The Supreme Authority of Scripture (Part One)

Introduction

The topic of this presentation is the doctrine of Scripture. More specifically, the supreme authority of Scripture. Christians often take the Bible’s authority for granted. Every Sunday believers open their Bibles, hear the words of Jesus, the apostles, and prophets, and read passages from Scripture. By doing so, they assume that what they are reading is truly from God.

Scripture itself reveals a doctrine about its own nature and authority. The goal of my presentation is to explore what the Bible teaches about its own origins and authority and then to see how Jesus viewed and used Scripture during His earthly ministry. The doctrine of Scripture is foundational to our understanding of God and humanity. Understanding Scripture’s authority helps Christians approach the Bible with greater confidence, trust, and obedience.

This presentation can be broken down into three parts, covering the following subjects and themes:

Part 1: The nature of biblical authority, self-authentication of Scripture, and historical Christian understanding of Scripture’s authority.

Part 2: Inerrancy, infallibility, archaeology and Scripture, and Jesus’ view of the Old Testament.

Part 3: Jesus’ use of Scripture, Satan’s temptation, Scripture’s indestructibility, Christ and Scripture as the unified source of absolute, divine authority and concluding applications.

The Question of Authority

Before considering what Scripture says about itself, it is helpful to ask a more fundamental question: What is authority, and why does it matter?

Modern western society is often described as an “anti-authority” age. Many traditional forms of authority are questioned or rejected, including governmental authorities, institutions such as the church, and cultural traditions. However, the issue at hand is not that people reject authority altogether. Rather, human cultures almost inevitably replace old authorities with new ones. Every society operates according to some form of authority.

Human beings depend on sources of authority that define reality, morality, and truth. Even those who reject traditional authorities still rely upon alternative authorities—whether scientific institutions, cultural movements, philosophical systems, or personal experience—to determine what is true and how people should live. The central question, therefore, is not whether people will have authority but which authority they will follow. In the Christian worldview, the ultimate authority is God Himself. And, because Scripture is the very Word of the infinite, eternal, omniscient Creator, Scripture possesses supreme authority in all matters it addresses.

The Self-Authenticating Authority of Scripture

One characteristic of the Bible which is often misunderstood is that it possesses self-authenticating authority. At first glance, one might object that using the Bible to prove the authority of the Bible seems circular. If someone begins with Scripture and concludes that Scripture is authoritative, does that create a circular argument? This objection misinterprets the nature of ultimate authorities. If the God revealed in Scripture truly exists and is the infinite Creator, possessing perfect knowledge and wisdom, then there can be no authority higher than God Himself. God does not appeal to some higher standard outside Himself to validate His Word because no such authority exists.

This principle is perhaps best illustrated by drawing on Hebrews 6:13–20, where the author explains that when God made His promise(s) to Abraham, He swore by Himself. Why? Because there was no one greater by whom He could swear. When humans take an oath, they appeal to something greater than themselves as a witness to their truthfulness. In a courtroom, for example, a person may swear on the Bible because they are appealing to a higher authority. However, when God speaks, His own nature and character are the ultimate guarantors of His truthfulness.

Another illustration of authority can be found in the account of Jesus and the Roman centurion in Luke 7:1–10. In this passage, a centurion approaches Jesus because his servant is sick. The centurion tells Jesus that He does not need to physically come to his house. Instead, Jesus can simply speak the word, and the servant will be healed. The centurion understood authority because he was a military commander. He knew that when someone with legitimate authority gives a command, that command carries power. Jesus praises the centurion’s faith because he recognized Jesus’ authority.

Scripture functions in a similar way. If Scripture truly comes from God and consists of His words, then it does not require external approval from another authority. It does not need scientists, historians, archaeologists, philosophers, churchmen, or any other source to give it legitimacy.

This does not mean external evidence is unnecessary or unimportant. Archaeology, historical studies, and other fields can provide evidence that supports the truthfulness of Scripture. However, these disciplines do not create or establish Scripture’s authority. They testify to a reality that already exists. The authority of Scripture comes from God, not from human confirmation. Nor does the church make Scripture authoritative. Instead, the church recognizes the authority that Scripture already possesses.

