:05:22.512 --> 00:05:27.450
  • Days of the easter bunny, so shall it be
  • 00:05:27.450 --> 00:05:30.753
  • When the son of man comes again.'"
  • 00:05:30.753 --> 00:05:33.356
  • If jesus attached his second coming to the easter
  • 00:05:33.356 --> 00:05:35.925
  • Bunny, would you have any confidence he's coming
  • 00:05:35.925 --> 00:05:38.594
  • Back again?
  • 00:05:38.594 --> 00:05:39.929
  • It makes no sense to try to link reality with a fictitious or a
  • 00:05:39.929 --> 00:05:44.901
  • Myth of an occurrence.
  • 00:05:44.901 --> 00:05:46.502
  • It just doesn't make any sense.
  • 00:05:46.502 --> 00:05:48.471
  • The only way to prove reality is with other reality.
  • 00:05:48.471 --> 00:05:52.675
  • My point is jesus believed the stories of the old testament,
  • 00:05:52.675 --> 00:05:56.279
  • But it didn't stop there.
  • 00:05:56.279 --> 00:05:57.780
  • He believed every word of the old testament was inspired
  • 00:05:57.780 --> 00:06:02.351
  • By god.
  • 00:06:02.351 --> 00:06:03.686
  • For example, in matthew 22, jesus was arguing with the
  • 00:06:03.686 --> 00:06:06.622
  • Sadducees, a sect of the jews, about the resurrection.
  • 00:06:06.622 --> 00:06:10.426
  • They didn't believe in eternity.
  • 00:06:10.426 --> 00:06:11.861
  • They didn't believe in a resurrection.
  • 00:06:11.861 --> 00:06:13.996
  • And so, jesus proved to them that the old testament taught
  • 00:06:13.996 --> 00:06:17.033
  • The resurrection.
  • 00:06:17.033 --> 00:06:18.434
  • Matthew 22:31-32, jesus said, "but regarding the resurrection
  • 00:06:18.434 --> 00:06:23.840
  • Of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken to you by
  • 00:06:23.840 --> 00:06:27.510
  • God, 'i am the god of abraham, and isaac, and jacob?'"
  • 00:06:27.510 --> 00:06:33.049
  • Jesus said, "he is not the god of the dead but of the living."
  • 00:06:33.049 --> 00:06:36.352
  • What jesus was doing was going back to exodus 3, verse 6,
  • 00:06:36.352 --> 00:06:40.823
  • The story of the burning bush.
  • 00:06:40.823 --> 00:06:42.525
  • Remember god appeared to moses in the burning bush and told him
  • 00:06:42.525 --> 00:06:45.461
  • To go to pharaoh?
  • 00:06:45.461 --> 00:06:46.796
  • And moses said, "if i'm to go to pharaoh, who am i to say
  • 00:06:46.796 --> 00:06:49.732
  • Sent me?"
  • 00:06:49.732 --> 00:06:51.067
  • He said, "tell them 'i am' sent you.
  • 00:06:51.067 --> 00:06:53.436
  • For i am the god of abraham, isaac, and jacob."
  • 00:06:53.436 --> 00:06:56.739
  • Now, abraham, isaac, and jacob had been dead hundreds of years.
  • 00:06:56.739 --> 00:07:02.912
  • They were dead.
  • 00:07:02.912 --> 00:07:04.280
  • They were in the grave when yahweh said that to moses.
  • 00:07:04.280 --> 00:07:08.985
  • If they were dead and there was no resurrection, then yahweh
  • 00:07:08.985 --> 00:07:13.656
  • Should have said to moses, "tell pharaoh i was the god of
  • 00:07:13.656 --> 00:07:19.362
  • Abraham, isaac, and jacob," but jesus said, "that's not what
  • 00:07:19.362 --> 00:07:23.199
  • God said."
  • 00:07:23.199 --> 00:07:24.567
  • He said, "i am the god," meaning that abraham, isaac, and jacob
  • 00:07:24.567 --> 00:07:29.205
  • Are still alive.
  • 00:07:29.205 --> 00:07:30.606
  • They were resurrected.
  • 00:07:30.606 --> 00:07:32.675
  • My point is, jesus based the entire doctrine of the
  • 00:07:32.675 --> 00:07:37.246
  • Resurrection on the tense of one word.
  • 00:07:37.246 --> 00:07:41.784
  • The fact that god said "i am" versus "i was" is proof of
  • 00:07:41.784 --> 00:07:48.224
  • The resurrection.
  • 00:07:48.224 --> 00:07:49.592
  • Jesus believed every word of the old testament was inspired by
  • 00:07:49.592 --> 00:07:53.396
  • God, but it doesn't stop there.
  • 00:07:53.396 --> 00:07:54.897
  • He believed every letter of every word, every stroke of
  • 00:07:54.897 --> 00:08:00.036
  • Every letter of every word was god-breathed.
