Jesus Christ on the Infallibility of Scripture

Introduction

The inerrancy (infallibility) of Scripture is a topic that has been extensively debated. As Christians, it is important to understand Jesus Christ's view on the authority and reliability of the Bible. By examining his words and actions, we can gain insight into his perspective on Scripture.

1. Jesus' High Regard for Scripture

Jesus never belittled, set aside, criticized, contradicted, or opposed Scripture. He did criticize those who misused it and rejected many interpretations, but he always recognized its significance and authority.

Why This Matters: Recognizing Jesus' high regard for Scripture helps us understand the importance of treating it as the Word of God and following its teachings faithfully.

Think About It: How can we demonstrate our respect for Scripture in our daily lives?

2. Jesus' Knowledge and Belief in Scripture

Jesus had a profound understanding of Scripture. He knew it thoroughly, even down to specific words and verb tenses. He believed every word of Scripture and saw the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning himself.

Why This Matters: Jesus' belief in the accuracy and reliability of Scripture affirms its divine inspiration and validates its historical and prophetic claims.

Think About It: How does Jesus' knowledge of Scripture challenge us to deepen our own understanding of God's Word?

3. Jesus' View on the Authors of Scripture

Jesus believed that the books of the Old Testament were written by the individuals whose names they bear. He attributed the authorship of the Pentateuch (Torah) to Moses and acknowledged Isaiah as the sole author of both sections attributed to him.

Why This Matters: Accepting Jesus' view on the authors of Scripture affirms that they were written by those whom they are attributed to, validating their authenticity and authority.

Think About It: How does knowing the authors of Scripture impact our understanding and interpretation of its message?

4. Jesus' View on the Divine Inspiration of Scripture

Jesus believed that the Old Testament was spoken by God Himself or written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, even though it was penned by fallible men. He recognized the power and authority of Scripture and quoted it in various situations.

Why This Matters: Understanding Jesus' view on the divine inspiration of Scripture reinforces its status as the Word of God and guides us in our study and application of its teachings.

Think About It: How does our belief in the divine inspiration of Scripture impact our approach to studying and applying its principles?

5. Jesus' Use of Scripture as a Basis for Teaching

Jesus frequently used Scripture as the foundation for his own teaching. His ethics aligned with the principles already written in Scripture, and he warned against replacing or adding to it. He saw the Old Testament as the ultimate authority in settling disputes.

Why This Matters: Recognizing Jesus' use of Scripture as a basis for his teachings reinforces the importance of grounding our beliefs and actions on the solid foundation of God's Word.

Think About It: How can we follow Jesus' example in using Scripture to support our own teachings and actions?

6. Jesus' Submission to Scripture

Jesus submitted himself to Scripture as God's Word. He obeyed it completely, following God's will rather than his own or that of man. Even though he himself is the Word of God, he adhered to the Bible already written by fallible men.

Why This Matters: Understanding Jesus' submission to Scripture challenges us to prioritize obedience to God's Word above personal desires or societal expectations.

Think About It: In what ways can we demonstrate our submission to Scripture in our daily lives?

Conclusion

Jesus Christ's view on the infallibility of Scripture is clear. He held it in high regard, believed in its accuracy and reliability, recognized the authors as those they were attributed to, affirmed its divine inspiration, and used it as the foundation for his teachings. He submitted himself to Scripture as the ultimate authority.

As Christians, we should follow Jesus' example and recognize the Bible as the Word of God. It is our guide for faith and practice, providing wisdom and equipping us to do good. By studying and applying Scripture in our lives, we can grow in our relationship with God and fulfill our purpose as believers.

Think About It: How can we align our beliefs and actions with Jesus' view on Scripture? How can we encourage others to recognize its authority and apply its teachings in their lives?