Perhaps nothing is more foundational to our Christian faith than the authority of scripture. God reveals Himself to us through His Word, and any attempt to undermine or minimize the inspiration of God’s Word weakens our faith and conviction. We acknowledge and recognize that Jesus Christ is the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2), and that the Bible is God’s Word given to us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to instruct us in the knowledge of who God is and the way we are to live.
Through God’s guidance, Paul teaches us that all of scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching and training the saints (2 Timothy 3:16-17). He did not say some scripture or even vaguely state that scripture was inspired, but made it clear all scripture is God’s Word. This means we can trust the authority of scripture over every area of our lives. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s Word is true.
When discussing the authority of scripture, we must understand that, as followers of Jesus, we affirm the authority of the Bible from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21. God makes no mistakes (Psalm 18:30), and He leaves nothing out we need to know to fulfill His mission. There is nothing you, me, or anyone else needs to add or take away from God’s Word. Those who do attempt to add or take away from the Bible will meet dire consequences when they face the judge of the Universe (Revelation 22:18-19).
While in the desert being tempted by Satan, Jesus affirmed the authority of Scripture by responding to each temptation with a quote from the Old Testament (Matthew 4:3-10). Jesus used Scripture to refute the arguments of the Sadducees (Matthew 22:29-32), as well as quoted from the Scripture when giving His sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:21-22; Matthew 5:27-28). Our Lord lived a perfect life without sin. There is no deceit or lie found in Him (1 Peter 2:21-22). If Jesus recognized the authority of scripture and relied on it, who are we to do any less? Are we smarter, wiser, or more in touch with God than with Jesus? Why, then, would we dare question any part of the Bible?
God’s Word is true from Genesis through Revelation. When Scripture reveals the origins of our world and sin (Genesis 1-3), it is both true and reliable. Scientists and evolutionists decry the creation narrative as too fantastical, unprovable, and requiring too much faith to believe. But their position is even more fantastical and unprovable and requires far more faith to believe. They have no foundation as their starting point. We have God. I admit there are things in the Bible that are hard to grasp or make sense of, but when we recognize God’s Word is true from cover to cover, we understand it is our shortcomings–not the Bible’s–that lead to our consternation.
God’s account of the end of days is as true as His account of the beginning. The Lord is coming back. For those who put their faith in Him and bow to His Lordship, He is returning to welcome us into His Kingdom (John 14:2-3). For those who reject Him, He is coming back to judge and send them to their just punishment (Matthew 25:31-46). I know this because the Bible is true, all the way through (Psalm 119:160). My faith is in God alone. He has given us His Word so we might know Him, love Him, and worship Him. Jesus, His prophets (Isaiah 40:8; Jeremiah 1:9; Daniel 9:2), and His apostles (Acts 2:16-21; Romans 1:17; James 2:23; 1 John 3:11-12), verify the authority of scripture.
God’s Word tells us where we came from and where we are going. It is trustworthy from cover to cover. Never let man shake your faith in what God has gifted to you. If you question one part of the Bible, you must question it all. Scripture is not ours to pick and choose the parts we like or with which we agree. It is the complete revelation of God and trustworthy from beginning to end.