The significance of this authority is that it applies to everything Scripture addresses. The authority of the Bible is not limited only to spiritual or theological matters. For example, when Scripture describes historical events—such as Israel’s exodus from Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, God’s judgment through the Flood, or the miracles performed by Jesus—those statements are presented as true accounts of reality. Biblical authority extends to historical claims because God’s truth is not separated from the real world. The theology and history in the Bible are inseparable from one another.

This challenges a common modern assumption that faith is merely an internal experience unrelated to objective reality. Biblical faith connects directly with actual events that occurred in history. Christianity is not simply a collection of spiritual ideas; it is based upon God’s revelation in the real world.

The Attributes of Scripture

In this next section, we will survey several important attributes of Scripture that flow from its divine origin. These attributes include inerrancy and infallibility, concepts that have historically been central to Christian theology. These are not merely philosophical concepts developed by theologians or manifestations of post-Enlightenment thought. Rather, they arise from what Scripture teaches about itself and from what Scripture reveals about God. If God is the perfect, truthful, and all-knowing Creator, then His speech must necessarily reflect those same qualities.

Although the term inerrancy may be unfamiliar to many people, its meaning is straightforward: Scripture is free from error. It is exempt from mistakes and incapable of teaching falsehood. Biblical inerrancy means that everything Scripture teaches is in complete agreement with reality. When the Bible speaks about the nature of God, human beings, salvation, morality, history, or the physical world, it communicates truth. Therefore, when Scripture makes statements about reality, it speaks truthfully about reality.

This includes all categories of biblical revelation:

• The teachings of Jesus in the New Testament.
• The writings of the apostles.
• The historical narratives of the Old Testament.
• The accounts of Israel’s history.
• The events described in Genesis.

Infallibility is closely related to inerrancy. Although inerrancy and infallibility overlap, they emphasize slightly different aspects of Scripture. Inerrancy focuses on Scripture being free from error, while infallibility emphasizes that Scripture cannot fail in accomplishing God’s purposes.

The Bible also possesses an “indefectible authority.” It cannot be broken, overturned, or defeated. God’s Word accomplishes exactly what God intends it to accomplish. Jesus Himself expressed this confidence when He declared that Scripture cannot be broken. The Word of God remains true regardless of human opposition, misunderstanding, or attempts to undermine or subvert it.

The Bible identifies itself directly with God’s speech. Throughout Scripture, phrases such as “thus says the Lord” demonstrate that the prophets were not merely expressing personal opinions. They were delivering God’s own message. When Scripture speaks, God speaks.

This relationship between God and Scripture is seen throughout both the Old and New Testaments. The words of Scripture are not simply human reflections about God; they are God’s revelation to humanity. This is why the biblical authors can move seamlessly between saying “God said” and quoting Scripture. This phenomenon stands out in the book of Hebrews. The words written in the biblical text are treated as the words spoken by God Himself.

Together, authority, inerrancy, and infallibility demonstrate the unique nature of Scripture:

• Scripture has authority because God speaks through it.
• Scripture is inerrant because God can only be truthful.
• Scripture is infallible because God’s purposes cannot fail.

Archaeology and the Authority of Scripture

Archaeology is valuable because it helps illuminate the historical context of Scripture. Discoveries from the ancient world can provide important background information and often confirm details found in biblical accounts. However, archaeology does not possess authority over Scripture. Archaeology can help us understand the biblical text, but it cannot function as a judge over Scripture. If an archaeological interpretation appears to conflict with Scripture, the problem is not automatically with the Bible. Instead, the problem may be:

• A misunderstanding of the archaeological evidence.
• An incomplete data record.
• Limited knowledge of the ancient world.
• Incorrect assumptions brought to the evidence.

Christians should not approach archaeology as a means of proving the Bible true, because Scripture’s authority does not depend on archaeological confirmation. Rather, archaeology serves as a valuable tool for understanding and illustrating the truth already revealed in Scripture.

