What We Believe #5 – Bible
3½ minute video: https://fb.watch/fYzbVzaUEx/
When composing a Statement of Faith, where would you start? What would take first priority? What would logically follow?
Appropriate in my mind, after describing God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we make an affirmation about the Bible itself.
“The Old and New Testaments, inerrant as originally given, were verbally inspired by God and are a complete revelation of His will for our salvation. They constitute the divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice (2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 3:15-17).”
The 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament are authoritative. The words of a CEO carry more weight than a secretary. The words of a referee carry more weight than a player. And the words of God carry more weight than anybody.
The Bible is God speaking to all humanity, his written revelation. God is the ultimate authority, and his Word is the final authority in all matters of faith and life. As Martin Luther said, “When the Scripture speaks, God speaks.”
Plus, the whole Bible is inspired in all its parts, not just portions of it. We can’t say that one part is more inspired or one part is less inspired. The whole Bible is fully God’s Word.
To say that the Bible as originally given is inerrant is saying that the Bible is mistake free. It is truthful and accurate in all it affirms. Archeology, for instance, consistently verifies the Bible’s trustworthy nature by uncovering ancient history or geography just as the Bible already stated.
In addition, the very words of the human authors, not just their thoughts, were verbally inspired by God. All the words in Scripture are God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16).
Of course the biblical writers were fully conscious of what they were doing. Their personalities shine through their writings. At the same time, God was guiding their very words.
God’s Word is truth – unable to mislead, deceive, or disappoint – concerning God, faith, and life. The Word of God is completely trustworthy as a guide to salvation and for Christian living.
It gives us a reliable testimony of God’s revelation and Christ’s redemption. Its good news is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). It infallibly accomplishes the purposes for which it was written.
The Bible – in every line you read, God is speaking to you.
~ Pastor Dave
