Hebrews 4:12
ESV / 4,361 helpful votes
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Matthew 4:4
ESV / 3,911 helpful votes
But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Psalm 119:105
ESV / 3,314 helpful votes
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
John 1:1
ESV / 3,131 helpful votes
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
ESV / 2,621 helpful votes
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
John 17:17
ESV / 2,556 helpful votes
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
Matthew 24:35
ESV / 2,544 helpful votes
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Luke 11:28
ESV / 2,482 helpful votes
But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
Colossians 3:16
ESV / 2,480 helpful votes
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Isaiah 40:8
ESV / 2,434 helpful votes
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
John 6:63
ESV / 2,338 helpful votes
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Proverbs 30:5
ESV / 2,248 helpful votes
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
2 Timothy 3:16
ESV / 2,200 helpful votes
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
1 Peter 2:2
ESV / 2,169 helpful votes
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—
John 1:14
ESV / 2,157 helpful votes
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Isaiah 55:11
ESV / 2,128 helpful votes
So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
James 1:22
ESV / 2,080 helpful votes
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Ephesians 6:17
ESV / 2,035 helpful votes
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
James 1:21
ESV / 2,024 helpful votes
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
John 15:3
ESV / 2,005 helpful votes
Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
Psalm 119:11
ESV / 1,894 helpful votes
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Job 23:12
ESV / 1,891 helpful votes
I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.
1 Thessalonians 2:13
ESV / 1,791 helpful votes
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
Deuteronomy 8:3
ESV / 1,790 helpful votes
And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
Psalm 33:4
ESV / 1,749 helpful votes
For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.
Psalm 119:9
ESV / 1,748 helpful votes
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
Psalm 119:130
ESV / 1,712 helpful votes
The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
Revelation 1:1
ESV / 1,689 helpful votes
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
Romans 10:17
ESV / 1,649 helpful votes
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Psalm 18:30
ESV / 1,643 helpful votes
This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
Matthew 7:24
ESV / 1,620 helpful votes
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
John 7:38
ESV / 1,616 helpful votes
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
John 8:31-32
ESV / 1,608 helpful votes
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 1:1-2
ESV / 1,572 helpful votes
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
Hebrews 1:3
ESV / 1,496 helpful votes
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Philippians 2:14-16
ESV / 1,469 helpful votes
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Psalm 56:4
ESV / 1,421 helpful votes
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
Proverbs 2:6
ESV / 1,402 helpful votes
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
2 Timothy 2:15
ESV / 1,393 helpful votes
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Psalm 119:160
ESV / 1,371 helpful votes
The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
Romans 15:4
ESV / 1,318 helpful votes
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Psalm 19:7
ESV / 1,277 helpful votes
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
Psalm 18:35-36
ESV / 1,256 helpful votes
You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip.
Psalm 12:6
ESV / 1,221 helpful votes
The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
Hebrews 4:2
ESV / 1,204 helpful votes
For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.
Psalm 119:114
ESV / 1,150 helpful votes
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.
Psalm 119:2
ESV / 1,138 helpful votes
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,
1 Timothy 3:16
ESV / 1,133 helpful votes
Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
Proverbs 4:20-21
ESV / 1,106 helpful votes
My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.
1 Peter 2:1-25
ESV / 1,103 helpful votes
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. …
Acts 2:41
ESV / 1,100 helpful votes
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
John 16:13
ESV / 1,091 helpful votes
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Acts 17:11
ESV / 1,087 helpful votes
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
1 Peter 1:23
ESV / 1,085 helpful votes
Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
1 Timothy 3:2
ESV / 1,076 helpful votes
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
1 Timothy 2:11
ESV / 1,066 helpful votes
Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.
