Why do you believe Scripture?

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed

What caused you to believe (assuming you do) that the bible is the infallible Word of God? Did someone tell you that there is a prophecy in Isaiah that was fulfilled eight centuries later? Did someone disclose the coherency of the bible - how it is written by 40+ authors in three different languages over 1500 some-odd years, yet contains one main theme? Did your pastor tell you it is? Did you just grow up believing it? Are these the arguments which "convinced" you that the bible is indeed the Word of God and not just some work(s) of men?

This question is probably one of the most impactful questions one can consider. Because the answer which, if biblical, will not be any of these reasons. In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, we see him quoting Isaiah and he tells us that the men who crucified our Lord, the religious scribes and pharisees, did not understand what was in Scripture, but Paul and his audience do. And how they understood what is written in Scripture is said to be because "God has revealed it to us by his Spirit" (1 Cor 2:10)

John Calvin puts it like this:

"Let it therefore be held as fixed, that those who are inwardly taught by the Holy Spirit acquiesce implicitly in Scripture; that Scripture, carrying its own evidence along with it, deigns not to submit to proofs and arguments, but owes the full conviction with which we ought to receive it to the testimony of the Spirit. Enlightened by him, we no longer believe, either on our own judgment or that of others, that the Scriptures are from God; but, in a way superior to human judgment, feel perfectly assured—as much so as if we beheld the divine image visibly impressed on it—that it came to us, by the instrumentality of men, from the very mouth of God." [1]

Furthermore, it is stated that our very belief in Christ comes from God as a gift. Many people disagree that Eph 2:8 (by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God) is speaking about faith being given to us. But that is precisely what is going on here. It is saying that the gift is two-fold. We are saved by the grace of God (that is the first gift) by being shown the truth of the gospel (that is the second gift). This fact is stated explicitly in Philippians 1:29 "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ .. to believe on him".

I know what you're thinking. "If it is God who causes someone believe, then what is the point of apologetics? Why not just sit around waiting for God to save whom He has chosen to save?" Paul was an example for us in Philippians where he said "for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me." (Phil 1:7b). Paul both defended and confirmed the gospel to his hearers.

God has also decreed means to accomplish His ends. Paul also says, in reference to salvation:

Romans 10:14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent?

You see, God has not only determined the result of an event, but He has also ordained the cause. Who is going to believe that the bible is the Word of God if nobody proclaims it? The answer is 'nobody'. So, why are we not to sit around waiting for God to save whom he will? Because He saves through the proclamation of His Word. It is the GOSPEL which is the power of God unto salvation (Rom 1:16). It is the GOSPEL that reveals a righteousness which is from God (Rom 1:17).

This is an incredible relief! Oh, the times I've heard people (including myself) trying to convince someone that the bible is true by using the best apologetics, archaeological evidence, textual criticism, and you name it. The responsibility for convincing someone of the truth of the bible is not in our hands. It is in His. To quote again from the Institutes:

"If at any time, then, we are troubled at the small number of those who
believe, let us, on the other hand, call to mind, that none comprehend the
mysteries of God save those to whom it is given."[2]

This notion is confirmed with Scripture.

Ephesians 1:9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

and again:

Colossians 1:25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Salvation is an act of God from beginning to end. Praise God!

[1] Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book I, Ch VII, Sec V (emphasis added)
[2] ibid.