Jesus and the Bible

Christians value the Bible. Those who aren't Christians yet often first discover Jesus' reality and God-nature through reading the Bible. It is by far the best-selling book of all time, and would regularly top the charts if it were to be counted. In a world filled with debate and division, it’s helpful to know if the Bible can be trusted. However, there are many theologians and teachers out there who say the Bible is God’s word yet don’t trust it to be accurate.

If it is accurate, it gives us solid ground in an ever-changing world. If it is God's word, we have confidence to hold our convictions firm. Convictions and beliefs may grow over time, but they won't have to change. Even our identity as loved sons and daughters of God can grow stronger. As others struggle for acceptance, legitimacy and hope, we can be the open arms they need.

So -- Is the Bible accurate? Is it really infallible? Is it really God’s word?

Jesus believes it is.

Daniel Akin shows us how accurate and trustworthy Jesus found the Old Testament to be:

“Jesus consistently treated the historical narratives of the Old Testament as straightforward records of fact. He referred to Abel (Luke 11:51), Noah (Matt 24:37-39), Abraham (John 8:56), Sodom and Gomorrah (Matt 10:15, 11:23-24), Lot (Luke 17:28-32), Isaac and Jacob (Matt 8:11), the manna (John 6:31), the wilderness serpent (John 3:14), David (Matt 22:43), Solomon (Matt 6:29, 12:42), Elijah (Luke 4:25-26), Elisha (Luke 4:27), Jonah (Matt 12:39-41), and Moses (Matt 8:4), among others. Nowhere is there the slightest hint that he questioned the historicity or accuracy of the accounts.
It is interesting to note that Jesus often chose as the basis of his teaching those very stories that many modern skeptics find unacceptable (e.g., Adam and Eve, Noah’s flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Jonah). For Jesus, Scripture was the final court of appeal in his disputes with the Pharisees and Sadducees. In his battle against Satan in the wilderness, Jesus cited scriptural statements as arguments against which no further argument was possible (Matt 4:1-11). Jesus might set aside or reject the Rabbinic or Pharisaical interpretation of the Old Testament (cf. Matt 5:21-48), but He never questioned its authority or truthfulness.” 
[Daniel L. Akin, “What Did Jesus Believe About the Bible?” from truelife.org.]

Jesus sees the Bible as historical fact!! And he doesn't only see it as historical fact, but filled with life lessons and trustworthy teachings. Jesus even declared that the Old Testament speaks of him. (See Luke 24:25-27, 44-45)

In the end, the Bible is not our hope, Jesus is. And Jesus says we can find him in the Scriptures, the Christian Bible. We can have expectation we will meet him there! 

For an incredible article on this topic, read "Jesus Christ and the Inerrancy of Scripture" at Associates for Biblical Research. (link)