The Bible Stands AloneCompiled by Jordan and Justin Drake
In 1889 a schoolteacher told a ten-year-old boy, "You will never amount to very much." That boy was Albert Einstein. In 1954 a music manager told a young singer, "You ought to go back to driving a truck." That singer was Elvis Presley. In 1962 a record company told a group of singers, "We don’t like your sound. Groups with guitars are definitely on their way out." They said that to the Beatles. Man is prone to make mistakes. Those who reject the Bible should take the time to look at the evidence before they come to a verdict.
1. It is unique in its continuity. If just 10 people today were picked who were from the same place, born around the same time, spoke the same language, and made about the same amount of money, and were asked to write on just one controversial subject, they would have trouble agreeing with each other. But the Bible stands alone. It was written over a period of 1,600 years by more than 40 writers from all walks of life. Some were fishermen; some were politicians. Others were generals or kings, shepherds or historians. They were from three different continents, and wrote in three different languages. They wrote on hundreds of controversial subjects yet they wrote with agreement and harmony. They wrote in dungeons, in temples, on beaches, and on hillsides, during peacetime and during war. Yet their words sound like they came from the same source. So even though 10 people today couldn’t write on one controversial subject and agree, God picked 40 different people to write the Bible—and it stands the test of time.
2. It is unique in its circulation. The invention of the printing press in 1450 made it possible to print books in large quantities. The first book printed was the Bible. Since then, the Bible has been read by more people and printed more times than any other book in history. By 1930, over one billion Bibles had been distributed by Bible societies around the world. By 1977, Bible societies alone were printing over 200 million Bibles each year, and this doesn’t include the rest of the Bible publishing companies. No one who is interested in knowing the truth can ignore such an important book.
3. It is unique in its translation. The Bible has been translated into over 1,400 languages. No other book even comes close.
4. It is unique in its survival. In ancient times, books were copied by hand onto manuscripts which were made from parchment and would decay over time. Ancient books are available today only because someone made copies of the originals to preserve them. For example, the original writings of Julius Caesar are no longer around. We know what he wrote only by the copies we have. Only 10 copies still exist, and they were made 1,000 years after he died. Only 600 copies of Homer’s The Iliad exist, made 1,300 years after the originals were written. No other book has as many copies of the ancient manuscripts as the Bible. In fact, there are over 24,000 copies of New Testament manuscripts, some written within 35 years of the writer’s death.
5. It is unique in withstanding attack. No other book has been so attacked throughout history as the Bible. In A.D. 300 the Roman emperor Diocletian ordered every Bible burned because he thought that by destroying the Scriptures he could destroy Christianity. Anyone caught with a Bible would be executed. But just 25 years later, the Roman emperor Constantine ordered that 50 perfect copies of the Bible be made at government expense. The French philosopher Voltaire, a skeptic who destroyed the faith of many people, boasted that within 100 years of his death, the Bible would disappear from the face of the earth. Voltaire died in 1728, but the Bible lives on. The irony of history is that 50 years after his death, the Geneva Bible Society moved into his former house and used his printing presses to print thousands of Bibles. The Bible has also survived criticism. No book has been more attacked for its accuracy. And yet archeologists are proving every year that the Bible’s detailed descriptions of historic events are correct. See Matthew 4:4 and 1 Peter 1:25 footnotes.

Sometimes Things Go Wrong

Sometimes, not often when I feel lead to share the Gospel it ends up not going so well.

The other night my wife had a "Bunko" Party, for those of you who don't know bunko is a dice game that women like to play, and I stayed home to help with the kids and basically be available to my wife. I stayed away most of the night, I listened to a sermon on the Internet, Paul Washer He is Great, did a little reading blah, blah, blah. Towards the end of the night I went into the dining room where the women were playing and just stood there and watched. As things were closing up the subject of abortion came up, not by me, and I was asked to tell the ladies, by my wife, about partial birth abortion. So I did. Whenever you talk about a subject like that it will always end up going to religion and that is what happened. One of the ladies brought up the subject of the 10 Commandments God's Law. That is when it started to unravel. Another of the ladies felt that The 10 Commandments should not be in the public square, I asked her why. She felt that it would offend atheist's so I asked her If atheist's are offended by or against; Thou Shall Not Steal, Or Thou Shall not bear false witness, Or My favorite, Thou Shall Not Commit Adultery. I also made the point that in a Democracy, not that I really believe we live in one, It is majority rule and the majority wants the 10 Commandments in our public square. Well that was not what she wanted to hear. Since the subject of the Ten Commandments was on the table. I asked the question; "How do you'all think you've done keeping the Commandments"? and from there I proceeded to Bring the knowledge of sin by using The Law. Well needless to say it did not go over very well. Those women ran out of there like the house was on fire and my wife is still not speaking to me.

Maybe I went to far? Personally I think I didn't go far enough. The Bible Tells us to Preach the Gospel to every living Creature. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15. Some people might think you shouldn't offend people. My question is; "Why are they offended"? Is it because there conscience is bearing witness and they are feeling conviction under the Law. When the Gospel was presented to me I was offended and for a long time it bothered me, Why does this bother me I would ask. Finally I was honest with myself and realized I have sinned against God, The creator of this universe. I was a lying, Stealing, blasphemous, Murder,and adulterer at heart, and I am going to face God and He will Justly judge me and I would be Guilty. I was going to hell.

But God In His infinite Mercy and Grace, gave me, you, everyone a way to escape His wrath. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. God Demonstrates His Love toward us, In that, While We were yet sinners Christ Died for us. Jesus' first words in His Ministry were;“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” We need to turn from our sin and look towards Jesus, We need to trust in Him for Our salvation, not our good works, or kind words, or how much we give to charity. Trust In Jesus!! There is salvation in no other. No other name under heaven given among men will save you, or me.

Sometimes I admit I get overzealous, but you know what I'm not selling soap here, this has to do with a person's eternal destiny. Heaven, or Hell. If there was offence I am sorry, but I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for It is the Power Of God unto salvation for everyone who believes.
Just a side note, It is my house too and the women didn't have the cleanest mouths if you know what I mean. I heard OMG at least 10 times and a few other choice words. So I think I have a right to stand up for what I believe, especially in my own home.
I will say I am sorry to my wife I didn't mean to scare her friends away.

Until Next Time, My hope is in Christ.