Ezekiel 12:1-28:26
ESV / 1,060 helpful votes
The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house. As for you, son of man, prepare for yourself an exile’s baggage, and go into exile by day in their sight. You shall go like an exile from your place to another place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house. You shall bring out your baggage by day in their sight, as baggage for exile, and you shall go out yourself at evening in their sight, as those do who must go into exile. In their sight dig through the wall, and bring your baggage out through it. …
John 15:1-17:26
ESV / 1,058 helpful votes
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. …
John 1:1-3:36
ESV / 1,058 helpful votes
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. …
Romans 1:16
ESV / 1,052 helpful votes
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
John 7:1-16:33
ESV / 1,052 helpful votes
After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” For not even his brothers believed in him. …
Romans 10:1-11:36
ESV / 1,049 helpful votes
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. …
Matthew 7:2
ESV / 1,035 helpful votes
For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
Luke 24:45
ESV / 996 helpful votes
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
2 Peter 3:16
ESV / 991 helpful votes
As he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
Jeremiah 23:29
ESV / 988 helpful votes
Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
John 10:35
ESV / 977 helpful votes
If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—
Proverbs 4:1-5:23
ESV / 973 helpful votes
Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. …
Psalm 130:1-135:21
ESV / 963 helpful votes
A Song of Ascents. Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; …
Matthew 5:1-18:35
ESV / 960 helpful votes
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. …
Proverbs 4:1-10:32
ESV / 959 helpful votes
Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. …
Isaiah 40:2
ESV / 952 helpful votes
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord‘s hand double for all her sins.
Psalm 119:18
ESV / 950 helpful votes
Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
1 Peter 1:25
ESV / 946 helpful votes
But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
Proverbs 2:3
ESV / 944 helpful votes
Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
Psalm 18:30-32
ESV / 944 helpful votes
This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?— the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.
John 5:39
ESV / 938 helpful votes
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,
Proverbs 30:5-6
ESV / 936 helpful votes
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
Joshua 1:8
ESV / 935 helpful votes
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
2 Timothy 3:15-17
ESV / 919 helpful votes
And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Matthew 4:2
ESV / 893 helpful votes
And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
Revelation 1:2
ESV / 864 helpful votes
Who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.
Colossians 3:2
ESV / 851 helpful votes
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Jeremiah 15:16
ESV / 831 helpful votes
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.
Luke 11:3
ESV / 794 helpful votes
Give us each day our daily bread,
Psalm 33:1-34:22
ESV / 790 helpful votes
Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. …
Matthew 24:2
ESV / 789 helpful votes
But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
John 12:48
ESV / 767 helpful votes
The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
1 Thessalonians 5:2
ESV / 766 helpful votes
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
John 3:16-17
ESV / 764 helpful votes
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Psalm 119:1-130:8
ESV / 755 helpful votes
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! …
John 3:16
ESV / 750 helpful votes
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Matthew 22:29
ESV / 740 helpful votes
But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.
1 Samuel 22:1-31:13
ESV / 726 helpful votes
David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men. And David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab. And he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and my mother stay with you, till I know what God will do for me.” And he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him all the time that David was in the stronghold. Then the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not remain in the stronghold; depart, and go into the land of Judah.” So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth. …
Romans 12:2
ESV / 701 helpful votes
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
1 Corinthians 1:18
ESV / 679 helpful votes
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Psalm 107:20
ESV / 670 helpful votes
He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
Mark 13:31
ESV / 659 helpful votes
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Isaiah 55:10-11
ESV / 641 helpful votes
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
- For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
- All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
- Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path. - Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
- How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word. - He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
- The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever. - As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him. - Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
- Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
- Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
- The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple. - Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does. - Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.
- In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me? - Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.
- For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. - To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
- Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
- You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word. - He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
- So is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. - You make your saving help my shield,
and your right hand sustains me;
your help has made me great.
You provide a broad path for my feet,
so that my ankles do not give way.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
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Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
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I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love.
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Introduction
“The Scriptures: We believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired Word of God without error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice.”
Parade magazine had an article by Carl Sagan about his experience with cancer. He said he didn’t believe in an afterlife. He said Christians, Moslems, Jews and Hindus had told him they prayed for him. “While I do not think that, if there is a god, his plan for me will be altered by prayer, I’m more grateful than I can say.” Carl Sagan has studied astronomy. He was the current authority on the cosmos. Yet his study has led him to deny a Creator rather than worship Him. Isn’t that what Romans 1:18-20 says?
Read Romans 1:18-20
We learn from creation that there is a God and He has great power. But God has revealed Himself even more extensively.
Read Hebrews 1:1-2
He spoke His Word through the prophets. But his final and most complete revelation of Himself is in His Son. Jesus reveals what God is like. How he thinks, feels, acts. And God has preserved the record for us in the Bible. The Bible is the source for what we believe about God, Christ, humanity, salvation, heaven? Does it matter what our authority is? Why should we trust the Bible? What evidence is there for us to let it be the authoritative book that informs and controls our lives?
