It is written
The Bible is often referred to as the Scripture, i.e. that which is written. This permanent, written record of God's Word gives us a sure reference point. Certainly, God still speaks to us by His Holy Spirit, but this should not lead believers to neglect the written word. Peter said, "We have a more sure word of prophecy whereunto you do well that you take heed…." (II Peter 1 v 19.) There are many voices in the world but God has given us the Scripture of Truth which "Cannot be broken" (John 10 v 35) so that we know the voice of the Shepherd when He speaks to our heart. This surely is demonstrated beyond all doubt by the fact that Jesus, God manifest in the flesh (I Tim.3 v 16), having recently come from His baptism, where the Holy Spirit had come upon Him in bodily form as a dove, did not rely simply upon an inner voice to resist the temptations of Satan, but stated emphatically on three occasions, "It is written…." (Matthew 4 vv 4,7 & 10).

Here is a final and absolute authority. How can one preach with authority unless one believes so? In fact, so complete are the Scriptures that every word is important. In Galatians 3 v 16, Paul bases an argument upon the fact that a word in the Old Testament is in the singular and not in the plural. Jesus does a similar thing in John 10 v 34. Indeed, did not the apostle confess in Acts 24 v 14, that he believed all things which are in the law and the prophets? The attitude of Jesus and New Testament writers alike is that the Old Testament Scriptures cannot err or fail to be fulfilled. Jesus emphasised, "But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." (Mark 14 v 49). James appeals to the same idea when he challenged, "Do you think that the Scripture says in vain…?" (James 4 v 5) Here, we can derive great assurance of the veracity of Scripture when we discover how much Biblical prophecy has been literally fulfilled, and is being fulfilled. Why? Because it is the inspired word of God which CANNOT fail. Again and again, the prophets lay claim to this fact when they testify, "Thus saith the Lord.." or, "The word of the Lord came to me.." or when they speak as God in the first person. If one wants to dispel any doubts about the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures once and for all, then examine the words of Jesus in Matt. 5 v 18. Not one jot or tittle shall pass from the law till all be fulfilled. Not just words but little letters and spelling marks are all there in the original by the inspiration of God.

In the New Testament are the writings of the apostles, eyewitnesses of the very events and teachings, or of men like Luke or Mark, who were close to the apostles, and whose writings bear the stamp of Divine authority. From Acts 1 vv 1 - 4, it is apparent that Jesus spent forty days after His resurrection teaching the disciples. But far more important is the promise Jesus gave to His disciples that when the Holy Spirit had come upon them in that full, baptismal outpouring, then He would bring to their remembrance all that Jesus had said and taught. (John 14 v 26) Thus what they wrote was not the product of failing memories or excited imagination, some fantasy interwoven with poorly remembered fact. No! They wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Paul, and the other writers of the New Testament epistles wrote with apostolic authority. Perhaps this is best demonstrated in the Pauline epistles where the apostle always writes in a manner which shown that he is the human vessel conveying God's message. In the first few verses of every epistle except Hebrews (which does not bear the name of Paul in the text of the epistle either) he greets his readers with words like "Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ." Such was Paul's authority. Indeed, concerning the gospel which he proclaimed, he says, "I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1 v 12 - see also I Corinthians 2 v 13). Be encouraged to receive Paul's preaching, "not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe." (I Thess. 2 v 13). Those that are spiritual will be able to judge that these writings are God's word. (I Cor.14 v 37). The Divine inspiration of these letters as Scripture was recognised from the beginning. They were read not just in one but in several churches (Colossians 4 v 16). Peter confirms this when he refers to Paul's letters as Scripture (II Peter 3 v 16).

The Book of Revelation is, of course, the Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev 1 v 1) which carries its own warning of the danger of adding to or taking away from it (Rev. 22 vv 18, 19). However, a similar warning applies to that sort of treatment of any of the revealed Word of God (Deuteronomy 4 v 2).