Topical Encyclopedia The Scriptures, commonly referred to as the Bible, are regarded as the divinely inspired Word of God, serving as the ultimate authority for faith and practice. The belief in the Scriptures as trustworthy and authoritative is a foundational tenet of the Christian faith. This entry explores the reasons why the Scriptures should be believed, drawing from biblical texts and theological principles.Divine Inspiration and Authority The Scriptures claim divine inspiration, asserting that they are not merely human words but the very words of God. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 , it is written, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." This passage underscores the belief that the Scriptures are breathed out by God, making them inherently authoritative and reliable. Fulfillment of Prophecy The fulfillment of prophecy is a compelling reason to believe in the Scriptures. The Bible contains numerous prophecies that have been fulfilled with remarkable accuracy. For instance, the prophecies concerning the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are seen as evidence of the divine origin of the Scriptures. In Luke 24:44 , Jesus Himself affirms the fulfillment of Scripture: "He said to them, 'These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.'" Historical Reliability The historical reliability of the Scriptures is another reason for belief. Archaeological discoveries and historical research have consistently corroborated the biblical narrative. The historical accounts in the Bible, such as those found in the books of Kings and Chronicles, align with external historical records, lending credibility to the biblical text. Transformative Power The transformative power of the Scriptures in the lives of individuals and communities is a testament to their divine origin. Hebrews 4:12 states, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." This verse highlights the dynamic and life-changing nature of the Scriptures, which have the power to convict, comfort, and guide believers. Testimony of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ's testimony about the Scriptures further affirms their truthfulness. In John 17:17 , Jesus prays, "Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth." Jesus' affirmation of the Scriptures as truth underscores their reliability and the necessity of believing in them. Apostolic Witness The apostles, as eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ, also attest to the truth of the Scriptures. In 2 Peter 1:20-21 , the apostle Peter writes, "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." This passage emphasizes that the Scriptures are not the product of human invention but are divinely inspired. Faith and Reason Belief in the Scriptures is not contrary to reason but is supported by it. The coherence, consistency, and historical veracity of the biblical text provide a rational basis for faith. Moreover, the internal witness of the Holy Spirit confirms the truth of the Scriptures to the believer's heart, as described in 1 Corinthians 2:12-14 : "We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." In summary, the belief in the Scriptures as the authoritative Word of God is supported by their divine inspiration, fulfillment of prophecy, historical reliability, transformative power, the testimony of Jesus Christ, apostolic witness, and the harmony of faith and reason. These elements collectively affirm the trustworthiness and truth of the Scriptures, encouraging believers to place their faith in them. Torrey's Topical Textbook John 2:22When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this to them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library That the Jews could Understand Nothing of the Scriptures Unless ... But as the Wills of Friends, which are not Seen, are Believed ... It is with no Loss or Disparagement Therefore of his Divine Nature ... Nor Let this Promise Seem to You Contrary to the Natural Structure ... Some Scriptures for Daily Practise. On the Words of the Gospel, John v. 39, "Ye Search the Scriptures ... The Occasion and Purpose of this "Manual" On the Perfection of the Scriptures These Things, Since they are Asserted Upon the Warrant of the ... The Attack on the Scriptures Resources What are redaction criticism and higher criticism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is new covenant theology? | GotQuestions.org I am a Jehovah's Witness. Why should I consider becoming a Christian? | GotQuestions.org Scriptures: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Scriptures: Inspired by God ("God-Breathed"; Greek: Theopneustos) Scriptures: Interpreted by Doctors (Religious "Experts") The Scriptures are Able to Make Wise to Salvation Through Faith in Christ The Scriptures are an