Throughout the Bible, God declares Himself to be the only God (Ex 20:3-6). Likewise, Jesus declares Himself to be only Way to God (John 14:6). In 1 Corinthians 12:13, we are told that Christians are “all baptized by one Spirit.” Our Triune God, therefore, is exclusively God and therefore serves as the exclusive authority governing all things. As God’s word (cf. previous discussion in 1a), the Bible alone offers an authoritative message that is perfect (Ps 18:30), holy (Jer 23:9), righteous (Ps 119:160), eternal (Ps 119:60), and unchangeable (John 10:35; 1 Pet 1:23-25). Jesus Himself appealed to Scripture as an authoritative support for His message (e.g. Matt 4:4). After his resurrection, Jesus confronted the misunderstandings of the disciples by revealing the teachings of the Scriptures concerning Himself (Luke 24:25-27).
In the letters of the Apostles, we observe that Paul frequently appeals to Scripture as the authoritative source undergirding his arguments (Rom 1:2; 4:3; 10:11; Gal 3:8; 4:30; 1 Tim 5:18). Like Paul, James and Peter also clearly reference the Scripture as authoritative (James 2:8; 4:5-6; 1 Pet 2:6). In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Paul clearly points to the Scriptures as the authority upon which the gospel rests.
Any discussion on the authority of Scripture should consider its clarity, especially in this present age which erodes certainty and exalts uncertainty. The doctrine of the clarity of Scripture maintains that its message is clear and understandable, and therefore, all people are accountable to its message. From Deuteronomy 6:6-9, we learn the Bible is simple enough to be taught to and learned by children. Indeed, God’s word is able to impart “understanding to the simple” (Ps 119:130).
Given the clarity of Scripture, believers can interpret the text and properly understanding its meaning (i.e. the authority of God’s Word is not inaccessible due to our lacking the ability to interpret its meaning). By adopting a literal view of Scripture which seeks to read and understand the biblical message in its natural and normal sense (Note: this is not a rigid literalism which ignores hyperboles, similes, metaphors, etc.), believers can accurately determine the meaning of the text.
As fallen creatures, we are incapable of replicating the divine standard of perfect, authoritative, inerrant communication. Therefore, we must vigilantly rely on Scripture as the guide for our own lives as well as others. Thankfully, believers have been given “the mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2:16) which enables us to understand and accept God’s truth (revealed in His Word).
As the authoritative Word of God, Scripture offers us a bedrock upon which we can build our lives. As His messengers (message deliverers), our authority stems from Scripture to the extent that our teaching accurately reflects the truth of Scripture. To put this another way, we either speak authoritatively by standing resolutely on the teachings of Scripture, or we offer the world personal opinions which have no authority at all. By speaking the truth of God’s Word to this lost and dying world, we are pointing them toward the Savior (2 Tim 3:14-15). Conversely, distorting God’s Word will only lead people away from Christ (Acts 20:30). In this increasingly tolerant society which shuns exclusive truth claims and embraces acceptance of all things, Christians must affirm the exclusive authority of God’s Word, build their lives upon it, and remain vigilant in proclaiming it.
As we engage this world and seek to evangelize, we must never allow anything or any argument to take the central place in our defense of the faith. Rather, the Bible must be the central authority in our delivery of the gospel (and any other teaching related to the teachings of Scripture), our defense of the faith (i.e. all apologetical activities), and our ongoing interaction with the world. It is essential that we take a personal and public stand on the Bible and its teachings. Remaining silent so as to avoid controversy will only serve to suppress the truth of God’s Word and increase confusion.
As western-minded individualists, it is often tempting to end the discussion of the authority of God’s Word after discussing its application to the individual and society at large. The Bible, however, makes clear that God’s word is central and authoritative in our fellowship. Among ourselves, we are to encourage one another (Heb 10:25), rebuke one another (Titus 2:15), and confess our sins to one another (James 5:16). Though our present culture spurns confrontation, the ministries of the prophets and Apostles along with Christ Himself (not to mention the character and word of God revealed throughout Scripture) demands that God’s people be willing to confront all sinful behavior in themselves and their fellowship. Of course, any such confrontation should be done in love and with a redemptive mindset.