Utterly Reliable

Many Christians today hesitate to trust the complete reliability of the Bible. The first Christians had no doubts at all.

When Peter was inspired by God to write about the issue, Peter referred to the Transfiguration. “For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased’— and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain” (I Peter 1:17-18). His point was that God’s voice (the utterance) confirmed the divine authenticity of Jesus.

Peter then draws an analogy with the Bible (the prophetic word). “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts” (I Peter 1:19). Just like the Transfiguration, the divine authenticity of the Bible has been made “more sure.” This is why the Word deserves our full “attention.”

He then goes on to explain not one part of Scripture was ever a matter of the writer’s own opinion (I Peter 1:20). It was never shaped by a human agenda. Every word of the Word came from the Holy Spirit (I Peter 1:21). Just as Jesus was confirmed as divine, so was the Word.

In the 21st Century, you will find a lot of Christians who question the divine integrity of the Word. The first Christians didn’t question it at all.

- Bret