Re: How do you know that BIBLE is inspired word of God, and it hasn't been altered in any way?
I feel that the Bible is God's Word, and that even though it has been mis-translated many times-- the main focal point of what God is communicating to us is there.
The original Hebrew Texts are said to be the most accurate texts.
I do believe that the incidents documented in the Old Testament--- yes including Noah's Ark and Jonah, etc, actually did happen and were recorded on scrolls by the prophet.
It's just that we can all get "Word Hardened" by our minds and think of these as merely "stories" because we see them in cartoon books for kids in Sunday School.
The only way to read the Bible is through the Holy Spirit. You should seriously pray for God to speak to you before reading it. Only in this way can your mind and heart be open to certain Truths the Holy Spirit wishes to reveal to you. In this way, God may even reveal more to you in between the lines that the writer didnt document.
There is hidden truths and spiritual lessons in everything in the Scriptures, but only the Holy Spirit can unlock the key to them. Reading them mentally without prayer and an open heart for God to reveal them to you is almost like merely reading a Beatrix Potter book for kids.
Believe me, it makes a HUGE difference-- You will even get more insight into Jesus's personality!