Christianity and the Bible have been under attack for centuries, and that trend is no less today. From the Koran being promoted as the Muslim equivalent to the Bible, to the "Gospel of Judas" being gloated over as if it were on par with New Testament epistles, to the news media reporting on kittens born on "Good Friday" with "mysterious markings" of a cross on their fur as a potential confirmation of Christ to some, to the Da Vinci Code's slam against Roman Catholicism being championed as a refutation of true Christianity, the Bible and New Testament Christianity are constantly being cheapened.

How do we know that Christ is who He said He was and that New Testament Christianity is the only religion with the approval of the only true God? For us to know these things, we must have reliable, trustworthy, and irrefutable sources. While secular history mentions Christ, our sources of knowledge are much more accurate and comprehensive than that. Second Peter 1:16-21 gives the irrefutable sources of our knowledge. Lest one think this is an exercise in circular reasoning, let it be known here that it can be logically proven that God exists and the Bible is the inspired word of God, even though we will not take the time to do this in this article.

Peter wrote against the background of false teachers who were trying to lead the church into error (2 Pet. 2:1-2, 10, 13-14, 19; 3:4, 5-7, 16). He made clear that Christianity is based on reliable, irrefutable sources.

The Apostles of Christ

The first source of knowledge about which Peter writes is the apostles, "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount" (2 Pet. 1:16-18).

The source of the apostles is irrefutable for three reasons. First, their knowledge did not come from religious fiction. The word translated "fables [tales, NAS]" refers to stories, legends, or myths. "Cunningly devised" means to invent or devise artificially. In other words, the apostles did not receive their information from cleverly invented stories. In fact, they were to avoid "fables" (cf. 1 Tim. 4:7; Tit. 1:14). This is in stark contrast to the world's religions, even those claiming to be "Christian." These "founders" and so-called "prophets" were not inspired by God, but were the products and promoters of "cunningly devised fables"!

Second, the apostles are irrefutable sources of knowledge because they were eyewitnesses. "Eyewitness" refers to one who sees with his own eyes. The word was first applied secularly to those who were permitted to look into the mysteries, or secrets, of the heathen religions. This verse contains the only occurrence of the noun, but the verb is found twice (1 Pet. 2:12; 3:2). The apostles not only saw, but also were permitted to "behold" and "look into the mysteries of Christ" (cf. 1 Jn. 1:1-3). This also is in stark contrast to the world's religions and their leaders. They were not eyewitnesses of any divine being! They may have had dreams and "revelations," but rest assured, they were not from God (cf. Deut. 13:1-3; Jer. 23:26-32)!

Third, the apostles are irrefutable sources of knowledge because some witnessed the Son of God receiving "honor and glory" at the Transfiguration (2 Pet. 1:17-18 cf. Mt. 17:1-8). Glory is external and visible; honor is inward, the recognition of someone who has attained position through great accomplishment. Peter witnessed the sights of the transfiguration and the sound of the Father's voice from heaven, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." What other founder of a religion has had that stamp of approval? Only Jesus Christ!

Regardless of the claims of the false teachers, we can trust the eyewitness testimony of the apostles. In the Old Testament, two or three witnesses were all it took to confirm something (Deut. 17:6). The eyewitnesses of Jesus were numerous. Even those who were against Him acknowledged His deity (Mt. 27:54)!

The Word of Prophecy

Peter points out a second source of knowledge, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts" (2 Pet. 1:19). By the term "more sure word of prophecy," Peter is referring to the Old Testament prophecies found in Scripture. From Moses to Malachi, all the prophets spoke with one voice (cf. 1 Pet. 1:10-11). One of the most powerful evidences for the truth of New Testament Christianity is the fulfilled prophecies of the Bible (cf. Acts 3:24; Rom. 15:12). No other religious document-not even the Koran or the Book of Mormon-contain fulfilled prophecies, except those prophecies they copied from the Bible!

We know assuredly that all the prophecies recorded in Scripture are true because they did not originate with men. Peter writes, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Pet. 1:20-21). The word "is" in verse 20 is from a word that means to become, come into being. The word translated "private" refers to "one's own" (NAS). The word translated "interpretation" means explanation. Thus, Peter is saying that no prophecy of the Scripture came into existence as a result of the prophet's own explanation. The origin of prophecies is what is under consideration. At times, the prophets themselves did not even know the meaning of what they prophesied (1 Pet. 1:12). Scriptural prophecy never had its origin with the will of men, but with the will of the Holy Spirit. The word "moved [carried along, ESV]," according to one source, was a "maritime metaphor" used of a ship carried along by the wind (same Greek word is found in Acts 27:15, 17). The prophets, as it were, "raised their sails" in obedience and allowed the Spirit to carry them along in the writing of His word!

Our knowledge of Christ and Christianity is certain. It is based on the eyewitness testimony of the apostles and the confirmed word of the prophets. As Peter said, we would "do well that ye take heed" (2 Pet. 1:19). Are we living our lives based upon the true sources of religious knowledge found in the pages of the Bible? If not, why not make the commitment today to follow the Lord's will?