Bible from Gr. biblos, book; biblia, books. The word not used in the Bible.
The Bible Is The Unique Word Of God
The Bible is uniquely the Word of God.
There are two lines of evidence: external and internal.
External Evidence
1. The continuity of the Bible
It was written by more than 40 authors over about 1600 years, it is still one book, not a collection of books. The authors were kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, physician, tax collector, statesmen, scholars, poets and farmers.
It was written from various countries, from Italy, Greece, Babylon, Persia and Israel. The human authors lived in different cultures and had different experiences. They were different in character and personality.
They wrote in 3 languages; Old Testament: Hebrew; Aramaic; New Testament: Greek.
But the Bible is not an anthology of books by different authors. It has an amazing continuity and unity from Genesis to Revelation.
The Paradise Lost of Genesis becomes the Paradise Regained of Revelation. Whereas the gate to the tree of life is closed in Genesis, it is opened forevermore in Revelation. (Geisler & Nix. Evidence that Demands a Verdict, p. 19)
Doctrine is progressively unfolded throughout. Salvation is hinted at in Genesis 3, developed by promises and pictures in the OT, accomplished in the Gospels, explained in the epistles and brought to glorious completion in Revelation.
2. The extent of biblical revelation
All the books of Bible were written in the early days of human knowledge when authors were not aware of modern discoveries. But what they wrote has never been contradicted by later discovery.
Isaiah 40:22-He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth. That was written 2800 years ago.
Job 26:7-He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; He suspends the earth over nothing. That was written 4000 years ago.
Archeology consistently produces evidence that supports biblical statements. (Hittites, Sargon)
3. Influence and publication of Bible
No other book has been published in as many languages. It still is a best-seller. The French atheist Voltaire said that it would be obsolete within a hundred years from his time and Christianity would be swept from existence and passed into history. But Voltaire has passed into history and the Bible continues to be circulated increasingly throughout the world. In fact, ironically, only 50 years after Voltaire’s death, the Geneva Bible Society used his press and house to produce stacks of Bibles. (Evidence, p. 23)
4. Manuscript evidence
Compared to the few manuscripts of ancient writings that are existent, there are 13,000 manuscript copies of portions of the NT, some dating from as early as the second century.
Sir Frederic Kenyon, director and principal librarian of the British Museum said: No other ancient book has anything like such early and plentiful testimony to its text, and no unbiased scholar would deny that the text that has come down to us is substantially sound”
5. Unprejudiced authority of Bible
Human authorship has not resulted in prejudice in favor of man. The Bible records the sins and weakness of best of men (Abraham, Moses, David, Peter). It records lies and misconceptions of Satan and men (Job). It is a devastatingly honest record that is consistent with our instinctive knowledge of human beings today.
6. The supreme character of the Bible
The Bible is a supernatural book revealing the person and glory of God as manifested in His Son. A person like Jesus Christ could never have been the invention of mortal man. Nor would we have invented him if we could. Contrast Greek mythology where their gods were magnified images of themselves.
Internal Evidence
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17.Theopneustos=God-breathed. Only here NT.
Scripture is God-breathed
Scripture was breathed out by God. Inspiration refers not so much to authors but to the Word of God. While the authors were fallible and subject to error, God breathed out into their minds His infallible Word, so that what they wrote was the inerrant Word of God.
How did God tell the human authors what to write?
Not by mechanical dictation.
Read 2 Peter 1:20-21
The human authors were moved or borne along, carried to the destination intended by God much as a boat will carry its passengers to its ultimate destination.
God used various ways to communicate His Word.
Exodus 34:27. Write down these words.
The Word of the Lord came to the prophets: Jeremiah 1:2; Hosea 1:1;
Visions and dreams, Daniel 2:1; 7:1
Therefore, the Scriptures are the very expression of God and must be as absolutelyauthoritative and absolutely perfect as He is or.
He is in error and fallible.
Extent of Inspiration—ALL Scripture
God directed so that all the words that were used were equally inspired by God. Verbal means words, plenary means full.
It doesn’t just contain the word of God, or is only the word when it speaks to you.
