INFALLIBLE WORD

1. Fact 1: The Bible is the infallible Word of God

a) God's words are compiled into what we know as "The Bible" from the Greek word "biblos" meaning "a book". It is God's love letter to people. The Bible is also called "Scripture," "Word of God," "the law," "statutes" (law or decree) or "precepts (principle or general rule of action)." Through reading the Bible, we understand God in the way he has revealed himself- his thoughts, his plans and his promises. The Word of God is like no other book in the world.

b) The Bible is one of the oldest books in the world-some portions date back almost 4,000 years. It was written on 3 continents (Asia, Europe, and Africa) in 3 languages (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek) over a period of time spanning 1,500 years and 40 generations.

c) The Bible was written by men-but inspired by the Holy Spirit. These authors were from all walks of life: kings, fishermen, poets, philosophers, peasants, shepherds, statesmen, scholars and farmers. There are 39 books in the Old

Testament and 27 books in the New Testament i.e. 66 books in the Bible.

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

d) The miracle is that the Bible has a unified message in spite of the fact that it was written over a span of 1,500 years by people of different cultures andz diversities. The message is that God loves and wants to have fellowship with people. This was accomplished through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to to earth to save sinful people. This message is consistent throughout the Bible-from Genesis to Revelation.

2. Fact 2: Jesus is the Word of God

a) 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5 NIV)

b) Jesus is God himself, coming to earth in human form. Jesus was conceived through the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin. His Father is God.

i) 26In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." 29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end." 34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" 35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37For no word from God will ever fail." 38"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:26-38 NIV)

c) The 4 gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) tell of Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection and teachings. The Book of Hebrews explains his ministry in light of the Old Testament Law. The entire New Testament is about people's relationship with God through Jesus.

3. What can the Word of God do for us?

a) Provides faith

i) 17So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 NKJV)

b) Shows the way to salvation

i) 30Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30, 31 NIV)

c) Cleanses the soul

i) 3You (disciples) are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. (John 15:3 NIV)

d) Shows us the way to go (gives direction)

i) 105Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. 130The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. (Psalm 119:105, 130 NIV)

e) Provides food for the soul and causes growth

i) 1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." 4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:1-4 NIV)

f) Provides healing

i) 20He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. (Psalm 107:20 NIV)

g) Makes us wise

i) 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14, 15 NIV)

h) Helps us to pray

i) 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:7 NIV)

i) Provides comfort and strength in times of trouble

i) 4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. (Romans 15:4 NIV)

4. Prayer focus

a) Pray that we may be man and woman of the Word and we anchor our faith solely on the Word of God.

b) Pray that we may receive the Word anointing so that we may fully understand the Word of God as clearly the Holy Spirit imparts to us.

c) Pray for healing, strength, comfort and wisdom so that we may endure and become victorious in our walk with the Lord.