TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2009
INERRANCY
PART FIVE
For five days now we have discussed the INERRANCY of the Bible. We are concerned that there is a growing movement to drive Christians away from believing that the Bible to be the inspired Word of God. If you have missed our comments, please go to our web site www.worldbiblesociety.org and click on Family Devotional. Then click on Review our past devotionals and they are there for you.
GODS WORD
“Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” II Timothy 3:16.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
In this final part we want to mention that fulfilled prophecy shows the INERRANCY of the Bible. Jesus said that “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:35
History has seen the fulfillment of many, many Biblical prophecies. Amos prophesied in 760 B.C. in his book (1:2), the judgment on various nations. History certifies that these have been fulfilled.
Prophesies concerning Israel’s survival: the birth, the life and death of Jesus; and the moral nature of man all have come true. Prophesies came true even when they ran counter to historical trends. One example of this is that Jesus said that not one stone of the Temple would be left standing upon another (Matthew 24:1,2) and today not one does. In contrast ancient temples still remain intact in many areas of the world.
Prophesies of the end of the age are coming into focus now and the prophecies of the second coming will yet come to pass. If you have more interest in prophecy, please go to our Web Site and click on the product page and get one of Dr. Beshores studies. They are complete and exciting in light of today’s news.
In the verse above, II Timothy 3:16, it talks about four areas where the scripture is profitable.
First, it is profitable for doctrine. God wants man to know, beyond a doubt, who God is; who man is; and the beginning, meaning and ending of all things. The Bible gives the rules and principles of life to all that want to believe.
Secondly, it is profitable for reproof. God wants man to sense conviction and to be rebuked when he is disobedient to God’s will. The scripture reveals God’s will and the consequences of disobedience.
Thirdly, it is profitable for correction. God wants man to be set aright when he is wrong. The Bible teaches obedience by teaching a person to discipline himself. The Bible not only rebukes wrong behavior but directs us back to godly living.
Finally, it is profitable for instruction in righteousness. God wants man to know the right things to do, to think and to say. The Bible reveals to us how to live “soberly, righteously and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:12-13).
Make a commitment today to recognize that the Bible is the inerrant, infallible, and inspired Word of God. And when you commit to that fact then use the Bible daily as God’s Word to communicate to you.
Our hope and prayer for you as you study God’s infallible word is best expressed in the words of the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians:
“For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it, not as the word of men, but for what it really is --- the Word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”
I Thessalonians 2:13.
TODAYS PRAYER
Thank you for the assurance You have given me that the Bible, Your Word, is without error, infallible and inspired. Give me the discipline to study daily Your Word so that I can learn God’s truth so that I will be equipped to do Your work. Give me leadership with my family as together we grow in our love for You.
September 6, 2009
Inerrancy Part Four: September 3, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2009
INERRANCY
PART FOUR
The prophets and the apostles all declare the inerrancy of the scriptures. The Bible confirms it and Jesus taught it.
GODS WORD
“To fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths --- to fulfill seventy years.” II Chronicles 36:21
“For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” II Peter 1:21.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
The prophets in the Old Testament were diligent in writing down the Word of God and wanted assurance that it was passed from generation to generation accurately so that the inerrancy of the Old Testament was maintained.
We list here six excellent examples of prophets in the Old Testament that verified that the Bible was without error. As you read these, consider reading the verses we list so that you may, without a shadow of a doubt, know that the Bible is God’s Word and is without error.
• Moses who was the author of the first five books of the Old Testament was commanded by God Himself to record events in Israel’s history and then to transmit these to Joshua. We are told that he kept written records and his writings were read and studied by future kings of Israel. (Numbers 33:2)
• Joshua’s generation saw Moses’ writings not as the word of man, but as having the authority of God. In Joshua 8:31-35 we read that Joshua wrote the laws of Moses and read them to the children of Israel.
• David charged Solomon to obey God’s written law, especially the law of Moses in I Kings 2:3 that “He may prosper in all that he did and wherever he would turn.”
