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THE BIBLE: IS IT RELIABLE?

The Inerrant Word: The Bible

The Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. It is the ultimate authority for faith, truth, and righteous living. God, in His divine wisdom, has given His Word as a guide for humanity, revealing His character, His will, and His plan for salvation.

The Bible is Inspired by God (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."

  • The Bible is not merely a human document but is divinely inspired by God Himself.

  • Every word carries divine purpose and instruction for life.

The Bible is Without Error (Proverbs 30:5)

"Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him."

  • Because God is perfect, His Word is perfect and free from error.

  • It stands the test of time, proving itself to be accurate and reliable in all aspects—historically, scientifically, and spiritually.

The Bible is Eternal and Unchanging (Isaiah 40:8)

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever."

  • Unlike human philosophies or opinions, the Word of God remains unchanged and relevant through all generations.

  • It continues to be a foundation of truth, regardless of cultural shifts or societal changes.

The Bible is the Ultimate Authority (Matthew 4:4)

"Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

  • God's Word provides the standard for truth, morality, and salvation.

  • It serves as the foundation upon which believers build their faith and decision-making.

The Bible Reveals God’s Plan for Salvation (Romans 10:17)

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ."

  • The Bible points to Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation.

  • It shows the depth of God's love, His redemptive plan, and His desire for all to come to Him.

The Bible Transforms Lives (Hebrews 4:12)

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

  • More than just words on a page, the Bible is powerful and life-changing.

  • It convicts, encourages, strengthens, and leads people into deeper relationship with God.

Trust in God’s Word

The Bible is God's unshakable truth, given to guide, correct, and encourage His people. As we read, study, and apply it to our lives, we walk in the wisdom, power, and grace of our Creator.

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." (Psalm 119:105)

Inerrant means "without error" or "completely true and reliable in all aspects." When people say the Bible is inerrant, they mean that it is completely accurate, truthful, and free from mistakes in its original manuscripts because it is inspired by God.

Biblical Inerrancy in Christianity

Many Christians believe that the Bible is inerrant, meaning:

  1. God is perfect – Since God is perfect (Psalm 18:30), His Word is also perfect.
  2. The Bible is divinely inspired – 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT) says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.”
  3. Truthful in all it teaches – Proverbs 30:5 (NLT) says, “Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to Him for protection.”

Does Inerrancy Mean There Are No Differences in the Bible?

While translations and copies may contain minor differences in wording, biblical inerrancy applies to the original manuscripts written by the biblical authors. Scholars work to translate and preserve the Bible accurately so we can trust its message today.

The Bible: Is It Reliable?

The reliability of the Bible is one of the most important questions a person can ask. If it is truly God's Word, then its message carries ultimate authority and truth. Here’s a look at why the Bible can be trusted based on historical, prophetic, and spiritual evidence.

Historical Accuracy

  • Archaeological Evidence

    • Many discoveries confirm biblical accounts. For example:
      • The Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered in 1947) affirm the accuracy of Old Testament texts.
      • The existence of biblical figures such as King David and Pontius Pilate has been confirmed by inscriptions and records.

  • Manuscript Evidence

    • The Bible has more ancient manuscript copies than any other historical document:
      • New Testament: Over 5,800 Greek manuscripts, with some dating to within 100 years of the original writings.
      • Old Testament: The Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls confirm incredible accuracy in transmission.
    • Comparatively, the closest historical text (Homer’s Iliad) has about 1,800 copies, with a gap of nearly 500 years from the original.

Fulfilled Prophecy

  • The Bible contains hundreds of prophecies that have come true with stunning accuracy, such as:
    • Messianic Prophecies
      • Jesus' birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; fulfilled in Matthew 2:1).
      • His crucifixion (Psalm 22:16; fulfilled in John 19:18).
      • His resurrection (Psalm 16:10; fulfilled in Acts 2:31).
    • Historical Prophecies
      • The rise and fall of empires (Daniel 2, 7) predicted Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome long before they dominated history.

Scientific and Logical Consistency

  • While not a science textbook, the Bible contains scientific insights that align with modern discoveries:

    • The roundness of the earth (Isaiah 40:22).
    • The hydrologic water cycle (Ecclesiastes 1:7, Job 36:27-28).
    • The vast number of stars in the sky (Genesis 15:5, Jeremiah 33:22).

  • Logical Coherence

    • The Bible presents a consistent, unified message over 1,500 years, written by 40+ authors from different backgrounds.

