What the Bible says
What does the Bible say about the Bible?
The Bible is the Word of God, breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Its human authors “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21), so Scripture is true, enduring and sufficient, “the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience” (1689 Confession 1.1).
Key Bible verses about the Bible
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
- 2 Peter 1:20-21
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.
- Psalm 19:7-11
The LORD’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. The LORD’s covenant is sure, making wise the simple. The LORD’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. The LORD’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever. The LORD’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether. They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb. Moreover your servant is warned by them. In keeping them there is great reward.
- Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
- Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
- Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever.”
- Matthew 5:18
For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.
- John 17:17
Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.
- Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, 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.
- Romans 15:4
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
- Deuteronomy 8:3
He humbled you, allowed you to be hungry, and fed you with manna, which you didn’t know, neither did your fathers know, that he might teach you that man does not live by bread only, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the LORD’s mouth.
- Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.
Scripture: World English Bible (public domain). Short quotations in the introduction are from the ESV. Read each passage in its chapter for the full context.
From the Baptist Catechism
- Q4. What is the Word of God?
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, being given by divine inspiration, are the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
- Q5. How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God?
The Bible evidences itself to be God’s Word by the heavenliness of its doctrine, the unity of its parts, its power to convert sinners and to edify saints; but the Spirit of God only, bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in our hearts, is able fully to persuade us that the Bible is the Word of God.
- Q6. May all men make use of the Scriptures?
All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted, to read, hear, and understand the Scriptures.
- Q7. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man.
- Q96. How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching of the Word an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith unto salvation.
- Q97. How is the Word to be read and heard that it may become effectual to salvation?
That the Word may become effectual to salvation we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation and prayer, receive it in faith and love, lay it up in our hearts and practice it in our lives.
In the 1689 Baptist Confession
The Second London Baptist Confession of 1689 is our confessional standard. See what we believe.