The Authority of Scripture
Evangelicals are sometimes accused of "bibliolatry" — worshipping a book. The accusation misses the point. What evangelicals worship is God, who has spoken. The Bible matters because God authored it and stands behind it. These twelve passages walk through the case for why Scripture is the supreme authority for what we believe and how we live.
What Scripture says
All quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).
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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.
God-breathed. Not human philosophy with divine endorsement — divinely originated and human-mediated.
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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.
The men wrote, but the Spirit moved them. Both fully present in the text.
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Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
Light to walk by. Practical, daily, illuminating.
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Psalm 119:160
All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.
Every word — not just the parts we like or find comfortable.
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Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever.
Cultures rise and fall. The Word remains.
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John 17:17
Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.
Jesus prayed that we be sanctified by truth — and defined truth as the Word.
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Matthew 5:17-18
Don't think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn't come to destroy, but to fulfill. 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.
Jesus' own view of Scripture: every letter inspired, every letter binding until fulfilled.
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Matthew 4:4
But he answered, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God's mouth."
In the wilderness, Jesus answered every temptation with "It is written." Scripture was His weapon.
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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.
The Bible is not a passive text. It reads us.
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Romans 15:4
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
The Old Testament was not replaced. It was written for us.
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Acts 17:11
Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
The Bereans tested Paul's preaching against Scripture. So should we test every teacher — including our favorite ones.
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Revelation 22:18-19
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book. If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
A sober warning. The Word is closed. Add nothing. Subtract nothing.
A prayer
Father, You have spoken. Make us a people who read Your Word, believe Your Word, obey Your Word, and proclaim Your Word. Where Scripture is contested, give us courage. Where it is unfamiliar, give us appetite. Where it is hard, give us obedience. Amen.