Changed Lives

  • Millions throughout history have experienced life transformation by following biblical teachings.
  • Former skeptics, such as C.S. Lewis and Lee Strobel, investigated Christianity and became strong believers due to the overwhelming evidence.
  • Countless testimonies show how the Bible’s message brings hope, purpose, and healing to individuals worldwide.

Conclusion: Can We Trust the Bible?

Yes! The Bible is historically accurate, prophetically fulfilled, scientifically sound, and spiritually powerful. Its reliability is unmatched among ancient texts, and its impact continues to change lives today.

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever." (Isaiah 40:8)

What Is Scripture? 

  • Scripture means sacred or holy writings. 
  • Scripture can refer to one verse, one passage, one chapter, one book (of the Bible), or to the entire Bible. 
  • Scripture is God’s Word; therefore, to quote Scripture is to quote God. 
  • Scripture in the New Testament has equal authority with Scripture in the Old Testament. 

“Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. ... His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.”  (2 Peter 3:15–16) 

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”   (2 Timothy 3:16)

God’s Heart on the Bible

The Bible is not just a book—it is the very Word of God, given to humanity as a revelation of His heart, His truth, and His will. It reflects His character, His promises, and His deep desire for a relationship with His people. Here’s what Scripture reveals about God’s heart regarding His Word:

The Bible is God-Breathed

God’s heart is for His people to know Him, and He has revealed Himself through the Scriptures.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)

  • Every word of the Bible is inspired by God and carries divine authority.

  • It serves as a guide for faith, truth, and righteous living.

God’s Word is Eternal and Unchanging

Unlike human words that fade, God’s Word stands forever.

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever." (Isaiah 40:8)

  • The Bible is not subject to cultural shifts or human opinions—it remains true and relevant for all generations.

  • God’s heart is for His people to have a firm foundation in His unchanging truth.

The Bible is a Light and a Guide

God desires to lead His people on the right path, and He does so through His Word.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)

  • His heart is to guide, protect, and direct His people.

  • When life feels uncertain, His Word provides wisdom, clarity, and direction.

God’s Word Brings Life and Transformation

The Bible is not just informative—it is transformative.

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

  • God’s heart is for His Word to penetrate deep into our hearts, bringing renewal, conviction, and spiritual growth.

  • It has the power to change lives, break chains, and heal brokenness.

God’s Word is the Source of Truth

In a world filled with confusion and deception, God has given His Word as the absolute truth.

"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17)

  • God’s heart is for His people to be set apart by His truth, rather than being led astray by falsehoods.

  • His Word provides clarity on who He is, who we are, and how we are to live.

The Bible Reveals God’s Love and Redemption

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells the story of God’s love for humanity.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

  • God’s heart is for every person to know His love, grace, and plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.

  • His Word reveals His redemptive plan and the hope we have in Him.

God Calls Us to Meditate on His Word

God desires His people to know, study, and cherish His Word.

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." (Joshua 1:8)

  • His heart is for us to internalize His Word, allowing it to shape our thoughts, actions, and decisions.

  • Regular engagement with Scripture deepens our relationship with Him.

God’s Heart is for Us to Know and Live by His Word

God gave the Bible as a divine love letter, a source of truth, and a guide for life. It reflects His unchanging heart—a heart that longs for His people to walk in wisdom, freedom, and love.

"The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." (Psalm 119:130)

How Can the Bible Be Authoritative?

The all-powerful God, the Creator of everything, has the power to communicate whatever message He chooses and to control the writing of that message so that it is infallible, inerrant, inclusive, and inspired—exactly what He intended. The Bible has authority because God, who is perfect, used imperfect human authors to write down His very words, which He perfectly protected. In fact, God Himself gives a graphic illustration describing His power to protect His Word.…

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not  return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10–11)

The Bible Has Authority because It Is…

  • Inspired: The Bible is supernaturally inspired.… It comes from

God Himself. The English word “inspired” comes from the Greek word the opneustos, which means “God-breathed.” In fact, the Bible is the precise message God wanted recorded.…

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

  • Infallible: The Bible is incapable of deception.… It is totally trustworthy. In fact, the Bible is totally truthful.… It will not mislead because …

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7)

  • Inerrant: The Bible tells the truth and does so without error.…

It is absolutely accurate. In fact, the Bible contains no mistake, falsehood, or flaw…

“The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.” (Psalm 12:6)

  • Inclusive: The Bible is all inclusive.… It encompasses all truth necessary for life. In fact, the Bible contains everything we need for…
  • Salvation “By this gospel you are saved.” (1 Corinthians 15:2)
  • Instruction “Preach the Word … correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Timothy 4:2).
  • Hope “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)
  • Blessing “The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25)
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