• Isaiah claimed that the words he spoke and recorded were the actual words of God which were to be not only received but obeyed. (Isaiah 1:10)
• Daniel took the writings of Jeremiah and studied them and took them as accurate and inerrant. (Daniel 9:2)
• Malachi in the last book of the Old Testament (4:4) says that God said: “Remember the Law of Moses, my servant --- with the statutes and judgments”
In the New Testament Peter confirmed that he and the disciples had witnessed first hand what was written and it was true. See II Peter 1:21 above. Peter also recognized in II Peter 3:15-16 that Paul’s epistles were all scripture. And John the apostle was given the words of the book of the Revelation directly from God in a vision when he was exiled by the Romans to the Isle of Patmos. (Revelation 1:9)
Today there are many critics of the Bible. More than any time in history Christians are being martyred because of their faith. Now is the time for us all to stand tall and let our light shine for Jesus. The Bible is infallible, without error and inspired. The Bible gives us God’s Word which is a guide for our daily life. Together let us stand firm in our faith.
TODAYS PRAYER
I praise You this day for Your inspired inerrant and infallible Word that You have given me and my family. I pray for discipline today to read and study Your Word so that I may become useable in Your sight. I give You the praise and glory for all Your blessings to me and my family.
INERRANCY
PART FOUR
The prophets and the apostles all declare the inerrancy of the scriptures. The Bible confirms it and Jesus taught it.
GODS WORD
“To fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths --- to fulfill seventy years.” II Chronicles 36:21
“For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” II Peter 1:21.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
The prophets in the Old Testament were diligent in writing down the Word of God and wanted assurance that it was passed from generation to generation accurately so that the inerrancy of the Old Testament was maintained.
We list here six excellent examples of prophets in the Old Testament that verified that the Bible was without error. As you read these, consider reading the verses we list so that you may, without a shadow of a doubt, know that the Bible is God’s Word and is without error.
• Moses who was the author of the first five books of the Old Testament was commanded by God Himself to record events in Israel’s history and then to transmit these to Joshua. We are told that he kept written records and his writings were read and studied by future kings of Israel. (Numbers 33:2)
• Joshua’s generation saw Moses’ writings not as the word of man, but as having the authority of God. In Joshua 8:31-35 we read that Joshua wrote the laws of Moses and read them to the children of Israel.
• David charged Solomon to obey God’s written law, especially the law of Moses in I Kings 2:3 that “He may prosper in all that he did and wherever he would turn.”
• Isaiah claimed that the words he spoke and recorded were the actual words of God which were to be not only received but obeyed. (Isaiah 1:10)
• Daniel took the writings of Jeremiah and studied them and took them as accurate and inerrant. (Daniel 9:2)
• Malachi in the last book of the Old Testament (4:4) says that God said: “Remember the Law of Moses, my servant --- with the statutes and judgments”
In the New Testament Peter confirmed that he and the disciples had witnessed first hand what was written and it was true. See II Peter 1:21 above. Peter also recognized in II Peter 3:15-16 that Paul’s epistles were all scripture. And John the apostle was given the words of the book of the Revelation directly from God in a vision when he was exiled by the Romans to the Isle of Patmos. (Revelation 1:9)
Today there are many critics of the Bible. More than any time in history Christians are being martyred because of their faith. Now is the time for us all to stand tall and let our light shine for Jesus. The Bible is infallible, without error and inspired. The Bible gives us God’s Word which is a guide for our daily life. Together let us stand firm in our faith.
TODAYS PRAYER
I praise You this day for Your inspired inerrant and infallible Word that You have given me and my family. I pray for discipline today to read and study Your Word so that I may become useable in Your sight. I give You the praise and glory for all Your blessings to me and my family.
Inerrancy Part Three: September 2, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2009
INERRANCY
PART THREE
Jesus while on this earth taught the inerrancy of the Bible. In fact when He said as recorded in John 10:35, “and the scripture cannot be broken” He openly declared that fault cannot be found in the scriptures.
GODS WORD
“For assuredly, I say unto you, until heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” Matthew 5: 18.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:35.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
From as far back as we can remember we have been taught that the Bible is without error and is the inspired Word of God. This was through our parents, our churches, Wheaton College and through our own study of the Bible.
In High school I (Ken) was involved in the Youth for Christ Bible Quiz program. The competition was very stiff and it demanded a lot of time studying the Bible. Each year one book from the New Testament was chosen as the quiz book for that year. Many would memorize the whole book just to make sure they had a good chance to answer every question. This program was developed so that high school students across America would get into the Bible and learn first hand that the Bible was the inspired Word of God and that it was a practical guide book for every day living. Literally thousands were involved.
Jesus preached, while here on earth, the inerrancy of the scriptures. In the verse above, Matthew 5:18, He emphasized that not even one word or even a part of a word could be dropped from the scriptures or even found deficient. He referred to a “Tittle” which is the equivalent of the crossing of a “T”.
