The Scriptural passages that will be referenced and commented on in this study provide biblical rationale for having confidence in the word of God. In addition, these passages also clearly teach that the New Testament is the word of God. As will be seen, the New Testament writers viewed their own writings as Scripture and because of what the passages in this study teach, there is no reason to doubt that the New Testament is the Word of God.

The following passage dealing with John the Baptist gives New Testament revelation the same status as Old Testament revelation:

But what went ye out for to see? A prophet yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matthew 11:9-11

These above verse teaches three points that are relevant: 1. John was a prophet and his coming was foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures; 2. Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist. Thus, John was greater than the Old Testament prophets; 3. and the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. In which case, the New Testament prophets were greater than John. In light of this verse, the biblical, and indeed, logical conclusion is that the New Testament prophets were also inspired by God just like the Old Testament prophets.

The Old Testament is completed by the revelation of Christ in the New Testament. This is why the apostle Peter says:

We have also a more sure word of prophecy... II Peter 1:19. We can say, a more “sure word” because: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Hebrews 1:1-2

Consider Christ's explicit utterance concerning the importance of His words:

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Matthew 24:35

Christ identifies his words on the same level as the prophet Isaiah who says: “the word of our God shall stand forever” Isaiah 40:8. The heavens and earth are temporal and “shall pass away,” not Christ's Words!

The apostolic teaching was to be received on the same level as Isaiah. The early Christians received the teaching of Christ's apostles as authoritative.

We see proof of this of this early church view from the book of Acts:

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42

The early Christian disciples “continued in the apostle's doctrine” because they viewed it as the authoritative word of God. “Steadfastly” in this passage means to persevere, to adhere closely and give oneself continually to the apostle's doctrine.

Jesus promised disciples that the Holy Spirit would provide a true account of things He had taught them:

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you John 14:26.

We can have certainty that the Bible as the Word of God. The Holy Ghost, i.e., the Holy Spirit controlled and guarded this process of bringing to their remembrance everything He had taught them.

In the following verses the reader should notice how the apostle Paul viewed his own epistles and their origin. Paul clearly viewed his epistles as the word and commandments that came from God.

Because of Paul's apostolic authority, he is able to say:

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:13

Paul is therefore affirming that his words were authoritative because they were established not by fallen man, but the Holy Ghost who infallible because He is indeed God and the Third Person of the Trinity and it is impossible for God to lie. Hebrews 6:18

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. I Corinthians 14:37

Paul says clearly that the things he wrote to the Corinthian Church are “the commandment of the Lord.” Paul, An apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;).... But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:1, 11, 12

In this passage from Galatians, Paul says he received his teaching by “revelation” from “God the Father.”

For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 1 Timothy 5:18

This passage from Paul's letter to Timothy is a quote from the Words of Jesus in Luke 10: 7 in which Jesus is referring to Deuteronomy 25:4 for proof of His words; “for the labourer is worthy of his hire...”. Not only Paul is saying that this passage from Luke's gospel is Scripture, it is significant that Paul is connecting an Old Testament reference cited by Jesus in Luke's gospel in the New Testament and labels them equally as Scripture.

And the things that thou hast heard of me, among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. II Timothy 2:2

Paul gave Timothy the “things” or doctrine that he was to teach and instructs him to “commit” these teachings to “faithful men” in the same way that they were committed to him, that these truths might be protected and retained in the church. Hence, we can conclude that these teachings of Paul were the word of God and not the mere words of men.

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. I Thessalonians 1:5

Paul here connects his gospel preaching as the word of God since it was given him by “power” of God, i.e., the “Holy Ghost.”

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. II Thessalonians 2:13

In this passage from Thessalonians, Paul is referring to his apostolic message, which was heard and received by the disciples as the “word of God.”

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, [teaching, preaching] or our epistle [written letter]. II Thessalonians 2:15

Paul's apostolic teachings are described as “traditions in this passage. Not always, but in this case the context requires and Paul wants us to understand the “traditions” he is mentioning are the word of God. For an example of traditions that are not scripture, consider how Jesus mentions the tradition of the elders in Mark 7:3. Christ goes on in the gospel of Mark 7:9 to say that the Pharisees had substituted the commandments of God for the traditions of men.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, [Paul most certainly is including the New Testament writings here] and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 11 Timothy 3:16

The word "inspired" comes from a Greek word meaning "God-breathed." Peter uses the same Greek word for "Scripture" to describe the writings of the apostle Paul in 2 Peter 3:16.

