Many people doubt and even disparage the Bible because "the original text no longer exists". Of course, such comments and accusations are quite disturbing for Christians. It is from this situation that the Indonesian Bible Institute wants to clarify basic concepts about: the original text, the writing process in ancient times, and how the original text of the Bible that exists today can really be guaranteed authenticity.

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First of all, we start from the use of the word "original" in the Indonesian language. The word "original" is always understood as the opposite of the word "fake". Some people consider the Bible "fake" simply because it comes from copies. Such an assumption seems too hasty and shows a lack of adequate information about the process of the Bible's formation. We can also take a simple analogy as to why photocopies (the modern form of “copies”) of ID cards are still considered valid when someone wants to take care of certain documents. From here we see that there are concepts that need to be clarified. On the other hand, the word ‘original’ in English translates into 2 different words. First original (refers to first or earliest form of something), has the meaning of being the first or earliest of something. Second authentic (means genuine or true to its source), means original, true or faithful to its source or origin. It is therefore clear to us that there is a difference between the words "original text" and "original text."

Original Text which is understood as the very first (original) text

In the traditional and popular view, the original text is the text written by the author of a particular book of the Bible (e.g. Mark, Luke, Isaiah, etc.). It is usually called: orthography & (the author's own writing). However, this term is somewhat ambiguous, because in general, biblical figures such as Paul, Mark, etc., when they wanted to write a letter or writing, they would dictate their words to the scribe. So in order to find out how exactly these autographs were produced, whether the books were written "once and for all" from beginning to end as one final product, it is necessary to make a comparison with the production process of contemporaneous writings.

An autograph becomes a writing that is officially released to the public by the author for copying and circulation. Everyone knows that it is his or her work, and it remains in the custody of the author and his or her community for a considerable period of time. So, the possibility of forgery is minimal. From the very beginning, autographs were copied for the author himself, his friends, his community, libraries, and even to give to patrons or donors (cf. Theophilus in Luke and Acts). All these copies are the same original texts, copied from autographs. Unfortunately, these original texts do not last long, with ancient manuscripts only lasting an average of 120-350 years. There are several factors that cause manuscripts not to last long, first the medium used is papyrus (it cannot last long, especially in the climate around the Mediterranean Sea which has high humidity). Third, the impact of periodic use, especially if the texts were circulating in the early churches. Manuscripts that were often read in worship, over time the writing began to fade and become illegible. It was therefore common for them to be recopied within a certain period of time, as a replacement for the manuscripts whose writing had become illegible.

Therefore it is clear to us the reason for the periodic use of the manuscripts.

It is thus clear to us why the "original writing" made by the author, which refers to the first writing on papyrus, no longer exists. While papyrus or parchment could not have survived so long, the important thing is that the "copy" of that first text still exists! That's what was passed on in the copies.

Furthermore, what efforts were made in the past, to ensure that the copies were authentic or in other words faithful to the originals?