  • 00:08:00.036 --> 00:08:03.172
  • Matthew 5:17 to 18, jesus said, "don't think that i came to
  • 00:08:03.172 --> 00:08:07.410
  • Abolish the law of the prophets; i did not come to abolish, but
  • 00:08:07.410 --> 00:08:11.147
  • To fulfill.
  • 00:08:11.147 --> 00:08:12.515
  • For i say to you, until heaven and earth shall pass away, not
  • 00:08:12.515 --> 00:08:16.319
  • The smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the law, until
  • 00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:21.023
  • It's all accomplished."
  • 00:08:21.023 --> 00:08:23.125
  • The smallest letter in hebrew is the yod.
  • 00:08:23.125 --> 00:08:25.394
  • It's about as big as an apostrophe.
  • 00:08:25.394 --> 00:08:28.364
  • When he talks about the smallest stroke, the stroke is what could
  • 00:08:28.364 --> 00:08:32.335
  • Change one letter of the hebrew alphabet into another letter.
  • 00:08:32.335 --> 00:08:36.872
  • For example, in our english language,
  • 00:08:36.872 --> 00:08:39.308
  • Think of the word rat, r-a-t.
  • 00:08:39.308 --> 00:08:43.546
  • Do you know it only takes one stroke on that r to
  • 00:08:43.546 --> 00:08:47.283
  • Change the r into an f and turn "rat" into "fat?"
  • 00:08:47.283 --> 00:08:52.421
  • Is there a difference between rat and fat?
  • 00:08:52.421 --> 00:08:55.024
  • You probably don't want to be called either one, but the words
  • 00:08:55.024 --> 00:08:57.760
  • Are different in their meaning.
  • 00:08:57.760 --> 00:08:59.795
  • It changes the meaning of the word, changes the meaning of
  • 00:08:59.795 --> 00:09:02.565
  • A sentence.
  • 00:09:02.565 --> 00:09:03.899
  • What i'm saying to you is jesus so believed in the inspiration
  • 00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:07.036
  • Of the scriptures, he believed every stroke of every letter of
  • 00:09:07.036 --> 00:09:11.407
  • Every word of the old testament is god-breathed.
  • 00:09:11.407 --> 00:09:15.011
  • That was jesus's view on inerrancy.
  • 00:09:15.011 --> 00:09:18.080
  • Well, you've covered the old testament.
  • 00:09:18.080 --> 00:09:19.548
  • What about the new testament?
  • 00:09:19.548 --> 00:09:21.684
  • You know, the bible treats the new testament as scripture?
  • 00:09:21.684 --> 00:09:25.454
  • Paul believed that.
  • 00:09:25.454 --> 00:09:27.356
  • For example, in 1 timothy 5, verse 18, paul is talking to
  • 00:09:27.356 --> 00:09:31.794
  • Timothy about paying those who are ministers in the church,
  • 00:09:31.794 --> 00:09:36.098
  • Paying them well.
  • 00:09:36.098 --> 00:09:38.868
  • Now i'm not sneaking in a secret message here.
  • 00:09:38.868 --> 00:09:42.171
  • Our church pays our staff wonderfully well,
  • 00:09:42.171 --> 00:09:45.541
  • Wonderfully, generously.
  • 00:09:45.541 --> 00:09:47.343
  • But this is a great illustration of inspiration.
  • 00:09:47.343 --> 00:09:49.679
  • He was saying, "those who work hard preaching and teaching,
  • 00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:52.982
  • Compensate them well."
  • 00:09:52.982 --> 00:09:54.417
  • And then he cites evidence from the scriptures.
  • 00:09:54.417 --> 00:09:56.585
  • He says, 1 timothy 5:18, "for the scripture says, 'you shall
  • 00:09:56.585 --> 00:10:02.124
  • Not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,' and," he quotes
  • 00:10:02.124 --> 00:10:06.095
  • Another verse, "the laborer is worthy of his wages."
  • 00:10:06.095 --> 00:10:09.865
  • Now the first verse paul quotes, we know where that comes from,
  • 00:10:09.865 --> 00:10:13.069
  • Deuteronomy 25, verse 4, that's scripture.
  • 00:10:13.069 --> 00:10:15.905
  • That's the old testament.
  • 00:10:15.905 --> 00:10:17.707
  • But what about this scripture, "the laborer is worthy of his
  • 00:10:17.707 --> 00:10:21.477
  • Wages," where is that found in the old testament?
  • 00:10:21.477 --> 00:10:24.780
  • Answer: nowhere.
  • 00:10:24.780 --> 00:10:26.682
  • You can search the old testament.
  • 00:10:26.682 --> 00:10:28.017
  • That scripture isn't there.
  • 00:10:28.017 --> 00:10:29.385
  • Instead it's a quotation of luke chapter 10, verse 7.
  • 00:10:29.385 --> 00:10:34.290
  • It's a gospel.