The inerrancy of the scripture is what separates Christianity from all other religions. Down through the years not one single person has been able to prove that one thought or one event is not true and that the Bible is not without error.
There are many illustrations from the scriptures verifying that Jesus taught the inerrancy of the scriptures. Let us review just a few:
• He saw the creation account of Genesis as inerrant and absolutely true. (Matthew 19:4-5).
• He verified that the first man and his wife were Adam and Eve. (Matthew 19:4-6)
• That there is a Satan in this world. (Luke 11:18)
• That the story of Noah and the flood was accurate. (Matthew 24:37-38)
• That the story of Jonah and the whale was true. (Matthew 12:40)
• And finally the story of Lot’s wife sinning and being struck dead is true. (Luke 17:32).
Jesus preached that the Bible was the Word of God, every word being true and entirely inerrant. Jesus himself verified that the Bible is totally the WORD OF GOD!
TODAYS PRAYER
Thank You for giving me the Bible to be my guide for living my life. Thank You for the assurance You have given that Your Word is infallible, inerrant and inspired and therefore trustworthy. Give me understanding as I study Your Word so that my faith will grow and my knowledge will increase as I learn and apply Your Word to my life. May my spiritual life be a testimony to my family and others.
INERRANCY
PART THREE
Jesus while on this earth taught the inerrancy of the Bible. In fact when He said as recorded in John 10:35, “and the scripture cannot be broken” He openly declared that fault cannot be found in the scriptures.
GODS WORD
“For assuredly, I say unto you, until heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” Matthew 5: 18.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:35.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
From as far back as we can remember we have been taught that the Bible is without error and is the inspired Word of God. This was through our parents, our churches, Wheaton College and through our own study of the Bible.
In High school I (Ken) was involved in the Youth for Christ Bible Quiz program. The competition was very stiff and it demanded a lot of time studying the Bible. Each year one book from the New Testament was chosen as the quiz book for that year. Many would memorize the whole book just to make sure they had a good chance to answer every question. This program was developed so that high school students across America would get into the Bible and learn first hand that the Bible was the inspired Word of God and that it was a practical guide book for every day living. Literally thousands were involved.
Jesus preached, while here on earth, the inerrancy of the scriptures. In the verse above, Matthew 5:18, He emphasized that not even one word or even a part of a word could be dropped from the scriptures or even found deficient. He referred to a “Tittle” which is the equivalent of the crossing of a “T”.
The inerrancy of the scripture is what separates Christianity from all other religions. Down through the years not one single person has been able to prove that one thought or one event is not true and that the Bible is not without error.
There are many illustrations from the scriptures verifying that Jesus taught the inerrancy of the scriptures. Let us review just a few:
• He saw the creation account of Genesis as inerrant and absolutely true. (Matthew 19:4-5).
• He verified that the first man and his wife were Adam and Eve. (Matthew 19:4-6)
• That there is a Satan in this world. (Luke 11:18)
• That the story of Noah and the flood was accurate. (Matthew 24:37-38)
• That the story of Jonah and the whale was true. (Matthew 12:40)
• And finally the story of Lot’s wife sinning and being struck dead is true. (Luke 17:32).
Jesus preached that the Bible was the Word of God, every word being true and entirely inerrant. Jesus himself verified that the Bible is totally the WORD OF GOD!
TODAYS PRAYER
Thank You for giving me the Bible to be my guide for living my life. Thank You for the assurance You have given that Your Word is infallible, inerrant and inspired and therefore trustworthy. Give me understanding as I study Your Word so that my faith will grow and my knowledge will increase as I learn and apply Your Word to my life. May my spiritual life be a testimony to my family and others.
Inerrancy Part Two: September 1, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2009.
INERRANCY
PART TWO
When we talk about inerrancy, we are referring to the Bible being free of error and each word being the inspired Word of God.
GODS WORD
“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” Psalm 33:6
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
The credibility of our faith in God and Jesus relies on the inerrancy of the Bible. We are referring to the fact that the words in the Bible are inspired by God and totally free of mistakes (inerrancy), not wrong on any subject (infallible), and each word is from God Himself, given through specially chosen men of God (inspired).
The Bible itself declares itself to be the Word of God. This great declaration affirms that the Bible alone is the final authority for the faith and practices of Christians through out the centuries and today.
