Paul told Timothy, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The word translated “inspiration” literally means “God breathed.” The idea is that God spoke, since we exhale, or breathe out, through the vocal cords to speak.

Peter described the process of inspiration when he said “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). The Hebrew writer often said God said a certain thing, when we know man did the actual writing (see Hebrews 1:5, 8; 5:5-6). Old and New Testament writers claimed inspiration (Isaiah 1:1-2, 10, 24; Jeremiah 1:1-2; 2:1; Ezekiel 1:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 3:2).

Jesus considered Old Testament scriptures inspired and used them as authoritative (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). He came to earth to do God’s will by fulfilling Old Testament prophecy (Matthew 5:7-18; John 15:25). New Testament writers considered Old Testament writers inspired (Acts 1:15-16; 4:25; 28:25-27; Galatians 3:16-19). They also claimed inspiration for other New Testament writers (2 Peter 3:15-16). Jesus said the apostles would be guided by the Holy Spirit (John 14:25-26; 16:12-13; Hebrews 2:1-4).

These internal claims are supported by evidence. Scientific foreknowledge proves the Bible is from God. In Genesis 1:11-12, 21, 24-25, we find the expression “after his kind” in reference to the grasses, trees, fish, birds, cattle, and other beasts. Knowledgeable men believed spontaneous generation produced life even centuries later. Recently some doctors think they have found special elements in the blood of a boy baby eight days old which help to heal, yet God set that as the time for circumcision in Moses’ day (Leviticus 12:3).

Long before doctors began putting people with highly contagious diseases in isolation, God instructed Israel to do it (Leviticus 13:45). Doctors in George Washington’s time believed “bleeding” a patient would rid the body of impurities. Everyone now knows life is in the blood, as Moses wrote (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:11, 14).

Specific prophecies about an event hundreds of years in the future could only come true if they were inspired of God. The prophecies about Jesus reveal things stated 400 to 700 years before the event. They contain details that are well beyond guess work. The place of his birth and his mother being a virgin are found in Micah 5:2 and Isaiah 7:14. Matthew tells us he was born of a virgin in Bethlehem (Matthew 1:20-2:1). His triumphant entry into Jerusalem is foretold in Zechariah 9:9 and fulfilled in Matthew 21:1-5.

Miracles worked by God’s spokesmen prove they were delivering God’s message. God gave Moses certain miraculous signs to use in proving to the Israelites that he was from God (Exodus 4:1-5). The miracles worked in bringing the ten plagues upon the land of Egypt were done to prove there was one God in the world and He was with Moses and the people (Exodus 7:5, 17; 8:10, 22; 9:14, 29; 10:2; 11:7; 13:3; 14:14). Christ was raised from the dead to prove he was God’s spokesman (Romans 1:4). That the apostles were speaking by God’s direction is clear because of the signs they were able to work (Mark 16:14-20; Hebrews 2:3-4).

The Bible is geographically correct. Someone going up is always going from a lower to a higher elevation, like the man in Jesus’ parable that was beaten by thieves (Luke 10:30). A simple glance at a topographical map reveals Jerusalem is in a mountainous area, with the Mt. of Olives being 2680 feet. Jericho, near the mouth to the Dead Sea, is below sea level, at approximately -500 feet.

Other areas of proof could be explored, such as the historical accuracy of the Bible; the unity of 66 books written by about 40 writers, in different languages, over 1600 years; geographic accuracy; and the greatness of the message.

However, I believe we can already see that the Bible claims to be “God-breathed” and there are undeniable proofs that it is.

Gary Hampton, link to original article