The reliability of God’s word

God’s word is frequently lampooned as being unreliable, of containing stories that were made up much later in order to make Jesus out to be somebody he wasn’t. It would seem these accusations were around even in the first century. Listen to Peter defending what he had reported about Jesus.

“For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honour and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.” (2 Peter 1:16-18 NIV)

Why can we trust God’s word? Because what is recorded in the narratives came from those who saw it. They were eyewitnesses of what happened and, in particular, of Jesus and what he did.

Peter referred to a specific incident that we call Jesus’ transfiguration. If you remember, Jesus took Peter, James and John up on a high mountain and his clothes became whiter than anyone could have made them (we would probably say he glowed). Appearing with him were Moses and Elijah who talked with Jesus. When Peter suggested building shelters to honour all three, the Father himself spoke from heaven identifying Jesus as his Son with whom he was pleased.

Can you imagine the reaction of others when they heard this? Not only claiming to see great men from Jewish history but also that they heard God himself speak. But Peter wasn’t the only eyewitness – there were two others – and it is recorded in three of the four accounts of Jesus’ life (Matthew 17:1-7; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36).

“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.” (2 Peter 1:12-15)

Peter was making sure that the events of Jesus’ life that he and other witnesses had seen would not be forgotten so that people would always remember these things. Many believe that Mark’s gospel account was written from what Peter related concerning Jesus. We have four accounts of Jesus’ life written from different perspectives, different purposes, and to different audiences, yet they harmonise so well. Why? Because some were witnesses of the very events and others (Luke 1:1-4) took time to investigate what the witnesses saw. This is why we can trust these accounts.

“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 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 1:19-21)

What the New Testament writers recorded wasn’t their own interpretation of events but they were reminded of these things by God’s Holy Spirit who carried them along. These writers were ‘prophets’ in that they were revealing what God wanted recorded, guided by his Spirit.

If the scriptures were this important, shouldn’t we spend time inputting into our minds these things that happened and learn how God wants us to live?

Photo by John-Mark Smith from pixels.com. Free for use.

Readings for next week: 2 Peter 1-3; Jude; Revelation 1-5