The Bible

Central Presbyterian Church • July 18, 2025

What Makes the Bible Unique? The Attributes of God’s Word

Since the dawn of time, humanity has searched for truth—something solid to stand on in a world that shifts like sand. Many books claim wisdom. Religions offer their sacred texts. Philosophers offer their musings. But one book stands utterly apart: the Bible.

Why? Because the Bible is not merely the words of men—it is the very Word of God. In this post, we’ll explore the unique attributes that make the Bible unlike any other book in history. Understanding these truths will deepen your trust in Scripture and encourage you to read it with joy, reverence, and confidence.

1. The Bible is Inspired

“All Scripture is breathed out by God…” — 2 Timothy 3:16

The Bible didn’t emerge from human imagination. Its ultimate author is God Himself. The term God-breathed means that the Holy Spirit guided the human writers so that every word they wrote was exactly what God intended to communicate. Though penned by human hands, the Bible is divine in origin.

2. The Bible is Inerrant

“The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.” — Psalm 12:6
“Your word is truth.” — John 17:17

Because God cannot lie or err, His Word is without error in everything it asserts. From history to theology, from ethics to salvation, the Bible is wholly true. It is the trustworthy foundation on which you can build your life.

3. The Bible is Authoritative

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” — Isaiah 40:8

The Bible carries the full weight of God’s authority. It’s not just one voice among many—it is the final and supreme authority for what we believe and how we live. When the Bible speaks, God speaks.

4. The Bible is Sufficient

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” — 2 Peter 1:3

The Bible contains everything we need to know God, be saved through Jesus Christ, and live a godly life. You don’t need to look elsewhere for secret knowledge, hidden revelations, or extra writings. Scripture is fully sufficient for faith and practice.

5. The Bible is Clear

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105

The essential teachings of the Bible—especially about salvation—are clear enough that even children can understand them. This doesn’t mean everything in Scripture is easy, but the message of how to be saved and live for God is plainly revealed. With the Holy Spirit’s help, God’s people can understand His Word.

6. The Bible is Necessary

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” — Romans 10:17

Without the Bible, we would not know the true God, the depth of our sin, or the way of salvation through Jesus Christ. Nature reveals that God exists, but only Scripture shows us the gospel. We need the Bible to know God personally.

What Do the Westminster Standards Say?

The Westminster Confession of Faith offers a rich and time-tested summary of what Scripture is and why it matters. It not only defines the nature of the Bible but explicitly names which books are to be received as Scripture.

“All which are given by inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life…”
— Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 1.2

The Confession then lists the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, from Genesis to Revelation, as the complete and exclusive canon of Holy Scripture:

39 books of the Old Testament, beginning with Genesis and ending with Malachi.
27 books of the New Testament, beginning with Matthew and concluding with Revelation.

Similarly, the Westminster Larger Catechism asks:

Q.3: What is the Word of God?
A: "The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience."

In other words, the Bible—and the Bible alone—is the Word of God. No other books, traditions, or revelations are on par with Scripture. This guards the church against error and preserves the clarity and purity of the Christian faith.

Why This Matters

If the Bible is inspired, inerrant, authoritative, sufficient, clear, and necessary, then it’s not a book we can afford to ignore. It deserves our daily attention, humble study, and joyful obedience. Through its pages, God speaks to us, shapes us, and points us to life in Jesus Christ.

“The word of God is living and active…” — Hebrews 4:12

The Bible Leads Us to Jesus

Ultimately, the Bible is not an end in itself—it points us to Jesus, the Word made flesh. From Genesis to Revelation, the grand story of the Bible is God’s plan to redeem sinners through His Son!