  • 00:10:34.290 --> 00:10:36.292
  • The new testament was still being written when paul wrote
  • 00:10:36.292 --> 00:10:39.261
  • These words, but luke's gospel had already been penned, and he
  • 00:10:39.261 --> 00:10:42.865
  • Said, "luke's writing is scripture."
  • 00:10:42.865 --> 00:10:45.568
  • It's on the same level as the old testament.
  • 00:10:45.568 --> 00:10:48.537
  • Peter believed that even the writings of paul were scripture.
  • 00:10:48.537 --> 00:10:52.408
  • In 2 peter 3, verses 15 to 16, peter says, "and regard the
  • 00:10:52.408 --> 00:10:57.179
  • Patience of our lord is salvation; just as also our
  • 00:10:57.179 --> 00:11:00.649
  • Beloved brother paul," they didn't get along all the time,
  • 00:11:00.649 --> 00:11:05.221
  • But peter still loved him, "our beloved brother paul, according
  • 00:11:05.221 --> 00:11:09.291
  • To the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all of his
  • 00:11:09.291 --> 00:11:13.095
  • Letters, speaking in them of these things, in which some
  • 00:11:13.095 --> 00:11:17.366
  • Things are hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable
  • 00:11:17.366 --> 00:11:21.003
  • Distort, just as they do the rest of scriptures," underline
  • 00:11:21.003 --> 00:11:25.608
  • That, "to their own destruction." you know what
  • 00:11:25.608 --> 00:11:28.043
  • He's saying?
  • 00:11:28.043 --> 00:11:29.378
  • He's saying, "paul's hard to understand something at times."
  • 00:11:29.378 --> 00:11:33.048
  • His writings are hard to understand.
  • 00:11:33.048 --> 00:11:35.184
  • Do i hear an amen on that?
  • 00:11:35.184 --> 00:11:37.019
  • Peter was frustrated.
  • 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:38.387
  • He had these run-on sentences that just didn't seem to make
  • 00:11:38.387 --> 00:11:41.323
  • Sense sometimes.
  • 00:11:41.323 --> 00:11:42.658
  • But peter said, "nevertheless, evil people will try to distort
  • 00:11:42.658 --> 00:11:46.729
  • Paul's words, as they do the rest of scriptures."
  • 00:11:46.729 --> 00:11:51.100
  • Paul's writing was considered to be scripture.
  • 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:54.837
  • Now again, i realize that this evidence of what the bible says
  • 00:11:54.837 --> 00:12:00.009
  • About itself is probably the least persuasive, but it's
  • 00:12:00.009 --> 00:12:03.846
  • Important to know what the bible claims.
  • 00:12:03.846 --> 00:12:06.315
  • When we say the bible is inerrant, we are not claiming
  • 00:12:06.315 --> 00:12:09.885
  • Anything the bible does not claim.
  • 00:12:09.885 --> 00:12:12.121
  • Secondly, fulfilled prophecy.
  • 00:12:12.121 --> 00:12:14.323
  • Did you know no other religious book, the book of mormon, the
  • 00:12:14.323 --> 00:12:17.827
  • Qur'an, any other religious book, no religious book has any
  • 00:12:17.827 --> 00:12:21.630
  • Example of fulfilled prophecy.
  • 00:12:21.630 --> 00:12:23.766
  • There's not one prophecy that was made that can show to
  • 00:12:23.766 --> 00:12:26.635
  • Be fulfilled.
  • 00:12:26.635 --> 00:12:27.970
  • But the bible has dozens of fulfilled prophecies.
  • 00:12:27.970 --> 00:12:31.907
  • Let me just give you two examples: one from the old
  • 00:12:31.907 --> 00:12:34.777
  • Testament, a prophecy considering a king named cyrus.
  • 00:12:34.777 --> 00:12:39.782
  • In 700 bc, isaiah the prophet made a prophecy.
  • 00:12:39.782 --> 00:12:44.587
  • He said, "at some point in the future, judah," the southern
  • 00:12:44.587 --> 00:12:48.123
  • Kingdom of israel, "is gonna be taken captive by the nation
  • 00:12:48.123 --> 00:12:51.427
  • Of babylon."
  • 00:12:51.427 --> 00:12:52.962
  • He made that prophecy in isaiah 39, verses 5 to 6. one day
  • 00:12:52.962 --> 00:12:57.266
  • Babylon will overtake the southern kingdom.
  • 00:12:57.266 --> 00:12:59.368
  • Now, that's interesting because babylon was a minor player on
  • 00:12:59.368 --> 00:13:03.205
  • The world stage.
  • 00:13:03.205 --> 00:13:04.540
  • It wasn't a superpower, but isaiah said they're gonna
  • 00:13:04.540 --> 00:13:08.177
  • Overtake judah and take them captive.
  • 00:13:08.177 --> 00:13:10.946
  • He made that a hundred years before that happened.
  • 00:13:10.946 --> 00:13:14.250
  • And guess what?
  • 00:13:14.250 --> 00:13:15.584
  • In 586 bc, that's exactly what happened.
