Can I trust the Bible?
Yes. Scripture claims to be God's own word, and its testimony holds up: it is consistent across centuries and authors, historically grounded, confirmed by Christ Himself, and it has proven true in the lives of countless people. Jesus said heaven and earth will pass away, but His words will not.
Begin by reading
Go into the Word
Not a summary of these passages: the passages themselves. Read them, then come back to the study below.
The study
What the Scripture says
Scripture claims to be God's word
All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. No prophecy of Scripture came by the will of man, but men spoke from God, being carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.
Christ Himself trusted it
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Jesus called Scripture the word of God and said it cannot be broken, and He continually grounded Himself in it, from the wilderness to the cross.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture can’t be broken),
He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures.
Its testimony is coherent and true
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace. Every word of God proves true.
Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s testimony is sure, making wise the simple. Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever. Yahweh’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether.
Yahweh’s words are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.
“Every word of God is flawless. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
It is profitable for real life
The sacred writings are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, and they equip the man of God for every good work. The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, discerning the thoughts of the heart.
From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and remains forever. For, “All flesh is like grass, and all of man’s glory like the flower in the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls; but the Lord’s word endures forever.” This is the word of Good News which was preached to you.
As you read, you may wonder…
Scripture raises the next question
Studying the Word naturally opens more of it. Follow what you just read: it leads somewhere.
Hold onto these
Verses to meditate on
Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.
Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s testimony is sure, making wise the simple.