Moreover, there is an important distinction between the objective truth of Scripture and a person’s response to Scripture. Whether someone believes the Bible or rejects it does not change what Scripture is. If the Bible is truly God’s Word, then it remains God’s Word regardless of human acceptance or rejection. Even if I personally walked away from Christianity and rejected the Bible, that would not alter the objective reality of Scripture’s divine authority. My personal response would affect me and those in my sphere of influence, but it would not change the truth itself.

Ultimately, however, no amount of archaeological evidence can produce saving faith. While evidence has an important supporting role, faith itself is the work of God. Christians do not ultimately believe Scripture because of autonomous human reasoning, intellectual ability, or external evidence alone. The only certain knowledge and conviction come through the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of a person who has been regenerated by God. The Holy Spirit does not create the truth of Scripture; rather, He opens believers’ hearts to recognize the truth that is already present.

Jesus as the Ultimate Witness to Scripture’s Authority

Having established that Scripture derives its authority from God Himself, we now turn to the supreme witness concerning Scripture—Jesus Christ. Since the New Testament had not yet been written during Jesus’ earthly ministry, whenever Jesus referred to Scripture, He was referring primarily to the Old Testament. Jesus’ entire ministry was immersed in Scripture. He consistently appealed to the OT as the authoritative Word of God. Rather than dismissing the OT, Jesus submitted Himself to it, fulfilled it, interpreted it, and authenticated its divine authority.

Earlier, we saw that God alone can authenticate Scripture’s authority because God is the highest authority. However, this entails one important qualification: Jesus possesses the unique authority to confirm Scripture’s authority with equal authority because He is God the Son. He is uniquely qualified to authenticate Scripture. As the eternal Son of God, He has divine authority and therefore can authoritatively affirm that Scripture is truly God’s Word.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly demonstrates His confidence in Scripture. He appeals to it as the final authority in debates, controversies, and teachings. Jesus does not treat Scripture as merely a historical document or a collection of human religious writings.

A recurring phrase in Jesus’ ministry was: “Have you not read?” Whenever Jesus encounters misunderstanding or false teaching, He repeatedly directs people back to Scripture. Importantly, Jesus does not blame Scripture for confusion. He does not say:

• “The Bible is unclear.”
• “Moses did not explain that properly or clearly.”
• “The Old Testament is outdated.”

Instead, Jesus identifies the problem as human misunderstanding, ignorance, or incorrect interpretation. The fault is not with Scripture. The fault is with the people who fail to understand or obey it. This principle provides an important model for Christians today. When people struggle with biblical teachings, the solution is not to lower the authority of Scripture but to study it more carefully and seek to understand what God has revealed.

Jesus did not merely quote isolated verses from the OT. Rather, Jesus consistently treated the people, events, and narratives of the Old Testament as genuine historical realities. This point is especially significant because many modern interpretations attempt to separate Jesus’ spiritual teachings from the OT’s historical claims. Some argue that the biographies of figures such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, and others may represent symbolic stories rather than actual historical individuals. However, the speaker argues that this is not how Jesus approached Scripture. Jesus referred to:

• Adam and Eve
• Abel
• Noah
• Abraham
• Lot and his wife
• Isaac
• Jacob
• Moses
• King David
• The prophets such as Daniel and Isaiah

This has important implications for biblical interpretation. If Jesus Himself treated Old Testament narratives as historical, then His followers should approach those passages in the same manner.

Moses and the Prophets: The Sufficient Authority of Scripture

In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16, the rich man experiences misery in judgment after death and asks that someone be sent back from the dead to warn his brothers. However, Abraham responds that they already have “Moses and the Prophets.” Jesus’ point is profound: the written Word of God is sufficient to reveal truth and call people to repentance. The rich man assumes that a dramatic miracle—a person returning from the dead—would convince his family. But Jesus teaches that if people refuse to believe what God has already revealed in Scripture, even a miraculous sign will not persuade them. Even after Christ rose from the dead, many people still refused to believe. The problem was not a lack of evidence but a refusal to submit to God’s revealed truth. Jesus directs people back to Scripture. Moses and the Prophets already provide the authoritative testimony needed.