1 Timothy 5:18-Paul places Luke 10:7 on the same authoritative level as Deuteronomy 25:4, calling them both Scripture. (Graphe)
2 Peter 3:15-16—Peter refers to Paul’s writings as equal to the rest of Scripture.
VERBAL PLENARY INSPIRATION
Definition: The supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit in which He superintended the human authors of canonical Scripture, so that their individual personalities composed and recorded without error God’s revelation to humanity in the words of the original autographs.
The Spirit of God guided in the choice of the words used by the human authors in the original writings. Various books reflect the writers’ personal characteristics in style and vocabulary, and their personalities are often expressed in their thoughts, opinions, confusion, prayers, or fears.
Luke was a physician and used medical terms.
Paul, a scholar of Greek literature, quoted from the Greek poets. (Acts 17)
God employed human writers and these men did not always understand all that they were writing (Daniel 12:8-9).
Nevertheless, under the guiding hand of God they produced the 66 books, in which there is amazing unity and constant evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in directing what was written.
Consistent Internal Testimony
The Bible consistently claims to be God’s Word throughout the Old and New Testaments.
Exodus 20:1ff; Deuteronomy 6:6-9, 17; 2 Samuel 22:31; 23:2; Psalm 19:7-11; 119:9,11,18,89-91, 97-100, 104-5, 130; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 55:10-11; 22:29; Mark 13:31; John 2:22; 5:24; 10:35; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 1:23-25; Revelation 1:1-3; 22:18.
Testimony of Jesus
Jesus and the OT
Matthew 5:18; John 10:35. The Scripture cannot be broken.
He came in fulfillment of OT. Matthew. 1:22-33, 4:14; 8:17; 12:17; 15:7-8; 21:4-5.
Psalm 110:1 and Matthew 22:43-44. Accurate even to very words. Holy Spirit and David.
Luke 24:27—all Scriptures concerning Himself were accurate. John 5:39-40
He quoted from OT in every important section of NT, often from books most disputed by liberals, e.g. Deuteronomy, Jonah, Daniel. Deuteronomy 6:16—Matthew 4:7; Jonah, Matthew 12:40; Daniel 9:27; 12:11-Matthew 24:15. It is impossible to question inspiration of OT without questioning the character and veracity of Jesus Christ. Christ’s trustworthiness is at issue. He said, “I am the truth.”He did not accommodate Himself to the misconceptions of His age, as has been charged by liberal critics.
Jesus and the NT
Jesus predicted the writing of NT. John 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:12-13. The Holy Spirit would do for the human writers of the NT what He did for the human writers of the OT.
The testimony of Jesus regarding the Bible is really determinative. If we believe that He is God, and sinless; if we believe that He is the Truth; then we have to accept His evaluation of Scripture as accurate. We may not understand everything perfectly. That’s not essential. I don’t understand anything about atomic energy, but I believe in it and I’ve seen evidence of its power. I’ve also experienced the power of the Scriptures even though I don’t understand everything in it thoroughly.
A proper approach to the Bible involves recognizing that we cannot understand all that the Scriptures reveal, but what we are able to understand is beautifully harmonized and is the only accurate source of knowledge about God and faith in Him. The evidence of fulfilled prophecy as in Daniel, the testimony of Jesus, and the fact that the Holy Spirit uses it so effectively is compelling confirmation that the Scripture is breathed out by the all knowing, all-powerful God who loves us and made us His own through the Lord Jesus Christ, His Son. Therefore we can trust the Bible as our authority for faith and conduct.
Biblical Authority
Definition: the divinely derived power of the written Word of God to communicate the character and will of God with certainty and assurance.
The Scriptures Are Authoritative Because:
1. They are God-breathed.
2. They were written by chosen men who were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
3. They were attested to by the Lord Jesus Christ—the second person of the Godhead.
4. They are the Word employed by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12. (1 Timothy 4:1) Sword of the Spirit. Living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, etc.
5. Their own claims are fully vindicated.
Reread 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (Phillips)
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the faith and correcting error, for re-setting the direction of a woman’s life and training her in good living. The Scriptures are the comprehensive equipment of the woman of God, and fit her fully for all branches of His work.
Canonicity
Canon means standard by which the books were measured.
Tests for inclusion in the canon
1. Is it authoritative? (Thus saith the Lord ….)
2. Is it prophetic? (Was it written by a man of God?)
3. Is it authentic? (If in doubt, throw it out.)
4. Is it dynamic? (Did it have the God’s life transforming power?)
5. Was it received, collected, read and used—by the people of God?
Test for New Testament
Apostolic authority or approval was the primary test for canonicity.
