What does the Bible say about. . . the Bible? Are the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament entirely and totally trustworthy?
The Bible is breathed-out by God. It is literally the very word of God given to human authors. Theologians call this the verbal plenary inspiration of the Scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:16 states, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” The Holy Spirit moved upon the hearts and minds of human authors to inspire them to write exactly what God wanted written down. 2 Peter 1:20-21states, “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
Since it is the very Word of God, the Bible does not contain any errors in the original manuscripts and is therefore inerrant. Proverbs 30:5 states, “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
Since the Bible is God’s absolute Word and it is error-free, the Scriptures have absolute authority in all matters of faith and practice. We should adjust or align our lives under the absolute authority of God’s written Word. Jesus said in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” This is a very emphatic construction in the original language to illustrate the fact that God’s Word is “THE” truth with a capital “T”.
Psalm 19 gives us great insight into the nature of God’s written Word—the Bible. Psalm 19:7-8 states, “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
David gives four wonderful descriptions of God’s Word. First of all, God’s Word is perfect. This word means “blameless” in that it contains no errors, it is absolutely true, and as a result, it leads us to restoration and forgiveness—it refreshes us. The word for “revive” in Hebrew actually means “repent or turn.” In other words, the Bible leads us to repentance.
Second, God’s Word is sure which means it is “established and trustworthy” as a sure foundation. What results when you trust and obey God’s Word? It gives us wisdom for living. Obedience to God is not a matter of intelligence or IQ but on how we saturate ourselves in the Scripture and are “Bible people.” Colossians 3:16 tells us to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” conveying the idea that we need to saturate or immerse or marinate ourselves in the Bible.
Third, God’s Word is right which really means “straight” in that there is no deviation or turning in God’s Word. It absolutely right and true and it leads us to rejoice deeply in our hearts. Disobeying God’s Word brings heartache, a lack of peace, and turmoil while obedience brings joy.
Finally, God’s Word is pure. There is no evil or stain in God’s infallible Word, and as a result, it gives light to our eyes. The Scriptures open our eyes to truth, expose our errors, and show us the glory of God.
I pray that you are connected to a church family that faithfully upholds the inspiration, inerrancy, authority, and sufficiency of Scripture. May we be like those in the town of Berea in Acts 17:11 who “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”
Emmanuel Baptist Church 