The Bible

The Bible

The Bible is the written Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit. God breathed into the prophets, apostles, and evangelists the thoughts and words they were to write, expressed in their own personal styles and within their historical settings. The Bible is God’s fully authoritative and truthful Word for us in all its words.

The Scriptures can be understood only within their grammatical and historical context. Because the Spirit inspired all the authors over a period of 1,500 years, there is a unity in their message, so that one part of Scripture helps interpret other parts. Scripture alone is the source of God’s revelation to guide our faith and life in Christ. We are to read and study it diligently, praying for the Spirit to enlighten us, while using our reason—submitted to God’s Word—to understand its message for us.

In its unfolding narrative from Genesis to Revelation, Holy Scripture clearly teaches the central message that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. The Bible does not merely inform us. Jesus, the incarnate Word, reveals himself through the written Word and transforms us.

Scripture Passages

Matthew 4:4 – [Jesus:] “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’”

John 17:17 – “Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth.”

John 14:26 – [Jesus said to the apostles:] “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I told you.”

1 Thessalonians 2:13 – “…when you received God’s word, which you heard from us, you did not receive it as the word of men but as the word of God (as it really is), which is now at work in you who believe.”

2 Peter 1:19-21 – “We also have the completely reliable prophetic word. You do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts…”

2 Timothy 3:15-17 – “…from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training in righteousness…”