How Jesus and the Apostles Viewed the Bible: Authority, Inspiration, and Divine Purpose

In the postmodern era, the Bible has been widely reinterpreted through philosophical lenses that question its inspiration and authority. For many, it is no longer seen as God's perspective on humanity but as humanity’s perspective on God. This viewpoint secularizes the sacred text, minimizing or eliminating its supernatural element. However, both Jesus and the apostles demonstrated a completely different understanding. To them, the Scriptures were the living Word of God, carrying divine authority, moral guidance, and reliable prophecies. This article explores how Jesus and the apostles understood and used the Old Testament.

The Authority of Scripture According to Jesus

Jesus frequently referred to the Old Testament as the foundation of His mission and teachings. During His temptation in the wilderness, recorded in Matthew 4, He repeatedly used the phrase “It is written” to confront Satan. This demonstrates that Jesus not only acknowledged the authority of Scripture but also viewed it as the supreme source of spiritual and moral truth.

When responding to the temptation concerning appetite, He quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, emphasizing that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4). This pattern continued in the other temptations, reinforcing that Jesus regarded Scripture as the most powerful defense against evil. For Christ, God’s Word was definitive, not subject to human arguments or inconsistent interpretations.

Furthermore, Jesus never questioned the historicity or authenticity of Scripture. He treated events such as creation, the flood, and the writings of Moses as historical facts, demonstrating His complete trust in the Bible as a faithful record of God’s actions in history.

Jesus and God's Law

Throughout His ministry, Jesus reaffirmed the validity and importance of God’s Law, often citing the Ten Commandments and the moral principles of the Old Testament. When confronted by the Pharisees and Sadducees, He not only defended Scripture but also corrected misinterpretations. In Matthew 22:37-40, when summarizing the Law in two commandments - loving God above all and loving one’s neighbor as oneself - Jesus was not abolishing the Law but emphasizing its spirit and purpose.

This approach elevated the understanding of the Law, showing that its essence was love and justice. By referring to "the Law and the Prophets," Jesus confirmed that the Old Testament, in its entirety, was the foundation of life and faith.

Scripture as the Fulfillment of Prophecy

After His resurrection, Jesus used the Old Testament to explain His mission and death. On the road to Emmaus, He declared, “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27). This emphasizes that Jesus saw the Old Testament as a cohesive and prophetic testimony of His coming.

By referring to the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms, Jesus indicated that all of Scripture pointed to Him. He opened the disciples’ understanding, revealing how the prophecies about the Messiah were fulfilled in His life, death, and resurrection. This not only reinforces the authority of the Bible but also demonstrates that it is central to understanding God’s plan of salvation.

The Perspective of the Apostles

The apostles, following Jesus’ example, treated the Old Testament as the authoritative Word of God. Their letters are filled with citations and references to Scripture. For them, the Bible was the foundation of all doctrine, ethics, and preaching.

Paul, for instance, wrote in Romans 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning.” He emphasized that Scripture provides hope, instruction, and encouragement. Additionally, in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, he stated that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

The apostles also recognized the prophetic role of the Old Testament. In Acts 2, Peter explained the event of Pentecost in light of Joel’s prophecy, demonstrating that they saw Scripture as a vital tool for interpreting current events.

The Relationship Between Scripture and God

Both Jesus and the apostles affirmed that the Bible is not merely a human record but the very Word of God. When citing passages from the Old Testament, they often attributed its words directly to God.

For example, in Matthew 19:4-5, Jesus quotes Genesis, saying, “The Creator made them male and female, and said: ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother.’” Here, He attributes to the Creator the words written by Moses, showing that He considered God the ultimate author of Scripture.

The apostles followed the same reasoning. In Galatians 3:8, Paul stated that “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham” This demonstrates that, to them, the biblical text was inseparable from the voice of God.

The Bible in the Christian Mission

For Jesus and the apostles, the Bible was central to the mission of spreading the gospel. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus commanded His followers to teach “everything” He had commanded, indicating that His ministry was firmly rooted in Scripture.

The apostles understood that fulfilling this mission required a clear and deep understanding of the Bible. Thus, they dedicated themselves to teaching and explaining how Scripture pointed to Christ and His redemptive work.

Conclusion

The view of Jesus and the apostles regarding the Bible strongly contrasts with the relativistic interpretations of the postmodern era. To them, Scripture was the supreme authority, the foundation of all truth, and the record of God’s plan for humanity.

By following Christ’s example, we are called to value the Bible as the living and effective Word, capable of transforming lives. May we not only study it but also live it, trusting that it is the unshakable foundation of our faith.