How do I know the Bible is true?

Honest Doubt Is Normal

At some point, almost every Christian asks the question: “How do I know the Bible is true?” It’s an honest question—and a healthy one. Faith is not blind. God invites us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). That means it’s okay to examine the Bible and ask hard questions.

1. Historical Reliability

The Bible is one of the most historically supported documents in existence. We don’t just take it on faith—there is real evidence behind it.

• Manuscript Evidence: We have over 25,000 ancient handwritten manuscripts of the New Testament. That’s more than any other ancient text. For comparison, Homer’s Iliad—considered reliable—has around 1,800 surviving copies. The sheer number of biblical manuscripts shows its accuracy in being passed down.
• Dating of Manuscripts: Some New Testament fragments, like the John Rylands Fragment (around AD 125), were written within living memory of Jesus’ life. This is unique because most ancient writings have copies that were made centuries after the events.
• Archaeology: Discoveries continually back up the Bible’s historical details. For example, the Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered in 1947) confirmed that Old Testament writings we read today are nearly identical to those copied thousands of years ago. Cities like Jericho and people like Pontius Pilate, once doubted, have also been verified by archaeological finds.

Together, this shows that the Bible wasn’t invented or changed much later. It’s a historically reliable collection of writings that has been preserved with remarkable accuracy.

2. Fulfilled Prophecy

One of the most powerful proofs of the Bible’s truth is prophecy. The Old Testament contains hundreds of prophecies about the coming of Jesus—His birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), His suffering and death (Isaiah 53), and even the manner of His betrayal (Psalm 41:9).

These prophecies were written centuries before Jesus was born, and all were fulfilled with stunning accuracy. This is strong evidence that the Bible is divinely inspired.

3. Unity Across 66 Books

The Bible wasn’t written by just one person in one time period. It was written by about 40 different people over 1,500 years, yet it all fits together.

One of the amazing things about the Bible is how the books constantly connect to each other. Writers from hundreds of years apart quote each other, build on each other’s ideas, and fulfill earlier prophecies. For example, things written in the Old Testament are later completed in the New Testament.

This shows that the Bible isn’t just a bunch of random books—it’s a carefully connected story. The way the books tie together so perfectly points to God’s hand guiding it all.

No other book written across so many centuries maintains this level of harmony without contradiction.

4. Transforming Power

Perhaps the most personal evidence is this: the Bible changes lives. Millions of people—including myself—can testify that reading God’s Word brought hope, healing, and purpose. Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is “living and active”—and you can experience that for yourself.

5. The Witness of Jesus

Finally, Jesus Himself affirmed the authority of Scripture. He quoted it often, trusted it completely, and fulfilled it perfectly. If we trust Jesus as Lord and Savior, then we can also trust the Word He confirmed as truth.

Conclusion

So how do you know the Bible is true? Because it’s historically reliable, prophetically accurate, unified across centuries, life-transforming, and confirmed by Jesus Himself.

If you’re still wrestling with doubt, that’s okay. Start by reading the Gospels. Ask God to reveal Himself to you through His Word. As Psalm 119:160 says:

“The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous rules endures forever.”

✨ Key Takeaway: The Bible doesn’t just contain truth—it is truth. And that truth has the power to set you free (John 8:32).

✨ Still Have a Question

If you didn’t find your answer here, don’t worry — you’re not alone. You can send your question directly through the Ask a Bible Question page and I’ll do my best to respond with guidance from God’s Word.

You can also leave your questions on my YouTube channel where I regularly share Bible verses, encouragement, and answers to common questions.