  • 00:13:15.584 --> 00:13:18.087
  • But isaiah didn't stop there.
  • 00:13:18.087 --> 00:13:19.889
  • He said, "furthermore, in the future after judah's taken
  • 00:13:19.889 --> 00:13:23.692
  • Captive, another king is going to take babylon captive,
  • 00:13:23.692 --> 00:13:27.763
  • Overthrow babylon," and that was fulfilled in 539 bc when persia
  • 00:13:27.763 --> 00:13:35.237
  • Overtook babylon.
  • 00:13:35.237 --> 00:13:37.072
  • But isaiah didn't stop there.
  • 00:13:37.072 --> 00:13:39.174
  • He said not only that, but that king of persia, who overtakes
  • 00:13:39.174 --> 00:13:45.948
  • Babylon, will issue a decree that allows israel to go back
  • 00:13:45.948 --> 00:13:50.352
  • And rebuild the city of jerusalem, and that's what
  • 00:13:50.352 --> 00:13:53.756
  • Happened in 538 bc.
  • 00:13:53.756 --> 00:13:57.026
  • But isaiah didn't stop there.
  • 00:13:57.026 --> 00:13:58.794
  • A hundred and fifty years before the fact, he identified the name
  • 00:13:58.794 --> 00:14:04.300
  • Of that king who would issue the edict for israel to go back to
  • 00:14:04.300 --> 00:14:09.038
  • Judah, cyrus the great.
  • 00:14:09.038 --> 00:14:12.975
  • Isaiah 44, verse 28, "it is i who says of cyrus, 'he is
  • 00:14:12.975 --> 00:14:17.846
  • My shepherd!
  • 00:14:17.846 --> 00:14:19.214
  • And he will perform all my desire,' and he declares of
  • 00:14:19.214 --> 00:14:22.685
  • Jerusalem, 'she will be built,' and of the temple,
  • 00:14:22.685 --> 00:14:25.254
  • 'your foundation will be laid.'"
  • 00:14:25.254 --> 00:14:27.589
  • Now this was made, this prophecy by isaiah,
  • 00:14:27.589 --> 00:14:30.526
  • 150 years before it all came to fruition.
  • 00:14:30.526 --> 00:14:35.331
  • Let me illustrate how unbelievable that is.
  • 00:14:35.331 --> 00:14:38.701
  • Just imagine that in 1850, someone made this prediction:
  • 00:14:38.701 --> 00:14:43.172
  • One day in the future, america will suffer an invasion on its
  • 00:14:43.172 --> 00:14:47.943
  • Own soil by terrorists from other countries.
  • 00:14:47.943 --> 00:14:52.214
  • Furthermore, in response to that invasion, the united states will
  • 00:14:52.214 --> 00:14:58.520
  • Launch an attack against afghanistan and iraq.
  • 00:14:58.520 --> 00:15:03.826
  • And furthermore, the name of the president at that time who will
  • 00:15:03.826 --> 00:15:07.930
  • Issue the command for those attacks is george w. bush.
  • 00:15:07.930 --> 00:15:14.536
  • Could you believe that would happen?
  • 00:15:14.536 --> 00:15:16.805
  • That is just exactly what happened when 150 years before
  • 00:15:16.805 --> 00:15:20.909
  • The fact, isaiah predicted not only the future of judah but of
  • 00:15:20.909 --> 00:15:25.314
  • Persia and identified the name of a man who hadn't even been
  • 00:15:25.314 --> 00:15:28.717
  • Born yet who would be the one who would fulfill this prophecy.
  • 00:15:28.717 --> 00:15:33.889
  • That's just one example of many fulfilled prophecies in the
  • 00:15:33.889 --> 00:15:37.493
  • Old testament.
  • 00:15:37.493 --> 00:15:38.861
  • What about the new testament?
  • 00:15:38.861 --> 00:15:40.562
  • Let's consider the prophecies concerning jesus.
  • 00:15:40.562 --> 00:15:43.565
  • Now, there's 61 major prophecies about the life, and ministry,
  • 00:15:43.565 --> 00:15:48.904
  • And death of jesus.
  • 00:15:48.904 --> 00:15:51.306
  • Hundreds of prophecies, probably not, but 61 major ones that are
  • 00:15:51.306 --> 00:15:56.311
  • Found in the old testament, and they were fulfilled, all of
  • 00:15:56.311 --> 00:16:00.115
  • Them, by jesus.
  • 00:16:00.115 --> 00:16:01.483
  • Now some skeptics might actually ask a question you've wondered
  • 00:16:01.483 --> 00:16:05.120
  • About: couldn't jesus have just arranged his life so that he met
  • 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:12.127
  • Those qualifications, he fulfilled those prophecies?
  • 00:16:12.127 --> 00:16:15.764
  • In other words, he self-fulfilled them to deceive
  • 00:16:15.764 --> 00:16:18.367
  • People into thinking he was the messiah.