Throughout the years we have talked to many people who question the inerrancy of the Bible. Many ask such things as: “Why should we believe in something that has so many unrealistic statements and stories?” We will endeavor to provide answers to these questions for those that doubt and for those of us that want to strengthen our belief in the inspired Word of God.
For those that doubt that the Bible is the inspired Word of God then you must surmise that Jesus is a liar and not the Son of God. You cannot accept some of the Bible as truth and some of the Bible as fiction. As Joshua of old said: As for me and our house we will serve the Lord and we accept the Bible as the infallible, inerrant and inspired Word of God.
Let us continue by saying that “ALL SCRIPTURE” refers to the entire Bible. “By inspiration” the Greek translation is “THEOPNEUSTOS” meaning GOD BREATHED. Therefore God “breathed” the words through the mouth and pens of the prophets.
What does this mean to us? As Christians we are commanded to live by the words of God in the Bible --- God’s Word to us. In today’s society this becomes very difficult to do. For example let us look at two issues that affect us today in a major way:
• Children are to honor their father and mother (one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God). And parents are to respect their children. In America very few children respect their parents and with over 50% of marriages failing how do we expect children and their parents to live by this commandment?
• Another one of the Ten Commandments is to keep the Sabbath day holy. God would not have included this as one of the Ten Commandments if He did not expect us to honor it. When we were children both of our families practiced keeping the Sabbath holy. We were in church Sunday morning and evening. We were always involved in some sort of Bible study or youth program. Even though the Sunday paper arrived early Sunday morning it was never opened until Monday. There was no radio or TV on Sunday. And we never felt that we missed out on anything, in fact, Sundays were a day that we all looked forward to each week.
Today, many people go to church on Sunday but the majority of the day is spent watching football or golf on television, playing electronic games, going to picnics, a movie or a party. Some even go back to work. We have no longer considered it important to keep the Sabbath holy. Sunday is just another day of the week. God intended the Sabbath to be a day of spiritual and physical rejuvenation.
As Christians some of the other issues we face if we truly believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God are:
• Creation verses Evolution. The Bible is very clear on this subject and it is a major issue in our school systems today as it is among individuals.
• Abortion verses Pro Life. Many Christians struggle with this issue but the Bible is very clear that life begins with conception and this is of God.
• The miracles performed by Jesus while He was on this earth. Some say they were stories or illustrations but the Bible clearly states that they were miracles. Would you want to believe in a God who was not powerful enough to perform miracles?
• The Deity of Christ. God sent His Son, Jesus to this earth to pay the penalty for our sins. This had to be God or how can we believe the Bible at all. Sin is against God so only He can forgive sin.
• The actual events outlined in the Bible such as the flood with Noah, the parting of the Red sea for the Children of Israel and Jonah and the whale. Many have serious problems with issues such as these, but let us assure you, dear friends, that ALL THE BIBLE is the Word of God and is without error, infallible and inspired.
We will continue over the next few days to share what the Bible has to say about the important life issues we all face today.
TODAYS PRAYER
Thank you dear Lord for giving me the Bible as a guide book for me to live by each day. Help me to read Your word daily and to practice by deed and action the issues of life that You clearly give in the Bible.
INERRANCY
PART TWO
When we talk about inerrancy, we are referring to the Bible being free of error and each word being the inspired Word of God.
GODS WORD
“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” Psalm 33:6
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
The credibility of our faith in God and Jesus relies on the inerrancy of the Bible. We are referring to the fact that the words in the Bible are inspired by God and totally free of mistakes (inerrancy), not wrong on any subject (infallible), and each word is from God Himself, given through specially chosen men of God (inspired).
The Bible itself declares itself to be the Word of God. This great declaration affirms that the Bible alone is the final authority for the faith and practices of Christians through out the centuries and today.
Throughout the years we have talked to many people who question the inerrancy of the Bible. Many ask such things as: “Why should we believe in something that has so many unrealistic statements and stories?” We will endeavor to provide answers to these questions for those that doubt and for those of us that want to strengthen our belief in the inspired Word of God.
For those that doubt that the Bible is the inspired Word of God then you must surmise that Jesus is a liar and not the Son of God. You cannot accept some of the Bible as truth and some of the Bible as fiction. As Joshua of old said: As for me and our house we will serve the Lord and we accept the Bible as the infallible, inerrant and inspired Word of God.
