The Bible is a unique book written over a period of 1,500 years by approximately 40 different authors who represent over 19 different occupations (shepherds, soldiers, farmers, fishermen, tax collectors, medical doctors, kings, etc.).

The first 39 books of the Bible (old testament) were written in the Hebrew language over a period of about 1,000 years. Then was a 400-year gap where no Scriptures were written. After that, the last 27 books of the Bible (new testament) were written in the Greek language during a period covering roughly 50 years. 

It is incredible how even though the writers did not live during the same period, their individual books still collaborate so perfectly as it describes the story of God’s eternal plan for the redemption of mankind from the beginning to the end.

The end product is one book that fits together perfectly with no contradictions / errors. If the Bible spoke about kings who never lived and battles that never existed, then we would have had a reason to doubt what it tells us. But this isn’t the case, which leads to our next point. 

Beyond the unity of the authors of scripture, modern archaeological finds have strongly confirmed the historical accuracy of both the Old and New Testament. 

Nelson Glueck, a renowned Jewish archaeologist, remarked, 

“It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a Biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or exact detail historical statements in the Bible. And, by the same token, proper evaluation of Biblical descriptions has often led to amazing discoveries.”

Another case for believing in the Bible is the testimonies of changed lives of those who have believed and followed the teachings of the Bible. 

These people range from different cultures, classes, languages and even some morally corrupt individuals who have had their lives turned around by believing in the message of the Gospel and following the Lord that is presented in it. 

Even the authors and followers of Jesus were men from all walks of life and were men of good reputation and a sound mind.  They did not get any material benefits but instead were killed for the testimony they held. 

They claimed that God had put His hand upon them to speak the word. Their lives and the testimonies they held, and their deaths all give evidence that they were telling the truth.

Furthermore, the prophetic scriptures in the Bible also help support its authenticity and raises it on a class higher than any other book. 

J. Barton Payne, in his Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecies, lists 1817 predictions in the Bible (1239 in the Old Testament and 578 in the New Testament). He calculated that 27% of the entire Bible contains predictive prophecy. 

Jesus’ entire life was written down in the Old Testament before He was born; these are called Messianic prophecies of which there are 191 of them. We know that these prophecies were written before Christ (B.C) was born because copies of the Old Testament books were found in the Dead Sea caves dated to at least 100 B.C, if not even older. 

This is a compelling case for the Bible, as no other religious book makes such highly improbable predictions in the name of God which have come to pass.

Conclusion

One of the best answers to this question I heard was from a preacher Voddie Baucham where he states the following: 

“I choose to believe the Bible because it is a reliable collection of historical documents, written by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses.  They report supernatural events that took place in fulfillment of specific prophesies and claim that their writings are divine rather than human in origin.”

He obtains this response from the apostle Peter in the following scripture:

2 Peter 1:16-21 (NIV)

16. For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

17. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”  

18. We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

19. We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

20. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.

21. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Although there is a lot more that could be shared about this book, would it not be wise to check it out and uncover what this book has in store for you?