In discussing any religious subject, both parties must agree on one point-God's word is the final say in all spiritual matters. Allow me to present some of the reasons why this is so.
It Is Divinely Inspired. Every word came from God's mind. The Bible did not come from the minds of men.
- "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." {2 Timothy 3:16,17}
- "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." {2 Peter 1:20,21}
- "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual." {1 Corinthians 2:12,13}
It Is Pure. There are no blemishes on the record. Following its teaching causes us to live pure lives.
- "The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." {Psalm 12:6}
- "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." {James 3:17}
It Has Supreme Authority. There is no other authority in spiritual matters. Nothing supersedes the authority of the Scriptures.
- "Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right, I hate every false way." {Psalm 119:128}
- "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." {Colossians 3:17}
It Has Perfect Unity. God's word tells one complete story. It agrees from beginning to end. There are no contradictions; among the writers, there is perfect harmony.
- "If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken)," {John 10:35}
- "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life, and these are they which testify of Me." {John 5;39}
It Is Permanent. God's word will never be destroyed. When this world is on fire, it will remain.
- "But the word of the LORD endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you." {1 Peter 1:25}
- "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." {Matthew 24:35}
- "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him, the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." {John 12:48}
The word is powerful enough to accomplish what God said it would. No book is its equal, and no book has done more to change men's lives. It's been the number-ONE seller for over 150 years, and it is translated into more languages than any other book. Quite a book!