Is the Bible true?

from the old testament

• "The heavens declare the glory of God," (Psalm 19:1). The heavens - the sun, moon, planets, stars, and galaxies - are not the glory of God. Rather, they point to (declare) the glory of God: His majestic, creative power.
• As the psalmist encounters the mercies of the LORD he declares, "You have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God" (Psalm 31:5). The Hebrew for faithful also means sure, reliable and true.
• Psalm 119:160: "The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever." This passage declares God's Word is truth.
• Proverbs 30:5: "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." King Solomon recognizes that God's Word, the Bible, is true.

from the new testament

• When Jesus prayed for His disciples before His death He asked His Father to “set them apart” from the world through the truth of the Word. (John 17:17).
• When the risen Jesus appeared to His disciples, He opened their minds to understand how He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies, proving that the Bible is true (Luke 24:44-47).
• "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). The Word of God revealed itself in the Person of Jesus Christ.
• Both Paul and Peter wrote about the Word of God finding its source in God (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:21). Many texts claim to be true, but the Bible's claim is exclusive and verifiable.
• In John 14:6 Jesus said: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus explicitly claims to be truth incarnate, presenting Himself as the absolute standard of truth.
• John 14:17 says the world does not know the Spirit of truth (Holy Spirit), but believers know Him, because He abides with believers. The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4).
• God made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). God’s Word is seen true through who Jesus is and what He did for us.

implications for today

A statement can either be either true or not true; it cannot be both. For example, when we say "It is 35 degrees Fahrenheit outside" it either is or it is not. It cannot be 35 degrees and 61 degrees at the same time. Logic applies to the spiritual truths of the Bible as well. In every area where the Bible's claims can be tested, it has proven accurate. History, archaeology, and philosophy show that statements made in the Bible are factual and consistent. In Acts 17:11, Luke commends the Bereans for examining the Scriptures to see if what the apostles taught was true. We are encouraged to do the same. When you line up what the Bible says with other sources of information about the same events, people, and findings, we see it is accurate and true. Other religious texts cannot stand the scrutiny of the same level of the Bible. Though they, like the Bible does in 2 Timothy 3:16, claim to be true, they are not accurate, unique, or wholly true.

In a world full of conflicting voices and shifting values, we need a firm foundation—and the Bible offers just that. It is not just an ancient religious book; it is the living Word of God that has stood the test of time, evidence, and scrutiny. From fulfilled prophecies to historical accuracy to the cohesive story of redemption across centuries, the Bible consistently proves itself to be true.

But the most powerful confirmation of its truth isn’t just in facts—it’s in seeing God’s glory through its pages. Just as creation declares God’s majesty to those with eyes to see, Scripture reveals His character, purpose, and love to those with hearts open to Him. Many may read the Bible and miss its truth, just as many saw Jesus but did not recognize Him as God. Yet to those who believe, God opens their eyes to see the beauty and truth of the gospel—shining in the face of Christ. It reveals the God who made us, the Savior who redeems us, and the Spirit who transforms us. To reject the Bible is to reject the very light by which we see reality. But to receive it is to walk in the truth that sets us free (John 8:32, 36).

Believing the Bible is true isn’t just about accepting facts; it’s about embracing a Person. Jesus—the Word made flesh—embodies truth and invites us to know Him. When we encounter Him in Scripture, we see not only the truth of the Bible but the truth about ourselves, our need, and God's saving grace.