  • 00:16:18.367 --> 00:16:20.636
  • For example, psalm 22 says that the messiah, when he's
  • 00:16:20.636 --> 00:16:25.207
  • Crucified, will say, "my god, my god, why hast thou forsaken me?"
  • 00:16:25.207 --> 00:16:29.511
  • Jesus knew the old testament.
  • 00:16:29.511 --> 00:16:30.846
  • Could he have just repeated those words on the cross?
  • 00:16:30.846 --> 00:16:34.049
  • The honest answer is yes, there are some of those prophecies
  • 00:16:34.049 --> 00:16:37.519
  • That could have been fulfilled in an attempt to deceive people.
  • 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:41.390
  • But most of those prophecies, jesus had no way, if he were
  • 00:16:41.390 --> 00:16:45.194
  • Just a human being, of fulfilling those prophecies.
  • 00:16:45.194 --> 00:16:48.130
  • For example, 700 years before the fact, micah the prophet
  • 00:16:48.130 --> 00:16:53.368
  • Prophesied the place that jesus would be born, in bethlehem.
  • 00:16:53.368 --> 00:16:58.574
  • Now i don't know about you, did you get to choose the place you
  • 00:16:58.574 --> 00:17:01.276
  • Would be born?
  • 00:17:01.276 --> 00:17:02.911
  • I was born down the street at saint paul hospital, but i had
  • 00:17:02.911 --> 00:17:05.914
  • No say in the matter.
  • 00:17:05.914 --> 00:17:07.483
  • I didn't confer with my parents about it.
  • 00:17:07.483 --> 00:17:10.385
  • They picked it.
  • 00:17:10.385 --> 00:17:11.720
  • It was decided for me.
  • 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:13.055
  • The time of his birth, daniel 9:25, the manner of his birth,
  • 00:17:13.055 --> 00:17:17.326
  • That he was born of a virgin.
  • 00:17:17.326 --> 00:17:19.061
  • That he would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver, that was
  • 00:17:19.061 --> 00:17:24.233
  • Prophesied almost 800 years before it happened.
  • 00:17:24.233 --> 00:17:27.836
  • The manner of his death, crucifixion, that was prophesied
  • 00:17:27.836 --> 00:17:31.773
  • Hundreds of years before crucifixion was even invented by
  • 00:17:31.773 --> 00:17:35.010
  • The romans.
  • 00:17:35.010 --> 00:17:36.345
  • His burial in a rich man's tomb, isaiah 53:9, all prophesied, and
  • 00:17:36.345 --> 00:17:41.817
  • All of these prophecies came true.
  • 00:17:41.817 --> 00:17:44.419
  • What are the chances that one man in history could have
  • 00:17:44.419 --> 00:17:47.523
  • Accidentally fulfilled just 8 of those 61 prophecies?
  • 00:17:47.523 --> 00:17:52.928
  • You've heard me say this before.
  • 00:17:52.928 --> 00:17:54.396
  • Mathematician peter stoner says the odds of one man fulfilling
  • 00:17:54.396 --> 00:17:58.534
  • Eight of these prophecies is 1 in 10 to 17th power.
  • 00:17:58.534 --> 00:18:03.639
  • That's a 1 with 17 zeros behind it.
  • 00:18:03.639 --> 00:18:06.775
  • Now, to give you an idea of how improbable that is, peter stoner
  • 00:18:06.775 --> 00:18:12.581
  • Says 1 in 10 to the 17th would be like filling the state of
  • 00:18:12.581 --> 00:18:16.418
  • Texas with silver dollars 2 feet deep.
  • 00:18:16.418 --> 00:18:20.055
  • Just imagine waiting around texas in silver dollars 2 feet
  • 00:18:20.055 --> 00:18:24.826
  • Deep and imagine taking one of those silver dollars, he says,
  • 00:18:24.826 --> 00:18:28.664
  • And putting a black x on it, throwing it in the pool of
  • 00:18:28.664 --> 00:18:31.934
  • Silver dollars, mixing it up real well, and then to start
  • 00:18:31.934 --> 00:18:35.704
  • Walking from el paso to tyler, from amarillo to brownsville.
  • 00:18:35.704 --> 00:18:40.175
  • And at a random moment, you stop, you lean over, and you
  • 00:18:40.175 --> 00:18:43.679
  • Pick up one of those silver dollars.
  • 00:18:43.679 --> 00:18:46.148
  • The chance that it's the one with the x on it is 1 in 10 to
  • 00:18:46.148 --> 00:18:50.519
  • The 17th power, the same odds that jesus could have
  • 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:55.324
  • Accidentally fulfilled 8 of these 61 prophecies.
  • 00:18:55.324 --> 00:19:00.495
  • You have prophecies like that throughout the scripture that
  • 00:19:00.495 --> 00:19:03.665
  • Argue for the trustworthiness of the bible.
