Authority in Bibliology (Doctrine of Scripture): Why God’s Word Orders Christian Faith
The authority of Scripture in Christian faith rests on the conviction that the Bible is God’s Word. Both Old and New Testaments bear divine inspiration, carrying with them supreme authority for belief and practice. Christians do not see the Bible as merely an ancient text but as the living Word of God that rules their faith, shapes their lives, and directs their hope in Christ.
The concept of authority is central: the Bible does not receive its power from the church, councils, or human tradition. Instead, its authority derives from God, its ultimate author. Scripture rules because God speaks through it, guiding His people in every age.
1. Biblical Authority in Divine Inspiration
The Bible itself declares its origin in God. Paul wrote, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Because Scripture is God-breathed, it carries His authority.
Key truths about inspiration:
Divine source: The prophets spoke as they were “carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).
Permanent attribute: Inspiration is not a temporary event but a lasting quality of the text.
Self-authenticating: Scripture bears internal marks of divine authorship, evident in its unity, power, and fulfillment.
For Christians, this means the authority of Scripture is not borrowed but intrinsic, for it is the very Word of God.
2. Biblical Authority in Christ and the Apostles
The New Testament demonstrates that Jesus delegated His authority to the apostles. He told them, “The one who hears you hears me” (Luke 10:16). Their teaching was not merely human wisdom but carried the authority of Christ Himself.
Examples include:
The Gospels: Direct testimonies to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
The Epistles: Apostolic instructions to the churches, binding in their authority.
Revelation: A prophetic word from Christ to His people concerning the last days.
By receiving the apostolic writings, the church received Christ’s command and direction, anchored in His authority.
3. Biblical Authority over the Church
The church does not create the authority of Scripture but recognizes it. Peter referred to Paul’s writings as “Scripture” alongside the Old Testament (2 Peter 3:16). Councils and creeds served to confirm what God had already given, not to decide it.
This distinction means:
The church is ministerial, serving under God’s Word.
The church is not magisterial, able to invent or override revelation.
Tradition, reason, and experience may help interpretation, but they do not rival Scripture in authority.
God’s Word rules the church because it comes directly from Him, not from human decision.
4. Biblical Authority in Christian Life
The authority of Scripture extends to every area of life. The psalmist declared, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). The Bible guides Christians in doctrine, worship, morality, and mission.
Practical implications include:
Faith: What we believe about God must come from His Word.
Obedience: God’s commands reveal His will for holy living.
Hope: Promises of salvation and the last days sustain perseverance.
The authority of Scripture calls Christians to submit, not selectively but wholly, recognizing God’s rule in all things.
5. Biblical Authority for the Last Days
The Bible not only records God’s past works but also points forward to the future. Peter wrote, “We have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place” (2 Peter 1:19).
In the last days, Scripture remains central because:
It secures the church’s hope in Christ’s return.
It clarifies the mission of proclaiming the Gospel to all nations.
It guards believers from false teaching by providing an unchanging standard.
The authority of Scripture, therefore, is not bound to the past but equips the church to endure until Christ appears.
Conclusion
The authority of Scripture is rooted in its divine inspiration and grounded in the rule of Christ. The Bible commands faith because it is God’s Word, recognized by the church as the supreme standard for belief and practice. From its testimony of the Gospel to its promises of the last days, Scripture rules Christian life with clarity, sufficiency, and power.
God’s people are called to listen to His Word, trust its promises, and obey its commands, for in Scripture the voice of God still speaks.
Bible Verses on the Authority of Scripture
Deuteronomy 8:3 — “Man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”
Psalm 119:89 — “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.”
Psalm 119:105 — “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Isaiah 40:8 — “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
Matthew 4:4 — “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
John 17:17 — “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”
Acts 17:11 — “They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”
2 Timothy 3:16–17 — “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
2 Peter 1:19 — “We have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention.”
Revelation 22:18–19 — “If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away, God will take away his share in the tree of life.”