Let us continue by saying that “ALL SCRIPTURE” refers to the entire Bible. “By inspiration” the Greek translation is “THEOPNEUSTOS” meaning GOD BREATHED. Therefore God “breathed” the words through the mouth and pens of the prophets.
What does this mean to us? As Christians we are commanded to live by the words of God in the Bible --- God’s Word to us. In today’s society this becomes very difficult to do. For example let us look at two issues that affect us today in a major way:
• Children are to honor their father and mother (one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God). And parents are to respect their children. In America very few children respect their parents and with over 50% of marriages failing how do we expect children and their parents to live by this commandment?
• Another one of the Ten Commandments is to keep the Sabbath day holy. God would not have included this as one of the Ten Commandments if He did not expect us to honor it. When we were children both of our families practiced keeping the Sabbath holy. We were in church Sunday morning and evening. We were always involved in some sort of Bible study or youth program. Even though the Sunday paper arrived early Sunday morning it was never opened until Monday. There was no radio or TV on Sunday. And we never felt that we missed out on anything, in fact, Sundays were a day that we all looked forward to each week.
Today, many people go to church on Sunday but the majority of the day is spent watching football or golf on television, playing electronic games, going to picnics, a movie or a party. Some even go back to work. We have no longer considered it important to keep the Sabbath holy. Sunday is just another day of the week. God intended the Sabbath to be a day of spiritual and physical rejuvenation.
As Christians some of the other issues we face if we truly believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God are:
• Creation verses Evolution. The Bible is very clear on this subject and it is a major issue in our school systems today as it is among individuals.
• Abortion verses Pro Life. Many Christians struggle with this issue but the Bible is very clear that life begins with conception and this is of God.
• The miracles performed by Jesus while He was on this earth. Some say they were stories or illustrations but the Bible clearly states that they were miracles. Would you want to believe in a God who was not powerful enough to perform miracles?
• The Deity of Christ. God sent His Son, Jesus to this earth to pay the penalty for our sins. This had to be God or how can we believe the Bible at all. Sin is against God so only He can forgive sin.
• The actual events outlined in the Bible such as the flood with Noah, the parting of the Red sea for the Children of Israel and Jonah and the whale. Many have serious problems with issues such as these, but let us assure you, dear friends, that ALL THE BIBLE is the Word of God and is without error, infallible and inspired.
We will continue over the next few days to share what the Bible has to say about the important life issues we all face today.
TODAYS PRAYER
Thank you dear Lord for giving me the Bible as a guide book for me to live by each day. Help me to read Your word daily and to practice by deed and action the issues of life that You clearly give in the Bible.
Inerrancy Part One: August 31, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY AUGUST 31.
INERRANCY
PART ONE
Inerrancy as it relates to God’s Word (the Bible) means free of mistakes. In this context the Bible is also infallible and inspired.
GODS WORD
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 11Timothy 3:16
“The law of the Lord is perfect, the testimony of the Lord is sure, the precepts of the Lord are right, the commandment of the Lord is pure.” Psalm 19:7-8.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
For over eighteen centuries the vast majority of people in the Christian world have accepted the Scriptures as THE HOLY BIBLE and believed it to be God’s revealed message to all mankind. People believed that the Bible was free of mistakes, that it could not be wrong on any subject, and that its words came direct from God
through chosen prophets. Jewish believers held these view centuries before Christians did and Orthodox Jews hold this same position today.
Evangelical Christians today believe that God spoke to men through the Holy Spirit as II Peter 1:20-21 says: “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” Thus the Bible is accepted as verbally written words, not merely thoughts. The Psalmist declares (in the verse above) that God’s Word is perfect, sure, right and pure. God’s Word thus is inerrant, infallible and inspired as they were originally written.
During the last two centuries men and women have risen up and have attacked the inerrancy of the Bible. They have rejected the creation account, the miracles of Jesus, the deity of Jesus and many other great and eternal truths. This began in graduate institutions of learning and today has permeated our public education system.
The New Testament was written by eyewitnesses who knew Jesus personally or by those who knew those that had known Jesus. Do we believe someone who was actually there or someone of more recent date who is many years removed from the time of Christ being on this earth. People have their opinions but opinions are not necessarily based on facts.
We have been taught by our parents and our peers in school and church that the scriptures are inerrant, infallible and inspired. We in turn have taught our children the same and now our grandchildren are being taught this as well. Each year there are more pressures put on children, youth and adults to question the inerrancy of the Bible. The fact is that GODS WORD NEVER CHANGES BUT PEOPLE DO CHANGE! People are fallible and their opinions are easily influenced.
