The Bible testifies of itself in numerous places, asserting its authority, divine origin, and importance. Here are some key examples, organized by the sections of the Bible that make these claims:
Old Testament
* The Law (Torah/Pentateuch):
* Exodus 24:4: Moses writes down "all the words of the Lord."
* Deuteronomy 4:2: "You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you." This warns against altering the divinely given instructions.
* Deuteronomy 31:24-26: Moses writes the Law and commands it to be placed beside the Ark of the Covenant as a witness.
* Numbers 15:31: "Because he has despised the word of the Lord and has broken his commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be on him." This shows the importance and consequence of disobeying God's word.
* The Prophets:
* Isaiah 8:20: "To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." This emphasizes the importance of aligning with established prophetic and legal teachings.
* Jeremiah 1:9: "Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, 'Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.'" This emphasizes the divine source of prophetic messages.
* Ezekiel 2:7: "And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are rebellious." Again, the prophet is instructed to deliver the divine message, regardless of reception.
* Psalms:
* Psalm 19:7-11: Praises the Law (Torah) as perfect, reviving the soul, making wise the simple, and providing warning and reward.
* Psalm 119 (entire Psalm): An extended meditation on the beauty, value, and importance of God's word (Law, statutes, testimonies, precepts, etc.). Key verses include:
* Psalm 119:89: "Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens."
* Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
* Psalm 119:160: "The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever."
New Testament
* Jesus's Testimony:
* Matthew 5:17-18: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished." Jesus affirms the enduring validity of the Old Testament.
* Matthew 24:35: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." Jesus elevates his own words to a level of permanence exceeding even the physical universe.
* John 10:35: "If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—" Jesus asserts the inviolable authority of Scripture.
* Luke 24:27, 44-47: After his resurrection, Jesus interprets the Old Testament prophecies as referring to himself. He emphasizes that everything written about him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms *must* be fulfilled.
* Apostolic Testimony:
* 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." This is a foundational passage stating the divine origin and practical value of Scripture. Note the ambiguity about which "Scripture" Paul is referencing. Some believe that it refers solely to the Old Testament, while other believe that it refers to all of scripture that has been accepted by the church as canonical.
* 2 Peter 1:20-21: "Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." This emphasizes the divine inspiration behind prophetic writings.
* 1 Thessalonians 2:13: "And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers." Paul equates his message with the word of God itself.
* Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Describes the power and penetrating nature of God's word.
* Revelation 22:18-19: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." This is a strong warning against altering the book of Revelation specifically, and by extension, the entire biblical canon.
Important Considerations:
* "Scripture" is not always defined: When the New Testament authors use the word "Scripture," they are generally referring to the Old Testament. The concept of a complete New Testament canon developed over time.
* Self-referentiality: These verses are, of course, part of the Bible itself. Critics argue that this creates a circular argument. However, believers see these claims as intrinsic to the Bible's message and authority.
* Context: It's important to interpret these verses within their historical and literary contexts.
* Inspiration vs. Dictation: Most conservative Christians believe the Bible is inspired by God, meaning God guided the authors but allowed them to use their own styles and perspectives. This is distinct from a "dictation" view where God directly dictated every word.
* Canonization: The process of determining which books belong in the Bible (the canon) was complex and took centuries. The books that were widely accepted as inspired and authoritative within the early church were eventually formalized as the canon.
In summary, the Bible repeatedly asserts its own divine origin, authority, and importance, both directly and indirectly, throughout its various books and genres. These claims are central to the faith of many Christians and form the basis for their belief in the Bible as God's revealed word.