Is the Bible Truly the Word of God? How Do We Know?

The Bible is our standard: our standard for living, for determining whether an experience is from God or Satan; it’s our roadmap to heaven. Yet, how can I be sure that it’s really God’s Word and not just a collection of writings by a group of men over the years?

The name “Bible” simply means book. The Bible never calls itself the Bible. The word is used in Matthew 19:7: “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” 

In Luke 4:7, Satan tempts Christ: 

And Satan said to Jesus, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” 

Jesus was tempted by Satan three times. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:13, Psalm 91:11-12. Jesus responded to Satan every time with “It is written…”

The name “Bible” is from Biblos - one of two places where papyrus grew. They made books from papyrus. 

What Does it Mean That the Bible Is Inspired by God?

What’s meant by “inspiration”?

2 Peter 1:21: For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 

Although by human pen, the Bible is God’s message to man rather than a message of man to his fellow men. This is important because some say that Bible is nothing more than human writing.

2 Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The word “inspiration” here is the only time used in the Word of God. It literally means – “God breathed” - this verse indicates that Scripture is God-produced; however, it in no way indicates the means of God in producing it. 

I remember as a child, wondering how God spoke to New Testament writers to give them the Bible. Were they machines that God punched like a computer to write out exactly what He wanted as he dictated it to them? How did God actually inspire the Bible?

To read more from this excerpt, see the following article: How Do We Know the Bible Is the Inspired Word of God?

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/RomoloTavani