THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD,
AND IS INSPIRED AND INFALLIBLE
By J.Ullman
The Bible
claims to be of divine origin — and provides from within its pages ample proof
to support the claim, particularly in relation to fulfilled prophecy.
The men
responsible for recording the words of the Bible wrote as God directed them.
Thus, whilst many men contributed to the compilation of the Bible over the
course of some 17 centuries, the real author of the book is God. One of the most impressive proofs as to the
authority and authenticity of the Bible is that, although its compilation was
effected over a period of more than 1,500 years, the basic message remains
uniform throughout, irrefutable, and without contradiction.
And if
the Great Creator is perfect in all His ways, His word likewise must be
flawless and complete. That is, in its original composition. There are many
versions of the Bible in English and in other languages. The Student will find
that all these renditions have their flaws and deficiencies, due to human error.
However, all alleged inconsistencies or discrepancies in the Bible may be
satisfactorily reconciled if sufficient care is taken in the pursuit of sound
knowledge.
Two key
verses of scripture on this subject are found in 1Thess. 2:12-13: “That ye would
walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. For this
cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of
God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it
is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that
believe.” (AV) [1] . In
this passage we learn a number of things: the beliefs preached by the apostles
were not “the word of men“ i.e. philosophies which the apostles had
thought out for themselves, or adopted from other men. The apostles taught only
“the word of God” and the Believers at Thessalonica were commended by Paul for
receiving his preaching in that spirit. Paul stated that the things he had
propounded were ‘the truth”. And he explained that a sound knowledge of
the word of God will enable Christ’s disciples (in every age) to ‘walk worthy
of God” until the coming of “His kingdom and glory. . . “ (v. 12). When these ;_”words” of divine origin are working
in the mental processes and moral actions of individuals, the “gospel”
becomes a tremendous power to transform the life of the Believer into a life
that is acceptable to God (cp Ro 1:16) [2]
Paul
wrote that the power of the word of God “effectually worketh” or, it is
“inwardly working” (Roth) The Greek word which has been rendered “effectually”
is energo, from which we have our English word “energy”
To
illustrate the meaning of these two verses, consider the operation of a power
station and what it produces. Fuel (generally oil or coal) is brought in to the
power station and becomes the energy which drives the turbines. The turbines
are set in motion, and electricity is generated. You may then flick a switch
and electricity will lighten a bulb, and light will flood forth to dispel
darkness. Thus, the Bible is of divine origin; and it can become both “fuel”
and “turbine” which will produce spiritual energy and flood the mind of the
individual with divine “light”. Other passages which should be carefully
examined in relation to this subject are:
Heb. 1:1-2;
Neh. 9:30; Isa. 55:8-11; Jer. 1:5-7; Amos 3:7:
“God,
having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions
and in divers manners, hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in [his]
Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the
worlds;” (Heb 1:1-2 ASV)
“Yet many
years didst thou bear with them, and testifiedst against them by thy Spirit
through thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them
into the hand of the peoples of the lands.” (Ne 9:30 ASV)
“For my
thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your
ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down and the
snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh
it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so
shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me
void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the
thing whereto I sent it.” (Isa 55:8-11 ASV)
“Before I
formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the
womb I sanctified thee; I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations. Then
said I, Ah, Lord Jehovah! behold, I know not how to speak; for I am a child.
But Jehovah said unto me, Say not, I am a child; for to whomsoever I shall send
thee thou shalt go, and whatsoever I shall command thee thou shalt speak.” (Jer
1:5-7 ASV)
“Surely
the Lord Jehovah will do nothing, except he reveal his secret unto his servants
the prophets.” (Am 3:7 ASV)
Jhn.
17:17; Rom. 15:4-6; 1 Cor. 2:13; 14:37; 2 Tim. 3:14-16:
“Sanctify
them in the truth: thy word is truth.” (Joh 17:17 ASV)
“For
whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that
through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope. Now
the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with
another according to Christ Jesus: that with one accord ye may with one mouth
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ro 15:4-6 ASV)
“Which
things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the
Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual [words].” (1Co 2:13
ASV)
“If any
man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of
the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.”
(1Co 14:37 ASV)
“But
abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of,
knowing of whom thou hast learned them. And that from a babe thou hast known
the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus. Every scripture inspired of God [is] also
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is
in righteousness.” (2Ti 3:14-16 ASV)
2 Pet.
1:20-21:
“knowing
this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. For no
prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by
the Holy Spirit.” (2Pe 1:20-21 ASV) [3]
[1] “to continue walking in a worthy manner before The God who invited you into His own Kingdom and Glory. And we also constantly give thanks to The God because when you accepted God’s Word that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human message but as what it actually is–God’s Word. It continues to work within all of you believers.” (1Th 2:12-13 MHM)
[2] “For I am not ashamed of the good news because it is God’s power resulting in salvation to everyone who believes–to a Jew first and but also to a Greek.” (Ro 1:16 MHM)
[3] “Sanctify them in the Truth. Your Word is the Truth.” (Joh 17:17 MHM)
“Because everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. So by endurance and by the comfort of the Scriptures we may have the Hope. Now The God of patience and encouragement give all of you the same mind in harmony with Christ Jesus. So with everyone having the same mind, in one mouth glorify The God and Father of our Master Jesus Christ.” (Ro 15:4-6 MHM)
“These things we also speak–not in words taught by human wisdom–but rather in [words] taught by the Pneuma–as we discern pneumatic things pneumatically.” (1Co 2:13 MHM)
“If anyone thinks they are a prophet or a pneumatic person, let that man acknowledge these things I am writing to all of you, because it is the Master’s commandment.” (1Co 14:37 MHM)
“But, as for you [Timothy], you remain in what you have learned and have been persuaded to believe, realizing from whom you learned. And that how from your very infancy you were made acquainted with the sacred writings, those that are able to make you wise for salvation through deep conviction in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for readjusting everything, for disciplining in righteousness.” (2Ti 3:14-16 MHM)
“But be aware this first, that every prophecy of Scripture is not from some personal release, nor borne from human will at any time, but rather humans spoke from God being borne along by holy Pneuma.” (2Pe 1:20-21 MHM)