Application
If this is true, what must be our response to God’s Word? FAITH! We must believe it because it is inerrant and trustworthy and authoritative. If we believe it, we should desire to obey it. This is the only way to please God. That’s why it’s imperative that we read it, study it, meditate on it, and memorize it. Our minds must be saturated with the Scripture. Then we will recognize error when we hear it. The Scriptures will be a guardian over our minds to protect them. This requires effort on our part. It’s not going to just happen! And you have an enemy who will do anything to keep you from consistency in your time with God’s Word. But you also have the Holy Spirit who inspired the Word and who will make you able to understand it. He is greater and more powerful than our enemy. Depend on Him to help you.
God’s Word should govern our standards of thought and conduct, no matter what the world says. In every circumstance of life, we have the choice to respond according to God’s Word or our own feelings and the advice of others.
Is there an area in your life where you have been taught and corrected by the Scriptures? Have you reset the direction of your life? Is the Scripture equipping and encouraging you to serve the Lord?
Which do you choose to believe when the culture contradicts the Scripture, e.g., abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality?
What choice will you make when tempted to satisfy your sexual longings before marriage or outside of your marriage?
How will God’s Word help you in handling difficult relationships with family or friends?
How will the Scriptures influence the kind of employee you are?
How can God’s Word help you to forgive the sins of another?
How will it help you grow to maturity in Christ?
We are the most blessed of all people. We have a guide for life that has proved trustworthy for 3400 years. There’s not another book in the world like it. God’s Word alone is eternally trustworthy. It will never let us down, because God is faithful and true. But we can only find this to be true in our experience as we believe it and obey it. That is the key to life, joy and spiritual prosperity.
STUDY QUESTIONS
Read Romans 1:18-21
1. What does God reveal about himself to all mankind? Through what means? What is their response? What is God’s verdict?
Read 1 John 5:9-12; John 1:18; Hebrews 1:1-4
2. In what two ways has He further revealed Himself? What is significant about these two ways?
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17
3. How much of Scripture is “God-breathed”? What is it useful for? Can you think of specific instances when it has done that for you?
Read 2 Peter 1:20-21
4. How did the human authors of the Bible know what to write? What methods did God use (Ex 34:27; Jer 1:2; Hos 1:1 Dan 2:1; 7:1; 8:17)?
Read Matthew 5:17-19; John 10:35; Luke 24:27
5. What was Jesus’ view of Old Testament Scripture? In light of His character, why is it important to know how He regarded it?
Read Matthew 1:22-23; 4:14; 8:17; 12:17; 15:7-8; 21:4-5
6. What does the fulfillment of prophecy prove about the Old Testament? How does this strengthen one’s faith in its accuracy?
Read John 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:12-13
7. How did Jesus predict the New Testament would be written? Who would be the Author?
Read Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12
8. How is the Scripture different from other books written hundreds of years ago, e.g. Shakespeare? What claims does it make for itself?
9. If all this is true, what should our attitude be towards the authority of the Bible? Can we trust it to be accurate? How much can we take to be true and authoritative? What should you be doing with it? See Joshua 1:8; 2 Timothy 2:1; Psalm 119:11, 105; James 1:22
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God (Col. 3:16).
Notice that God’s communication with us, which is normally referred to as the Word of God, is described here as the Word of Christ. That phrase is only used here and in one other place in the New Testament, but it reminds us of a very important truth.
The whole Bible is one story and it is all about Jesus Christ. Jesus said to the Pharisees, “The Scriptures… bear witness about me” (Jn. 5:39). On the road to Emmaus, Jesus took two confused disciples through the Old Testament scriptures, showing them “in all the Scriptures, the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27).
Jesus Christ is the central figure in the whole Bible, in both the Old and the New Testaments. In the Old Testament, He is hidden and anticipated. In the New Testament, He is revealed and enjoyed.
The whole point of the Bible is that we should come to know and enjoy and love and serve and believe in and live for Jesus Christ the Son of God, who is the Savior, the Lord of all.
This is the great theme of Colossians: In Him, all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell (1:19). In Him, God has triumphed over all the dark powers (2:15). In Him, believers are rooted and built up and established in the faith (2:7).
The word of Christ, the Bible, is God speaking to us about His Son, or God speaking to us through His Son.
