The Bible is Inerrant
The inspired Word of God has had to face consistent criticism from unbelievers regarding perceived contradictions and inaccuracy. When the Sadducees came to the Lord and questioned Him concerning His words, He told them that it was their own misunderstanding of the Scriptures, not His Word that was in error when He said, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures” (Mat 22:29). It is only after careful consideration and interpretation of Scripture by Scripture with help from the Holy Spirit that one finds the Bible is truly flawless in its entirety. The word often used to describe this attribute of Scripture is “inerrant,” which simply means “exempt from error” in all that it affirms. Often this word is confused with the word “infallible” which is similar in meaning but refers more to the reliability of the Scriptures, rather than the emphasis being on the accuracy of Scriptures; albeit, we hold both to be true.
The Old Testament declares the inerrancy of the Bible. The psalmist David could write, “The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times” (Psa 12:6). It is likely David who reiterates these very same thoughts in Psalm 119:89 when he says, “For ever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven.” In the New Testament, however, we turn to the words of the Savior to validate this truth. In response to the covetousness and derision of the Pharisees the Lord would tell them, “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail” (Luk 16:17). Again to His disciples during the Sermon on the Mount He would state that, “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Mat 5:18). Although all things in heaven and on earth may change, His words shall not be surpassed until all His will has been accomplished. With careful accuracy, God gave the Scriptures to us. Not one jot or tittle is out of place!
Denial of either the inspiration or inerrancy of Scripture is a very solemn matter. It is likely that this very mistake has been the catalyst causing many of the religious systems of our day to go astray. This should always be a reminder to us to be cautious in how we use the Word of God. We are forbidden to add to or take away from Scripture. God’s words through Moses were, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it” (Deu 4:2). The gravity of anyone’s altering the contents of God’s Holy Word is conveyed in the words of the Lord Jesus in Revelation 22:18-19, “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
The Bible is Indestructible
Throughout history man has tried to do away with the Bible and its authority. Needless to say, these attempts have been unsuccessful. Why? In John 10:35 the Lord Jesus stated, “The Scripture cannot be broken.” That is, the Scriptures cannot be dissolved, set aside, or rendered ineffective. In light of these words from the Savior, how sweet are Haldor Lillenas’ lines!
The Bible stands like a rock undaunted,
‘Mid the raging storms of time.
Its pages burn with the truth eternal
And they glow with a light sublime.
The Bible stands like a mountain towering,
Far above the works of men.
Its truth by none ever was refuted,
And destroy it none ever can.
The Bible stands
Though the hills may tumble.
It will firmly stand
When the earth shall crumble.
I will plant my feet on its firm foundation.
For the Bible stands!
We have established earlier that the Bible is God’s Word. Therefore, since God is eternal, His Word must also be never-ending. In fact, the New Testament compares the Scriptures to an imperishable seed. 1 Peter 1:23 says, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” Again, it is Isaiah who reminds us in Isaiah 40:8 that, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our God shall stand for ever.” No other book will ever stand the test of time like the Bible. It should ever be a great comfort to us that God has seen fit to provide us with His eternal Word, a guide that will never be out of date and never be put aside. It is therefore with confidence that we can read the Scriptures and know that the Bible is the supreme authority of God because it is inspired, it is inerrant, and it is indestructible.
“For Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name” (Psalm 138:2).