Jesus’ confrontation with the religious leaders in John 5 provides us with further instruction. Jesus tells them: “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.” Jesus does not tell people to abandon Moses in order to follow Him. Instead, He explains that rejecting Moses ultimately leads to rejecting Christ because Moses’ writings testify about Him. Jesus’ claim is remarkable because He makes these statements while confronting people who are already questioning His identity. Even as He reveals Himself as the eternal Son of God, He continues to direct people back to Scripture.

Jesus’ Temptation and the Authority of Scripture

Jesus’ temptation by Satan in Matthew 4 is one of the clearest demonstrations of Jesus’ submission to Scripture. Jesus, being the divine Son of God, could have simply commanded Satan to leave or even sent him into oblivion. Yet Jesus responded to his temptations by appealing to Scripture.

Three times Jesus answered Satan with the phrase: “It is written.”

Satan’s temptation also demonstrates the importance of correctly interpreting Scripture. He quoted Psalm 91 but distorted its meaning, attempting to persuade Jesus to act foolishly based on a twisted interpretation. Jesus responded by using Scripture correctly: “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” According to Jesus, Scripture is not only the ultimate source of truth but also the means by which false interpretations are corrected. Just as Jesus resisted Satan through Scripture, believers today must use Scripture to guard against:

• False teaching
• Misinterpretations
• Doctrinal errors
• Spiritual deception

The New Testament provides ample warning about those who twist Scripture. The solution to distorted interpretations of Scripture is not less Scripture but a clearer and more faithful understanding of the whole biblical message. Jesus demonstrates that Scripture is the foundation for spiritual discernment.

Christ and Scripture: One Unified Divine Authority

Christ and Scripture are not competing authorities. Rather, they cohere together as one unified source of divine authority. Some people attempt to separate Jesus from Scripture by saying things like:

• “I follow Jesus, but I do not need the Old Testament.”
• “I follow Jesus, but I reject Paul’s writings.”
• “I follow Jesus, but I do not accept difficult teachings about judgment.”

This creates a false version of Jesus—one shaped by personal preference rather than biblical revelation. The only real Jesus is the Jesus revealed in Scripture. Because Jesus affirmed the authority of Scripture, rejecting any part of Scripture ultimately means rejecting the authority of Christ Himself.

This means that Christians do not choose between Jesus and Scripture. Jesus Himself directs His followers to trust Scripture.

Final Summary: The Supreme Authority of Scripture

The Bible possesses supreme authority because it is the very Word of the living God. Its authority does not come from human approval, scientific confirmation, archaeological discovery, cultural acceptance, or the church. It comes from God Himself.

Scripture is:

• Authoritative because God speaks through it.
• Inerrant because God’s Word cannot contain error.
• Infallible because God’s purposes cannot fail.
• Permanent because it cannot be broken or destroyed.

Jesus Christ Himself affirmed these truths. He relied upon Scripture, fulfilled Scripture, defended Scripture, and taught others to trust Scripture. Therefore, believers cannot separate loyalty to Christ from submission to God’s Word. To follow Jesus is to embrace the Scriptures He affirmed. The proper response of Christians is not merely intellectual agreement but a life of obedience, trust, and submission to the Word of God—even when its teachings challenge human preferences or cultural assumptions.

Additional Resources for Further Study

1. Download a PDF of the slides from this presentation.

2. “Wild West Evangelical Hermeneutics (Part Two): Jesus Christ and the Supreme Authority of Scripture.” Bible and Spade 34, no. 4 (Fall 2021): 25–32.

3. “By Whose Authority?” Bible and Spade 33, no. 4 (Fall 2020): 10–11.

4. Jesus Christ and the Infallible Authority of Scripture (Part One)

In part 1 of a 2 part series on Digging for Truth TV, I discuss Jesus’ teachings on the authority and nature of Scripture.

5. Jesus Christ and the Infallible Authority of Scripture (Part Two)

In part 2 of a 2 part series on Digging for Truth TV, I continue with a discussion of Jesus’ teachings on the authority and nature of Scripture. This episode emphasizes Jesus’ interactions with Genesis 1-9.