New Thinking about the Bible
The Christian church has been in agreement for nearly 2,000 years that the Bible is the Word of God, one that speaks primarily about his Son, Jesus Christ. I say nearly 2,000 years, because about a hundred years ago some people introduced a new and very different view of the Bible.
Charles Darwin grasped the minds and hearts of many people with his theory of evolution, suggesting that the world could be explained entirely by natural causes and processes. It’s fascinating to follow the story of how in the years that followed, some leaders in the church began to recast their view of the Bible in the light of evolutionary theory.
The church had always held the conviction that the Bible was God’s Word to us. The church believed that God exists, that God has made Himself known, and that the Bible tells us what God has said and what He has done. The Bible is essentially a story about God: God’s world and God’s Word to mankind.
But the new thinking turned all of that on its head. You can imagine how some began to say, “We’ve been told that the story is all about God. What if the story is really about us?”
If this were true, then the Bible would be the evolving story of human thinking about what God might be like. And the Bible would not be God’s words to us, but the record of our words about God. If you believe this, then it is reasonable to conclude that it began very crude, and over time, our view of God has become more sophisticated.
These are two very different views of the Bible. In the one, the Bible is God’s Word to us. In the other, the Bible is our word about God.
What you believe about the Bible will shape how you use it and respond to it.
If you believe that the Bible is a human word about God, you may want to read it for inspiration, but when it does not fit well with your view of life or of the world, you will feel free to disagree and choose your own path.
If the Bible is merely a collection of human words about God, it will be natural for you to say, “That was then, but this is now.”
Why the Word Matters: Three Biblical Convictions
Why is this important? What difference does it make? Why should anyone care whether the Bible is our speaking about God or God speaking to us? It makes all the difference in the world: Here’s why:
1. If God has not spoken, His promises are replaced by our wishes.
Think about some of the great promises of Scripture:
I will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5).
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).
My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory (Phil. 4:19).
Who said these things? If these words came from the mouth of God, if God said them, if they are indeed the Word of God to us, then they are promises on which we can depend. You can take them to the bank. You can build on them in every circumstance of your life.
But if these are human words about God, then they are not promises on which we can depend but merely wishes arising from the heart of Paul or from Isaiah, that we might also cherish.
If you believe that the Bible is our word about God rather than God’s word to us, you undermine the foundation of hope and replace God’s promises to us with our wishes about God.
2. If God has not spoken, His truth is replaced by our opinion.
The Bible says that God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in love. These words are repeated no less than seven times in the Old Testament (Ex. 34:6, Neh. 9:7, Psa. 86:15, Psa. 103:8, Psa. 145:8, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2).
But whose words are these? If God spoke these words to Moses and the prophets, we can be sure that he is indeed gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in love, because He is the one who said it. He has disclosed this Himself.
But if these words arose from the thoughts of Moses, David, Nehemiah, or Jonah, then we do not have truth that we can count on for our lives today. All we have is opinion that arose from the experience of these particular men, and it may or may not prove true for us today.
When you buy into evolutionary theory, conversations in small groups around the Word of God go something like this… Moses believed that God is gracious and merciful, but others have a different experience. What about you? What do you think God is like? How do you see him?
When the Word of God to us is viewed as our word about God, His truth gets replaced by our opinion—and that undermines the foundations of our faith.
3. If God has not spoken, His welcome is replaced by our journey.
The Bible is full of invitations:
Incline your ear and come to me. Hear that your soul may live; I will make with you an everlasting covenant (Isa. 55:3).
Draw near to God and he will draw near to you (Jas. 4:8).
Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow (Isa. 1:18).
Who said these things? If God said them (to and through the prophet Isaiah and the apostle James), then you can be certain that God is reaching out to us in love. That means we can come to Him with confidence. We can enjoy a true and authentic relationship with God because He has invited us to come to Him.
If these words were simply reflections of the thoughts or experience of James and Isaiah, they are only pointers on a journey. They tell us what others have found, but they offer no assurance that we will find the same.
If the Bible is viewed as our words about God rather than God’s word to us, you may have people reaching out and seeking after God, but very, very little finding. Why? Because what is lost is God reaching out in love through his Son, and what you have left is people seeking.
What’s at stake? If the Bible is our word about God rather than God’s word to us, then God’s welcome is replaced by our journey, and we lose the assurance of His love.
