The authority and inspiration of the Bible:
The authority and inspiration of the Bible:
Inspiration
- 2 Peter 1:21: "For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (NIV)
- 1 Corinthians 2:13: "This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words." (NIV)
- Hebrews 1:1-2: "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son." (NIV)
Infallibility
- Psalm 119:142: "Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true." (NIV)
- Matthew 5:18: "For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." (NIV)
- John 10:35: "Scripture cannot be set aside." (NIV)
Authority
- Isaiah 40:8: "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever." (NIV)
- Matthew 24:35: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (NIV)
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13: "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is alive and active." (NIV)
Sufficiency
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (NIV)
- Psalm 19:7-11: "The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple." (NIV)
- Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (NIV)
These references demonstrate the Bible's:
1. Divine inspiration
2. Infallibility and authority
3. Sufficiency for teaching and guidance