The Bible is by far the most widely distributed and read book throughout human history, having been translated into more languages than anything else.
Historical accuracy
The Gospels represent eyewitness accounts, for example;
Luke’s gospel 1:1-3 says ” Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you. ”
The New Testament was written, ( and largely collected), in the lifetime of eyewitnesses,45- 100 AD, who could have confirmed the events.
There is more manuscript evidence for the New Testament, (about five thousand manuscripts), and earlier, (120-220 AD), in the lifetime of people who knew the apostles’ disciples, than for any other literature of the period. If the Bible was rejected on that basis, then all other classical literature, including the historical record of that period, must also be rejected.
Historical details in the Bible have been found to be accurate, for example, not only major figures like Herod the Great, King of Judea and Samaria, Pontius Pilate, the Roman Procurator, and Caiaphas, the high priest have been found to be real people alive and in office at the right time, but also lesser figures like Gallio, the Roman proconsul in Corinth, and even an individual Christian like Erastus, who was the city treasurer of Corinth whilst Paul was writing the letter to the Romans, (an inscription has been found mentioning him).
There is also astonishing evidence from the inscriptions of the Assyrian kings found in diggings in ancient Nineveh, which confirm in great detail various attacks on Israelite kings, even down to the amount of gold and silver tribute exacted from the Israelites, which were previously only known from the records in the book of Kings in the Old Testament
Prophecies
There are more than three hundred prophecies concerning Jesus in the Old Testament, some written up to fourteen hundred years before he was born.
These include;
Where he would be born and in what time period.
Where he would grow up and begin his preaching.
Entering Jerusalem on the back of a donkey.
How much money would be paid to betray him.
The soldiers casting lots for his clothes at the foot of the cross. Put to death by unfair trial along with criminals.
Buried in a rich man’s grave.
That he would rise from the dead.
An example is Micah 5:2 which predicts that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem:
” But you, Bethlehem ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. ”
Also Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22, (written about 750 BC and !,000 BC respectively), describe Jesus’ trial, death and burial in some detail.
Inherent goodness and trustworthiness.
In 11 Corinthians 4:2, the Bible says that it appeals to every man’s conscience, (sense of what is right); ” By setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. ”
Matthew 5:38-48 and John 15:12-13 represent the highest moral teaching which is completely trustworthy.
Jesus said in John 7:17 ” If anyone chooses to do God’s will, (what is right), he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. “