Unerring Guide The Scriptures are Called The: Book The Scriptures are Called The: Book of the Law The Scriptures are Called The: Book of the Lord The Scriptures are Called The: Holy Scriptures The Scriptures are Called The: Law of the Lord The Scriptures are Called The: Oracles of God The Scriptures are Called The: Scripture of Truth The Scriptures are Called The: Sword of the Spirit The Scriptures are Called The: Word The Scriptures are Called The: Word of Christ The Scriptures are Called The: Word of God The Scriptures are Called The: Word of Truth The Scriptures are Full and Sufficient The Scriptures are Profitable Both for Doctrine and Practice The Scriptures: Advantage of Possessing The Scriptures: All should Desire to Hear The Scriptures: Blessedness of Hearing and Obeying The Scriptures: Christ Enables Us to Understand The Scriptures: Christ Sanctioned, by Appealing to Them The Scriptures: Christ Taught out of The Scriptures: Contain the Promises of the Gospel The Scriptures: Denunciations Against Those Who Add To, or Take From The Scriptures: Designed For: Admonishing The Scriptures: Designed For: Building up in the Faith The Scriptures: Designed For: Cleansing the Heart The Scriptures: Designed For: Cleansing the Ways The Scriptures: Designed For: Comforting The Scriptures: Designed For: Converting the Soul The Scriptures: Designed For: Illuminating The Scriptures: Designed For: Keeping from Destructive Paths The Scriptures: Designed For: Making Wise the Simple The Scriptures: Designed For: Producing Faith The Scriptures: Designed For: Producing Hope The Scriptures: Designed For: Producing Obedience The Scriptures: Designed For: Promoting Growth in Grace The Scriptures: Designed For: Quickening The Scriptures: Designed For: Regenerating The Scriptures: Designed For: Rejoicing the Heart The Scriptures: Designed For: Sanctifying The Scriptures: Designed For: Supporting Life The Scriptures: Destruction of, Punished The Scriptures: Everything should be Tried By The Scriptures: Given by Inspiration of God The Scriptures: Given by Inspiration of the Holy Spirit The Scriptures: Ignorance of, a Source of Error The Scriptures: Intended for the Use of all Men The Scriptures: Let Them Dwell Richly in You The Scriptures: Mere Hearers of, Deceive Themselves The Scriptures: No Prophecy of, is of Any Private Interpretation The Scriptures: Nothing to be Taken From, or Added To The Scriptures: One Portion of, to be Compared With Another The Scriptures: Quick and Powerful The Scriptures: Record Divine Prophecies The Scriptures: Reveal the Laws, Statutes, and Judgments of God The Scriptures: Saints: Delight In The Scriptures: Saints: Esteem, Above all Things The Scriptures: Saints: Esteem, As a Light The Scriptures: Saints: Grieve when Men Disobey The Scriptures: Saints: Hide, in Their Hearts The Scriptures: Saints: Hope In The Scriptures: Saints: Keep, in Remembrance The Scriptures: Saints: Long After The Scriptures: Saints: Love Exceedingly The Scriptures: Saints: Meditate In The Scriptures: Saints: Plead the Promises of, in Prayer The Scriptures: Saints: Pray to be Conformed To The Scriptures: Saints: Pray to be Taught The Scriptures: Saints: Regard, As Sweet The Scriptures: Saints: Rejoice In The Scriptures: Saints: Speak of The Scriptures: Saints: Stand in Awe of The Scriptures: Saints: Trust In The Scriptures: should be Appealed To The Scriptures: should be Believed The Scriptures: should be Known The Scriptures: should be Laid up in the Heart The Scriptures: should be not Handled Deceitfully The Scriptures: should be not Only Heard, But Obeyed The Scriptures: should be Read The Scriptures: should be Read Publicly to All The Scriptures: should be Received With Meekness The Scriptures: should be Received, not As the Word of Men, But As the Word of God The Scriptures: should be Searched The Scriptures: should be Searched Daily The Scriptures: should be Talked of Continually The Scriptures: should be Taught to All The Scriptures: should be Taught to Children The Scriptures: should be The Standard of Teaching The Scriptures: should Be used Against Our Spiritual Enemies The Scriptures: Testify of Christ The Scriptures: The Holy Spirit Enable Us to Understand The Scriptures: The Letter of, Without the Spirit, Killeth The Scriptures: The Wicked: Corrupt The Scriptures: The Wicked: Frequently Wrest, to Their own Destruction The Scriptures: The Wicked: Make, of None Effect Through Their Traditions The Scriptures: The Wicked: Obey Not The Scriptures: The Wicked: Reject The Scriptures: The Wicked: Stumble At The Scriptures: They Who Search, are Truly Noble The Scriptures: Work Effectually in Them That Believe The Scriptures: Written for Our Instruction Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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