  • 00:19:03.665 --> 00:19:06.668
  • And finally, the unity of the bible, the unity of the bible.
  • 00:19:06.668 --> 00:19:11.907
  • Contrast the bible with another well-known religious book, the
  • 00:19:11.907 --> 00:19:15.510
  • Qur'an of islam.
  • 00:19:15.510 --> 00:19:17.980
  • Mohammad wrote the qur'an over a period of 23 years.
  • 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:22.384
  • He claims that the angel gabriel came and delivered to him the
  • 00:19:22.384 --> 00:19:26.255
  • Message that became the qur'an.
  • 00:19:26.255 --> 00:19:29.424
  • And though it was written just by one man in a short period of
  • 00:19:29.424 --> 00:19:32.594
  • Time 23 years ago, there's an amazing amount of disunity in
  • 00:19:32.594 --> 00:19:38.300
  • The qur'an.
  • 00:19:38.300 --> 00:19:39.635
  • By the way, that's not just coming from me.
  • 00:19:39.635 --> 00:19:41.770
  • Ken woodward, writing in "newsweek" magazine, contrasted
  • 00:19:41.770 --> 00:19:45.741
  • The qur'an from the bible, and he said, quote, "as sacred
  • 00:19:45.741 --> 00:19:50.212
  • Texts, however, the bible and qur'an could not be
  • 00:19:50.212 --> 00:19:53.515
  • More different.
  • 00:19:53.515 --> 00:19:54.883
  • To read the qur'an is like entering a stream.
  • 00:19:54.883 --> 00:19:58.153
  • At almost any point one may come upon a command of god, or a
  • 00:19:58.153 --> 00:20:02.124
  • Burst of prayer, a theological pronouncement, the story of an
  • 00:20:02.124 --> 00:20:05.761
  • Earlier prophet or a description of a final judgment.
  • 00:20:05.761 --> 00:20:09.364
  • None of its 114 chapters focuses on a single theme." isn't
  • 00:20:09.364 --> 00:20:15.570
  • That interesting?
  • 00:20:15.570 --> 00:20:17.105
  • No unity, no theme, contrast that to the bible.
  • 00:20:17.105 --> 00:20:20.876
  • Bible wasn't written by one man.
  • 00:20:20.876 --> 00:20:22.544
  • It was written by over 40 authors over a span of
  • 00:20:22.544 --> 00:20:25.914
  • 1,500 years.
  • 00:20:25.914 --> 00:20:28.250
  • It was written in geographical locations 2,000 miles away, from
  • 00:20:28.250 --> 00:20:33.088
  • Babylon to jerusalem to rome.
  • 00:20:33.088 --> 00:20:35.824
  • Those who wrote the bible were from various backgrounds, kings,
  • 00:20:35.824 --> 00:20:41.897
  • Sheepherders, doctors, men who, for the most part, didn't know
  • 00:20:41.897 --> 00:20:47.269
  • One another or converse with one another, and yet there is a
  • 00:20:47.269 --> 00:20:51.239
  • Single clear theme throughout the bible, as dr. criswell
  • 00:20:51.239 --> 00:20:54.743
  • Called it, the scarlet thread of redemption.
  • 00:20:54.743 --> 00:20:57.646
  • It's woven through every one of the bible's books.
  • 00:20:57.646 --> 00:21:01.049
  • And not only that, there's a consistency in imagery.
  • 00:21:01.049 --> 00:21:04.586
  • The images you have in genesis are the same as the images you
  • 00:21:04.586 --> 00:21:08.590
  • Have in the revelation.
  • 00:21:08.590 --> 00:21:10.926
  • How amazing is that that 40 authors over 1,500 years in
  • 00:21:10.926 --> 00:21:15.864
  • Countries 2,000 miles apart, never talking to one another,
  • 00:21:15.864 --> 00:21:20.068
  • Could come up with a bible that is unified?
  • 00:21:20.068 --> 00:21:23.739
  • My friend erwin lutzer describes it this way.
  • 00:21:23.739 --> 00:21:26.875
  • To describe the miracle of the unity of the bible, he said,
  • 00:21:26.875 --> 00:21:31.046
  • "imagine various pieces of a great cathedral, arriving from
  • 00:21:31.046 --> 00:21:35.684
  • Different countries and cities, converging at a single location.
  • 00:21:35.684 --> 00:21:40.622
  • In fact, imagine that investigation proves that 40
  • 00:21:40.622 --> 00:21:44.526
  • Different sculptors made a contribution over a period of
  • 00:21:44.526 --> 00:21:49.131
  • Many centuries.
  • 00:21:49.131 --> 00:21:51.166
  • Yet, the pieces fit together to form a single
  • 00:21:51.166 --> 00:21:55.036
  • Magnificent structure.
  • 00:21:55.036 --> 00:21:57.472
  • Would this not be proof that behind that project was a
  • 00:21:57.472 --> 00:22:00.909
  • Single mind?
