The Substance of Faith An Evidence and Foundational Christian Curriculum Part 4a

Part 4a: What did Jesus say about the Bible?

Introduction In 2 Timothy 3:16, the Bible makes a claim of inspiration, but we can’t use circular reasoning—that is, to say that the Bible is inspired because the Bible says it’s inspired. Instead, let us approach this from the authority of Jesus.

Did Jesus believe in the Bible? Old Testament New Testament Apostles

What does inspiration mean? God-breathed God wrote perfectly – Every word from God Clear instruction to humankind Difficult to believe? – A simple matter for the creator of the universe

Direct statements of OT insp. Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods"'? "If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), "do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? (John 10:34-36 NKJV) Quote from Psalm 82:6 Jesus speaks of OT as perfect to every word He uses the fact that the word “gods” is accurate to make His point We should have as much confidence in the scriptures as Jesus

Direct statements of OT insp. Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." (Luke 24:44 NKJV) If all fulfilled, it must be completely accurate and inspired

Law, prophets, and psalms (Adam Clarke’s Commentary)

Law, prophets, and psalms (Adam Clarke’s Commentary)

Implied OT inspiration Every time Jesus quotes, refers, and holds people to the standard of the scriptures Examples: Matthew 21:42, 22:29, 26:54-56; John 5:39, 7:38, 7:42, 19:36, and 20:9

Did Jesus support the New Testament? Old Testament New Testament Apostles

NT: Authority to Apostles Implied by Jesus’ intent to send them out Great commission (Matt. 28:18-20) Jesus knew whether they would be faithful to the truth when He sent them

NT: Authority to Apostles But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning. (John 15:26-27 NKJV) Speaking to the 12 Apostles (Matt. 26:20; Mark 14:17; Luke 22:28-30) Apostles bear witness through the Holy Spirit Additional passages: John 14:26; 16:13

NT: Authority to Apostles John 17 prayer Spoken only about the 12 Apostles (v. 12) Would not be true that only one was lost if speaking of more than the 12 Apostles While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12 NKJV)

John 17 V. 6: They have kept God’s word V. 8, 14: They have the truth from God V. 17: Jesus intended for them to be sanctified by the truth

John 17 I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; (John 17:20 NKJV) Jesus intended for others to believe through the 12 Apostles

The apostles confirmed the New Testament Old Testament New Testament Apostles

Apostles  New Testament Books written by the 12 Apostles – Book of John (if it was not John, it must have been one at the Passover meal (John 21:20-24) – Book of Revelation – 1 & 2 Peter

Apostles  New Testament Paul’s writings Peter confirms in 2 Peter 3:15-16 Paul’s writings = – “scripture” – Distortion causes one’s destruction …as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. (2 Peter 3: NKJV)

Apostles  New Testament Book of Luke Paul quotes Luke 10:7 as inspired in 1 Tim. 5:17-18 Considered at same level as Deuteronomy 25:4 Book of Acts is almost certainly a continuation of Luke Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages." (1 Timothy 5:17-18 NKJV)

Conclusion If you like Jesus, you should like what Jesus likes—and Jesus liked the Bible. He directly expressed a view that the Old Testament is inspired; likewise, He showed that His apostles would have His authority to write authoritative documents for us to follow.