Very often we talk to people that question the inerrancy of the Bible. And when we take the time to sit down and watch TV we are overwhelmed by the conscious and unconscious attacks on truths we learned and now live by from the Bible. People say to us such things as “Do you really think that Jonah was swallowed by that whale or there is no way the story of Noah and the flood ever happened?”
People have a hard time accepting what seems to be impossible, but we must remember that with God all things are possible. We cannot limit God and we should not want to believe in a God who has limited power.
In the early 1960’s our good friend Dr. Porter Barrington had an office next to mine (Ken) in the World Opportunities world headquarter office. Dr. Barrington had just retired from being the pastor of Van Nuys First Baptist Church in California. He came to the office every day to work on his notes for his soon to be published CHRISTIAN LIFE EDITION of the Bible (The new King James Version).
It was my privilege each day to read his notes and he honored me by allowing me to critique his comments. We mention this because we will be using some of these notes in this five day study of INERRANCY.
Tomorrow we will do part two of this very important series on the inerrancy of God’s Word.
TODAYS PRAYER
Thank you Lord, for giving me Your Holy Bible to read each day. May I never question the accuracy of the scriptures and may You direct every detail of my life today as I endeavor to live by Your Word.
INERRANCY
PART ONE
Inerrancy as it relates to God’s Word (the Bible) means free of mistakes. In this context the Bible is also infallible and inspired.
GODS WORD
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 11Timothy 3:16
“The law of the Lord is perfect, the testimony of the Lord is sure, the precepts of the Lord are right, the commandment of the Lord is pure.” Psalm 19:7-8.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
For over eighteen centuries the vast majority of people in the Christian world have accepted the Scriptures as THE HOLY BIBLE and believed it to be God’s revealed message to all mankind. People believed that the Bible was free of mistakes, that it could not be wrong on any subject, and that its words came direct from God
through chosen prophets. Jewish believers held these view centuries before Christians did and Orthodox Jews hold this same position today.
Evangelical Christians today believe that God spoke to men through the Holy Spirit as II Peter 1:20-21 says: “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” Thus the Bible is accepted as verbally written words, not merely thoughts. The Psalmist declares (in the verse above) that God’s Word is perfect, sure, right and pure. God’s Word thus is inerrant, infallible and inspired as they were originally written.
During the last two centuries men and women have risen up and have attacked the inerrancy of the Bible. They have rejected the creation account, the miracles of Jesus, the deity of Jesus and many other great and eternal truths. This began in graduate institutions of learning and today has permeated our public education system.
The New Testament was written by eyewitnesses who knew Jesus personally or by those who knew those that had known Jesus. Do we believe someone who was actually there or someone of more recent date who is many years removed from the time of Christ being on this earth. People have their opinions but opinions are not necessarily based on facts.
We have been taught by our parents and our peers in school and church that the scriptures are inerrant, infallible and inspired. We in turn have taught our children the same and now our grandchildren are being taught this as well. Each year there are more pressures put on children, youth and adults to question the inerrancy of the Bible. The fact is that GODS WORD NEVER CHANGES BUT PEOPLE DO CHANGE! People are fallible and their opinions are easily influenced.
Very often we talk to people that question the inerrancy of the Bible. And when we take the time to sit down and watch TV we are overwhelmed by the conscious and unconscious attacks on truths we learned and now live by from the Bible. People say to us such things as “Do you really think that Jonah was swallowed by that whale or there is no way the story of Noah and the flood ever happened?”
People have a hard time accepting what seems to be impossible, but we must remember that with God all things are possible. We cannot limit God and we should not want to believe in a God who has limited power.
In the early 1960’s our good friend Dr. Porter Barrington had an office next to mine (Ken) in the World Opportunities world headquarter office. Dr. Barrington had just retired from being the pastor of Van Nuys First Baptist Church in California. He came to the office every day to work on his notes for his soon to be published CHRISTIAN LIFE EDITION of the Bible (The new King James Version).
It was my privilege each day to read his notes and he honored me by allowing me to critique his comments. We mention this because we will be using some of these notes in this five day study of INERRANCY.
Tomorrow we will do part two of this very important series on the inerrancy of God’s Word.
TODAYS PRAYER
Thank you Lord, for giving me Your Holy Bible to read each day. May I never question the accuracy of the scriptures and may You direct every detail of my life today as I endeavor to live by Your Word.
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