*Click on the references to read the Scripture passages.*

We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are inspired by God, and are the revelation of God to man. They are the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.
(II Timothy 3:15-17II Timothy 3:15-17

and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.; I Thessalonians 2:13I Thessalonians 2:13

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.; II Peter 1:21II Peter 1:21

for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.)

• The Bible is the inspired Word of God which Christians receive primarily by faith: our focus is not primarily on historical or logical argument (Hebrews 11:3Hebrews 11:3
  
  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.). Throughout the Scriptures, God has exhorted His people to put their faith in His words, to fully embrace His words with hearts of faith (Psalm 119:49Psalm 119:49
  
  Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to have hope, 65-66Psalm 119:65-66
  
  You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments; John 20:31John 20:31
  
  but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.; Romans 10:17Romans 10:17
  
  So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.; Ephesians 1:12-13Ephesians 1:12-13
  
  that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise; 1 Thess 2:13I Thessalonians 2:13
  
  For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.).
• The Word never changes (Psalm 119:89Psalm 119:89
  
  Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven; Psalm 119:160Psalm 119:160
  
  The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.; 1 Peter 1:23I Peter 1:23
  
  having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever; Revelation 22:18-19Revelation 22:18-19
  
  For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add him to the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book).
• The Bible is available for all Christians to read, study, memorize and understand, not just for the clergy (Acts 17:10-12Acts 17:10-12
  
  The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.; 1 Corinthians 2:11-13I Corinthians 2:11-13
  
  For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.).
• The Scriptures must be obeyed and believed, not just read or studied (Matthew 7:24-27Matthew 7:24-27
  
  Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.; Luke 6:46-49Luke 6:46-49
  
  But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.; James 1:22-25James 1:22-25
  
  But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.).
• The written Word reveals the person of Christ to us, so that we might put our trust in Him (John 1:1,14-15John 1:1, 14-15
  
  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ”; John 5:24John 5:24
  
  Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.; John 5:39-40John 5:39-40
  
  You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.; John 20:31John 20:31
  
  but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.).
• The Word is the power of God that brings salvation and sanctification (Romans 1:16Romans 1:16
  
  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.; John 20:31John 20:31
  
  but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.; John 6:63John 6:63
  
  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.; 2 Timothy 3:15-17II Timothy 3:15-17
  
  and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.; Hebrews 4:12Hebrews 4:12
  
  For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.; John 8:31-32John 8:31-32
  
  Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”; Psalm 119:9Psalm 119:9
  
  How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.; Isaiah 55:11Isaiah 55:11
  
  So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.).
• The Scriptures are the authoritative source for all our beliefs and doctrines (1 Timothy 4:16I Timothy 4:16
  
  Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.; 2 Timothy 3:16-17II Timothy 3:16-17
  
  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.; Luke 21:33Luke 21:33
  
  Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.).
• Scripture is the sword of the Spirit to use against Satan’s temptations (Ephesians 6:17Ephesians 6:17
  
  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Matthew 4:1-11Matthew 4:1-11
  
  Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.).
• The Word is sweet to our taste! As we meditate on God’s Word, it enlightens and often delights our hearts with the revelation of God’s nature and character, and His intentions towards us (Psalm 19:7,10Psalm 19:7, 10
  
  The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 10 more to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.; Psalm 119:103Psalm 119:103
  
  How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!; Ezekiel 3:1-3Ezekiel 3:1-3
  
  Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness.).
• To grow in Christ, we are taught to spend time in the Scriptures, reading, memorizing, studying, believing, appropriating (Acts 2:42Acts 2:42
  
  And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.; 2 Timothy 3:15-17II Timothy 3:15-17
  
  and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.). Only the pure word of God – unmixed with philosophy, other religions’ teachings, or anything else – causes us to grow in Christ (1 Peter 2:2I Peter 2:2
  
  as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby; Colossians 2:8Colossians 2:8
  
  Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.; Galatians 1:6-9Galatians 1:6-9
  
  I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.; Revelation 22:18-19Revelation 22:18-19
  
  For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add him to the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book).
• The original, inspired Word of God was given in the languages of Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. There are many different translations of the Bible into English. It is recommended that the KJV, NKJV, ESV, NASB, or NIV translation be used as the basis for deep scriptural study and as a source for memorizing and putting one’s faith in specific scriptural promises.