The Bible is God’s Word

by Nate Heater

The Bible contains a staggering breadth of information and a breath-taking variety of styles and genres – poetry and historical accounts, legal records alongside prophecy, stern exhortation and challenging imagery reside in the same pages. From an academic perspective, it’s almost certainly the most fascinating book ever written – and that doesn’t even factor in its age, remarkable internal consistency, or the unparalleled impact it has had on millennia of world history.

BCM holds firmly to the conviction that ‘the Bible is inerrant, infallible, sufficient, and entirely trustworthy as originally given. [It] is the very Word of God and is the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.’ This belief isn’t just a formality or dry relic – it sets the foundation for everything we believe and do as a staff and volunteers.

The Bible is God’s word for us, given by the Holy Spirit moving human authors to record truth and insight about the character and nature of God, His acts and plans in history past and promises for the future; and as an overarching theme, declaring His marvellous plan to redeem a people for Himself through the person and work of His Son, Jesus (1 Peter 1:16-21).

For you and me today, and for the countless people who have read, believed, and loved this collection of 66 books over the many centuries since the first words were put to paper, it is far more than merely the sum of its unique features and characteristics. The Word of God, as we know it, is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12)

It is living because it is the word of a living God – it is still true, and will remain true, because the One it speaks of is living and true. Jesus (and others in Scripture) compares it to a seed that blossoms into new life (Matthew 13:1-23, 1 Peter 1:23). It is not a document to be dissected for what is useful and discarded, but a treasure to delight in and meditate on (Psalm 119:89-112).

It is active because it is doing something – it is, in fact, changing our lives, transforming us as the Spirit applies it to us (2 Cor. 3:16-18). It is being used by God to teach us, correct us, convict us, and train us in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). God ‘sends it out’ to do his work, and it ‘accomplish[es] that which I purpose, and…succeed[s] in the thing for which I sent it.’ (Isaiah 55:11b).

The Word of God to us in the pages of Scripture is the standard to which our teaching and living is held – so as we prepare to share the hope of the gospel and glory of Christ this summer, let us peer closely at Scripture, and submit to its authority, allowing the living and active Word of God to work in and through us.

Monday: Read Psalm 119:105-128

1. What are some of the ways the psalmist describes God’s Word? (the word, law, statues all refer to Scripture)
2. How does God’s Word serve as light for our path?
3. How might that perspective change how you relate to Scripture?

Tuesday: Read 2 Peter 1:16-21

1. Peter says in verses 17-19 that Scripture is ‘more fully confirmed’ than when he audibly heard God’s voice at the transfiguration. Why do you think he says this?
2. How does Peter encourage us to regard Scripture in verse 19?
3. What reasons does Peter give for his confidence in the trustworthiness of Scripture?

Wednesday: Read Isaiah 55:1-13

1. What are some of the images Isaiah uses to communicate the power and purpose of God’s Word?  (see v. 1,2,10,11)
2. What are some of the benefits of ‘coming to’ or listening to God?
3. Why do you think it is hard to have this sort of attitude towards Scripture?

Thursday: Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17

1. What are some of the different ways that Paul says Scripture impacts us in this passage?
2. What do you think each of them means for you?
3. What is the aim of all the different purposes of Scripture in verse 16?

Friday: Read Luke 24:13-27

1. How can we see Jesus being pointed to in the Law (Moses in verse 27)?
2. How can we see Jesus being pointed to in the Prophets?
3. How does seeing Jesus as the theme of all of Scripture affect how we read and study God’s Word?