How do we know the Bible is true? It’s an important question! We need to know what will happen to us when we die, and Scripture does not say we should believe blindly. In fact, Acts 8:22 says this: “But Saul … confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.” He PROVED the truth of Jesus. Plus, if we are believers, we need to have ready answers for the non-believers we will meet. 1 Peter 3:15 says: “but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence.”
This quiz moves from facts about the canon into Scripture itself. While we believe through faith, it is wise and reasonable to examine the origins of the Bible as we know it today. Some writers and researchers site big numbers to verify the canon; here, we will site the lowest numbers to verify the canon because these sufficiently make the case without any exaggeration.
We’re old-school! Please note your answers on a doc or piece of paper and check them below. On the plus side, you can easily copy-paste and print this quiz if you wish to use it in your teaching.
- Who wrote the Bible?
A. Men who witnessed the life of Jesus wrote the New Testament, and Jewish historians wrote the Old Testament.
B. All Scripture is God-breathed. This means that men were the instruments through which God wrote the Bible.
C. Men who loved God wrote the Bible with His inspiration helping them.
D. Various men and women from ancient times.
2. How many New Testament documents dating before 500AD exist today?
A. between 140-300
B. over 5,800
C. Zero
D. Over 20,000
3. How many nearly complete and complete codices (full collections) of the New Testament from before 500AD exist today?
A. Over 150
B. 4
C. 10
D. Zero
4. How many near-contemporary manuscripts do we have of The Annals and Histories of Tacitus, a famous Roman historian, who lived from 56-120AD?
A. 4
B. 0
C. 1
D. 2
5. Overall, how do the near-contemporary texts of New Testament writings compare with other writings, like Roman and Greek histories, written at about the same time?
A. There are far more near-contemporary texts of New Testament writings than other writings.
B. They are about the same.
C. There are fewer contemporary texts of New Testament writings than other writings.
D. There are zero of both.
6. Some people question the writings of Paul as legitimate parts of the New Testament. Who directly verified that Paul’s writings are Scripture?
A. Matthew
B. Jesus
C. Peter
D. John
7. How were the books of the New Testament chosen?
A. These were the only writings that were available.
B. A list was created as soon as false letters began to circulate.
C. As the church developed, church councils selected the writings of the apostles and close associates of apostles. Additionally, these had to show true inspiration by not contradicting other inspired writings.
D. As the church developed, church leaders selected the writings that best reflected their vision of the life of Jesus.
8. People often quote Jesus saying, “you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.” Did he say that everyone will know the truth?
A. Yes
B. No, he said “if you show you are my disciples by abiding in my works” you will know it.
C. No, he said “if you abide in my word and you are truly disciples,” you will know it.
D. Yes, he meant that everyone will eventually know it.
9. How did Jesus verify the Old Testament?
A. By quoting from it and referring to it numerous times
B. By stating that it was false and thereby showing it existed
C. By stating that the Jewish synagogue leaders of his day did not understand it
D. Both by quoting from it and by challenging the Jewish leaders
10. The Old Testament is the same as the Jewish:
A. Talmud
B. Torah
C. Tanakh
D. All of the above
11. What is love?
A. a temporary infatuation
B. a deep desire to be kind to others and to serve them
C. self-sacrifice to the extent of laying down one’s earthly life in order to give true eternal life
D. intense feelings of adoration and joy felt by lovers, parents and others in close relationships
12. How does Scripture verify itself?
A. It does not tell a romantic or heroic story, but rather states truth facts even when they are awkward as in Mark 14:51-52.
B. It is consistent in its teachings from the Old Testament through the Gospels, the letters of Paul and others. Neither important ideas nor facts are contradicted despite the great volume of writings.
C. It is factual, practical and inspirational. We see humanity behaving as humanity truly behaves. We receive specific instructions on how to live. We’re inspired by the praise, joy and truth within its verses.
D. All of the above
Answers
- B, 2. A, 3. B, 4. B, 5. A, 6. C, 7. C, 8. C, 9.D, 10. C,11. C, 12. D