What Do You Believe?

“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

As believers, it is very important that we know what we believe and why we believe it. Unfortunately, too many people who profess Jesus Christ have no idea what they believe or why they believe it. Furthermore, if asked to give a defense for what they believe, many Christians would be unable to do so. It ought not to be this way. The Bible says we are to “always [be] ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

Often times, when I speak in churches, I will ask the congregation if they believe the Bible contains the Word of God. Without hesitation, I usually get 100 percent of those in attendance responding with a resounding Yes! Then they are all shocked to learn that I do not hold this same belief. Because the truth is, the Bible does not contain the Word of God – the Bible is the Word of God. When I say the Bible contains the Word of God then I am free to pick and choose just what part of the Word of God is contained therein. However, when I understand the Bible is the Word of God, then there is no room for picking and choosing. I have to accept the entire Bible for what it is – The Word of God (to the exclusion of all other writings said to be God’s Word). Then I can proceed to explain to those in attendance exactly what I believe about the Bible.

I believe that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). This means that the whole Bible is the Word of God. It is infallible, that is to say, that everything that it affirms is absolutely true. It is inerrant, that is to say, it is without error. It is complete, that is to say, it is all God wanted to inspire. It is authoritative, that is to say, when it speaks, we would do well to listen. It is sufficient, that is to say, it is all God wanted to say. It is effective, that is to say, it is powerful, it impacts lives, and it accomplishes divine purpose. It is determinative, that is to say, it distinguishes between those who will go to heaven and those who will spend eternity in hell. Furthermore, the entire theme of all Scripture is God’s glory and its central character is the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bible says we must be prepared to defend what we believe. This is especially true given the times in which we live. What makes Christianity different from Islam? How is it different from Mormonism? What about the Watchtower (Jehovah’s Witnesses)? What sets the Bible apart from the Book of Mormon, the Koran, and others? How is it that only those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ will be in heaven? As believers, we must be able to answer these kinds of questions. The only way we will be able to give a satisfactory answer is we must know what we believe and why we believe it.