God’s Word Speaks

Biblical revelation demonstrates God supernaturally directed the writers of Scripture and He did so without usurping their human intelligence, literary style, or personal feelings. The message of Scripture is complete and coherent and recorded without error. The words of Scripture declare the divine authority and nature that inspired them. Even though all of the original manuscripts were lost, thousands of reliable copies exist.

Divinely inspired and humanly written, the accounts of Scripture are continually being demonstrated as accurate through archaeological study. The Bible does not claim to be an exact chronological record of ancient civilization. It’s purpose is not to prove that there is a God. God exists whether we believe He does or not. Scripture is not an exhaustive rule book for moral and ethical behavior, but rather God’s revelation of Himself, His purpose, His principles, and His plan from the first words of Genesis to the last words of Revelation. Through the Bible, you and I can learn who God is and what godliness looks like through the revelation of His attributes.

Why did God do this? Because of His love for us.

Attributes are permanent qualities. They constitute what God is. God’s attributes describe his very nature. They are essential and inherent dimensions of who God is and are inseparable from the essence of God. God is immanent and transcendent. Immanence means that God is present and active within his creation and within the human race, even those who do not believe in or obey him. God always was, always is, and always will be. Transcendence indicates that God is not restricted to miracles or any other limitations we try to set on Him, but uses even ordinary unbelievers to accomplish his work. He uses technology, human skill, and learning to actively work within his creation. Other examples of God’s attributes are holiness, love, truth, mercy and faithfulness.

Scripture is the Word of God because it says it is. Since truth is an attribute of God then truth is also an attribute of Scripture.

2 Timothy 3:16 (a) “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…”

God the Father works through the Holy Spirit to convict the reader or hearer of the Gospel of its truth. The Holy Spirit is the one who shows us the reality of our sin. The Holy Spirit shows us that we must repent and come to a right standing with God. God, through His revelation to us through Jesus Christ, the son, the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, and the Scripture, works to give us the understanding we need. This is how we accept the Gospel, come to faith, and are reconciled with God, our creator.

2 Peter 1:21 (ESV) “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”