Authority of the Bible
A person’s attitude toward religion is determined by their concept of what the Bible is. If they believe that the Bible is merely an historical book, then they view the laws of God as non-applicable to their life. If they accept the Bible as only a literary work, then they are limited as to what they accept as God’s Word. But, if they accept the Bible as the infallible, inerrant, plenary, authoritative, verbally inspired Word of God, they cannot be indifferent to what the Bible teaches and must believe and do what the Bible says and commands. They must avoid what the Bible prohibits or else risk the loss of their soul.
If we are going to maintain God’s approved view of the Bible, we must accept evidence found within the Bible.
What does the Bible claim for itself?
The Bible claims to be inspired: “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:16-17)
A short definition of inspiration is “God breathed”. By that it simply means that Bible scripture came from God just as surely as your breath comes from your body. The breath of God entered figuratively into the scriptures. The apostle Peter explains: “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (II Peter 1:20-21). These verses teach that the authors of the Bible were directed or moved by the Holy Spirit.
The Bible is not of human origin. The apostle Paul reaffirmed the origin of the message: “For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12). Bible authors clearly state that the Holy Scriptures did not originate with them. They were moved by God and wrote in response to God’s command.
But do we have God’s Word today?
No one today has the original scriptures, but we do have transcribed copies from the original scriptures and written in the original languages of Hebrew, Greek and a small portion in Aramaic.
What about today’s translations of Bible? Are they inspired of God? The original languages of scriptures were adequate in conveying God’s message and will to mankind. It does not change the original message when translated into any language. If the translation is a true and correct translation, it coveys the same inspired message and meaning as the original writings.
Today’s Bibles, that are true translations, are composed of inspired scriptures that have survived through time. Their message from God is just as inspired as the original writings.
Be sure of this one thing: “For, ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALL OFF, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER, and this is the word which was preached to you” (I Peter 1:24-25).
Yes, we can be assured that we have God’s Word today in the Holy Bible. Do you believe the Bible is the infallible, inerrant, plenary, authoritative, verbally inspired WORD OF GOD? Are you obeying the revealed WORD OF GOD?
