Rallying Around the Word

Grace To You.org ^ | 1993 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

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"Every word of God is tested [pure, flawless]" (Prov. 30:5).

God’s Word is without error.

Inerrancy is a term that conveys the belief that the original writings of Scripture are wholly true in everything they teach— whether doctrine, history, science, geography, geology, or any other discipline or knowledge. It also applies to accurate copies of those original writings.

Inerrancy is an unpopular concept with some people because they believe it isn't really important. But consider the implications. No Christian would deny that our relationship to Jesus Christ is of utmost importance. How can we know Him except as He is presented in the Bible? He is our Lord and we must obey His commandments (Heb. 5:9). How can we know what He commands if we doubt His Word?

Others reject inerrancy because they think it's divisive. But inerrancy should be a rallying point for evangelicals, not a dividing point. What unifying factor do we have if we can't agree on the truth of divine revelation?

Still others withhold judgment on the issue, thinking it's a technical matter that is best decided by biblical scholars. On the contrary, it is the most basic of all matters. It's nothing less than asking, "Is there a sure Word from God?"

Inerrancy isn't simply a matter of theological debate. It's a matter of God's character. God cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18); therefore His Word is true. Jeremiah 10:10 says that the Lord is the true God or the God of truth. The apostle John said, "God is true" (John 3:33). And Jesus defined eternal life as knowing the only true God (John 17:3). Christ came so we might "know him that is true . . . the true God and eternal life" (1 John 5:20).

Don't be shaken by those who attack the integrity of Scripture. As you have opportunity, study any problem passages so you'll know first-hand what the issues and proposed solutions are. And remember, Scripture was given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13). He cannot err.

Suggestions for Prayer

If Psalm 119:12-16 reflects the intent of your heart, read it to the Lord as a prayer of praise and commitment.

For Further Study

According to Matthew 22:29 and John 17:17, what was Jesus' view of Scripture?

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Studying God’s Word ping

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It’s either His word or it isn’t. There is no middle ground.

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Going along with this study, it is absolutely amazing how Scripture has already been fulfilled, and continues to be fulfilled.

As an example, I have just finished a short study of Zachariah in the Old Testament. The real theme of the inspired writing of Zachariah the prophet, is Christ. In Zachariah 12, written hundreds of years before Christ, Zachariah writes of a future time, well after Christ came to earth to go to the cross, when they Israel “will look on Him [Jesus], whom they had peirced”, and weep, because they will recognize who He was, and what they were party too!

The Holy Spirit not only communicated to Zachariah about Christ 1st coming, to pay for my (our) sin, but communicated to Zachariah about a time after the crucifixion, after Christs second coming, when some of the most militant will themselves finally understand and believe!