Do you see how much this matters? The basis of faith, hope, and love all rest on God having spoken—giving us promises, telling us who He is, inviting us into a relationship with Himself, and telling is how that is possible through His Son Jesus Christ.
When I think about all this, it makes me step back and breathe a big sigh of relief. Thank God for the Word of Christ!
____________
Photo: Unsplash
This article is an adaptation of Pastor Colin’s sermon, “The Word of God”, from his series, Soul Care: Part 2—Four Friends for Your Soul.
Colin Smith is the Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He has authored a number of books, including Heaven, How I Got Here and Heaven, So Near — So Far. Colin is the Founder and Teaching Pastor for Open the Bible. Follow him on Twitter.
Explore Colin’s Work
August 2017
August 2017
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When it comes to the truth of the Bible, modern people often think like George Gershwin: “The things that you’re liable to read in the Bible, it ain’t necessarily so.” After all, says the skeptic, this book is so chock full of fanciful stories and over-the-top miracles that no reasonable person could believe it. Why should we think the Bible is actually from God?
Of course, it needs to be acknowledged that convincing the skeptic of the divine origins of Scripture is no easy task. Since “the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God” (1 Cor. 2:14), it is not as simple as just presenting the facts. The Bible is a spiritual book, so the Spirit must work for us to see it for what it is.
Our arguments may not always convince the skeptics, but that does not mean our arguments are invalid. God has provided ways that we can know these books are from Him.
The books of the Bible have been subjected to the keenest scrutiny and the most rigorous examination by modern scholars.
divine qualities
First, we must recognize that the biblical books have internal qualities that demonstrate that they are from God. Just as natural revelation (the created world) has characteristics that show God is the author of nature (Ps. 19; Rom. 1:20), so we should expect special revelation (Scripture) to have such characteristics that show God is its author.
One example is the efficacy and power of Scripture. It’s not just that Scripture says things, but the Scripture does things. It convicts (Heb. 4:12–13), it encourages (Ps. 119:105), it comforts (v. 50), and it brings wisdom (v. 98). In short, this book is alive. Even more than this, the Bible brings understanding in regard to the biggest questions of life (v. 144). It provides a coherent and compelling worldview that explains reality like no other book.
Another example is the unity and harmony of Scripture. It is incredible to behold how so many different authors—writing in different times, locations, and cultures—can weave together a single, unified, coherent story of the redemption of all things through Christ. Such harmony is not man-made but evidence of a divine origin.
In short, Christians know the Scriptures are God’s Word because in them they hear the voice of their Lord. As Jesus declared, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).
historical origins
In addition to the internal quality of these books, we can also look to the historical origins of these books as evidence of their unique character. These books come from God’s authenticated messengers, prophets and Apostles who were authorized to speak for Him. The Scriptures contain not just the words of human beings but the words of human beings who were called to be God’s mouthpieces (2 Peter 1:21).
Of course, we are not always certain of the particular author of every biblical book (for example, the book of Hebrews). But, even in such cases, we have solid historical evidence that situates these books in time periods and circumstances where we know God was actively working among His people to reveal His Word.
Moreover, it should be noted that the books of the Bible have been subjected to the keenest scrutiny and the most rigorous examination by modern scholars. And time and time again, the books of the Bible have proved themselves to be historically reliable and worthy of our trust.
received by god’s people
A final reason to take the Bible as God’s Word is that God’s Spirit-filled people, for generations and generations, have recognized these books are from God.
Even when Paul explains the inspiration of Scripture to Timothy, he first reminds him to remember “from whom you learned it” (2 Tim. 3:14), namely, his mother and grandmother.
It is not just the testimony of biological family, but also God’s family, His church throughout the ages. The Bible contains the books that God’s people have been using, trusting, reading, and applying for thousands of years. And that testimony should be given its due weight.
In the end, these three reasons provide a great basis for believing that the Scriptures are the Word of God. But, even more than this, we have the testimony of the Lord Jesus Himself. Not only did Christ know and use the Scripture, but He unequivocally affirmed its divine power: “Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35).
So, yes, if we believe the Bible, we will believe in Jesus. But it is also true that if we believe in Jesus, we will believe the Bible.
Dr. Michael J. Kruger is president and Samuel C. Patterson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, N.C. He is author of several books, including Canon Revisited.