Know the Bible is the Word of God

How You can know the Bible is the Word of God.

Westminster Confession of Faith

Chapter 1.4 The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it as the Word of God.

Chapter 1.5  We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scripture, and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole, (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet, notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the word in our hearts.

“13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:13)

“10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:10)

Introduction

There are several books that claim to be the Word of God. The Bible, the Koran, the Book of Mormon, are just a few examples.  Because each of these books claim to be the Word of God and contain teachings that contradict each other, we can conclude they all cannot be the Word of God. How can we know that the Bible is the Word of the Living and True God? The answer to this question comes in two parts: First, the Bible abundantly evidences itself to be the Word of God; second, the Spirit of God enables us to know that the Bible is the Word of God, bearing witness to us by and through the written Word.

The Bible Evidences itself to be the Word of God

“…the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole, (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God” (WCF 1:5)

If a book is the Word of God, it will have content that will distinguish it from other books. For example, it will claim to be the Word of God; it will talk about heavenly matters, it will reveal who God is, what His nature is, and what pleases Him; it will be coherent, it will provide wisdom to live by, etc. It is through its content that the Bible abundantly evidences itself to be the writen Word of God.

Here are some of the internal evidences that the Bible is the Word of God

  • The Bible claims to be the Word of God

The first evidence the Bible is the Word of God is its claims to be so. It is true this is not proof the Bible is the Word of God and there are several books that claim to be the word of God, however, if a book is going to be the Word of God it must make this claim. Why would we consider a book to be the word of God if the book itself did not claim to be the word of God? The Bible makes this claim. It declares itself to be the very words of God.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (Timothy 3:16)

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21)

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

“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.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

  • The Bible Reveals Heavenly Matters

Next, it speaks of heavenly things. We would not expect the Word of God to give us instruction on fixing a car, but we would expect it to reveal knowledge about God, heaven and other spiritual matters. The Bible's central purpose is to reveal God and his will.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8)

  • The Bible Reveals a God who is Worthy of Worship

The God of the Bible is not a god of man’s imagination. He does not have the limits and petty human qualities the so-called gods of the Greeks and Romans have. The God of the Bible is the only Supreme being. He has all the qualities that make a being great and He has these qualities perfectly. He is God and He has no rivals.  

“There is but one only living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions; immutable, immense, eternal,( incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free,( most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin, the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him; and withal, most just, and terrible in His judgments; hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.” (Westminster Confession of faith, chapter 2.1)

  • The Bible’s Teachings are Effective

“And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.” (Deuteronomy 28:2)

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

The Bible contains wisdom that when applied results in many blessings for the individual, the family, and society. The Bible provides equitable civil laws which if followed secure, life, liberty and property. It provides economic rules that establish free and productive markets. It provides rules on how to establish a godly household and raise responsible child. In short, the Bible provides ethical rules that govern every area of life which, if followed, results in blessings from God and if broken result in affliction.  

The gospel message effectively calls people out of slavery to sin and hostility to God into God’s faithful service. It reveals the only way the demands of the Law which are against us can be satisfied without each of us suffering the punishment we deserve. It transforms people who willfully break the Ten Commandments into people who strive to keep the Ten Commandments. (See: The Gospel)

  • The Bible’s content is Unified & Coherent

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;” (Hebrews 1:1)

The Bible was written by more than forty authors, over many centuries, and yet there is a unity of content which is to Glorify God and reveal His will to mankind. And despite the different authors and the span of time, the content of the Bible does not contradict itself.

The Bible has many human authors but only one Divine Author. So rather than being a collection of varied human opinions, it is the revelation of the living and true God. Each part of the Bible agreeing with and supporting all other parts.

  • The Bible Doctrines are Comprehensive

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

The Bible provides a comprehensive belief system. It provides answers to all the foundational questions of life. It reveals who God is, his nature, will and works; where all things came from and their purpose; the nature and purpose of man. It provides a comprehensive moral standard, just civil laws, the purpose and limits of government, economics rules, and the only way of being reconciled to God.  It reveals what mankind should believe and how he should behave.

It answers the foundational questions of science: origins of space, time, matter, life, the organizing forces of nature, the fine tuning of the universe, and the information in the genetic code; of philosophy: is there a God, what is His nature, the meaning and purpose of life, the source of laws of logic, Laws of morality, universal concepts necessary for experience, and the foundation and source of all knowledge; of psychology: what is wrong with man and what is the solution.

  • The Holy Spirit Enables you to Know the Bible is the Word of God

“…yet, notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the word in our hearts.” (WCF 1:5)

Even though the Bible abundantly evidences itself to be the Word of God, these evidences do not prove that it is. They indeed provide a reasonable person with good arguments to believe the Bible is the Word of God, but to know Bible is the Word of God is the work of the Holy Spirit working in you, while bearing witness to you by and through the Word itself.

God did not leave knowledge of Himself up to the feeble efforts of man’s wisdom (See: How We Know God Exists), and He has not left the “full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority of the Bible” up to the judgment of fallen man. God enables those who are being saved to know that the Bible is the Word of God.

“But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth…27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (1 John 2:20)

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:13)

“12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,” (Ephesians 1:18)

“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.” (Psalm 65:4

Conclusion

The Bible is self-authenticating. It’s content abundantly evidences it to be the Word of God and the Holy Spirit (the Author), enables those who are being saved to know that the Bible is the Word of God.

Paul writes:

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

Such faith and knowledge is a gift of God. Read God’s Word and pray that the God of grace will enable to you know the truth and authority of His Word.