  • 00:22:00.909 --> 00:22:02.477
  • One designer who used his workmen to sculpt a
  • 00:22:02.477 --> 00:22:06.481
  • Well-conceived plan?
  • 00:22:06.481 --> 00:22:08.617
  • The bible is that cathedral,
  • 00:22:08.617 --> 00:22:12.421
  • Overseen by one super intelligent architect."
  • 00:22:12.421 --> 00:22:18.627
  • What is the evidence that the bible is true?
  • 00:22:18.627 --> 00:22:22.497
  • We've talked about what the bible claims about itself.
  • 00:22:22.497 --> 00:22:25.767
  • We've talked about the fulfilled prophecies, hundreds of them, in
  • 00:22:25.767 --> 00:22:30.272
  • The bible.
  • 00:22:30.272 --> 00:22:31.606
  • We've talked about the unity of theme.
  • 00:22:31.606 --> 00:22:33.608
  • Next week, we'll look at the final piece of evidence that
  • 00:22:33.608 --> 00:22:36.812
  • Makes the bible trustworthy and i'm gonna answer three of the
  • 00:22:36.812 --> 00:22:40.215
  • Most commonly asked questions: what about all of the
  • 00:22:40.215 --> 00:22:43.685
  • Contradictions, so-called contradictions, in the bible?
  • 00:22:43.685 --> 00:22:48.457
  • How do we handle mistakes copyists may have made in
  • 00:22:48.457 --> 00:22:52.461
  • Copying the manuscripts?
  • 00:22:52.461 --> 00:22:54.396
  • And how do we know that we've got the right books in
  • 00:22:54.396 --> 00:22:57.666
  • The bible?
  • 00:22:57.666 --> 00:22:59.000
  • I'll answer those questions next week as we continue to answer
  • 00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:02.304
  • The question, "how can i know the bible is true?"
  • 00:23:02.304 --> 00:23:06.341
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:23:06.408 --> 00:23:12.013
  • Jeffress: so many have dismissed the bible as just another
  • 00:23:12.013 --> 00:23:14.549
  • Religious book, but i hope today's message has equipped you
  • 00:23:14.549 --> 00:23:18.253
  • To defend the beautiful tapestry of grace and redemption woven
  • 00:23:18.253 --> 00:23:22.691
  • Throughout the bible with the clear evidence that scripture is
  • 00:23:22.691 --> 00:23:27.095
  • God's word to man.
  • 00:23:27.095 --> 00:23:29.231
  • Now in closing, i'd like to give my profound thanks to our
  • 00:23:29.231 --> 00:23:32.200
  • Pathway partners.
  • 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:33.802
  • As a monthly giver, you're part of a loyal family of friends
  • 00:23:33.802 --> 00:23:37.072
  • That are becoming the financial backbone of "pathway
  • 00:23:37.072 --> 00:23:40.208
  • To victory."
  • 00:23:40.208 --> 00:23:41.543
  • Anyone is invited to join the team, of course.
  • 00:23:41.543 --> 00:23:44.679
  • Most people find that automating their monthly giving
  • 00:23:44.679 --> 00:23:47.382
  • Is convenient.
  • 00:23:47.382 --> 00:23:48.850
  • You set the amount, and you choose the method that's best
  • 00:23:48.850 --> 00:23:52.220
  • For you.
  • 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:53.555
  • As a pathway partner, your consistent month-by-month giving
  • 00:23:53.555 --> 00:23:57.292
  • Has 12 times the impact over the course of the year.
  • 00:23:57.292 --> 00:24:01.630
  • You can become a pathway partner online by going to ptv.org or
  • 00:24:01.630 --> 00:24:06.535
  • Giving us a call today.
  • 00:24:06.535 --> 00:24:08.470
  • However you get in touch with us, i look forward to hearing
  • 00:24:08.470 --> 00:24:11.606
  • From you today.
  • 00:24:11.606 --> 00:24:13.475
  • Now, stay right there.
  • 00:24:13.475 --> 00:24:14.843
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:24:14.843 --> 00:24:19.481
  • Announcer: if a friend or one of your children came up to you
  • 00:24:19.548 --> 00:24:22.017
  • And asked, "how do you know christianity
  • 00:24:22.017 --> 00:24:24.219
  • Is the right religion?"
  • 00:24:24.219 --> 00:24:25.787
  • Could you give a clear and credible answer?
  • 00:24:25.787 --> 00:24:28.557
  • We'd like to send you a book from dr. robert jeffress
  • 00:24:28.557 --> 00:24:31.359
  • Containing answers to life's seven most important questions.
  • 00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:35.196
  • It's titled "how can i know?"
  • 00:24:35.196 --> 00:24:37.399
  • Jeffress: if we're honest, every one of us has questions
  • 00:24:37.399 --> 00:24:40.035
  • About our faith, questions like:
  • 00:24:40.035 --> 00:24:41.937
  • How can i know the bible is true?
  • 00:24:41.937 --> 00:24:44.306
  • Or: how can i know god exists?
