What is The Bible?

• We believe the Bible consists of the 66 books of the Protestant Scriptures (39 in the Old Testament; 27 in the New Testament). (More information on the differences between Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox versions.)

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• The Bible is inspired, or “God-breathed,” and is living and active being the words of God.

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The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. - 2 Samuel 23:2 (NIV)

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Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. - Jeremiah 1:9 (NIV)

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All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. - 2 Timothy 3:16

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And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. - 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV)

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For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

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Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. - 2 Peter 1:20-21

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• The Bible is authoritative, infallible, and inerrant.​

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The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. - Psalm 19:7 (NIV)

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Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. - Proverbs 30:5 (NIV)

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So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. - Isaiah 55:11 (NIV)

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Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’(Psalm 82:6)? If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—" - John 10:35 (NIV)

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• It is written both by the human author and the divine Author. Just as Christ is both Divine and Human, yet without sin, so the Word of God is both divine and human, yet without error.

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The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. - 2 Samuel 23:2 (NIV)​

What are Some benefits of Reading the Bible?

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• Being inspired, the Bible is valuable for application to our lives in many practical and spiritual ways.

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For 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)

...and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 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. - 2 Timothy 3:15-17 (NIV)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. - 2 Peter 1:2-3 (NIV)

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• Reading the Bible “washes” our thoughts to be holy.

"to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word..." - Ephesians 5:26

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• The Bible revives us, makes us wise, and gives us joy.

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"The law of the Lord is perfect,
   refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
   making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
   giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
   giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
   enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
   and all of them are righteous.

They are more precious than gold,
   than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
   than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
   in keeping them there is great reward.

- Psalm 19:7-11 (NIV)

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• It pierces deep within us and “judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

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For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

How do I Interpret the Bible?