Can I Trust the Bible?

All of Scripture is Trustworthy

Scripture is totally authoritative. “All Scripture,” Paul writes, “is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). Not some of the Scriptures, not partially profitable. The entirety of the Bible is breathed by God. Of course, humans penned the words, but there is equally divine authorship. The phrase “breathed out by God” is rendered from the Greek theopneustos, which is more than simply inspired by God. In fact, it is the only time this word is used in all the New Testament. Paul is attaching God with the Scriptures, which crowns them with divine authority.

All of Scripture is God’s Word

Since God is holy, He cannot sin, therefore, He cannot lie. “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind” (Nm. 23:19). Which means the word of God is infallible and inerrant. Since God is omniscient and omnibenevolent, the wisdom within the Scriptures is perfect and right to be followed. It is the very breath (pneuma) of God (theos) and therefore completely true and trustworthy.

All of Scripture is Sufficient

Not only is Scripture beneficial for the individual believer and their maturing in Christlikeness, but the words and ways of Jesus instructs the church in how to structure itself and operate. Who should be an elder? The Bible provides instruction and wisdom. What is the aim for the Christian in the world? The Bible provides instruction and wisdom. How should the elders lead the flock? The Bible provides instruction and wisdom. Peter testifies to the sufficiency of Scripture. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2 Pet. 1:3).

All of Scripture is Authoritative

Before Jesus ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father, he turned to his disciples and said: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Christ has the authority. The Scriptures are authoritative because they are themselves the very words of God. Not only that, but the content within the pages of Scripture document and testify to the life and ministry of Jesus. The ways and words of Jesus are what he instructed his disciples to pass on to the coming generations of disciples. Where else can we find “all that I have commanded you” than in the Scriptures? Nowhere else. Therefore, the Bible is essential for the Christian and the church.