  • 00:24:44.306 --> 00:24:47.042
  • In my book "how can i know?"
  • 00:24:47.042 --> 00:24:48.944
  • I tackle seven important questions and provide
  • 00:24:48.944 --> 00:24:52.047
  • Biblically-based answers
  • 00:24:52.047 --> 00:24:54.049
  • You can embrace with confidence.
  • 00:24:54.049 --> 00:24:56.217
  • Announcer: seven straightforward answers
  • 00:24:56.217 --> 00:24:57.819
  • To seven pressing questions.
  • 00:24:57.819 --> 00:24:59.921
  • The book "how can i know?"
  • 00:24:59.921 --> 00:25:01.389
  • Is yours today when you give a generous gift to support the
  • 00:25:01.389 --> 00:25:04.659
  • Ministry of pathway to victory, or when you sign up to
  • 00:25:04.659 --> 00:25:07.996
  • Become a pathway partner.
  • 00:25:07.996 --> 00:25:10.165
  • And when your gift is $75 or more,
  • 00:25:10.165 --> 00:25:13.368
  • You'll also receive the complete series on dvd and audio disk
  • 00:25:13.368 --> 00:25:17.772
  • With newly updated content for 2025.
  • 00:25:17.772 --> 00:25:20.775
  • Jeffress: it's not a sin to have doubts.
  • 00:25:20.775 --> 00:25:23.511
  • Sometimes doubt is a prerequisite to genuine faith.
  • 00:25:23.511 --> 00:25:28.416
  • Announcer: thank you for investing financially
  • 00:25:28.416 --> 00:25:30.552
  • In pathway to victory.
  • 00:25:30.552 --> 00:25:32.053
  • Your partnership will help our ministry broadcast god's truth
  • 00:25:32.053 --> 00:25:35.624
  • On television, on radio, and online,
  • 00:25:35.624 --> 00:25:38.593
  • Addressing doubts, clearly confusion,
  • 00:25:38.593 --> 00:25:41.162
  • And transforming lives through the bold,
  • 00:25:41.162 --> 00:25:43.665
  • Biblical teaching of god's word.
  • 00:25:43.665 --> 00:25:45.967
  • Jeffress: today i presented several convincing pieces of
  • 00:25:49.170 --> 00:25:52.173
  • Evidence for the trustworthiness of the bible, and next time,
  • 00:25:52.173 --> 00:25:55.577
  • We're going to look at even more evidence, including what may be
  • 00:25:55.577 --> 00:25:59.481
  • The strongest argument yet, the archaeological record.
  • 00:25:59.481 --> 00:26:03.818
  • For example, did you know that in northern syria, manuscripts
  • 00:26:03.818 --> 00:26:07.656
  • Dating back to 2300 bc mention the cities of sodom
  • 00:26:07.656 --> 00:26:12.394
  • And gomorrah?
  • 00:26:12.394 --> 00:26:13.728
  • That's just one of the fascinating pieces of evidence
  • 00:26:13.728 --> 00:26:16.698
  • I'll share with you next time.
  • 00:26:16.698 --> 00:26:18.867
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:26:18.867 --> 00:26:21.436
  • Series, "how can i know?"
  • 00:26:21.436 --> 00:26:23.672
  • Jeffress: your eternal destiny depends upon what we're going to
  • 00:26:24.939 --> 00:26:31.112
  • Talk about for the next 35 minutes.
  • 00:26:31.112 --> 00:26:34.549
  • Whether you spend eternity and enjoying the pleasures of heaven
  • 00:26:34.549 --> 00:26:38.953
  • Or you spend eternity in hell, separated from god, depends on
  • 00:26:38.953 --> 00:26:45.694
  • Whether or not the bible can be trusted.
  • 00:26:45.694 --> 00:26:48.296
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
  • 00:26:48.363 --> 00:26:51.399
  • "how can i know the bible is true?"
  • 00:26:51.399 --> 00:26:53.968
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:53.968 --> 00:26:55.537
  • Announcer: join dr. robert jeffress on
  • 00:26:58.406 --> 00:27:00.208
  • "pathway to victory's" journeys of paul mediterranean cruise.
  • 00:27:00.208 --> 00:27:03.545
  • Jeffress: i want to take you to the very places where god's word
  • 00:27:03.611 --> 00:27:07.082
  • Was written and seek the one who sought us first in his creation.
  • 00:27:07.082 --> 00:27:11.986
  • Announcer: experience world-class accommodations
  • 00:27:11.986 --> 00:27:13.855
  • Aboard the luxurious, "celebrity ascent" in beautiful island
  • 00:27:13.855 --> 00:27:17.525
  • Destinations like santorini, mykonos, and crete.
  • 00:27:17.525 --> 00:27:20.795
  • To book your reservation now, call...
  • 00:27:20.795 --> 00:27:25.467
  • Or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:27:25.467 --> 00:27:27.469