Moreover, after looking at the above passages, we can see that Paul's writings clearly evidence that they are the word of God. Notice in particular how Peter views Paul's writings.

Peter places Paul's epistles at the same level as the rest of Scripture:

...our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles...in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 2 Peter 3:15-16

Another passage from Paul will be important to look at:

And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans. Colossians 4:16

Only the Word of God has this type of force attached to it. The church can never be pressured to have the word of man read in the church. In addition, there is pattern described in Colossians 4:16 concerning the reading of Paul's epistle in the church which should be noted. This is important because, this follows the same pattern as synagogue worship where the Scriptures were read as part of the service.

For biblical evidence in support of this assertion about synagogue practice we read:

For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. Act 15:21
The early Christians followed the pattern of synagogue worship quite closely at points. This reading of an apostolic epistle to the Colossians is a powerful confirmation that the apostolic epistles were viewed as the Word of God in the practice of the Church. The apostolic letters were read and expounded upon along with the Old Testament Scriptures. Without fear of contradiction, the early Church read the Old Testament Scriptures right along side of the emerging corpus of New Testament writings. And, it should be noted that the First Century Church extensively utilized the Old Testament as its most powerful apologetic weapon.

There is further testimony of New Testament revelation that should be considered. Specifically, the reader should survey the numerous occasions where the words; read, readest, and reading appear. This is powerful evidence that Israel had the written Scriptures and they were expected to know them. The astute reader will recall Jesus saying, “Have ye not read what David did.” Matthew 12:3 When Christ says this, it confirms that the Scriptures were widely distributed and known in Israel.
The next passage to be considered declares the gospel message to be Scripture:

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. I Corinthians 15:3,4

In Ephesians Paul shows us the superiority of New Testament revelation:

How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. Ephesians 3:3-5

In the Old Testament period, certain things were still a mystery since they were not “made known unto the sons of men.” New Testament revelation now makes “known” the mystery of redemption in Christ.

It is an undisputed fact that the New Testament repeatedly cites or quotes the Old Testament for proof of New Testament theology. For this reason and others shown, it should be clear that the New Testament texts are the word of God. Also it can be said, the New Testament is interlocked and interwoven with the Old Testament clearly demonstrating their fundamental unity.

And furthermore, if you consider the numerous mentions of the Old Testament in the New and take these into consideration there are probably over six-hundred quotations from the Old Testament in the New Testament Canon.

Moreover, there are numerous times where Christ and the apostles quote the Old Testament directly. For instance, in Matthew.19: 4, 5 Jesus quotes Genesis 2:24. In Hebrews 1:5 the writer is mentioning Psalms 2:7. In fact, as stated, there are literally hundreds of examples of the New Testament writers quoting the Old Testament. Also, there are many other passages where the Old Testament is referred to but no specific scripture is quoted.

To support this assertion, consider when the apostle John, says:

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” Revelation 22:18,19.

This quote from Revelation is an example of the many times where the New Testament connects itself to the Old Testament without a direct reference. What passage is Revelation referring to in the Old Testament? The reference is: “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” Deuteronomy 12:32

Concluding Observations:

The New Testament revelation completes the Old Testament revelation and functions as a inspired commentary on the Old Testament Scriptures. The Old Testament is incomplete without the New Testament, but the New Testament does stand by itself. The Old Testament provides indispensable background knowledge at almost every point without which the New Testament would be unintelligible. The Old Testament provides the revelation upon which the New Testament builds. The two form a compete unit inseparably joined together with a divine testimony. That testimony is Christ.

With this in mind and in conclusion, consider the Great Commission:

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

We can be sure that Christ as the sovereign God guarantees the success of the “Great Commission” by His omnipotent presence. Thus, we have the guarantee of Christ Himself that we have victory because of the power of the Word of God. As stated at the beginning, the New Testament writers viewed their own writings as Scripture. Consequently, because of what the passages referenced in this study teach, there is no reason to doubt that the New Testament is the Word of God.

                               
Mr. Kettler is an ordained Presbyterian Elder and the owner of http://www.Undergroundnotes.com where his theological, philosophical and political articles can be read. He has worked in corporate America for over 30 years and is now realizing his dreams as a successful home business entrepreneur.

Jack Kettler
Top 20 Global Business Builder Award Winner!
Curious, go to: http://www.YourGoldenKey.com