Scripture is truth

Some may still want to argue the point with this statement. "What about all those guys writing down what God said? Couldn't they have added words that God hadn't said?" That's a good question and one that needs to be answered.

First, in the book of Daniel (a book we have already seen to be God's word), we find this statement: "But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth...."(Daniel 10:21). Here God plainly tells us this: The Scripture is Truth -- It is the Scripture of Truth. Scriptures are God's truth. Secondly, in 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17 we discover this statement, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." And then again in 2 Peter 1:20 and 21 we learn that "knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." The word in Greek, translated "inspiration of God", literally means "God's Spirit urged." The 2 Peter passage plainly states "they were moved by the Holy Spirit." We learn from these verses that all Scripture, written down by men (and they were called "holy men") comes directly from God by means of His Holy Spirit.

We are not left with just these words as to the authenticity of all Scripture. Jesus himself made reference to the authority of Scripture. Matthew 21:42 reports this, "Jesus said to them, 'Have you never read in the Scriptures: ''The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD'S doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes''?'" This is confirmed (and the Lord God always confirms His truth) in 1 Peter 2:6, "Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, 'Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.'" The Scripture is here affirming that Jesus is the Cornerstone, and all who believe on Him will not stand in their own shame.

Jesus used Scripture again and again to show that He was the true Messiah. Listen to this in Luke 4:17-21, "And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 'The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.' Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, 'Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.'" Jesus plainly declares that this passage in Isaiah is Holy Spirit inspired prophecy ("this Scripture is fulfilled"), prophecy that at that moment the truth of it had been delivered in the person of Jesus.

To be continued.

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Editor's note: Jim Duncan is the pastor of Mountain Bible Church, Mountain, Mo. This is taken from a larger treatise on Truth; for a PDF copy contact Duncan at P.O. Box 146, Pea Ridge, AR 72751; or by telephone at 417-341-8504; by e-mail at [email protected]. His Web site is www.jamesduncan-writer.net.