8. Why can we be confident that the bible is the authoritative and inerrant Word of God?
In the Gospel, the central message of the Bible, God promises us new life on the basis of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. God's promises alone create faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself, whom we trust, declares that all the Scriptures are God's own words, completely dependable in all they teach, and without error.
A. Jesus uses the Old Testament Scriptures as God's Word. He continually affirms Scripture as authoritative with phrases such as "It is written" and "Have you not read?" (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10; 19:4). He assures us that "Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35).
B. Jesus claims the same authority for Himself, saying, for example, "I say to you" (Matthew 5:22, 28, 32), or "Truly, truly, I say" (John 6:47; see also John 5:47), or explicitly claiming His words to be "spirit and life" (John 6:63; see also John 8:31-32).
C. Just as God called and authorized prophets in the Old Testament, put His words in their mouths, and fulfilled their prophecies, so also Jesus called and authorized His apostolic witnesses to speak His Word, guided by His Spirit (Luke 10:16; John 14:26; Acts 1:8; 2 Peter 1:16-21; 1 John 1:1-4).
Note: We believe the Word of God has the power in itself to convince the reader or hearer of its authority. Because it is God's Word, it is self-authenticating. The Word of God does what it says. Read Isaiah 55:10-11.
Eventual commentary
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